www.iFourWinns.com

+1

Also keep an eye out for fallen skiers, tubers, etc. There's nothing worse than seeing a boat headed in the area of a downed skier.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

+2 Assume that everyone else doesnt know what they are doing and generally give everyone a wide berth so that there are no wash or big wake issues .When all else fails , remember rule one BE CONSIDERATE.
Have fun
Ardy
South Oz

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

I'm glad I don't have a trailerable boat, just to avoid the whole ramp foolishness. If I had one I'd still probably get a slip to avoid it. The mix of trucks, ramps, novices, "fisherman", screaming kids, impatient spouses and alcohol just does not appeal to me. It's great fun to read the stories about it, but not enough to want to witness it every time I want to go boating. But that's just me.

That said, I've heard two common mistakes about ramps. Not having the plug and getting all the way to the ramp without the keys. Make extra keys. Make several sets. More than two. Keep a set for your pocket. Keep a set in the truck. Some folks like to stash a set somewhere hidden on the boat. I keep a key to the cabin on my regular key ring. That way if I drove to the boat then I'll be able to get in and use the set I keep stashed below. Same deal with drain plug(s). You cannot have too many spares. That way when you drop it overboard at the ramp you won't tie it up for a half-hour trying to find it. Just grab one of the spares and keep moving.

Oh, and put your cell phone, car key with alarm fob and wallet into a ziploc baggie. That's so WHEN it falls overboard you can retrieve it without everything getting ruined. The sandwich size ones are perfect for this, but quart sized ones are more reusable. I keep a whole box of them on the boat for this and quite a few other circumstances (wet bathing suits, etc). Costco has 'em cheap.

Everybody else has hit the good points. The only thing that bugs me on the water is some idiot in a small boat trying to cut me off in tight quarters. They just do not realize what it takes to keep a larger vessel in place in a tight channel.

Case in point, some nitwit comes bombing in from the north just as I'm about to make the very tight turn into Fairlee Creek. Those of you that have been there will know what I'm talking about. It's a very narrow channel, very close to shore, with HARD turn to starboard on entrance. Combine that with some chop and a wind out of the Northwest and you don't have a whole lot of room for error. This ass comes running up fully on plane to make the entrance just as I'm just shy of 2 boat lengths from it. There's another guy right on my ass and another about to come out the channel after I pass. Having to haul to a stop and not get rear-ended or go aground was not what I had in mind. Oh, and add the fact there are a couple of swimmers just off the channel, leaving no room for mistakes. At the last minute it dawns on the boob that he's not going to be able to make it and proceeds to cut a very tight starboard turn that throws one hell of a big wake across the channel, further complicating the process. It's THAT sort of nonsense I run into the most. Sad to say this happens more often than not. Fortunately the Bay is big enough to keep clear of them most of the time.

Do not get me wrong, I'm not insulting everyone with a small boat. Just that I've experienced more hassles with them than larger ones. I suppose one could attribute the tendency to many factors. Smaller boat, less cost, less experience, etc. By the time someone gets into a larger boat there's the greater chance they've got a bit more experience, or at least have more concern for the value of their investment. But then some jackass in a bigger boat than mine will certainly come along and be the exception to my overly broad rule. So don't read more into this than just the hassle of dealing with inexperienced and/or inconsiderate boaters. "Size profiling" might seem unfair but I'd rather make that assumption and be safe.

In fact it's always better assume the other boater has no idea what they're doing and plan accordingly. You'll always enjoy your time better if it doesn't involve getting too close to idiots. If/when they make it impossible to avoid them just think to yourself "at least I'm not THAT jerk". Works for me.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Texas we have the opposite problem. We have all these 30k a year millionaires buying 40 foot go fast boats or cruisers. They have the "GOD" of the water mental state. It all boils down to common sense. I have a 35 footer a 20 footer and jet skis, and I have to drive each one different. I also saw where someone said earlier that they just stop when they get around another boat. DONT DO THAT it messes up the boaters that actually know the navigation rules.

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Last season I had a newbie on board with me. It was a fairly busy day on the water, but not to much to teach a few things. I gave Matt the helm and started showing him things to watch for. Traffic, wave action, skiers, wake of other boats, the guy behind us, depth, and time to enjoy the ride. Needless to say, he gave the helm back to me and questioned how I could "relax" with all of the stuff going on around us. Then he asked how people can do this when it is really busy with 6-10 beers in them.

My point is, don't let it overload you. Find a place where you can learn at YOUR pace. You do not have to run WOT all day to have a good time. Slow down and enjoy what you are doing. I also find the beer can be a hassle. Don't get me wrong, I like a few brown pops too, but when conditions need me to be 110%, I'll stick to pop or water. I can drink when I get back to the dock.

Enjoy your new adventure!

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Heh, I've heard that too from several guys. Although one guest was hammering down MY beer so quickly we didn't touch on the beer part. Fortunately the test drive too place before the binging started. Staggering how much some folks can drink, and we're not talking college age here.

Anyone see a show on cable called "Ocean Patrol"? It's sorta-like "Cops" but on the water. One guy blew a point-THIRTY-FOUR on the breathalyzer. Yikes! Talk about having built up a tolerance. .40 and you're dead, apparently. But then we have the Red Eye Dock Bar on Sundays so I'm sure it's happened around here too.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Just my opinion - not passing judgment - but alcohol stays at the dock where my boat's concerned. It'll be just that much colder when I'm done boating for the day.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Remember... there's fewer people out at night. We tend to be drinking though. I think that is the ideal time to test my CC exhaust

+1 to each of the above. I tend to avoid the busier lakes and areas during the holiday's. It's not relaxation when you're playing slalom around trafic anchored in the middle of your favorite skiing cove with boats running up behind.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Experience and a good rig takes away some of that stuff. For example, the better you know your lake from being on it, the less concern you have for water depth at all times. Likewise when you've had some hours to figure out the optimum position for trimming your rig for calm water v. rough water. Then, waves and boat wake become less of a concern too.

With a little experience, that leaves you to just keep a watch out for other traffic. And hot chicks in passing boats (or yours if you're lucky). And making sure the radio is playing good music. And keeping proper watch to ensure that the [insert favorite beverage] is cold and tasty.

As for alcohol, I take it out with me but never let myself have more than a few beers over the course of the day on the water. Everyone else can get sloppy, stumbling drunk, but I take my responsibility as captain of the ship very seriously. I wish this were universal but, unfortunately, it isn't and so it leads me back to assuming everyone else doesn't know what the hell they're doing.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Dont know what the penalties are if the US ,but here in Oz you lose your car licence if you are over the limit as well as your boat licence !!! Not that you can tell by all the Wallys on the water sometimes !! So I leave having a few, drinks for around the camp fire after all the on water activities are done for the day.
Have fun
Ardy
SOuth OZ

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Drive on the left hand side of the lake around a blind curve. Dumbass renters. Seriously though, get a Chapman's Piloting and Boat Handling book. It has everything a first time boater needs to know.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY