Boating Skills: What did you learn this year?

I haven’t mastered it yet, but a friend is trying to get me to anchor while going forward. The way he does it, drive towards the beach, while going forward still, drop anchor, stop the windlass when enough line is out, the anchor will catch, which will spin the boat around, then throw out the back anchor. In theory, you can neutralize the effects of a current (or maybe use it to your advantage). I have not been successful with this, and only tried it once. I’ll probably not try again...
In principal, sounds like a clever idea. But you need to know exactly how deep the water is and where, and then be able to calculate exactly when to drop and how much to let out.

And remember, after dropping the aft anchor the windlass will have to pull in some of the rode so the aft anchor has sufficient scope to hold.

Truth be told, unless you have known GPS coordinates or land points to navigate from, more often than not your props might just end up as your aft anchor....
 
Let’s see
Learned how to source and install a windless. That took some doing.
Learned not to rely too closely on the depth reading from a chart
Learned that marinas on the Gulf Coast have really taken a hit these last few years; many are gone never to reopen.
 
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:cool:
Carpe Diem
I did the same thing!
 
I learned that boating and being around other boaters is the best recreational activity in order to keep your sanity during a pandemic summer!
 
I learned a bunch of stuff. In no particular order:
  • Diesel engines are awesome.
  • How to maintain a Racor turbine
  • How to disassemble a Cummins aftercooler.
  • How to winterize a Diesel engine, generator, and air con system.
  • How to change a main engine impeller, and service a generator water pump
  • How to clean impeller bits out of an aftercooler
  • Always remember to reopen the engine seacock after cleaning the strainer
  • Bow/stern thrusters are awesome for close quarters handling with a single engine
  • How to maintain/adjust a PSS dripless shaft seal
  • Shore power cables are expensive.
  • How to varnish cabinet panels, to do it in warm weather, and I hated it.
  • I should have gotten the bigger boat.
 
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I took a course and got my 50ton Captain Lic, Learned a lot there, and already forgot a lot there lol..... And learned about Marking Anchor chain in 25ft sections....

Rub----Red
Your---Yellow
Body---Blue
With ---White
Oil-----Orange

Def on my next boat,,, Still shopping..
 
I took a course and got my 50ton Captain Lic, Learned a lot there, and already forgot a lot there lol..... And learned about Marking Anchor chain in 25ft sections....

Rub----Red
Your---Yellow
Body---Blue
With ---White
Oil-----Orange

Def on my next boat,,, Still shopping..

Ohh man you'd be hosed anchoring my boat. I went with the ole ROY G. BIV order for my markers. You'd stop at 50' thinking you were over-scoped :)
 
I learned that money can buy anything but brains. Had a guy in a 40+ overtake me on the starboard side at full speed, while I was tooling along at hull speed. He was probably only about 30 feet off my starboard side as he passed. I had to make a sharp turn to port in order to take his wake on the quarter, or it would have been real ugly. (or more so)

Naturally I laid on my duck horn and quacked him to within an inch of his life. (That'll teach him!) I have the "stupid-look" which I throw at idiots on the highway, but that doesn't work so well on the water. The duck will have to do.

In terms of (more) practical lessons, I went with all chain rode and added a rode counter. Then I added automatic fenders (push a button to deploy or retrieve them)

Single-handing brings with it its own set of challenges, not the least of which is trying to deal with anchors and fenders while no-one is at the helm.
 
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I learned how little oil a two stroke outboard uses. I only used 1 gallon of oil all season (22 hours). My previous two stroke outboard did not have oil injection and used a lot of oil. This engine with the oil injection is only mixing at 100:1 at idle speed and uses much less. Between using so little oil and barely smoking due to the new semi-synthetic oil that is available now, I'm loving my two stroke! :)
 
I learned that money can buy anything but brains. Had a guy in a 40+ overtake me on the starboard side at full speed, while I was tooling along at hull speed. He was probably only about 30 feet off my starboard side as he passed. I had to make a sharp turn to port in order to take his wake on the quarter, or it would have been real ugly. (or more so)

Naturally I laid on my duck horn and quacked him to within an inch of his life. (That'll teach him!) I have the "stupid-look" which I throw at idiots on the highway, but that doesn't work so well on the water. The duck will have to do.

In terms of (more) practical lessons, I went with all chain rode and added a rode counter. Then I added automatic fenders (push a button to deploy or retrieve them)

Single-handing brings with it its own set of challenges, not the least of which is trying to deal with anchors and fenders while no-one is at the helm.
This happens to me as well. I know have 3 Buell Train horns mounte on my flybridge roof. It gets everyone's attention. Also because the noise travels forward, it does not hurt my ears inside the flybridge.
 
I learned that chain is cheaper than rope :(
 
My anchor line was 30 ft chain and 150ft rope. I failed to adequately inspect my rope and I was anchoring at a sandbar with significant current. When my anchor set the rope snapped. Fortunately I have a good stern anchor so the day was salvaged but I lost my bow anchor and chain. I have all chain now.
 
My anchor line was 30 ft chain and 150ft rope. I failed to adequately inspect my rope and I was anchoring at a sandbar with significant current. When my anchor set the rope snapped. Fortunately I have a good stern anchor so the day was salvaged but I lost my bow anchor and chain. I have all chain now.
Sounds like Longboat Pass at Jewfish. One Memorial weekend, we saved a few people who lost their grip on their ladders up current. Other times, I couldn't catch the bottom with a 45 plow and ALL CHAIN. Soft, and fast. Wound up in the eddy off of Land's End so we could get a good bite in no current. Having said all that, it could have been South Lido too. Monster current there when Mother Natcha decides it's a 2 tide full moon NW front day. I have another funny full chain story at Sands Point cove, but we'll save that one for another day.
 
Dancer, just curious about what you call a Monster current?
in lightweight Florida, about a 6 knot run. I've observed faster in other parts of the world, but from shore. For normally tranquil water and a super soft sandy bottom, a 6 knot pull changes a lot people's days, especially if they don't get what's happening. I'm grading on the curve, I'm sure......
 

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