Learning to Drive

I recently spent several days teaching handling and safety to a new boater. I've been teaching for somewhere around 25 years now, and truly enjoy it. I love to see the confidence and abilities grow in new boat owners as they start to get a feel for how the boat reacts to their control and heading changes, whether out on the water or while maneuvering in tight spaces.

Many new owners make the mistake of thinking that since they can drive a car, they are qualified to operate a boat. After all, it has an engine, a steering wheel, and goes forwards and backwards depending on what you do with the controls. How hard can it be, right?

We are in cars from the day we're born until the day we die. We are driven home from the hospital shortly after we come in to existence on the planet, and also make our trip to our final resting place on four wheels. By the time we are ready to learn to drive we already know what the steering wheel, pedals, and most of the buttons do. We've seen the whole operation in action over and over for 16 or 17 years.

The problem with boats is not necessarily the actual driving of the vessel. What many new boaters don't understand and fail to take in to account is the environment and it's affect on the boat. The wind and current all work to change the intended direction of travel, or disrupt the state of rest which the vessel is placed in. A car goes where you point it, a boat goes where you point it eventually. If you're lucky. And the weather cooperates. An no one else is trying to help you by pushing off pilings and things.

Boats don't react to course corrections immediately, and even if they do they may continue to react until they have passed the result you were aiming for. Boats are also uncooperative when asked to stop moving in any direction they may already be heading. To top it off, the available paths available for travel tend to be very poorly marked. There are no lines or curbs, no signs, and no stoplights.

Boating is a fun and exciting sport, but also a sport that can go wrong very quickly. From minor damage caused while docking to major problems miles from shore, the results of bad judgement and inexperience can be expensive or even deadly. As an experienced teacher I can not stress enough the importance of any kind of instruction for a new boater. If you're buying a boat for the first time, moving to a larger boat, or throwing a second engine and set of control in to the mix I would highly recommend spending time with a licensed Captain who teaches handling and safety.

Before you throw a full cooler and your family on board that new boat, make sure you are truly ready to hit the open water. Learn the concepts of docking and maneuvering before you get caught in high winds or low visibility. Get recommendations on safety gear or equipment that is not required by the Coast Guard, but will get you out of a bad situation. Books and videos can help, but there is no substitute for hands on experience in your own boat. Get some lessons, insight, and instruction from a professional and keep your time on the water safe and enjoyable.

Chuck

Slips and Docks

Even though we had snow here yesterday many boaters have set their sights on a date for launching their boat here in West Michigan. The weather is showing signs of improving, and that means it's time to get to work. Cleaning, tune-ups, oil changes, and more need to be done to make the boat reliable before heading out anywhere far, but there are other responsibilities at hand as well. For people who slip their boat for the season, it's time to inspect the lines and available mooring gear.

Docking or slipping a boat without proper lines is like leaving your car in neutral instead of park. There is a chance nothing bad will happen, but it's more than likely some damage will occur if the car starts to roll. Boats need to be properly and securely tied to the dock or seawall where it is left unattended, and the dock lines need to be configured correctly to keep the vessel from damaging itself or other boats and structures.

Before you even think about heading to the slip, take the lines out of their winter storage hiding places and lay them out for inspection. Look for rot and frayed sections, and make sure splices are secure. Be sure the lines are long enough to reach the pilings or cleats you'll need to use. Don't skimp on dock lines, replace or add any as needed before you hit the water.

Spring lines are often overlooked and can be the best way to prevent damage without restricting your ability to board the boat. Stern lines should be crossed to allow for changes in water levels without giving the boat too much lateral movement in the slip as the water rises or lowers. A good boat hook can allow the Captain to reach the lines from the boat much easier, which can also counter a decision to take the easiest path when tying up instead of the proper one. And although bumpers or fenders are useful, they should not be the cure-all for keeping teh boat from becoming damaged. There is no substitute for properly securing the vessel.

The worse thing a boat owner can find when he's driven down to the boat is that it's full of water, but a close second is finding it has beaten itself against the pilings or seawall in a heavy wind. Take the extra time and effort to carefully and securely tie off the boat and you'll take one more step to ensuring a trouble free season.

See you on the water...

Chuck

Summer's Coming...

Preparing for the summer boating season can be a daunting task. There seems to be so much work to do to get the boat ready, and everything I finish either uncovers or leads to something else I didn't plan on. And no matter what, cleaning, painting, repairing, all seem to lead back to cleaning.

There are plenty of things to think about before launching, but the most important is seaworthiness. No matter how pretty the boat is when it gets wet, it still has to float. Before the boat is turned loose from the trailer or lift, spend some time with your head in the bilge.

There are so many things that can sink a boat, some obvious and some not. Loose or broken hose clamps on engine hoses can pour gallons of water in to the bilge and go unnoticed. Leaking seacocks can send a boat to the bottom overnight. Through hull fittings can also crack or loosen and allow water in, especially if they are close to the waterline. Check for leaks before the boat is left unattended, especially if you live far away from it.

Spring snow or rain storms can also sink a boat if the batteries or bilge pump can't keep up with the demands placed on them. Blige pumps need to be checked carefully for proper operation, and their abilities actually verified. Just because a pump makes noise doesn't mean it will remove water from the bilge, to be absolutely sure you can count on it run a hose in to the boat and test it for yourself.

There is nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get from a call coming from your marina, but you can take the steps necessary to make sure they are always about upcoming events and not high water alarms. Take a minute to ensure your boating season will get off to a problem free start, take the time to look and listen for leaks.

See you on the water...