If you are waiting in line at the ramp, don't act like a smart@#$ and ridicule anyone that is having problems (newbies) just offer to help. You never know; he could be the one that offers you a tow later.

Bilge plug (never can say that one enough times). It realy sucks to have to jump into a lake filled with hungry gators to keep your boat from sinking.

Don't skimp on parts; that one will break when you are going through a tight inlet while the tide is chaning.

"If your running in rough water
and you "get some air", back off the
throttles before you re-enter the water"

you should be backing off before you leave the water!

That IS a very good tip that Joe/Audacity gave. Come to think of it, I see MANY people, after backing their boat into the water start their engine(s) with the drive(s) up. I was told starting an engine with the drives up even though it's in neutral is very hard on the the U-JOINTS. What's even harder on parts is when folks even put them IN GEAR with the drives up too. I've done it myself and is EASY to forget!

It's very easy to become distracted and lose your focus at the boat launch because there are so many little chain of event items that need to happen in such a short period of time. I always try to go by memory, but a CHECK LIST like "Fightclub" has suggested is a very good/wise idea.

Ya, very distracted when there are 3 or 4 bikinis on dock next to you.
Ok here's my summary.
1. Load your stuff before entering the ramp. Throw some tools in. At least a screw driver and visegrips.

2. Make sure the plug is in. I still get burned by this every once in while, when distracted (above)

3. Don't unhook the boat until it is in the water. Ever see a nice boat sitting on the cement ramp, with 30 people in line to load or unload. You don't want to be that guy.

4. DON'T tie up the dock/ramp. Don't tie up your boat and block the ramp, go park your truck, take a leak, jerk off, etc and then get in your boat to have fun, because you just pissed off everyone at the boat launch. And guess what, if you break down and need a tow, do you think they are going to help. If you have a wife/girlfriend, teach them to either unload/load the boat, or backup the trailer. They aren't as dumb as some guy's think.

Did I mention, put the plug in. If you do step 4. your boat will be sinking. Serves them right.

5. Undocking/docking, As a friend of mine put it, you just want to control the boat floating. When things get tight, NEUTRAL IS YOUR FRIEND. This is a very common big boat statement

6. Anything can go wrong on the water, but watch out for mother nature, she's a *****. Last year at the lake we frequent, a storm came a long and everyone was trying to load at the same time, fishing, pontoon, speed, jet skis. I left the dock to go hide and was out in 5-6 ft across the bay to get to a cove. Wouldn't want to do that in a 20ft boat.
A 21ft cheetah was idling down the channel to the boat ramp and the wind flipped the boat over and 2 kids were in the cabin and drowned. I don't think those people will ever go boating again.

Sorry this is so long, just trying to help!
:cool: :cool: :cool:

I'm a newbie as well at performance boats as of '02.

Big investment, so suggest you pick up charts of the water you're going to be in and make sure you have a good depth sounder that works {if there is one}. Might help save an out drive. Not a "sure thing" but will help.

Also get a vhf and gps and learn how to use them.

Like was mentioned in previous posts, don't be a jerk at the launch. Not much pizzes a boater off more than lack of consideration for other boaters at the launch.

You are responsible for the safety of your passengers and other boaters as well. Regardless of what your passengers say or do, take it real easy on the "hooch". I don't want to come off as a wimp here, but a go fast can be a lot to handle and you need to be aware of everything going with your boat and what's around you. Plus, you can really embarass yourself trying to dock your boat if you're half crocked.

Above all....GO FAST AND HAVE SOME FUN !!!

Roflmao.... I've done that... I rode my bicycle down to the launch ramp in Marina Del Rey one Sunday afternoon... I about died laughing... Coasties towed in a small outboard boat... couldn't have been any longer than 16'..... must have had at least 12 people in it... women.. children... even a Chihuahua.... no vests... no safety equipment.. and was barely inches from sinking... these idiots thought they were going to go out for an afternoon on Santa Monica Bay.... The best part was not a single person spoke English... and the Coastie didn't speak Spanish... He was getting quite demonstrative ... waving his arms about.. and gesturing... finally someone came over and translated for this party of idiots about how near they all came to drowning... too funny... could not have been funnier if it had been scripted... luckily no one was injured or killed.

There is always some idiot that does things with tragic concequences....Less than one mile from shore are some huge floats for the oil tankers to moor as they offload crude oil to a refinery in El Sugundo... One evening some guy had been out boating late and had his entire family on board.... Piloting his boat at full speed in a dark moonless night he ran into one of these floats... only one in three has a flashing light beacon... and these things are huge... they hold the mooring cables out of the water for oil tankers to tie to. Be aware of any obstructions... check charts and maps... The floats are clearly marked on all fishing and navigation maps... but this guy didn't check charts.. was just navigating by looking at the shore lights... Unfortunately he killed his Mother and injured more of his family...This guy was a newbie too. Buy and learn how to use a gps... it could save your life... even if you don't know how to completely use the thing.. if you understand how to get your position.. if something does happen.. at least you can tell your rescuers where the hell you are... Good luck.

Vanilla motor:
with Alpha drive, any motor less than 260hp.
with Bravo drive, any motor less than 365hp
with XR drives, any motor less than 420hp.

