New to boating, first night at marina

R

Rgory

New Member
Sep 11, 2016
21
Dubuque
Boat Info
1999 215 Express Cruiser
Engines
5.7 Merc EFI
We secured a slip at the Mckinkey Marina for July 14-16 to watch the Milwaukee air show. The whole boating experience is new to us as we have only had our 215 express cruiser for 11 months. I have a few questions below, and I am also open to any tips or tricks from the veterans:

1. The boat is not bottom painted and is always trailered. The previous owner beached the boat quite a bit, as such there is a spot on the keel that the gel coat is worn. Do I need to worry about growth or blisters on the hull during this short weekend in the water?

2. I am planning on waxing the hull over the fourth so I am hoping that will lessen the effects of staying in the water

3. I don't want to be "that guy" at the marina. We are quiet people, any tips on how to fit in?

4. I know we have a smaller boat, I am hoping we are not laughed off the dock with the larger cruisers surrounding us.

Thank you in advance,

Ryan
 
Rgory said:
We secured a slip at the Mckinkey Marina for July 14-16 to watch the Milwaukee air show. The whole boating experience is new to us as we have only had our 215 express cruiser for 11 months. I have a few questions below, and I am also open to any tips or tricks from the veterans:

1. The boat is not bottom painted and is always trailered. The previous owner beached the boat quite a bit, as such there is a spot on the keel that the gel coat is worn. Do I need to worry about growth or blisters on the hull during this short weekend in the water?

2. I am planning on waxing the hull over the fourth so I am hoping that will lessen the effects of staying in the water

3. I don't want to be "that guy" at the marina. We are quiet people, any tips on how to fit in? Be organized and efficient in your docking, ask for help if you need it and give clear instructions if you do, and likewise be helpful to others....but don't be offended if folks decline any assistance. Some folks have a routine and prefer not to be interrupted or have others involve themselves, as it may throw them or their vessel off balance, sometimes literally.

4. I know we have a smaller boat, I am hoping we are not laughed off the dock with the larger cruisers surrounding us. I had only a PWC for years before my DA, and have associated with folks who have everything from aluminum john boats to old/new bass boats to jet boats to houseboats to fancy fly bridge numbers. Just like on this forum, you'll recognize the peeps who boat for the love of boating and not for the size or price tag of their vessels....and they'll recognize you!

Thank you in advance,

Ryan
Click to expand...
And please forgive if you're past this already: a boating safety course, whether self taught, online, or in a classroom, can be very helpful if this really is your first go round with boating. Knowing the most basic rules of the water will help a lot, especially as you consider maneuvering in what may be a high traffic zone with folks arriving, departing, and toodling around for something as big as an air show. Not all boaters honor the rules, of course, but operating accordingly while always remembering it's up to YOU to manage your own vessel and occupants can avoid a lot of iffy situations.

Welcome to the fun!!
 
Rgory said:
We secured a slip at the Mckinkey Marina for July 14-16 to watch the Milwaukee air show. The whole boating experience is new to us as we have only had our 215 express cruiser for 11 months. I have a few questions below, and I am also open to any tips or tricks from the veterans:

1. The boat is not bottom painted and is always trailered. The previous owner beached the boat quite a bit, as such there is a spot on the keel that the gel coat is worn. Do I need to worry about growth or blisters on the hull during this short weekend in the water?

2. I am planning on waxing the hull over the fourth so I am hoping that will lessen the effects of staying in the water

3. I don't want to be "that guy" at the marina. We are quiet people, any tips on how to fit in?

4. I know we have a smaller boat, I am hoping we are not laughed off the dock with the larger cruisers surrounding us.

Thank you in advance,

Ryan
Click to expand...


1. No
2. Not necessary
3. Just be yourself everyone is cool
4. Only laughing could be at me, maybe I'll see ya around.

I grew up at McKinley as a kid and lived on boat there when they built our house--1991 the same time sirens were going off at 2am when they found Jeffery Dahmler heads in the fridge.....:smt021
 
We love our 215.

You'll be fine a few days in the water.

When sitting on the boat at the marina, just simply a smile and a hello is all it takes to stop some and have a quick BS session. A cooler with cold beer or wine offered is usual a help also!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Easiest way to avoid looking like a novice is to be able to properly tie a cleat hitch.
I had to help a new boater in our marina last week. He tied up in the slip and kept laying figure 8's on the cleat until he had used up all the slack, about ten feet of it! He was going by the adage 'if you can't tie a knot, tie a lot'. There was no locking hitch in there at all. I showed him how to properly lock off the hitch and he was thankful.
 
