soon to be new owner needing info

[dylanr]

Just found you guy's website and trying to soak up all the info I can. We're looking to purchase a boat next summer but i know nothing about boats besides they belong in the water. Any ideas on how I can learn all the terms I see on here, and what all goes into operating one? We're looking for a smaller bowrider/ski boat. Something to cruise our local small lake and do some occasional skiing/tubing. Nothing to big since we'll be pulling it with a GMC Canyon midsize truck. Ive looked at the smaller tahoe's and bayliners and searay's online and like them all. Its just me and my fiance and a couple of friends now and again. Will prolly be shopping used in the $10K dollar range. I figure for that we can get a good used one. It would be used here in the local lakes in Oklahoma. Thanks in advance for all your help and input

 

[foodfisher]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

Lot's of info here. Search your specifics on all the pertinent forums.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

maybe rent a boat or go along with a buddy-someone with experience- hands on learning is better than reading about it!

 

[JoLin]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

EDUCATION! Please get in touch with your local Power Squadron or CG Auxiliary and take a course.

I give you credit for asking- now, take the next step so you won't be just another one of 'the clueless'.

Be safe and have fun!

 

[Gamalot]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

The Power Squadron/Boaters Safety course is an excellent idea.

My observations while looking at numerous boats most recently are that 90% of boat damage seems to be from docking and loading them on trailers.

I watched a guy just last week drive his boat up and on to the trailer and put the crank mechanism right through the front of his brand new boat.

For a first boat I would be very mindful about the trailer and how the boat loads on it. Look for something with a well thought out load plan and possibly guides to keep the boat where it needs to be for loading. Drive on trailers are great but don't be so lazy or afraid to get wet that you end up damaging the hull. Have the owner show you how it is done and pay attention unless he is a dummy. That will be evident if you can see lots of dings and scratches up front and along the rub rails.

Learn how to navigate your new boat for docking. The idea is to not slam into and bounce off the dock but more to glide in slowly and stop your boat before it ever contacts the dock. Marinas tend to have loading docks that are well designed while small lakes with public launches do not. A little wind from the wrong direction can make loading and unloading rather precarious.

Spinning props and people don't mix well at all and it is imperative that you never have a boat in either forward or reverse when in close proximity to people in the water.

Used boats often have their stories written all over them in the form of dings, dents and deep scratches so read them and heed them so you don't re write them.

Another good idea is to be sure you have a plan and good method for boarding your new boat from the water. Just because you can climb in over the side, through the back or up a ladder does not mean an over weight guest can do it easily. I know because I had to tow in and beach a whale to get him back in the boat after he broke the ladder. I also helped a new boater who took a swim and forgot to hang his ladder before jumping in. He felt pretty stupid waving us over and saying he could not get back into his boat.

Gary

 

[GatorMike]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

Any ideas on how I can learn all the terms I see on here,

OK here is you're first lesson on nautical terminology. The bow is forward, the stern is aft. Left is port and right is starbord and if you use the wrong terminology I will throw you out that little round window on the side of the boat.

My point is boating ain't rocket science. You are going about it the right way learning how to swim before jumping in. Just don't get too wraped up in it. Get the right equiptment, learn the rules of the road and just go out and enjoy it.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

Take the boater safety course as others have said. Its the best way to learn terminolgy and safety. Not to mention basic etiquette while boating.

 

[phwrd]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

Good start by asking before you buy the boat, not after like alot of us. Might want to check this out :

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

 

[dylanr]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

Man thank you guys for all the helpful info... the safety course sounds like a really good idea. I will start searching to see if there is one around where I live. Also all the tips about docking and getting in and out and trailering are excellent as well. I figure its better to ask and learn rather than pay for it outta my pocket. I always say there are no dumb questions

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

Use www.boaterexam.com instead of www.boat-ed.com

I may have them spelled wrong , but the boat exam one will have flash animations to teach the basics. It is easier to absorb. Once you get the certification, watch them one more time and you will be amazed at how much you missed the first time.

Also DRIVE many boats. I did not becuase I was too embarased to force it upon the sellers, they are lazy and do not want to take the time. I ended up buying a 20' bayliner and although a great deal, it rides too rough out in lake erie. Had I have driven a few more boats, I would have known a 23' would have handled it well.

You will also find pro's an con's about what you want / like in a boat, they will be different for each person. Do not get stuck on TOP speed of a boat, rather cruise speed. You will never operate your boat at top speed, and if you do you will blow stuff up.

 

[JimKW]

Re: soon to be new owner needing info

I had a boat about 20 years ago, then got another one just last year. What I remember most about learning on the first boat was how hard it was just getting used to using the throttle. I am a very left handed person and you have to be able to use your right hand to drive a boat. Really took me a good while to get used to that, and that is not something you will learn from taking a class.

After taking or while taking the class, something that was not offered 25 years ago, you really need to go out on a boat with an experiened person. On my first one I had the opportunity to buy from a private individual or from a small marina that had a used boat. The one from the individual was a better deal, but what I did was work out a deal with the marina sales guy to take me out and teach me four or five times, which he did. Scared the heck out of him a couple times too. Backing it out one time I hit the throttle too hard and the boat almost went right into his boss' yaught that was docked just off the loading ramp.

He was a real big dude and he went right over top of me and grabbed the throttle. When I say big I mean BIG. He played OL for the Buffalo Bills and blocked for O.J. Simpson, so you get an idea of what I mean by big. While going over me he went right through the ski locker in the floor of the boat, but still got the throttle.