Got my launch date set up today

J

jdpromo33

New Member
Feb 1, 2010
103
New Jersey
Boat Info
300 Sundancer
Engines
5.7 Mercruisers
Just back from the marina and itching to get in the water, even though there is still snow on the ground.
I fitted my radar, flat screen TV and new sound system

Anyway as it's my first year I decided on or around March 28th. Just over a month away

I know thats early but I figured I'd get a jump on the season so I have time to practice my docking skills while the marina is still empty-ish

Marina will give her a full service/ summerize and bottom paint her before dropping her in her dock. Just hope there's no issues

Counting the days...:grin:
 
Good Luck..I hope it all goes well. As far a docking, you'll be a pro, the fourth time you do it.:smt038
 
When you're practicing with your 30-footer, think of me practicing with my 25' BR. That should give you a smile.
 
That is great... There are usually some great days in t April when we all wish we could be in... We can't go in until April, because we will still be skiing...
 
jdpromo33 said:
Just back from the marina and itching to get in the water, even though there is still snow on the ground.
I fitted my radar, flat screen TV and new sound system

Anyway as it's my first year I decided on or around March 28th. Just over a month away

I know thats early but I figured I'd get a jump on the season so I have time to practice my docking skills while the marina is still empty-ish

Marina will give her a full service/ summerize and bottom paint her before dropping her in her dock. Just hope there's no issues

Counting the days...:grin:
Click to expand...


Same here, first year, were set to launch march 31st
nervous as heck about docking this 310...:huh:..
they also said the same, practice early, while its still early in the season

,Marina doing the same for us....getting out of the marina the first time wil be a big event for us :grin:

COUNTING THE DAYS
 
billnpat said:
Same here, first year, were set to launch march 31st
nervous as heck about docking this 310...:huh:..
they also said the same, practice early, while its still early in the season

,Marina doing the same for us....getting out of the marina the first time wil be a big event for us :grin:

COUNTING THE DAYS
Click to expand...

Practice in the open water using only your gear shifters. Remember that you can go very slow and back her up if you think you are not coming in correctly! You don't want dock rub marks on your nice clean hull!
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
Practice in the open water using only your gear shifters. Remember that you can go very slow and back her up if you think you are not coming in correctly! You don't want dock rub marks on your nice clean hull!
Click to expand...

Funny because that's exactly what I was thinking of doing. But there is definitely a skill to using 2 engines to maneuver tight spaces. Forward with one engine and reverse with another no?
 
billnpat said:
Same here, first year, were set to launch march 31st
nervous as heck about docking this 310...:huh:..
they also said the same, practice early, while its still early in the season

,Marina doing the same for us....getting out of the marina the first time wil be a big event for us :grin:

COUNTING THE DAYS
Click to expand...

Excuse the pun Bill but it looks like you and I are in the same boat here!
I'm sure a lot of experienced boaters on this forum know exactly what you and I are going through.
 
When we bought our first twin engine boat I was nervous too... What I did was ask my friend, Rich Lockwood, who had many years experiance on the boats, to come with me... Funny thing is my friend Rich now works for MM in Brick delivering boats and teaching new boaters about their boats... I would highly recommend finding someone to go with you, that you trust, and has a twin engine boat...
 
rcknecht said:
When we bought our first twin engine boat I was nervous too... What I did was ask my friend, Rich Lockwood, who had many years experiance on the boats, to come with me... Funny thing is my friend Rich now works for MM in Brick delivering boats and teaching new boaters about their boats... I would highly recommend finding someone to go with you, that you trust, and has a twin engine boat...
Click to expand...

Great idea, thanks Rod.

I'm gonna ask the marina owner if he knows someone who can give me some pointers.
 
To put you at ease, you'll find the boat with twin engines 95% easier to dock than with your single. Practice your maneuvers before trying to dock and you'll be a pro on your first attempt. Remember, slow, slow, slow..... No one will be holding a stop watch on you..:grin: .
 
Well I went down to the marina today to see how the boat is coming along.
She's inside the workshop (which is the size of an aircraft hanger) and she has been bottom painted and the outdrives painted and serviced
Batteries were checked and engines serviced

Now just waiting for the water system/AC and head to be checked and the installs of radar/subs/speakers and underwater LED's and we are ready to go
Boat going in the water on March 26th
 
Last edited:
jdpromo33 said:
Great idea, thanks Rod.

I'm gonna ask the marina owner if he knows someone who can give me some pointers.
Click to expand...

We have captain with us first time on launch day for a 2-3 intro,,,:smt001
 
jdpromo33 said:
Well I went down to the marina today to see how the boat is coming along.
She's inside the workshop (which is the size of an aircraft hanger) and she has been bottom painted and the outdrives painted and serviced
Batteries were checked and engines serviced

Now just waiting for the water system/AC and head to be checked and the installs of radar/subs/speakers and underwater LED's and we are ready to go
Boat going in the water on March 26th
Click to expand...


OBOY OBOY i bet your excited :smt038
 
billnpat said:
We have captain with us first time on launch day for a 2-3 intro,,,:smt001
Click to expand...

Yeah I have hooked up with a captain who will spend the day with me for $250 and will assist me in docking procedures

Just got to set it up once she's in the water

and YES I am very excited. Whoo Hoo!:grin:
 
I'm a twin engine beginner also. I took mine out today and practiced. I froze, but I want to be ready since the temperatures this weekend are finally suppose to be near normal (60).
 
You know what helped me is (during mettings at work) I took piece of paper and pretended my fingers where the engines practiced moving my fingers and imagined I was using the engine controls.
 
jdpromo33 and billnpat,
This is a good video from West Marine on docking with twin screws that you might find helpful for new boaters with a new big boat with twin engines.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Primary Search/mode matchallpartial/0/0?N=377 710 1833 1823&Ne=1822&Ntt=Videos&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Videos&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5004&subdeptNum=16&classNum=12450

My boat will be delivered on March 26th and I have arranged for my surveyor who is also a Captain to take me on a shake down cruise to make sure everything is ok and give me some pointers on docking a boat this size.:thumbsup:
 
320Bob said:
jdpromo33 and billnpat,
This is a good video from West Marine on docking with twin screws that you might find helpful for new boaters with a new big boat with twin engines.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...Primary Search/mode matchallpartial/0/0?N=377 710 1833 1823&Ne=1822&Ntt=Videos&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Videos&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5004&subdeptNum=16&classNum=12450

My boat will be delivered on March 26th and I have arranged for my surveyor who is also a Captain to take me on a shake down cruise to make sure everything is ok and give me some pointers on docking a boat this size.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I have docked boats before but not twins. I'm in the water within 2 weeks so will spend the first week practicing before the marina fills up
Thank God this week we are in the 60's in NJ
 
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