Nothing strong enough to break the stuff behind it!... good... how about rocky road? lol

"This here motor is the "rocky road" off offshore power plants!".... :p

Kaama has some very good advice. Go Slow! it will be faster in the long run.

Mentally plan the launch, the docking etc. Tell your wife/girlfriend what is plan A and what could go wrong and tell her plan b also. Dont' yell at her, teach her. I have seen men yell at woman at the launch and the situation was totally caused by the guy. Yelling doesn't fix the situation.

I always un hook the boat from the winch AFTER the boat is started.

Start the motor before you pull up anchor.

MOST IMPORTANTLY......Remember you are the Captain. You are responsible for the safety of those in your boat.

The better we as boaters at being courteous, and teaching others what our fathers and grandfathers taught us, the better our chances of keeping our government away from us.

If you like to go dock at places with the boat and hang out at the bar/club/restaurant, it's sometimes a good idea to head out early and hangout on the boat for a while, save money by having some cocktails aboard, and head home not too late or stayover if possible.
Also If not mentioned a tow plan is a great deal. I'm not a cheapskate, but after spending so much money on a boat , many people still just use it to go from here to there. One of the best times of my life was hanging out in the bay with 3 boats tiedup together, that was the day we had the blackout last summer. If possible hop in and get some clams, enjoy a sunset, or even better, head out early and be amazed by a beautiful sunrise. This is something that all should experience. As much as I love to blast around, There is so much more to enjoying a boat. USE YOUR IMAGINATION!!!BBB :)

I agree with Billy... enjoy your boat... don't just screw holes in the water with it... I used to get upset with my boating partner because all he wanted to do was rocket around the bay... I wanted to go out to Catalina and spend a few days... moor overnight and experience the nightlife.. All he wanted to do was burn gas. Bummer.

Look behind (around) before changing course....

Check navigation and anchor lights once in a while (especially when you don't use them often)....

Mark you buoys and other obstacles on the GPS..

Switch to 1 battery when docked, or tied up....

After a heavy rain the water is sure to be poluted....
Stuff gets washed off the banks (including trees)

funny
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by force 320
[B]set up a lawn chair at the launch ramp for 3 or 4 hrs and watch the show. Its the best free comic show around, and learn form others mistakes

there is a local little marina resort restaurant place here on the calif delta that actually had bleachers set up by the luanch ramps...
it was great when we would go over there sunday afternoon when all the drunk boneheads would be pulling out with outdrives down, backing the trailer off the side of the ramp, truck trailer rolling back into water and on and on,,


jonas

Re: funny
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jonas
[B]Yes, the name of the place escapes me, but this is where my brother launches and eats breakfast every Saturday. A really busy double launch and it can be quite a zoo. Lots of ski boats which translates to lots of young boat owners. Good times.

Check and know the tide. Some ramps are short and at low tide the longer trailers drop off the end. I can't say how many people I've seen do this. Some Launches have have at least 1 lane that is long enough at low tide. Don't be shy, ask other boaters most of us are willing to help. Its better to know than be the one that looks like your at a tracktor pull going for the "Full Pull" trying to get the boat out of the water.
There is always a lot of tension at the ramp (especially at a public ramp). As most everyone here has said, have everyone and the boat ready before pulling into the launch lane. Most ramps have a prep area. Even experienced boaters make mistakes, just try to minimize them and try to avoid the big ones.
Have patients and have fun.

ORWOOD RESORT,, : ):eureka:

We have a winner!!!!! I was going insane. Now I can sleep tonight.

I like to start the motor up on the hose before I head out for the day sure seems to help at the ramp when she fires right up and no unspected problems with anything leaking.Don't be afraid to take a wrench to all the nuts and bolts like intake manifold and exhaust manifolds so the list gos on but you get the point.Expect the unexpected to happen at all times and the most emportant thing is to have fun while you burn through barrels of gas. :D

I'm amazed at the number of people who start their motors with the drivers in the trailer position. This WILL eat your U-Joints in short order. The drive should be around half way down at a minimum.

1. Think with your head not your dick.
2. Chicks don't like it when they end up doing face plants into the windshield ie you can't always go full throttle

3 Being macho will only cause you huge pain and hummilation.

4. If you ever do have engine trouble throw your anchor asap if you don't you could end up on shore ... rocky bottoms sometimes are hard to get a good hold with an anchor.... also let out more line...it helps get a better hold.


5. Don't think with your dick.


6.Have fun thats what boats are for. No matter how bad a day on the water gets it is still better than not being on the water.

when backing your boat in the garage while going down a decline make sure that the latch on the tongue of the trailer is locked down.
its not a pretty site when the trailer pops off the hitch and goes through your tailgate. :eek::eek:

Just check out the OSO photo link then click on Bloopers.
I'd say that some are newbie and some stupidity.

If you're smart enough to carry a spare prop, make sure you have a spare nut, washer, and pin.

Once the boats up to speed, cutting the throttle back to 30% will only cost you a few mph, but your fuel savings will be huge.

Warm the engine before you try to dock. Cool engines stall easily.

Explain to your crew what you want them to do before you hit the dock.