Tips for New Boaters

[Bear]

It's great to see so many new people getting into the sport Nationally and one thing that we've never really posted about on the site are tips for new boaters. After Suzie's day out on the weekend, the traffic did make it interesting, i thought it would be a good idea to get some of us wh have been on the water for a bit longer to pass on some of the tips we've learnt.

Don't be shy, this could help save someone on some of the rougher days we've had.

[brad mcdonald]

starting from the ramp i guess....

work out a sysytem for launching and retrieving that works for you and stick with it, that way you should not forget anything.

this is mine.

check bungs and launching rope before leaving home.

once at ramp before backing down to waters edge.
straps off
transom saver off
check bungs again
saftey chain off (winch still connected)
clip on rope.
then back down....

never turn car motor off while at waters edge - learnt that one the hard way at last years GF

theres a start ...

macca

[paul r]

like the idea bear ,as an rst dosnt give you knowledge,of all weather conditions,are you talking theroy or practical?


paul

[dreamweaver]

Good thread Bear and good advice Macca!

OK
1) If you've never been out in a boat, don't be embarrassed to take someone experienced with you.

2) If you are venturing into open waters, don't be in a hurry. Even with years of boating experience, when I swapped from a runabout to a cuddy cab (and a larger boat) my first trip was up and down the river. Take time to know your boat - every hull behaves differently.

3) If you have passengers on board, especially in a smaller boat (tiny etc), make sure they are stable before opening the throttle, and tell them you going to do that beforehand. More than one passenger has stood up just before the inertia of an opened throttle - and ended up over the gunnels and in the drink.

4) Make sure you check everything in your boat. My #1 rule is, if something doesn't work, we don't go out!

5) If you are buying a boat, get it checked over by a professional. Modern motors have engine management systems that can be plugged into a computer and an historical diagnostic undertaken.

6) If you have new crew, do a safety debrief so they know where everything is and how to operate your equipment.

7) Check your anchor gear - from the anchor to the rope. Make sure the U bolt is more than hand tightened. Make sure you have sufficient chain and the rope is long enough and all in good condition.

8) Check all deck fixings, make sure your cleats etc are well secured.

9) Carry spares. Bungs, spark plus etc and a reasonable tool kit.

10) Check your motor is running the day before - there's nothing worse than a launch and a dead battery.

11) Start the motor BEFORE you unteather from the launch jetty (finger) - if you unteather then attempt to start the motor, and it doesn't start, you've got problems.

12) Whilst the RST handbook advocates separate bow and stern ropes, I MUCH prefer and recommend a single bow to stern rope - you have TWO hands holding ONE rope.

13) Learn some basic knots, half hitches, clove hitches, bowlines etc.

14) Again, if you are going out on open water, know your distance capacity and don't underestimate the extra consumption of adverse conditions. The rule is 1/3 out, 2/3 home.

that'll do for starters

[Mandurah Marine]

Top Idea. I've seen too many potential accidents, a lot to do with stress/nervousness/comfort levels.

The 5 P's rule (I live by it):

"PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS P!$$ POOR PERFORMANCE"

You dont see fishermen going out without checking/prepping the gear and tackle. The same applies for boat and gear.
Learn to tie ropes properly - it can be potentially dangerous if you cannot undo what you have done up. I know, I've seen it.

Understand about the surroundings - destination, water rules and weather, your equipment, gear etc. Understand the boat from the pointy end to the noisy end. You don't need to be on the water for that!
The more comfortable you are with your equipment the less stressed/nervous and more calm and relaxed you will be, especially should a situation arise.
It also means you will enjoy yourself more because you will be relaxed, not tense (the only tension should be on your lines!!!
Boating shouldn't be taken lightly - you have a responsability to yourself, your passengers and other boaters on the water.

Then it is TIME ON THE WATER. Get used to your gear. Use it, deploy it, retrive it over & over. Time on the water is what it's all about. Plus, the quicker you can drop leccy, stow gear and get lines in the drink, the more potential you have of putting something in the livewell at those hotspots!!

Bottom line in this point: You need to be comfortable. It means you know your gear, your surroundings and you aren't tense/stressed and it means you will react to everything sensibly whilst piloting your boat. Then it's just a matter of keeping a good lookout for other people on the water creating a potential hazard. And keeping an eye out for plastic bags!

[Shane]

The most important thing I have notice and am trying to actively follow through on. When at speed keep an open eye out for everything, but focus 30-50 meters in front of the boat. Especially going through Perth waters, where wakes bouncing off each other and the rock walls can create some weird wave patterns that will get your boat airborn. As some people who have been out with me can testify about.

Oh and even if your boat can do 40+ knots, doesnt mean that you should try to hit everywave at speed. Drive to the conditions.

What I would like to know is from those of us with fast ali vnose punts type boats, how do you take a wake at speed? I haven't found the optimal angel to take something at speed.

[brad mcdonald]

wake at speed.

szarn actualy showed me a techinque a few weeks back which helped soften the ride a lot.

this is totaly dependant on your hull satbility on the plane and the size of the wake but, i found it help full in my boat.

THIS MAY NOT SUIT YOUR BOAT

basicaly he showed me that its heaps smoother to run parralel to the wake and go over it with very little angle to the bow rather than slowing down and going over bow first.

in my hull it meant we stayed dry and had a lot softer wake crossing experiance.

i can see a time that if your hull was prone to a lot of roll and you attempted this on a large wake it could be all bad and end in tears, so it depends on the situation so use your own judgment.


PS shane i know my boat doesn't relly qualify as a fast ali

[Shane]

It's all ali The faster you go means the harder you slap.

So if I am heading towards a boat, I keep parralel to the boat or head away from the boat to run side on to the wake?

I think my issue is all the weight in my boat is at the back, it just loves to get air borne.

[seamonkey]

Best thing I can suggest to a newby is to leave the fishing gear at home for the first trip at least. There's enough going on without worrying about fishing. Spend a good few hours getting to know and love your boat, both good and bad. Check everything every 10 minutes.

And get to know your ramp and the water around it and the routes to and from. Practice anchoring in different spots etc...basically do all the things you will need to do but in a relaxed way without a rod in one hand and a smoke in the other.

Take a picnic and just enjoy the day on the water.

When you comfortable take one rod with you...learn a bit..fish a bit etc.

Worst thing you can do in your new boat is take all your mates and gear out first up and get in a right mess.

Cheers
smky

[cleetus]

warn your partner before hitting the "go pedal" or suddenly change direction with your electric
Someone is bound to end up wet

[phil jagger]

Here's a good rule.

Don't take Dror, Sewelly or Geoff Anderson on your boat...They will catch all the fish.

Phil