Hi everyone

Blown284 said:
Anyone here that's near me interested in taking me out in their boat? I've never captained (is that the word?) a boat of this size. I continue to be told that it's much easier with twins and am looking forward to trying it out. I've been boating for years but always smaller boats (< 28 foot). Any pointers would be greatly appreciated and yes I know practice is the best recipe... just looking for pointers for the experienced boaters with similar boats size. Thanks, Tim
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Tim,
Welcome aboard. I am on the Bush River before the train bridge. Have you launched your boat yet? If not let me know when you do. I am sure we can find a few people to go out with you. I know my friend Hans might since this week he is selling his 38ft. Sundancer.
Joe
 
Hi Tim!

We keep our boat around Middle River. If I can be of any help please just PM me any issues or questions you have. If you want to go out or need some help building confidence on your boat just PM me. We've had ours for over six seasons now.

Take Care!
 
Alegria said:
Hi Tim!

We keep our boat around Middle River. If I can be of any help please just PM me any issues or questions you have. If you want to go out or need some help building confidence on your boat just PM me. We've had ours for over six seasons now.

Take Care!
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I could use a little help. Got her to the pier with previous owner and am addressing a few things that I want to get fixed. Would love to have some help though... where are you specifically in Middle River? Thanks.
 
Searaybio270 said:
Tim,
Welcome aboard. I am on the Bush River before the train bridge. Have you launched your boat yet? If not let me know when you do. I am sure we can find a few people to go out with you. I know my friend Hans might since this week he is selling his 38ft. Sundancer.
Joe
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Thanks Joe. I'm hoping that I don't require too much assistance... got her into the dock which was fun but def need some practice with a bigger boat. The twin engines really help and it's not like a small boat with the wind pushing you all over the place. :)
 
20140414_120022_zps500a38a7.jpg


Let me try and see if this works.
 
Took the boat out for our first maiden voyage and my 1st experience captain'ing a bigger boat like this. The first run was leaving our lift and to get gas. The good news is that the gas station was only a few minutes away --- the bad news --- it was very windy outside. Well, we made it to the gas station without incident. Getting in was easier than I expected although very nerve racking :) We then took a cruise around the channel after getting about 75 gallons in each tank.

After running around in the channel, we went out in the bay for a few minutes until I noticed steam coming from the port side engine (when above 2k rpm) and opted to turn around and head back in.

Same drill.... still windy. Took me, count them, 5 tries to get back into my pier/lift due to the winds. Once I figured out how to shoot for the pier and go against the wind, I was good to go. However, I'm not gonna lie, it was NOT fun. It was an experience and I'm glad I did it... just wished my first experience was in nice calm waters LOL. I bet my neighbors watching were laughing watching me approach the pier, get all crooked, wind pushing me to shore, back out ..... rinse and repeat 4 times. I stayed with it and refused to give up. One thing I will def say is that throttles, when applied, really slowed this boat down quicker than I anticipated.

Hoping to find someone in my area with a similar sized boat that I can learn from........... I def need more seat time. I know it takes practice and I'm getting that practice. But would love to be able to have someone to shoot ideas and learn from if possible.

-Tim
 
It is good to practice in the wind, maybe not first time out, but....

Best bit of advice I ever received was from a maritime officer docked behind me.

With twins, use the Shoulder method. With your hands on the levers, turn your upper body in the direction you want the boat to turn, whichever ever direction your shoulders move, the corresponding lever goes the same way.

Works whether you are facing forward or backward.

Go slow, very little damage will happen slowly. Learn to bump the levers, I often have one engaged whilst the other I just bump.

If your losing it, came back to neutral. Take a breath, concentrate, turn your upper body to reacquaint yourself, and then start again..

And we all muck up. I went from an 18' outboard to the 330.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
If you were down at this end of the bay your more than welcome to come on out. Ignore the folks on the docks and don't let them distract you. Ian's post is a good one to go by. I've learned that once you center the rudders to never touch the wheel again and never shut the motors down till you have her lines attached.
 
Good advice from IanBat and dwna1a - I use the shoulder method and once the rudder is centered I never touch it again. Especially when the wind hits you, the crowd is watching and the boats around you are a 1/2 Mil and up. But don't panic.
For me I have a 270 Sundancer Twin engine. Great boat with a wide beam. When I got the 400EC I was in awe of the size and slightly overwhelmed when I took it out. My father-in-law made me take it out of the slip and dock it at the gas pump. That was tough or scary. But today I would have to say that it is easier to handle the 400 vs the 270. Once you learn to feel how she moves in the water, with or without the wind you will love it.
I haven't splashed yet but when I do I'll let you know and if you are out at FC or Still Pond or HMI let me know.
Good luck and be safe.
 
The great news. Once I got near the gas dock, I did NOT use the steering wheel at all and only used the clutches. I did the same thing when approaching my pier/lift. Only clutches. In fact, the only time I used throttle was when I got into the position I wanted to be and wanted to cease the motion of the boat moving forward. Maybe I'll take a few more breaths and try again.
 
Searaybio270 said:
Tim,
Welcome aboard. I am on the Bush River before the train bridge. Have you launched your boat yet? If not let me know when you do. I am sure we can find a few people to go out with you. I know my friend Hans might since this week he is selling his 38ft. Sundancer.
Joe
Click to expand...

Joe,
BTW, I'm a Gulf War Vet .... (10 years Navy + 20 years federal service --- so I'm almost 30 years in.). Thank you for your service, sir!
 
Alegria said:
Hi Tim!

We keep our boat around Middle River. If I can be of any help please just PM me any issues or questions you have. If you want to go out or need some help building confidence on your boat just PM me. We've had ours for over six seasons now.

Take Care!
Click to expand...

You're in frog mortar creek? If so, I'd love to stop by and check your boat out some time if that's ok?
 
NVM on the help and think I'm getting it. My first experience wasn't so good because i had amazing winds. My last 4-5 attempts including yesterday docking at the restaurant went exceptionally well. Woo hoo. I'm loving having the twins and it's making moving around/navigating much easier to manage.
 
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