Got my launch date set up today

Congrats on the new boat. She looks great. I had a '95 very similar to yours. It was also my first boat with twin outdrives. Don't be nervous, you'll be handling her like a pro in no time. Wish I could get in the water as soon as you guys. Our end of the lake is still a little hard if you know what I mean. Enjoy
 
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:


Thanks.....we just ordered the video....we'll have 2 weeks to watch the video to get an idea, and then do it person...
thanks for the link.....:thumbsup:
 
Our 330 SD was our first twin screw and I was shocked at how much easier it was to dock than a single. Set the drives straight on approach - slow - steady - hands OFF the wheel, and don't over correct...done :thumbsup: Have fun.
 
Our 330 SD was our first twin screw and I was shocked at how much easier it was to dock than a single. Set the drives straight on approach - slow - steady - hands OFF the wheel, and don't over correct...done :thumbsup: Have fun.


OK THanks for the tip :thumbsup:
 
when we moved up from the single engine 250 da to the 320 twin screws i was too but after watching the salesman and a buddy who now also is a captain at mm lindenhurst i find it very easy to face backwards and reach behind me for the shifters ,it;s the only way i can do it you almost walk it in , bill try goin to cedar beach docks during the week in april theyre empty ,pick a few different ones and practice different approaches, it really helps!!! good luck guys (in the words of the late Peter Graves, were all counting on you!!)
 
when we moved up from the single engine 250 da to the 320 twin screws i was too but after watching the salesman and a buddy who now also is a captain at mm lindenhurst i find it very easy to face backwards and reach behind me for the shifters ,it;s the only way i can do it you almost walk it in , bill try goin to cedar beach docks during the week in april theyre empty ,pick a few different ones and practice different approaches, it really helps!!! good luck guys (in the words of the late Peter Graves, were all counting on you!!)

WALK IT IN......:thumbsup: Hope to see you at some point this season...Dinner on us.....:grin:
 
Ok just back from marina today and the boat is a mess of wires and panels removed and new faucets being installed, but according to the mechanic he will be done by Monday.
Got the underwater Blue LED's installed as well as GPS,Radar and kick ass stereo. 2 new 10 inch subs and 2 new 1000 watt amps and 32 inch Flat screen TV. This boat will be set up for a Partaaay!
So if I can get a nice polish up it looks like next week will be launch date.

Cannot wait!

JD
 
Ok just back from marina today and the boat is a mess of wires and panels removed and new faucets being installed, but according to the mechanic he will be done by Monday.
Got the underwater Blue LED's installed as well as GPS,Radar and kick ass stereo. 2 new 10 inch subs and 2 new 1000 watt amps and 32 inch Flat screen TV. This boat will be set up for a Partaaay!
So if I can get a nice polish up it looks like next week will be launch date.

Cannot wait!

JD


The weather looks good also for our launch week in N.J. and N.Y. :thumbsup:
 
The weather looks good also for our launch week in N.J. and N.Y. :thumbsup:

If the rain will finally STOP ALREADY!!!Tomorrow or Thursday could be splash day. :smt038:smt038:smt038

Just have to run to Ikea tomorrow for some new cushions and bits and pieces for the cabin and this weekend will be our first trip to our new summer floating home.
Fingers crossed :thumbsup:
 
My baby is in the water and in her summer dock. :smt038:smt038:smt038
And my neighbor in his 31' mainship is already there and staying the weekend on his boat.
I was greeted with a handshake and a can of beer :grin: and welcomed to the Marina.

It was so nice to get a coffee on the boil with the kids watching TV and the sound of the ac unit purring away while we made beds and started to fill up the cupboards and drawers.

Tomorrow will be crazy with people trying to unwrap their boats and people heading to the marina.

Cant wait to get her out tomorrow for her first run of the season
 
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!

Good advice. Many new boaters will find a buoy to practice backing up to.

If you have ever driven a caterpillar or a ztr mower, it is the same sort of differential steering.
 
My baby is in the water and in her summer dock. :smt038:smt038:smt038
And my neighbor in his 31' mainship is already there and staying the weekend on his boat.
I was greeted with a handshake and a can of beer :grin: and welcomed to the Marina.

