Using GOOD Weather to Hone Your Skills

[JoLin]

My wife and I are new to boating and spent the first couple of months this season dealing with mechanical issues, propping the boat and installing tabs. Finally, in the last couple of weeks we've been able to actually USE the boat and start enjoying the experience

Yesterday we motored over to Patchogue from Bay Shore to watch the powerboat races being held there. It isn't a long trip (14 miles), but it's new to us, and probably the farthest we've been from our dock. We had planned to "convoy" with another couple (follow 'em) but they begged off at the last minute. The weather forecast was excellent so we decided to give it a shot.

I figured this was a good opportunity to put my "book learning" to use, so the night before I sat down with the chart, plotted a course there and back, and wrote up some cruise notes- compass bearings in both directions, what buoys to look for, etc.

Saturday morning we took off and even though the shoreline was in clear view the whole way, I used my compass, chart and notes exclusively to find my way. Darned if I didn't nail every buoy and course change right on the money the whole way there and back! We anchored successfully in close quarters, really enjoyed the afternoon and motored back without incident. It was a great day and a big confidence builder for us. Even if you never plan to boat in bad weather or poor visibility, stuff happens. I know that with a little advance planning, I can get us home safely no matter what.

Today we're off to Fire Island. Course is plotted, notes are written and we're good to go

 

[OV1961]

Re: Using GOOD Weather to Hone Your Skills

That's great advice. I would also recommend taking the US Coast Guard Auxiliary's Basic and Advanced coastal navigation classes. Besides the skills learned you will meet other boaters and spend a night a week for a few months together. You might make a few long time boating friends. the instructors are always seasoned navigators and usually have a CG license. Of course the Boating Skills and Seamanship class is best to do first if you never had any boating lessons.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Using GOOD Weather to Hone Your Skills

The "book learning" I mentioned came from the US Power Squadron basic boating class we took last Fall. We also joined the PS afterward. There's a more advanced Seamanship class starting up in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like my schedule will permit it this time around, but I'll try again in the Spring.

I agree completely that taking a class is something everybody should do. I can't believe some of the behavior I see out there.

 

[rndn]

Re: Using GOOD Weather to Hone Your Skills

If you're really planning on taking trips that distance or farther I would suggest a GPS/chartplotter. It will come in very handy if you should miss a buoy or need to get somewhere to get some supplies/fuel that was not planned. You can get a decent unit for $500-700 and needing it one time will pay for itself. It may also come in handy should something happen to you and your other half will need to get you back to the harbor. It's really easy to show her/him to enter the harbor information and follow the directions on the plotter.
Just something to think about.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Using GOOD Weather to Hone Your Skills

Technology is good stuff as well, but it doesn't replace basic skills. If you somehow burn up your techie gadgets, can you find your way to where you need to go, with a compass, and a chart?

Technology is great for a backup, but it shouldn't replace good old fashioned knowledge and common sense.

All of my boating is done on small lakes, where you can see both sides of the lake from any point thereon, so it's no big deal right now. But I hope to eventually graduate to larger bodies of water, and gain sweet navigation skills like some of you guys!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Using GOOD Weather to Hone Your Skills

I have a good Garmin 498 GPS/Sounder already mounted and working. I also have VHF and cell phones. They're all great to have, but I don't want to depend on any of 'em when the chips are down. The chances of my compass failing are pretty much nil. I also expect to expand my horizons over time, go new places, do some ocean running, just try different things.

IMO, if you boat in waters where sudden weather and visibility changes are likely (like in my area), it's imperative that you be able to revert to a compass when conditions call for it. It took me all of 15 minutes to plot things out ahead of time, and I only need to do it once for any location we visit. It's time well spent. We also leave a "float plan" with one of our grown kids when we go out. I want to be sure that somebody's aware, and knows where we were going, if we haven't checked in by dark.

Tell ya what- if your GPS ever fails in the fog, give a couple toots on the horn. If I'm in the neighborhood you can follow me in