TO: people who buy boats

[gandude]

I have been on this board for about 6 months. In that time I have read many horror stories of people flirting with disaster, some with kids, some with people who can't swim.

When you buy a new or used boat, precautions should be implemented to try and insure a safe and sane cruise for all hands on board. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE ON YOUR BOAT!

1) Have a buddy with a seaworthy boat go with you for the first few trips to verify new/used boat works good.

2) Learn to use the boat properly and discover the peculiarities of it. Learn what to do in an emergency.

3) Obtain all necessary equipment for safety. Life vests, flairs, fire extinguisher, anchor, rope, cell phone or radio, fresh water and food etc.

4) Refrain from taking unneeded passengers for this ?shake down period?.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

Your step 2 is close, but should be step 1 and read "take a boating safetly course"

 

[werthert]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

Good advice all around. I'm currently taking my boating safety course (online) and have learned tons. Also there is no way I will be going out alone for at least the first 3-4 times out.

No worries here, I'm taking it slow... and asking tons of questions every chance I get.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

all good info and try to go out when not so busy to learn

 

[joeturse]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

Here in NJ the Boating Safety Course is a mandantory.

 

[freelancer]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

Don't drink and operate you vessel...very different from drinking and driving your car (not that you should do that either)

 

[Maclin]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

Based on their first 2 or 3 post contents it seems the majority of buyers find this site AFTER their purchase....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

all of this is exactly why this is a sticky at the top of this forum, that no one reads.

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

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

Sorry to be the only dissenting voice, but this all sounds a bit HEAVY to me. I mean how many people actually have a buddy on a seaworthy boat go out with them the first few times?

I agree wholeheartedly with safety, education and preparedness, but my experience on this site is that most people are taking reasonable measures and enjoying the h*ll out of themselves.

Boating has inherent dangers. The safest place on earth is the graveyard. Take precautions, but live your life!

 

[werthert]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

It is a bit heavy. But I've got a good sum invested, and can't afford to have it all go to hell. My theory is do it the hard, rigid way first... then when you know a little more you can relax the rules a bit here and there.

Mostly it's because I can't afford to ruin something of mine or someone else's. Fear is a powerful motivator.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: TO: people who buy boats

I don't think you need to take a second boat but you certainly should take an experienced seaman with you.

 

[jonesg]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

I have been on this board for about 6 months. In that time I have read many horror stories of people flirting with disaster, some with kids, some with people who can't swim.

When you buy a new or used boat, precautions should be implemented to try and insure a safe and sane cruise for all hands on board. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE ON YOUR BOAT!

1) Have a buddy with a seaworthy boat go with you for the first few trips to verify new/used boat works good.

2) Learn to use the boat properly and discover the peculiarities of it. Learn what to do in an emergency.

3) Obtain all necessary equipment for safety. Life vests, flairs, fire extinguisher, anchor, rope, cell phone or radio, fresh water and food etc.

4) Refrain from taking unneeded passengers for this ?shake down period?.

I hear you, do you hear you?

 

[redone4x4]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

I don't think you need to take a second boat but you certainly should take an experienced seaman with you.

My buddy bought a used boat. I insisted that I go with him, he wanted to just take it out himself. It broke down about an hour away from the marina and i towed him back. its a good idea.

 

[jjacobs007]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

First time on the water in a boat, wear life jackets and drive slow till you know where all the under water dangers are for real. Double check everything and have a kill switch installed if you dont have one.

 

[marine4003]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

all of this is exactly why this is a sticky at the top of this forum, that no one reads.

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

Dont sweat it Amigo...no one uses the Search function either.....

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

I was very happy to have my brother, an experienced captain, with me on my 32-footer's maiden voyage. While we were out a local storm cell decided to make an unexpected turn and took us by surprise with 40-knot wind gusts. I could never have pulled that boat into the dock.

 

[lowkee]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

all of this is exactly why this is a sticky at the top of this forum, that no one reads.

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

What sticky?

 

[Bilgamesh]

Re: TO: people who buy boats

FWIW, there is some good stuff in the sticky, but honestly it did not immediately occur to me that boating safety would be in there. When I first glanced past it, I assumed it was info about how to use the forum. Since I have used many forums, it did not appeal to me.

I won't claim any expertise, but maybe a more descriptive title for the sticky might cause it to get more traffic. A title that would position it above the others might be better too. For instance something like Boating Basics, Basic Boat Operations, or Boating 101 would put it at the top, and definitely let people know what it was.