nervous about change

[trflgrl]

Change is good, accepting it is sometimes a little harder.
Just for the record, I went from a 12 ft. KAYAK, to a S/R Amberjack 270. How's that for change??

To add to the "pretty big jump" discussion, I went from a 11'6" Jet Ski to a Sea Ray 420. Had to work under a licensed captain till he signed off on me for insurance purposes. To be honest, that was the best money I ever spent! It filled me with confidence and enabled my dock mates to relax!

I highly recommend getting a captain to check out your skills.

Congratulations,

Jaybeaux

Chalk up one more that took a giant leap not only in size but in propulsion: from 13' WaveRunner to 300DA....and First Mate puffs up telling (male) friends I pilot my own boat. I echo others' sentiments about slow and steady, as well as practicing to get the feel for how the new boat behaves, and ignoring input from others as needed--all of which you probably know from your own experience!! (Both of us are still learning, though I admit it much more readily than he does.)

The best piece of advice I've gotten is "perfect landing = no damage." If it takes a couple of passes to slip cleanly, or if I have to back off to let others vessels clear my target, I remind myself to be patient. Heck, if one day conditions are such that the surest way to slip is bow in, you'd better believe that's how I'll do it. (It's still nerve-wracking to put an 11' beam into a 12' slip between two houseboats protruding into the fairway.)

Congratulations--may this be your best season yet!!!

 

[Strypes]

I'm in the same boat as you are, dvx.

We're going from a 30' x 11' sedan bridge w/ a lower helm station to a 42' x 14 1/2' motor yacht w/ only a fly-bridge helm. I'm used to the twin inboards, but I've never docked a boat from the fly-bridge helm.

As far as marina life goes, it's awesome! My wife has been doing it for 25ish years and introduced me to it a couple of years ago. I was hooked before we even owned a big boat!

Good luck! Feel free to stop by at Midway anytime, we're pretty much always there April-November.

We take our golf cart over to Herl's all of the time to visit friends that dock there, so if you need anything, we're just a few minute golf cart ride away!

Cheers

 

[RidgeRunner]

To add to the "pretty big jump" discussion, I went from a 11'6" Jet Ski to a Sea Ray 420. Had to work under a licensed captain till he signed off on me for insurance purposes. To be honest, that was the best money I ever spent! It filled me with confidence and enabled my dock mates to relax!

I highly recommend getting a captain to check out your skills.

Congratulations,

Jaybeaux

Jet Ski to a 420 ??, yep, you win the biggest change award...
I'll second the money spent on a professional to teach you the ropes.
Mine told me "see those rub rails ?? Use 'em.."

 

[garmett]

I agree with everyone on here, and their advise.
I went from a 260 BR, to a 320 with twin IO's.
I had no experience when I first pulled her out of the slip.
However, did a lot of research before hand and had a real good idea what to do.
I practiced a lot, and found out how she handled with just using the shifters and throttle,....stayed off of the steering in tight qtrs.
I remember having a great day out on the lake, and then,........
became very nervous when it was time to come back to the slip.
I would think that is just normal!!
Yes, I had to pull out and make another run at backing in from time to time, but so what!
Up until the day I sold her last year,....I actually enjoyed the experience of docking rather than fear it.
You will to,......Enjoy your new vessel!

 

[KevinC]

We had boats for many years prior to my 260DA and we always trailered. Moving to the slip was the best move we ever made. We used to think in terms of using the boat on the weekends when we were available and then all of a sudden we were able to use it whenever we wanted. I can't say that I don't miss the flexibility of trailering - in fact I picked up a smaller center console for that purpose.

Last year we jumped to our 340SDA and again I was nervous about the change. We were going from a single Bravo III to twin 8.1 V-Drives. First time out learning to handle that boat was nothing short of white knuckles - especially getting the hang of docking. I constantly had to remind myself not to use the steering wheel and only rely on the shifters (it was just about breaking the habit as I knew what to do). Then all of a sudden it became natural and docking became much simpler. The heavier boat held the water. The twin v-drives gave me better control and what used to be stressful was now easy. I tell people today that I would dock my 340 over any other boat I had.

The additional size also made it much more friendly to hangout on, entertain and travel. Many days our use of the boat does not even involve leaving the dock. We have developed more friendships around the marina and boating has become a much bigger part of our life.

I am sure you will enjoy your upgrade!

-Kevin

 

[electricaldoctor]

Years ago, I went from a 29' Chris to a 39' Sea Ray. All of that extra deck in front of the windshield was very intimidating for a few days, but once you get a feel for her pivot point, the rest will get better every time out. Learn from the voices of experience around here and practice as often as you can. There is no shame in aborting a manouver whether you are experienced or not. What worked today may not work tomorrow for various reasons ... that is where experience will get you safely docked.

 

[Strypes]

The additional size also made it much more friendly to hangout on, entertain and travel. Many days our use of the boat does not even involve leaving the dock. We have developed more friendships around the marina and boating has become a much bigger part of our life.

+1 Exactly! :thumbsup:

 

[Zach312]

Don't be nervous, Hire a captain, and have fun! I have been there and am there again.

We started with our Sea Ray 185 sport (18ft) then moved right into a 2001 380 Sundancer (41 ft), next move wasn't stressful as it was just to a new model 2007 40 sundancer (41 feet). Not we are making the move to a 47 Sedan bridge (51 feet).

Never piloted a bridge boat but all the other jumps have been fine. It really does get easier with each jump. Twins was easier then a single screw then diesels where easier than gas, now I am hopeful a heavier diesel boat is just as easy. Take it slow and remember what everyone has said. Have Fun!