Just bought my 1st boat, How about some tips.

[mybentrod]

AHHHHHH after using my families boat for 18 years, I FINALLY bought my own boat and whoooo what a doosie. I bought a 20' 96 Nitro 205 Fish and ski sport with a 200 Merc EFI. Got it out yesterday to test drive before I bought it.....63 MPH with 3 grown men. Now I repeat, I am not a new boater, just bought my own. I respect speed and how quickly things can go from good to bad to worse. I also have alot of respect for fellow boaters/fishermen.....but jet ski's....well those are just bonus points if you get one of em to bail. lol I have always stored our boat in a marina in a covered slip, so towing a boat I am not so familiar with.

Which brings me to my post......I remember several weeks ago, maybe about a month, someone posted good boating tips about putting in and taking out and general operating tips. THIS ISN'T PASSED ON LIKE IT SHOULD BE.....so lets get it going. If you had one thing to pass along to a new boater, what would it be???????

[greenriverman1]

AHHHHHH after using my families boat for 18 years, I FINALLY bought my own boat and whoooo what a doosie. I bought a 20' 96 Nitro 205 Fish and ski sport with a 200 Merc EFI. Got it out yesterday to test drive before I bought it.....63 MPH with 3 grown men. Now I repeat, I am not a new boater, just bought my own. I respect speed and how quickly things can go from good to bad to worse. I also have alot of respect for fellow boaters/fishermen.....but jet ski's....well those are just bonus points if you get one of em to bail. lol I have always stored our boat in a marina in a covered slip, so towing a boat I am not so familiar with.

Which brings me to my post......I remember several weeks ago, maybe about a month, someone posted good boating tips about putting in and taking out and general operating tips. THIS ISN'T PASSED ON LIKE IT SHOULD BE.....so lets get it going. If you had one thing to pass along to a new boater, what would it be???????

Get the boat ready to launch before driving down to launch. After you take the boat out of the water drive up the ramp before you finish the tie down.

Also when towing the most important thing of all is drive slow on wet roads. A boat can relay push hard if you have to stop in a hurry.

Enjoy!

[Jackster]

Make sure you have a checklist that you go through each time you launch and take out. It may help to actually write it down for the first few times you go. Once you have been several times follow the same checklist mentally one step at a time. This helps with things like forgetting the plug for example.

[bassiusmaximus]

Take care of the bearings and tires on trailer. Nothing worst than not even getting to the lake and being on the side of the road broke down. Be sure you have a good spare tire and be sure you have a lug wrench to fit the lugs on your trailer. Wipe the boat down after you get out of the water. Always be sure your water pump is working after you start the motor. Keep tools and jumper cables on board. Invest in onboard charger if you don't have one. Keep spare prop and pins for trolling motor on board. Get a spare prop for your main engine as well. Carry a spotlight on board. Spare fuses. Keep it waxed. When towing give plenty of stopping room. Be sure you have all the saftey gear you are suppose to have. Know the weather and water conditions are where your going. Be careful and ease into it. Don't wreck your boat before you can enjoy it. Watch out for idiots and don't be one not that you would be Keep some rope on board to tie off with, one that will reach the shore. Keep some spare raingear on board and a jacket. And have fun with your new toy but be careful.

[mybentrod]

Take care of the bearings and tires on trailer. Nothing worst than not even getting to the lake and being on the side of the road broke down. Be sure you have a good spare tire and be sure you have a lug wrench to fit the lugs on your trailer. Wipe the boat down after you get out of the water. Always be sure your water pump is working after you start the motor. Keep tools and jumper cables on board. Invest in onboard charger if you don't have one. Keep spare prop and pins for trolling motor on board. Get a spare prop for your main engine as well. Carry a spotlight on board. Spare fuses. Keep it waxed. When towing give plenty of stopping room. Be sure you have all the saftey gear you are suppose to have. Know the weather and water conditions are where your going. Be careful and ease into it. Don't wreck your boat before you can enjoy it. Watch out for idiots and don't be one not that you would be Keep some rope on board to tie off with, one that will reach the shore. Keep some spare raingear on board and a jacket. And have fun with your new toy but be careful.

Thanks Mr. Maximus.....There's so many do's and don't in there I have, and haven't thought of. This is what makes this board so usefull. I will spend hours on here to prevent minutes lost on the water. Thanks to all........MORE, MORE, MORE..>FEED ME SEYMOR<

[Embrey]

PUT THE PLUG IN THE RIGHT HOLE! ask me how i know...but hey, it was dark

[mybentrod]

I had to get one that the plug CAN'T come out. I have known too many buddies that have went to park the trailer only to come back to find it half sunk already.

[zimmy]

I have some advice. DONT answer your cell phone in the middle of unhooking the straps on your trailer before you back your boat down. Interestingly enough if you do this you will leave one hooked on to the boat still which causes the boat to spin around upon pulling your trailer out of the water-which causes your nice new prop to dig into the ramp.
Aaaahhhhh....the joys of a new boat owner.

[bassiusmaximus]

Here's a few more. Don't forget to take both your props off and check for fishing line occasionally. It will ruin your seal on your lower unit. Be sure to make sure all your pumps are off when your done so they don't burn out. Be sure no little objects or line get in your bilge as it can burn out your pump as well. They are a pain to replace. If your on the ramp at night, use your parking lights only. Headlights will make it difficult for others to see when they are backing up and that could lead to a catastrophe. That's a pet peeve of mine. Watch others on the ramp and you will quickly learn some valuable pointers, plus it's free entertainment. Be sure your prop is trimmed up when trailering so you don't ding the crap out of your prop. Be careful who you park next to and behind in the parking lot. Lot's of bad things happen to trailers by people backing into your trailer.

[Boat Bums]

Hello I have now completed my first year of owning my first boat! Selllllll It!!!!! Now !!!!!! Get Out now before your broke!!!!! No LoL!!! They are a pain when you dont want them too be!!!!! But I wouldn't trade for anything. I got to see my first bald eagle up close flying right over my boat 20 ft. I have made some great friends here and abroad. See some of the best country side in the states. And caught fish that i only seen in Magzines. I read the rest of the post and can only really say " Get a habit of doing thing the same way each time. Don't rely on anyone else. And most important listen to the voice in you head." If you motor doesnt sound right dont run all day if something doesnt look right dont go that way. Pick a time spring or fall do all your maintance once pack wheel bearings and new seals. Change oil and filter. add fuel addtive to help keep engine clean. I always stop a short time after going some where and check my hubs for heat use the back of you hand.

[fcfishman]

Especially monitor and replace your winch and strap. Nothing worse than winching the boat down and the strap breaks on the ramp. I use my strap but also have another tiedown that hooks to the front eye in case it breaks going down the road.

[lunkerbustin]

For sure turn your headlights out when putting in or taking out at night. Man I hate that. Always make sure that your brakes and parking park are in good working order before you back down the ramp. I have seen several people find out theirs were so great the hard way.