Re: New to boating. Where to start?
UnTiredRon<br />First welcome to the board. If this is a new boat most dealer will take your on a check out cruse. They will show you what every switch does, how to launch and load the boat. If they offer take them up on it.<br /><br />I aggree with Ziggy but you do not have to join to take the classes. Both Coast Guard Aux and US Power Squadrons have good classes. They are cheap and fun.<br />Take your whole crew. Most of the time the price is just the cost of the books you will use. If the whole crew takes the class you can get one book and however many work books you need so you all to not have to buy the book. Last year at the San Francisco boat show was the only time I have seen where the price of the class was more than the cost of the training materials. I ask why and they said could not find a place to hold class with out renting a room. I taken about 5 classes and everyone I have taken has been at a school or a power company room or a room at a marina, ect. The rooms use was free. Since you will not be going in the Ocean I think the Coast Guard Aux class may be better for you. The Power Squarons I think has a better navigation class but in lakes and rivers really all you need is how to read the charts and what the Buoys and navigation aids mean. I think the Coast Guard Aux class better at saftey and rules of the road. In recent years both groups in California have had short classes and long Classes (13 weeks one night a week). The long class is a far better class and the same price.<br /><br />Take your first trip on a nice day with out a lot of wind. IF you have a boating friend ask him to go along. This time of year lakes not so busy but water levels are low so many ramps may be closed and lots of shallow water.<br /><br />A few basics.<br />1. When you get to your launch area do not pull down on the ramp and get ready for launch. You get ready out of the way of the ramp. Remove all the straps except the bow wench strap, put your fenders on, Make sure all the PLUGS are in, Attach your dock lines, load your icechest and other gear, Make sure all the PLUGS are IN, put the key in but never start your motor with out water going to the engine, If you have kids under 12 they must wear Life jacket so put them on now.<br /><br />2. Ready to launch, Wait your turn and back down slow. When trailer gets in the water stop, make sure someone has control of the dock lines, Unhook your bow/wench strap, then back in until the boat floats and is pull back off the trailer. Go park your trailer.<br /><br />3 Make sure motor is down in the water and start the motor. Get everyone on board except person holding dock lines. After the motor warms up get all the lines in and every one on board and shove off. Go slow until your at least 200 feet from the dock (law under 5) but also remember you will make a wake and that wake will make it harder for others at the dock/Ramp.<br /><br />4 When you get out in the open water find a floating restroom, or a Log, or even a fender and try coming up to it slow and gentely. This will pay off when time to put it back on the trailer. Bring your boat up to speed and adjust the motor trim to see how it affect your boat. Make sure you know how to trim and tilt the motor. <br /><br />5 End of day do the launch in reverse. Make sure before you start up the ramp the wench strap in on and boat pulled up to stop. Also put safty chain on. Make sure motor is tilted enough that it will not drag on the ramp before you start up the ramp.<br /><br />Remember when the Weather is nice and no wind or Seas everything is easy. As the wind picks up, the currents get stronger, The seas get rougher everything gets harder. <br /><br />Good Luck and enjoy your new boat.
) find a new friend at the local lake/marina, and have a good time!
