Click for Perko Click for Westport Click for Burger Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Glendinning

Experience and advise

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by captluis, Feb 4, 2009.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. captluis, Feb 4, 2009
    #1
    captluis

    captluis New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    miami beach
    Aloha!
    What is the one piece of advice from your experience that you would share with a fellow friend that just bought a small boat and has no or little experience?

    The answer could be safety or technique.

    Thanks in advance.:cool:
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2009
  2. Pascal, Feb 4, 2009
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,546
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    your questions are really too vague...

    big difference between a 16 and a 30 footer, it's impossible to reply to your question about your friend, the precautions are too different. For instance, with a 16 footer, PFDs and water / weather conditions are critical. On a 30 footer, I'd stress navigation (to avoid groundings) and the fact that you dont' fend off a large boat by hand. docking procedures are different.

    children? that woudl be to always wear a PFD and stay inside the boat. No riding on the bow, sitting on the edge, standing on the swimplatform underway, etc...
  3. captluis, Feb 4, 2009
    #3
    captluis

    captluis New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    miami beach
    Adjusted

    Thanks for you reply. I have rearranged the question. Looking to compile some knowledge from other captains and skippers.
  4. Nasomi, Feb 4, 2009
    #4
    Nasomi

    Nasomi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2009
    Messages:
    23
    Location:
    King of Prussia, PA
    I'd say the most important suggestion would be to use your head. Common sense can be the difference between life and death. Sure, keep kids in PFD's, inside hte boat and away from the edge. That's common sense. On a big boat, make sure you have enough clearance underneath. Again, common sense. On a small boat, be more weary of ocean conditions, as you are more easily capsized. Just thinking about a potential problem can make the solution quite evident.
  5. Jorge Lang, Feb 4, 2009
    #5
    Jorge Lang

    Jorge Lang Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    297
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I would recommend taking a boating class. There are a number of them available here in South Florida. It will show you the basics, but nothing beats experience. You may want to spend some time with someone who knows. This would be a good start.
  6. goplay, Feb 4, 2009
    #6
    goplay

    goplay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2006
    Messages:
    169
    Location:
    Sausalito, CA
    Your friend should spend time with someone with experience to show how to operate, secure and maintain the boat.
  7. Pascal, Feb 4, 2009
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,546
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Jay, common sense is an endangered species these days! :)

    Luis, in addition to what i mention... take it slow, check the weather, and pay attention to navigation and learn the basic rules of the road and markers.

    Assuming your friend is in the Miami area, stick to the bay and the ICW. start with short daytrips to No Name Harbor, the anchorage off KBYC by the sandbar, etc...

    most importantly, recognize that he has a lot to learn and that a boat is not a car! read, read, read. Chapmans' is a good start.
  8. Nasomi, Feb 4, 2009
    #8
    Nasomi

    Nasomi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2009
    Messages:
    23
    Location:
    King of Prussia, PA
    I know, but I can dream, can't I?

    What Pascal said, take it slow. There's no rush to sail around the world your first trip out. Don't be over-confident. Know your boat inside and out, how it responds to the sea, acceleration, maneuvering, as well as your electrical systems. Sitting out on the sea all day, then going to start to realize you have a dead battery from listening to the radio/tv/etc for the past 8 hours is a major bummer!
  9. NYCAP123, Feb 4, 2009
    #9
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,208
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    1) In everything first ask yourself "What if...?"
    2) Slow is cheap. Unless you're sure keep it slow.
    3) Take a Basic Boating Course.
  10. Capt Bill11, Feb 4, 2009
    #10
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,459
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    Take a course.

    Take your time.

    Take time with someone who knows what they're doing and who knows the waters your going to be boating in.
  11. Capt J, Feb 4, 2009
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,534
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    TAKE THE COAST GUARD AUXILARY BOATER SAFETY CLASS!!!!!!!!
  12. Nasomi, Feb 4, 2009
    #12
    Nasomi

    Nasomi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2009
    Messages:
    23
    Location:
    King of Prussia, PA
    +1

    It's only $10 for a 2 day course here, 6 hours each day, and they're on saturdays. Offered by my local Sea Ray/Bayliner service center, and I'm pretty far inland.

    Also, don't drink and try to dock. No good will come from it.
  13. stevenpet, Feb 5, 2009
    #13
    stevenpet

    stevenpet New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Monterey, Maui, Salt Lake City
    Buy the latest version of Chapman Piloting and read the entire thing religously.
  14. NYCAP123, Feb 5, 2009
    #14
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,208
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Come on now. This is a new boater with little to no experience. This will put him to sleep and out of boating. How about just pick up a copy and know that most answers to your questions can be found there. :cool:
  15. Capt Bill11, Feb 6, 2009
    #15
    Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2006
    Messages:
    1,459
    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    If he/she didn't fall asleep first I'm sure it would intimidate him/her right out of boating to think one needs to read ALL of Chapman's just to run a small boat and go out and have safe fun day on the water.
  16. stevenpet, Feb 6, 2009
    #16
    stevenpet

    stevenpet New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Monterey, Maui, Salt Lake City
    ...and yet additional proof that I'm a total geek. :D


    (It was on my reading table for several weeks. Well, either that or a book on sailboat race strategy, or the random history book.)
  17. NYCAP123, Feb 6, 2009
    #17
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    11,208
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    That's OK Steven. We need geeks as a reference source. Plus they're the ones who can afford to hire us.:D