Do you know when you buy that Shelby you get a class to the Ford racing school ?? Would you think that if you have that Shelby and you have a chance to open it up on the open road somewhere you would absolutley want to hear from the professionals how that ass end handles coming out of a corner at 150mph, or where you should set up for the apex of a turn cause of the suspension set up ??? So the same holds true about a high horsepower go fast boat .... untill you know how your hull handles in high pressure water under the hull at 90MPH plus ... you should take the course !!

Couple points... If a dealer offers a class then that's cool but Ford does not give you a class with the Ford Racing School. Did you know Ford uses GTs at their school? Not sure how that relates to the power and handling of a Shelby but that's besides the point.

Also, if you are a true offshore enthusiast or road racer would you really mention "opening it up on an open road"? No, I think you would say, "keep it to the track". But, whom am I to pass that statement along. Maybe I'm not qualified to drive or own my Cobra since it has 630hp?

More so, would you say I'm an uninformed fool because my boat runs a single step and can hit 70mph since I haven't taken a specific class? Maybe so. However, again to my point and what others have mentioned, it's about driving it within your means. Your comment about knowing how your boat handles at 90mph and how the hull handles under high pressure conditions is a moot point for many because just because a boat can do that doesn't mean the operator will push the limits. Believe it or not, some people respect the machine(s) they're operating.

I will be taking Tres' class but because I haven't doesn't mean I'm not capable of managing and maintaining control of my vessel while operating within my range of knowledge and experience.

My response above was not aggressive. It was a holistic view of a personal belief about our environment, sport, and enthusiasts.

Operate within means. To further your knowledge, take the course.

I went to Sears driving school and raced cars for many years. Does that count?

I have never taken Tres class, but when I first got my boat I spend a day with a friend Martin Sanborn and was taught how to properly trim and turn my boat. Not just put you tabs and drives here when you do this but why. If you don't understand how a hull works you need the class.

Oh and in 7 years I have never had an insurance claim, had I not spent that day with Martin that probably would not be the case.

I took Tres's class a couple of years ago, here is my observation of the class:

I think those that feel it is about money are not seeing the whole picture. The class easily pays for it self, in real money, not just perceived savings. You will learn to operate your boat in a manner that will create substantially less wear on your drive components, thus less broken parts, more money saved. There is also the insurance savings, depending on your company you can save 5-10%.

The first day is learning the how and why a boat is designed like it is, balance, power and yes safety. day 2 is learning how to drive the boat. Unless you are a nautical engineer day one is going to start out as a challenge. Tres was our instructor, and his no left behind policy was what I needed, by the end of the day, I understood. It is a great feeling but more importantly, I now understand why by throwing just more power at it, will not make it go faster or handle better...

As stated day 2 is driving the boat, this can go easy or hard, just depends what your ego will allow you to accept and how open minded you are going into the day. This is when you will learn how importantly day 1 really was, ie: what you learned and how it transcends to the real world of handling.. You will be amazed...

And getting a class is this easy: Call Tres, he will come to you, What you need to hold the class is 1) a room big enough for you and maybe a couple of other people, 2) get a dry erase board for illustrations and 3) a tv/dvd combo to watch the real action videos that showcase in real terms what you are learning. and finally 4) you need access to your boat for 3+ hours... Thats it... 2 days out of your life, if you can't work that out, your priorities are messed up, really...

Whether it is Tres's class or someone Else's take the knowledge, it will make you a better driver and oh yea, safer too. You will understand once you learn. If you still don't see it, you are not safe. Sorry but that is a fact...

Excellent post.

So your observations are:

Anyone who hasnt taken the course has messed up priorities,... and anyone who hasnt taken the course is,in your opinion, a FACTUALLY unsafe boater?

See that in itself is the point... Education in boating and learning the correct way to operate the boat as well as understanding what and why the boat is set up, translates to safety. And yes, If you do not fully understand every aspect and are unwilling to learn, you are unsafe.

Whether it is a class through Tres Martin, or a qualified performance boat teacher, does not matter as long as you learn.

We can debate this all you want, if a person is unwilling to take the time to learn how to properly drive a performance boat, they are putting everyone in jeopardy, including themselves, their crew and the other boaters around them. I personally do not know anyone.... that falls into the "they know everything" catagory... (regardless of what they may tell you....)

Example: Pilots; Now take a guy that has learned in a Piper Cub, may have hundreds of hours in it, but just won the lottery and wants a Pitts Aerobatic Plane so he goes out an buys one The following week he says jump in lets go.... I think I'll stay on the ground until he learns a bit more, even though he has hundreds of hours flying and may be a very safe person. I realize this may seem like an extreme example, but is it really?

you're funny. I don't think you can rape the willing. no boater has said they're not willing. myself included. I just bought my Sunsation but have been boating since I was a child. I wanted to take tees' class this year at Cumberland but my schedule didn't work. I plan on taking it next year but your comments and others make it seem as though boaters like myself should stay dockside.

for now, it's more important for me to pay my bills, add to savings and pay my $1500 a month child support than squander my savings and step out from my responsibilities as a father and business professional to run off to take this course. in the interim, I will continue to boat safely within my abilities