Boating Solo?
- Thread starter Newman
- Start date
Ten Years Gone
New Member
As others have pointed out, having boating friends requires hanging out with boat owners. I say "boat owners" because owning and operating a pleasure boat is a lifestyle. It costs a lot of money and requires a lot of time and effort to enjoy it consistently. You don't want or need boat groupies. I never advertise my passion for boats outside my small circle of friends because those who do not understand seem to be unfriendly about the subject. There was a thread on here about that recently.
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is...you are in excellent company here on this forum at the moment. Don't feel pressured to have a boating buddy immediately. Take this time to really learn your craft (pun intended). Get familiarized and comfortable with your equipment and abilities. The last thing you want in a new boating friendship is to show your ineptitude at handling the vessel at the docks or on the water. That scares people. A non-boater (like a new girlfriend for example) needs to see you acting in a manner that is confident and in charge/control at all times while acting as captain. That will win you return visits to the boat. All it takes is one bad experience to turn someone off to the idea of another ride.
One last thing, you really should check out Brookville. It's practically at your back door, and in my opinion, much safer than the river. If you want to try something smaller, go to East Fork. You can practice launching and retrieving as much as you want on a weekday there. We used to go to B-ville regularly years ago when we had another boating family that would meet with us, but they have since moved away from boating and in to camping. If you really need help, I'm only two hours away, and I had the same boat (different powerplant) you currently have. I also routinely launched and retrieved on a roller trailer by myself.
PM if you need more info. I'm happy to help!
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is...you are in excellent company here on this forum at the moment. Don't feel pressured to have a boating buddy immediately. Take this time to really learn your craft (pun intended). Get familiarized and comfortable with your equipment and abilities. The last thing you want in a new boating friendship is to show your ineptitude at handling the vessel at the docks or on the water. That scares people. A non-boater (like a new girlfriend for example) needs to see you acting in a manner that is confident and in charge/control at all times while acting as captain. That will win you return visits to the boat. All it takes is one bad experience to turn someone off to the idea of another ride.
One last thing, you really should check out Brookville. It's practically at your back door, and in my opinion, much safer than the river. If you want to try something smaller, go to East Fork. You can practice launching and retrieving as much as you want on a weekday there. We used to go to B-ville regularly years ago when we had another boating family that would meet with us, but they have since moved away from boating and in to camping. If you really need help, I'm only two hours away, and I had the same boat (different powerplant) you currently have. I also routinely launched and retrieved on a roller trailer by myself.
PM if you need more info. I'm happy to help!
bayboatersf
New Member
How do you guys handle docking when boating solo. Do you step off with a spring line or a stern line?
Captain_Ron
New Member
Don't know how these bigger guys do it but when I used to take out my families 44 ft Nauta line I used to just put the motors in Neutral use a boat hook to get me close then step off the stern and just use the railings to ease the boat into the slip. Providing you have easy winds and calm waters it works really well.
HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
When I run solo and need to side tie to a dock, I set the lines and fenders before starting to dock then get my port stern to the dock and cleat the line. Once the line is cleated I have full control. Coming into a raftup, I set the bow line on the rail and present it to the boat I am coming in next to. I also have a stern line ready and maneuver the stern into place so the hands can grab the line or I simply step onto the platform and toss it over. Coming into my slip is no problem at all as it is a 2-finger slip. Hell, Wayne could slip my boat in there!
- Oct 10, 2006
- 1,712
- Boat Info
- 2006 44 DA
QSC 8.3s
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- Cummins QSC 8.3s 500HO
That's being generous!
GrandMaster
New Member
- Mar 27, 2012
- 727
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- 1995 Sundancer 290
Generator, AC
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- Twin Mercruiser 4.3L
I'd think hanging out at Hooters and getting to know the waitresses might be a good way to find someone you'd like to boat with.
I was about to recommend a similar approach
JimFromMD
Well-Known Member
- Aug 9, 2010
- 1,777
- Boat Info
- 2005 300DA, Garmin 740s w/Vision Charts and GMR18HD RADAR
- Engines
- 5.0MPI w/BIIs, Kohler 5E Generator.
Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but you might want to start a thread in the appropriate regional forum on here to see who is around locally. Here is a link to the regional forums.
http://clubsearay.com/forumdisplay.php/8-Regional-Forums-Get-Local-Events
Thanks guys! A lot of good suggestions here. I'm already seeing the difference between people that think boats are cool and people that love boats. I've been trolling the forum and I love the idea of how everyone on here enjoys their boat.
It looks like I will be headed to East Fork to practise loading / unloading. I may have to switch ramps as there is practically nowhere to tie up at the one I currently use. I'll look into local clubs too. I did find myself in the same situation again this Sunday. Decent weather and nobody would answer their phone to go out. I thought about heading out but I saw lots of traffic headed into the lake and I didn't want to cause a clusterf***k getting it in the water. Seems it like everything else in life... Can't wait or depend on others; if there is something you want to do go do it yourself!
It looks like I will be headed to East Fork to practise loading / unloading. I may have to switch ramps as there is practically nowhere to tie up at the one I currently use. I'll look into local clubs too. I did find myself in the same situation again this Sunday. Decent weather and nobody would answer their phone to go out. I thought about heading out but I saw lots of traffic headed into the lake and I didn't want to cause a clusterf***k getting it in the water. Seems it like everything else in life... Can't wait or depend on others; if there is something you want to do go do it yourself!
