Boating Skills: What did you learn this year?

I would say Bow Thruster... Never had one before until this boat, didn't think I would even use it but I do and I like how it moves the bow quickly when requested. Might even add a stern unit on the next haul out.

 

first big boat with diesels, so list is long
went thru locks about 10 of them.. easy but learned a lot, radio etc
maintenance is coming up next week, oil changes, tranny. racors I will report back..

docking as been nothing but incredible with the 410, wind, current etc no issues,
admiral is getting better with her duties and we are better at prep when departing, underway then prep for docking , communicating is key..

use this site.. best thing I invested in..

 

Can I add two?

First would be a new way to use the bow thruster. I now use it to "aim" the bow. An example--when we're going through a lock I approach the wall at about a 30* angle. As I get closer to the position I went to end up, I use gentle touches on the thruster remote (I wear it around my neck) to aim the boat where I want it to end up. Try it, you'll like it.

Second, like football fan, I perfected my control over the shifters when backing and learned how to walk the boat sideways to squeeze between two boats to get to the dock to side tie. Like FF said, when you get to the point where you don't have to think about it and it becomes muscle memory, you've mastered it.

 

What did I learn this year? PSA numbers stink, Heart repairs can collapse and fail, and most of all...new boaters with no experience can test one’s tolerance.

Just saying

 

I learned how to save thirty grand by selling in a SELLER'S market without a broker. Now I need to learn how to be patient and wait for a BUYER's market to get into the next boat! That one will be a bit harder to master. I'm on boat porn
every night now
Carpe Diem

 

I learned something about our current boat. If I use a spring line that lays forward and attaches to my cleat amidship, the boat will not slip in parallel the dock when backing, but rather causes the bow to swing out. I must use a spring line at is more forward than my amidship to accomplish this backing technique.

 

I've been working on my boat since I bought her in Sept, e.g. impellers, thermostats, packing gland, window, stove, head repair, etc... I'm learning a helluva lot about all the systems on an old 390 and feeling more and more that, in spite of all her "issues" she's mine to keep and make better. But, probably the biggest skill I've gained is backing her big behind into a 15 ft. wide slip. I spent the last 6 years in a 23 ft. single screw Penn Yan and docking a 39 is very different. Next job, windlass removal and rebuild!

 

Reading the parking situation. I got to the point where my boat could be squeezed into a space with just a foot to spare on the front and back end. Also, how to squeeze through a space with just inches to spare on the beam. All without touching or breaking anything.

 

I learned to stay the hell offshore coming in and out of Sheboygan WI so I dont catch a fishing net like @Stee6043.

Seriously, I read the charts but never would have imagined just how damn many nets there are there. Much farther offshore than the charts would lead you to believe.

 

Learned to sell and buy, privately for both. A lot of paperwork and some of which I’m still waiting on (uscg docs)

my main learning has been around the engines and driveline . First diesel and first inboard and what better way to figure it all than to pull the props, shaft, replace cutlass bearings, pull a strut to be straightened, remove aftercoolers for cleaning, align the engines, replace all soft hoses, etc, etc

lots of jobs left but as it turns out these big engines aren’t so scary and are pretty easy to work on so far

 

Went through the locks for the first time so that was a learning experience

 

Adversities suck...but boating relationships make it all work.

I got stories Coach....

..picked up this vessel in Ft. Myers this passed year and had all intentions of arriving in the C&D Canal a few days later. Went around the Keys and through Marathon, heading back north. Departed Canaveral in route to Hilton Head when I started to fell a vibration. Backed her down rapidly and felt for anything at idle. Less than a minute later, bang....both engines still running, only one side moving, dang it!
20 miles offshore, replot course to nearest inlet. Idled on one motor for sometime before reaching cell service. Called Bruce at Daytona Boat Works and advised my eta was 1800. He hooked me up with a side tie which I appreciated due to being on one engine but damn if it wasn't right in front on the Chart House Restaurant...I wanted to yell out the window to the patio patrons "brace for impact!!" but refrained, yes dear.
0800 the next morning, my bow was pointing into his travel-lift. 15 minutes later the boat is out of the water, and up pulls Ken (Flounder Pounder) in his dually with 2 new shafts for that boat model. Boat had spare props so new prop and new shaft go on, and tied the extra shaft to the swimplatform caulks..... departed early that afternoon.
After coming out of the ocean and arriving in time for a nice supper, then have the boat hauled and splashed back in less than six hours is friends indeed!


notice 3/4 of the surface of this shaft end having a rusted finish. And on the right hand side you see the 1/4 moon shape with no rust yet. That means I ran this boat from the west side of FL, around the Keys and half way up the east coast, with only 1/4 of the shaft carrying the load since the crack shows signs of not being new. Lesson learned is always have your surveyor or you, examine the shaft and look for hair line cracks. You see this one was right at the taper, aft of the strut.


Capt. Rusty

 

Nice stress risers around that keyway.... Hmmmmm..

 

Going from a 21' ski boat and fresh water exclusively for over 30 years to our first salt water boat with twin diesels has been a big jump trying to learn everything I can. The best investment was hiring a professional captain who never touched the controls of the boat, but carefully explained everything to me for five hours. That initial lesson has led to close to 100 hours on the sticks over the past four months trying to apply everything the captain taught me. I'm still learning, but this forum and talking with all of the friendly boaters we have met has really helped the process.

 

At least you were in the US. Happened to the 46 Post coming off the ocean, and into Staniel Cay. Back down, just fine, idle through the cut and down to the yacht club, fine. Pick it up for Nassau, not so fine. Lots of circles. The consensus was all the electrolysis in Marina Jack where the boat sat during the winter (for 20 years) was eatin' away.

 

After may new props on my outdrive, I learned where things were at low tide and avoided them at high tide.

 

I sold mine as well, and made a bundle. But only after the new boat was home and we were enjoying every minute of the Summer.

NOT boating is not an option. No matter what is costs! Buyers Market : Shmyers market....when its in your blood since age 4 if you can't be out on the water you might as well check into the nursing home.

What I DID learn this year is that because of the insurgence of new boaters, weekend boating with neophytes that have no clue is not a good thing. We went boating on weekdays instead, and spent out weekends at our mountain cabin.

 

I agree on the market. Managed to buy use and sell 2 Sea Rays this summer with the first purchase on 4th of July week. Used the 270 SunDeck for a few weeks, sold it, made money and bought a 340 SunDancer on the following day. Used that for a few weeks, sold it, made money and decided to take a break for a few years. Then my wife came to the realization of how much she enjoyed boating and here we are shopping for a 40.

 

I learned not to go head on into the Charleston Trump parade at Elliott Cut. Holy cow it was a boating mob scene of boats and wakes, and I was one of two boats trying to pick our way through it in the opposite direction. They deviated from their advertised route and weren’t supposed to be there. Didn’t get through it all until halfway out Charleston Harbor.

I also learned that Capt Rusty is everywhere. Was cruising south down the Cape Fear River and I get a hail from him on the radio. He was moving some monster yacht north. Small world.