It was so nice to get a coffee on the boil with the kids watching TV and the sound of the ac unit purring away while we made beds and started to fill up the cupboards and drawers.

Tomorrow will be crazy with people trying to unwrap their boats and people heading to the marina.

Cant wait to get her out tomorrow for her first run of the season
Yep, tomorrow should be crazy. I'm going down to take off the shrink wrap and get some wax on the boat before going in sometime next week. Good luck with your first cruise tomorrow! Brian
 
Yep, tomorrow should be crazy. I'm going down to take off the shrink wrap and get some wax on the boat before going in sometime next week. Good luck with your first cruise tomorrow! Brian

Thanks Brian.
Just got back from a day on the boat.
Had a 3 hour training session with Captain Lew Donovan. Practiced docking stern in and using the twin screws to turn it on a dime.
Quite windy so had to deal with that but after a couple of tries, I had it pretty good

Then did my first gas fill up for $250 :wow: (the attendant said, welcome to the world of boating!!)

Then into Barnegat Bay, picked up the channel and weaved through the markers and through the sandbars, past Barnegat Light and into the ocean

Boat purred along with no issues. Got her up on plane and she went off at a nice speed.

Practiced using the windlass then headed back to the marina.

All in all I had a great day getting to know my boat. no boats around so was able to do my own thing at my own pace and
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!! :thumbsup:

Cannot wait to get out and up to Tices for some fun in the sun

JD
 
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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?

Did some practice docking yesterday with the Captain. He took us to a remote area where i practiced backing in and turning the boat on its own radius with out drifting Thats the key according to the captain i did ok but need lots of practice... :smt001
 
when we moved up from the single engine 250 da to the 320 twin screws i was too but after watching the salesman and a buddy who now also is a captain at mm lindenhurst i find it very easy to face backwards and reach behind me for the shifters ,it;s the only way i can do it you almost walk it in , bill try goin to cedar beach docks during the week in april theyre empty ,pick a few different ones and practice different approaches, it really helps!!! good luck guys (in the words of the late Peter Graves, were all counting on you!!)

Thanks Joe,

We went there yesterday.....a little scary getting there you really have to stay in the middle water between the sand dunes. very scary...:wow:
 
Thanks Joe,

We went there yesterday.....a little scary getting there you really have to stay in the middle water between the sand dunes. very scary...:wow:

i havent been there in a while maybe there was shoaling over the winter, how are you and the boat geting along so far? i'm not going in until may 1st, the wiffy wont even go to the marina unless its sunny and 80 so no rush dropping it in :smt089 good luck bill take it slow and watch the wind and current as you approach the dock that will tell you what the boat is going to do before it does it
 
i havent been there in a while maybe there was shoaling over the winter, how are you and the boat geting along so far? i'm not going in until may 1st, the wiffy wont even go to the marina unless its sunny and 80 so no rush dropping it in :smt089 good luck bill take it slow and watch the wind and current as you approach the dock that will tell you what the boat is going to do before it does it

Thansk joe.....

We met some nice people at river street, there are a few boats in the water on our side...Im at R11
i'm trying to get my water hooked up and confused about what to do:huh:. use the shore water while we are docked?? and also fill the water tank on the port side to use when were underway? [right now were on empty with any water] also what breakers to leave on once the water is in the tanks...is there a way to tell how much water is in the tank?? is there a separate water tank for the shore water??? OMG :smt100 :grin::grin::grin:

and last but not least.....what kind of quick connect to get for the hose for shore water....
...tomorrow i'm going to look again at the female connection in the transom....

Hope to see ya in may.....:thumbsup:
 
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i'm trying to get my water hooked up and confused about what to do:huh:. use the shore water while we are docked?? and also fill the water tank on the port side to use when were underway? [right now were on empty with any water] also what breakers to leave on once the water is in the tanks...is there a way to tell how much water is in the tank?? is there a separate water tank for the shore water??? OMG :smt100 :grin::grin::grin:

Been reading your post on water and here are some things I do to my water system and so far they have worked out for me. YMMV.

1. Get a white anti bacterial hose and use that to fill the water tank. You can use it as your normal hose too. Another poster suggested filling it each season with a dilution of bleach and water screwing it together, then letting it sit and rinse it out. Reason for this type of hose is that you don't want to introduce contaminants into the freshwater system. They could sour your water and make using your on board water a nasty experience. Been there and had a heck of a time chasing it away in our old boat.

