FootballFan
Well-Known Member
If you are unsure where the water in the bilge is coming from, be careful using the "dip the finger and taste method".
Here's my tip for the day....what's yours?
- Thread starter Gofirstclass
- Start date
- Mar 11, 2013
- 6,916
- Boat Info
- Sara Belle
2005 Weekender 215
- Engines
- Mercruiser 5.0 mpi, Bravo III
Lake boating is not the same as river boating.
Brett H
Active Member
- Dec 12, 2009
- 385
- Boat Info
- 2004 550 DA
Raymarine e127's
Magnum Radar
KVH HD7
Xantrex SW3024
Vesper XB8000 AIS
Siren Marine
- Engines
- Twin MAN 800's (D2848LE403)
Onan 17KW Gen (Kubota Engine)
A quick three:
1. Have appropriate inflatable Fenders onboard (size and quantity). None of those hard plastic POS's. Suggested minimum of 8" diameter for <30' OAL; minimum of 10" diameter for larger.
2. Have appropriate Dock Lines onboard (diameter, length and quantity). Suggest various lengths. Minimum Qty 6.
3. Don't approach the dock if these aren't already in place. Prep the boat before attempting to dock. Don't expect others to hold your boat while you search for lines and fenders.
1. Have appropriate inflatable Fenders onboard (size and quantity). None of those hard plastic POS's. Suggested minimum of 8" diameter for <30' OAL; minimum of 10" diameter for larger.
2. Have appropriate Dock Lines onboard (diameter, length and quantity). Suggest various lengths. Minimum Qty 6.
3. Don't approach the dock if these aren't already in place. Prep the boat before attempting to dock. Don't expect others to hold your boat while you search for lines and fenders.
mrsrobinson
Well-Known Member
Have your beverage of choice on ice, ready to go for when you kill the engines and all lines/bumpers are secure.
Espos4
Well-Known Member
Keep a few extra dock lines for when “that guy” ties up in the slip next to you. You know, the one with that yellow nylon cord,
And maybe 3 lines total for his piece of shit boat!
And maybe 3 lines total for his piece of shit boat!
Espos4
Well-Known Member
Keep A toilet bowl wax ring in your tool kit. It’s good for sealing any unexpected water leaks.
Never leave dock-water connected when you leave the boat in its slip. Don't trust the spigot. disconnect the hose.
mrsrobinson
Well-Known Member
Carry cash to tip the dock hands, especially those helping you put fuel in your boat and who do a holding tank pump out.
KrazyKarl
Member
- Jun 26, 2022
- 58
- Boat Info
- 1999 190CC Sea Ray
- Engines
- 4.3L Alpha (190 PHP) MCM stern drive
bobeast, Quote"Never leave dock-water connected when you leave the boat in its slip. Don't trust the spigot. disconnect the hose."
Very true. My brother kept his boat connected with the spigot shut off. Someone left the faucet on in his boat & the kid next slip over tried to turn their boat on & just opened up all of them. My brother was lucky I stopped by to check on his boat.
Very true. My brother kept his boat connected with the spigot shut off. Someone left the faucet on in his boat & the kid next slip over tried to turn their boat on & just opened up all of them. My brother was lucky I stopped by to check on his boat.
- Hurricane Securing
- Have a written plan for hurricane prep.
- The day to do the prep and evacuate is the wrong day to buy things needed.
- Before evacuating the marina check the other boats around to make sure they also are secured.
Last edited:
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
All this anxiety...it's no wonder I see so many boats never leaving their slips!!! 
douglee25
Well-Known Member
Don't get married.
- Aug 26, 2020
- 826
- Boat Info
- 2001 380 Sundancer, Raymarine Electronics
2022 Highfield CL310 Dinghy with 20 HP Suzuki
- Engines
- 454 MPII Mercruiser w/ V Drives
Hahaha
Pirate Lady
Well-Known Member
Unless it’s one of Roosevelt’s girls.
370Dancer
Well-Known Member
- Oct 2, 2006
- 2,489
- Boat Info
- 1998 370 Sundancer
- Engines
- 380hp MAG MPI Gen VI with V drives
On Florida summer days, time your movement such that you can duck under a bridge span when all hell breaks loose. I have kept a cockpit full of guests dry and carrying on as usual under the bridge from SRQ to St Armands many a time. (can't say Ringling bridge anymore, because, it's not).
- Jun 2, 2008
- 5,024
- Boat Info
- 1998 450 Sundancer, Achilles dinghy w/15hp
- Engines
- 3126 Cat's
lines/fenders....
boatman37
Well-Known Member
- Jun 6, 2015
- 4,256
- Boat Info
- 2006 Crownline 250CR. 5.7 Merc BIII
Previous: 1986 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer. 260 Merc Alpha 1 Gen 1
- Engines
- 5.7 Merc BIII
Don't pick your nose with mittens
Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 292
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
I would add to never assume the other guy knows you have the right of way
Eluther3
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2019
- 292
- Boat Info
- 1992 Searay 400 EC
- Engines
- Mercruiser
Here's one that started a debate at our marina. Many of the captains won't let their wives drive the boat, but I insisted that my wife not only drive, but learn to dock the boat. I like to know if anything happened to me that she would be able to get us back in.
- Jun 2, 2008
- 5,024
- Boat Info
- 1998 450 Sundancer, Achilles dinghy w/15hp
- Engines
- 3126 Cat's
