Basically Starting from scratch

Wardy549

Wardy549

Member
Nov 12, 2014
109
Daytona Marina & Boat Works
Boat Info
1988 345 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Twin 454's
ok, so ive been on boats my entire life. Growing up in Miami and Hollywood its what we did. Now in Orlando, ive just purchased my 88 sedan bridge that is docked at a marina in melbourne. My next chapter in this so called life is living on her and just enjoying the water life like I always have. I have owned every type of boat out there over the years from jet skis to my biggest an 89 26-8.
So this vessel here is a whole new ball game.
Im looking for some pointers on where to start, what to do, where to go and basically learn what I need as long as it may take.
Ive never really had to worry and/or use vhf radio, chart plotters, or anything really. So getting into this boat I feel there is a lot I need to learn. Even just docking is a completely different ball game.
I know most is probably going to be self taught or learning by default but is there any books, videos or such that I can read or watch since starting this weekend I will pretty much be on her full time. Lots to do and learn so any info or direction will be greatly appreciated. I hate sounding like a newbee here but hey, Id rather be honest and avoid problematic issues by hearing from a veteran then making a dumb mistake that could become catastrophic.
Thank You!
 
A good start would be to find your local USCG-Aux or Power Squadrons. They will offer classes, starting with basic seamanship, but progressing into the use of GPS, VHF, etc. The intro course is typically a very good course (depending on who the instructor is) with lot's of excellent information. It's a great place to learn some new things and the more that the "classmates" participate, the better the class is. It's a good course, regardless of your current level of seamanship.
 
I'll be honest, I watched a virtual a$$load of twin engine docking videos once I decided to make the jump from my 24' I/O.
 
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Find a friend with a similar sized boat and power who is experienced. Hang out awhile with him on your boat and get comfortable handling the boat in tight quarters on a calm day. Practice and take on more difficult low speed handling situations as you learn and gain confidence. Debrief after each learning situation. Take a few short trips with an experienced skipper. Do as much of the piloting as you are able. Learn how to tie up your boat properly. Do a little night boating with an experienced skipper. Debrief and discuss opportunities for improvement. Practice in all kinds of weather as you build skills.
 
When we moved up to Beachcomber I never thought to look for videos.

I've taken a boating course five or six times starting in 1966 before I even owned a boat, and I've learned from each of them.

Find out what the requirements are for a boater safety card in FL and make sure you complete that course. You'll learn much more through the exchange of information about local conditions between the people in the class than you'd ever get taking the course online.
 
The boat has a garmin 700 series gps touch screen. They said it doesnt have radar hooked up. So basically this for me now is just for navigation purposes but to get weather charting etc I guess I need to buy a garmin radar to hook to the top of the boat??
The previous owners do not seem to know much either lol grrreat...
 
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Chart plotters display whatever is hooked up to them. So absent a radar scanner, you will not have radar for weather and navigation. New radars are now digital. So if your Garmin is not a digital unit, a new radar scanner will not display on the older analog MFD device. Modern digital electronics display live radar including storms on top of the navigation plot on your display. The old analog units did this as well but only if both were analog devices.
 
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sbw1 said:
View attachment 62441 Chart plotters display whatever is hooked up to them. So absent a radar scanner, you will not have radar for weather and navigation. New radars are now digital. So if your Garmin is not a digital unit, a new radar scanner will not display on the older analog MFD device. Modern digital electronics display live radar including storms on top of the navigation plot on your display. The old analog units did this as well put only if both were analog devices.
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They said they just bought it in 2017. It is touch screen so im guessing it is digital. She is gathering all paper work and booklets etc from everything on the boat. So if it is digital I will need to buy a garmin scanner for this particular unit im guessing. The boat has a (through hull) depth finder and the radio. Vhf? What other electronics should I look into purchasing to be up to date and in touch with the latest techs for boating today?
Thanks sbw, I appreciate the input! Sincerely
 
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Wardy549 said:
They said they just bought it in 2017. It is touch screen so im guessing it is digital. She is gathering all paper work and booklets etc from everything on the boat. So if it is digital I will need to buy a garmin scanner for this particular unit im guessing. The boat has a (through hull) depth finder and the radio. Vhf? What other electronics should I look into purchasing to be up to date and in touch with the latest techs for boating today?
Thanks sbw, I appreciate the input! Sincerely
Click to expand...
I suppose what you need depends on where you boat and how you use it. If it were me, I would make sure there are no mechanical surprises with the engines or transmissions and the hull and fuel tanks are sound before spending money on electronics. Assuming you are good in those departments, life jackets and required safety equipment, extra lines, a working compass, chart plotter and a good VHF radio would be high priorities. Radar would put you ahead of many others and is very important to your safety when boating on large bodies of water, in heavy traffic and in foggy conditions.
 
bracketracer said:
I'll be honest, I watched a virtual a$$load of twin engine docking videos once I decided to make the jump from my 24' I/O.
Click to expand...

