What happens after boat purchase

[FredDog01]

Did anyone come up with a list of what happens after you purchase your boat?
Being new I would like to know what to expect after I buy my 1st boat . This is what is on my list : Transfer titles , get insurance, boating class, safety inspection, register boat , tune-up , maintenance on trailer (grease bearings , tires etc), practice backing up trailer. Any other hints would help. Haven't found right one yet. I know you just don't buy, hitch up & go launch & cruse around.
thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Yes, . . . once the reality of what you have done hits, first comes the denial phase, followed by anger, then self-reflection.

I would have insurance in place the day you hand over the money . . . don't wait.

Make sure the owner has clean title as part of the sale.

You should have taken a boating class or be signed up.

Maintenance activities would really depend on what is needed.

 

[FredDog01]

Boating class, clean titles & insurance top of list. Not to forget PFD for everyone.

 

[jbuote]

One other thing I wish I did when I got my first boat (in August 2016 so still a newbie myself really), was to figure out days and times where your local launch ramp is not busy and practice launching and retrieving on the trailer...

Of course prep the boat for launch before getting on the ramp.. Just like everything you've probably already read about.. haha!

My particular ramp that I go to is single lane, and quite steep...
First day I showed up there was a bass fishing tournament going on...
I ended up waiting for over an hour and a half letting folks launch and retrieve before I tried..
Glad I waited too... Launching wasn't too bad... Probably took me 5-7 minutes, but that's a LONG time at a busy ramp..
These other folks that day were launched in about a minute.. LOL

Retrieving on the other hand, was a bit more difficult...Found issues with the trailer setup and couldn't get boat lined up..
Held up ramp for about 10 minutes on first retrieve..

Come to find out, the boat behind us waiting to retrieve, had a little girl on board that need to visit nature..
decided to go in mid afternoon on a weekday to practice after that..

Yes, it's really simple, but the first couple times can be a bit intimidating and SLOW no matter how much you've read, watched tube vids etc...
I think it's a matter of getting to know your boat and trailer for launching/retrieving..

One afternoon and about 3-5 launch/retrieve cycles and you should be pretty good to go I'd think..
Just find a time when ramp is dead, and you won't be holding anyone up JUST in case of anything popping up...

Make sense? LOL

 

[Scott Danforth]

do every maintenance item on the boat, motor and trailer. assume the prior owner did nothing for the past 5 years.

 

[FredDog01]

thanks for the hints

 

[211libwtfo]

One other thing that I’ve heard of and noticed is on retrieving your craft some people float there boat on or power load there boat. Ive found that trying to “float” your boat on in a place with current doesn’t work very well. The easiest way is this “power loading” unfortunately at some ramps it says no power loading I don’t use those ramps or blatantly disregard. Anywho how you do this is and may take several tries but only put the trailer in halfway ish. Let the V center up on the trailer make sure outdrive is trimmed properly and power up the motor until the boat is in its final resting place, I may use the winch for the last couple inches but it is really fast and self centering. Hope this helps!!!

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Boat plug boat plug boat plug

 

[roscoe]

And the boat plug.
The plug goes in, before the boat is unstrapped.


Don't power load. Learn how to walk before you try and dance a tango.

 

[jbuote]

I'll third the boat plug...
First thing I put in before unstrapping boat, and last thing I verify is installed before launching..
Haven't forgotten it yet... (knock on wood...)

I hear there are 2 kinds of boaters...
1) Those who have forgotten the plug at one time or another.
2) Those that will forget the plug at one time or another..

I hope to prove that wrong, but I live by that and maybe it'll help me NOT to forget.. LOL (fingers crossed... )

 

[Elkins45]

^^^^ otherwise referred to as “unscheduled bilge pump testing.”

 

[high&dry]

I do not really power load but I do run the boat up on the trailer. The prop may still be making thrust but I do not gun it and go into neutral when the bow starts to rise. My wife is standing there with the winch strap and hooks up and starts winching, I jump out and finish and put the safety chain on the bow hook. Out we go. Been launching and retrieving since childhood before I had a DL.

The plug, no worries, I have ridden around without the plug quite a bit. Just washes the little bilge area out. Cannot hold enough water to cause me an issue.

 

[211libwtfo]

I can’t dance let alone tango and I don’t really see the difficulty of power loading except good throttle control!!! Even if like High&dry says just get the nose in the Vee and winch it up 2’ but floating it on is the worst and it will cause hate and discontent at a ramp. Try that in the middle of a bass tournament!!!!

 

[NYBo]

Power loading can blow away the end of the ramp and cause the next guy's trailer to drop off the edge. If the ramp is paved beyond the stern of your boat, it shouldn't be a problem as long as there aren't regulations against it.

 

[211libwtfo]

One power load wouldn’t cause this to happen at a ramp it’s from everyone doing it, and they all do it because it’s the easiest way to center your boat on the trailer. My wife is a spectator at the ramp. From the time I put the trailer in the water I’m at about 3 mins until I pull the trailer out!

 

[briangcc]

Depending on your location be prepared for Invasive Species checks. Clean any seaweed from the boat & trailer that you can. Same goes for your anchor and any other gear. A couple lakes I frequent now have washdown areas for your use.

I also carry a basic set of tools - screw drivers, sockets, pliers, 12v spot light along with a good amount of rope. Spare bumpers are also good to have on hand in case you raft up with a couple buddies. Navigation maps/charts are very handy as well.

 

[444]

Life jackets for everyone on board. Test run the boat at home on the hose. Boating license or safety course or whatever your jurisdiction requires. Here we need to have certain safety equipment like bumpers, rope, anchor, first aid kit, flashlight, etc. Make sure you meet all regulations. Here boats have to be registered but insurance is optional. Grease your trailer hubs and take a look at the tires, make sure you have a spare and a lug nut wrench that will fit your boat trailer. Maintenance would depend on the boat but stuff like thermostats, water pump kit and lower unit oil would be on my list.

Don't power load. I've been boating for years and I've never needed to power load. Learn to get your trailer in the correct depth. If centering the boat on the trailer is a problem for you, those vertical guide posts look like they would make the job a snap.

 

[211libwtfo]

Has any ever watched folks from a bass tournament retrieve there boats. Let’s 25 boats at once. The absolute fastest retrieval’s you’ll EVER see. Oh yea all power loaders!!! What is the down side for a power load. People here say “no power load” buuuut nobody says why, very fast very easy mho!!!!

 

[oldjeep]

Has any ever watched folks from a bass tournament retrieve there boats. Let’s 25 boats at once. The absolute fastest retrieval’s you’ll EVER see. Oh yea all power loaders!!! What is the down side for a power load. People here say “no power load” buuuut nobody says why, very fast very easy mho!!!!

Everyone says why - because you screw up the ramp. You also have to understand the difference between coming in idling and pushing 3000 rpm up the trailer because you didn't want to get your feet wet.

 

[Sea Rider]

Or on next sumer you found out that's a costly water sport and don't like it that much as to throw constant money on it...LOL!!

Happy Boating