2. Treat the water in your tank. I've used Aquabon all last season and it keep the water in the tank fresh between filling. It's salty at around $15 for a small bottle but it worked for me and I would recommend it, especially if you plan on not using your freshwater tank at the dock meaning the water will sit there.

3. I believe on your 12V panel you will have a breaker called fresh water system. Turn that on and you will hear the pump run to pressurize the fresh water system. Once it reaches pressure it should cut out. You can check it to make sure it cuts out indicating the pressure switch is turning off the pump motor. If the motor keeps on running after the system reaches pressure you have a problem. If you are using city water from the hose turn off the fresh water breaker as you don't need the pump on as the hose/city water will provide the pressure. That white connector where you are connecting the hose to is a pressure reducing coupling it takes the city water pressure down to a level the pipes in your freshwater system on the boat can handle usually around 35 psi. But city water from the hose can be a lot higher so that is why that while coupling is there to connect to.

4. I think on your 12V panel there is a rocker switch that will show you an LED bar/meter indicating fresh water level and if pressed the other direction holding tank level. It could have markings on it E, F, 1/4, 1/2 that are dark until the tank reaches a certain level, that is a little confusing at first until you see it.

Enjoy your first season on the boat!!!
 
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Been reading your post on water and here are some things I do to my water system and so far they have worked out for me. YMMV.

THANKS.....

1. Get a white anti bacterial hose and use that to fill the water tank.

THATS THE ONE WE HAVE.WITH THE BLUE LINE RUNNING ALONG SIDE.....


You can use it as your normal hose too

WE PLAN ON THAT.....


. Another poster suggested filling it each season with a dilution of bleach and water screwing it together, then letting it sit and rinse it out. Reason for this type of hose is that you don't want to introduce contaminants into the freshwater system. They could sour your water and make using your on board water a nasty experience. Been there and had a heck of a time chasing it away in our old boat.


WE REALLY PLAN TO BRING OUR OWN DRINKING WATER....

2. Treat the water in your tank. I've used Aquabon all last season and it keep the water in the tank fresh between filling. It's salty at around $15 for a small bottle but it worked for me and I would recommend it, especially if you plan on not using your freshwater tank at the dock meaning the water will sit there.

YES THANKS .WE WILL ,LOOK INTO THAT.....

3. I believe on your 12V panel you will have a breaker called fresh water system.

I WILL LOOK TOMORROW WHEN WE GO TO THE BOAT


Turn that on and you will hear the pump run to pressurize the fresh water system.

OK WILL DO.....


Once it reaches pressure it should cut out. You can check it to make sure it cuts out indicating the pressure switch is turning off the pump motor.

PRESSURE SWITCH???


If the motor keeps on running after the system reaches pressure you have a problem. If you are using city water from the hose turn off the fresh water breaker as you don't need the pump on as the hose/city water will provide the pressure.

OK WILL DO


That white connector where you are connecting the hose to is a pressure reducing coupling it takes the city water pressure down to a level the pipes in your freshwater system on the boat can handle usually around 35 psi

WE SAW THAT......ITS A LONG TUBE LIKE CONNECTOR FOR THE DOCK FITTING


. But city water from the hose can be a lot higher so that is why that while coupling is there to connect to.


OK GOT IT....

4. I think on your 12V panel there is a rocker switch that will show you an LED bar/meter indicating fresh water level and if pressed the other direction holding tank level.

ARE THEY THE SAME??? FRESH WATER LEVEL AND HOLDING TANK??


It could have markings on it E, F, 1/4, 1/2 that are dark until the tank reaches a certain level, that is a little confusing at first until you see it.

I THINK MY WIFE PRESSED A SWITCH AND THERE WAS A RED LIGHT COME ON..THAT MAY MEAN THE TANK IS EMPTY, WE KNOW ITS EMPTY....

Enjoy your first season on the boat!!!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH....BIG HELP....:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
can someone clear this up for me? i NEVER LEAVE THE DOCKSIDE WATER HOOKED UP IF IM AWAY FROM THE BOAT FOR A DAY , I"M afraid a fitting will come loose and flood the boat is this possible? :huh:
 

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