I did as well. After 35 years of boat ownership I purchased my first twin engine boat this spring, and much bigger than anything I had owned previously. i watched a ton of youtube videos to educate myself on dock handling to get the concepts. It was incredibly helpful. Then I hired an experienced captain to run me through my first attempts, just navigating up and down the harbor and practicing docking, getting the feel for the boat and how it handled. Highly recommended.

I also recommend the Power Squadron class. I took it a long time ago, but the class has helped me over and over.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 62450
I suppose what you need depends on where you boat and how you use it. If it were me, I would make sure there are no mechanical surprises with the engines or transmissions and the hull and fuel tanks are sound before spending money on electronics. Assuming you are good in those departments, life jackets and required safety equipment, extra lines, a working compass, chart plotter and a good VHF radio would be high priorities. Radar would put you ahead of many others and is very important to your safety when boating on large bodies of water, in heavy traffic and in foggy conditions.
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I agree first spend money on all deferred maintenance. I boat Georgian bay with an old 89 single screw and only have a small chartplotter and a vhf. Mechanical systems are the most crucial to ensuringyou can get back to the dock so imho the first thing that needs money and attention.
 
Congrats on your new to you boat. Every situation had it’s own set of challenges. When we moved from lake boating to river boating it brought a whole new set of challenges. How to use the VHF, how to navigate channel markers, and the big one how to “lock through”. The good news is the boating community is very open to helping new members learn the ropes and their are resources such as the USCG- Power Squadron.
 
After having jet skis for years, I moved up to my first boat: a 2004 Sea Ray 420. Yes, I'm that guy. I hired a licensed captain, as was required by my insurance company, and completed 20 hours of supervised operation. When completed, he signed off on me by sending a letter of competency to the insurance company.

I'll never forget the thrill and sheer panic the first time I engaged the transmissions and felt 22,500 pounds respond to my inputs. It truly is a great feeling. Now, here comes the point that I wanted to suggest to you. Warning: NO LAUGHING. It sounds trite, but I assure you that it was VERY helpful in learning how to maneuver my boat in close quarters. If you have ever driven a zero-turn lawn mower, you will adapt readily and easily. Quit laughing! The inputs are essentially identical.

So this winter, if you or a buddy has one of these mowers, my suggestion is to set up an obstacle course and practice, practice, practice.

Jaybeaux
 
Take your time and take baby steps. Start with clear and calm, and build your confidence. It will become second nature.

This was my first big twin boat, so I hired a Captain for the first couple of times out, but about an hour was enough for me to feel pretty comfortable. After that I set limits on tides and winds, and gradually built up to the point, after about 30 hours, we went out it 20knots gusting to 37, and I put her right back in the slip no problem, and felt confident doing it.

Learning all the systems is another challenge, but CSR is perfect for that. Somebody has owned your exact boat and knows what needs to be done and how to fix it DIY.
 
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dtfeld said:
This was my first big twin boat, so I hired a Captain for the first couple of times out, but about an hour was enough for me to feel pretty comfortable. After that I set limits on tides and winds, and gradually built up to the point, after about 30 hours, we went out it 20knots gusting to 37, and I put her right back in the slip no problem, and felt confident doing it.
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This is a good way to become proficient. After a while you can dock in just about any conditions assuming you stay within the limits of the equipment. Many folks go out only in calm conditions, and never really learn how to handle their boats.
 
Jaybeaux said:
After having jet skis for years, I moved up to my first boat: a 2004 Sea Ray 420. Yes, I'm that guy. I hired a licensed captain, as was required by my insurance company, and completed 20 hours of supervised operation. When completed, he signed off on me by sending a letter of competency to the insurance company.

I'll never forget the thrill and sheer panic the first time I engaged the transmissions and felt 22,500 pounds respond to my inputs. It truly is a great feeling. Now, here comes the point that I wanted to suggest to you. Warning: NO LAUGHING. It sounds trite, but I assure you that it was VERY helpful in learning how to maneuver my boat in close quarters. If you have ever driven a zero-turn lawn mower, you will adapt readily and easily. Quit laughing! The inputs are essentially identical.

So this winter, if you or a buddy has one of these mowers, my suggestion is to set up an obstacle course and practice, practice, practice.

Jaybeaux
Click to expand...

I agree 100% about the zero-turn lawnmower. It is a very good analog. (But without the wind and tidal currents!) Believe it or not you can almost do the same thing with a grocery cart. Loop your thumb and forefinger around each corner of the steering handle and apply forward and reverse thrust to each hand. (Anyhow, it's what I do when the admiral drags me to the grocery store!)
 
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