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)

[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

[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,, : )

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.

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.