Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

[scbackpacker]

I bought a 1995 Monterey Montura 196 last week and tomorrow I put her in the water. Anything I need to know before I launch that baby? I've checked thie tires on trailer, oil level, outdrive reservoir, power steering fluid, belts and I've already put the plug in.

 

[rv8tor]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

The plug's the big one!....

That being said, make sure that everything you want on the boat such as ice cooler, lunch, bow and stern lines attached to cleats,... in short anything you want on board before shoving off, is there. Including enough fuel in the fuel tank. Also, make sure your rear tie down straps are removed before getting onto the ramp.

Minimum time on the ramp is key! Your boating neighbors will appreciate it.

A checklist of necessary items would be helpful as well...such things as the mandatory list of required USCG stuff on board! That can be done at home!

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

go to wally world and buy a pair of oversize knee high rubber boots that fit over your shoes easily, that way your feet dont have to get wet in the cold water.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Congrats on the new purchase. Saturday I put my 95 montura 210 in the water for the first time. Couldn't have gone any better. Start the boat on the muffs at home before you head to the lake. Primes the system and usually insures a quick start when you hit the water.
The cooler under the seat in the bow was great. 2 bags of ice hardly melted at all in 100 degree heat. Pay attention to how far you need to put the trailer in the water so loading it back on goes smooth.
Have fun and report back with some pics..I'll get some up soon.

 

[cadrien]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

go to wally world and buy a pair of oversize knee high rubber boots that fit over your shoes easily, that way your feet dont have to get wet in the cold water.

Where are you launching? You have a choice of several nice ramps in this area and tomorrow should be less than busy. Take your time, make sure you have all the items to make you legal, pfd's, horn, etc. Do not be afraid to make a check list and go over it while at the ramp. Again, tomorrow will not be busy. Several of the launches on Keowee have multiple ramps, perfect for taking your time on a slow weekday. Let me know if I can help.

You will not need the rubber boots around here any time soon. I was on Keowee yesterday and the water was as warm as the air.

Enjoy!

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

We're going to launch at Mile Creek landing. I've got a Garmin 205 that I'm taking on the boat to see if it will show where I'm at and then try to get back to the landing with it. I don't have the lake maps on yet but maybe it work and send me in the right direction.

 

[cadrien]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Mile creek is excellent, we put in there every weekend. 3 ramps and a gentle slope. Watch your trailer tires as you enter the water, the ramps are not horribly wide and it is possible to wander off the side.

I would think on a Tuesday you will not run into busy traffic/dock conditions. Don't feel rushed.

Once on the lake you will notice landmarks easily to get you back to the ramp, though marking on a GPS is always good.

There are some low water areas that are not terribly well marked. Be on the lookout for lighter colored water and certainly avoid the well marked hazards.

I would encourage you to launch and retrieve several times while at Mile Creek tomorrow if it is as empty as I think it will be. Heck, yesterday afternoon it was almost empty.

Good luck!

 

[gss036]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Make sure you do not unhook the SAFETY CHAIN before backing into the water. I have seen that happen several times and it is embarrassing to have your pretty boat on the ramp.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

We're back! Everything went fine but I must admit I was a nervous wreck from the time I left the house until I parked the boat in the driveway. I've never towed anything bigger than a utility trailer. A big difference but it was easier to back. Boat ran great but I did notice a few things like the voltage from the alternator never got over 11V so I'll need to check that. Boat planed good but I may need to work with the prop some. It ran between 45-48 at 4600-4800 RPMs but with little trim. And then again this maybe right. I have to learn more about boating to even know if this is the right prop. I'll have to get my info together and make a post in the prop section. Anyway the bad part is my daughter did better than me. Love my girls they always make me proud.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Plug, transom straps, put in water, safety chain, push off trailer, tie to dock, park truck, return to dock, lower drive, start motor, have fun...
Just that easy....
By the way your feet will stay dry till you go to load....

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

i like to charge my battery before i go i t usually takes less then 15 min on slow charge so i know battery is good, check and fill l.u. oil, t ake a quart of engine oil with me and check on the water.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

The battery was replaced right before I bought the boat. I gotta get some muffs then I can run it and check the output of the alternator.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Do yourself a favor too and I can never stress this enough to new boaters, Always run your blower before starting it up (4min), When just putting around, and in no wake zones and if you stop at a marine and have lunch or whatever Always turn the blower on for a minute or two before starting her. I can't stress enough!! This is a normal routine to do!!
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/loca...Weekend-Boat-Fire/NzowayhC1Eyok_Nrh9yvGw.cspx

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Just practice, practice, and practice. The stress level will go down. We have been doing it all summer and it is no longer a big deal.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

I turned the blowers on before I backed the boat down the ramp and when ever I switched the engine off I let them run several min. before starting the boat. I will start running them when I idle. Didn't think about doing it then. Hey I want thank y'all for all the help. With the your advice I will become a happy, safe boater.

 

[jollymon]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

Congrats on a good day of boating.

A side note on the voltage at 11V. Check the voltage at the battery with the boat running. Boat gauges can be very inaccurate!

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

I will check at the battery. I'm guessing that the alternator should put out around 13.5 - 14.5v. Ohh and how good are the water muffs at Wally world? The one thing that really don't like is the fuel gauge. Seller told me that when it hits 1/2 tank that's as far as it goes.

 

[salty87]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

get a digital voltmeter and make it part of your tool kit. it will come in handy.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

I've got one. I do electrical maintenance at the plant I work at; mostly 480v 3 phase. I have to trace down the horn circuit also seller said it never worked.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Tomorrow I get my feet wet. 1st time launching a boat.

here is a good beginner link. especially on power loading.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.boat-ed.com/images/drawings/trailer_practice.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.boat-ed.com/de/course/p2-4_trailering.htm&usg=__HwnPL-ZBSmoo5EBIdcuv8bP94lU=&h=431&w=520&sz=44&hl=en&start=52&um=1&tbnid=SwctctLlIjeXpM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doutdrive%2Btrailer%2Bsupport%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-USfficial%26sa%3DN%26start%3D42%26um%3D1