SCORPIO said:
Easiest way to avoid looking like a novice is to be able to properly tie a cleat hitch.
I had to help a new boater in our marina last week. He tied up in the slip and kept laying figure 8's on the cleat until he had used up all the slack, about ten feet of it! He was going by the adage 'if you can't tie a knot, tie a lot'. There was no locking hitch in there at all. I showed him how to properly lock off the hitch and he was thankful.
Click to expand...

I like the people who use clothes line! LOL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thank you everyone. We are excited to have a home base for the show. We hope the big pond cooperates, but if not it will be fun to get to spend a night or two on the water. Everyone's suggestions are making me feel better about our adventure.
 
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Welcome aboard and enjoy your boat. If allowed, you may want to consider backing into your slip. it will provide more opportunities for social interaction.
 
You'll be fine! A week in the water won't hurt anything on the boat -- I would look into repairing the area where the gelcoat is worn off at some point though. As far as fitting in, learn how to tie a cleat and a couple of knots so you can handle your lines and keep your boat organized - watch others - don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Most boaters are willing to lend a hand docking etc. A bunch of miss matched lines and fenders hanging all hap hazard is a dead giveaway. And pull those fenders in (they are fenders, not bumpers) while underway - hate to see those things flopping all over. Nothing wrong with being new to boating, most boaters like helping other boaters out. I have only met a few boaters who are not always willing to strike up a conversation about -- boats! Like any crowd there is the occasional jerk - my boat is nicer, bigger, better - blah blah blah - those people are best to just ignore.

Go have fun with your boat and make some new friends.
 
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Don't worry about the size of your boat I spent the last three seasons on a 230 wk. and was never judged by my boat on Lake Erie.Most boaters started smaller and worked their way up.The key to multi night stays on a smaller boat is to be organized and don't over pack.
 
A few days should be fine, but consider having a fiberglass guy look at the spot you're describing and see what he recommends as a long term solution.
Most boaters are very friendly and more than willing to help one another. Not uncommon when pulling in to a marina to have a complete stranger waiting to grab a line from you as you back in to a slip. I usually meet new and really nice people as a transient at marinas.
We generally prefer a little quieter atmosphere too but recognize that many like to take the time to party hearty when enjoying their boat. We completely understand and respect that concept.
I'm not much of a drinker either, my limit is usually two to avoid getting stupid or dealing with a hangover the next day.
As such, we usually prefer time on the hook over going to a particular local transient marina. When we do go to that particular marina it will usually be on a weekday if possible, and I tend to look for a slip on the quieter end of the dock where we can sip a cocktail after dinner and enjoy conversation with friends.
It wouldn't be fair for me to pull in to the middle of the party section and then pi$$ and moan about blasting music or the alcohol induced demeanor of others who choose to live it up a little more than I do.
If you learn to pick your spot according to what you like to do you'll have a great time.
 
SCORPIO said:
I had to help a new boater in our marina last week. He tied up in the slip and kept laying figure 8's on the cleat until he had used up all the slack, about ten feet of it! He was going by the adage 'if you can't tie a knot, tie a lot'. There was no locking hitch in there at all. I showed him how to properly lock off the hitch and he was thankful.
Click to expand...

This reminded me of a time I was at the race track and the newbie next to me was bleeding his brakes by himself using the "Pump the Brake Pedal Method". I was watching and he would crack the bleeder then jump in the seat and "Pump the Brakes". I stopped what I was doing and asked what he was doing. He explained he'd watch another racer do it this way. I explained that while he was close...he needed different bleeder screws or someone to open and close the bleeder while he was between up and down on the pedal.

Anyway...carry on,

Sidney
 
Welcome to CSR Ryan. You'll be fine. Most boaters are a friendly bunch and are more than willing to lend a hand or offer advice.

If you are worried about being "that guy", google "boating etiquette" and read a few articles.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. We can't wait for the 14 to come.
 
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Rgory said:
We secured a slip at the Mckinkey Marina for July 14-16 to watch the Milwaukee air show.

Ryan
Click to expand...

Ryan, we'll have a slip by Discovery World arriving 7/13 Thurs. I just bought my old boat 2 months ago but know the area well in previous adventures. Say hi if you see Beth and I. Dave :smt001

ESCAPE

 
Ryan,

Where in McKinley is your slip?

Please do not ever feel self-conscious about your boat, your "right" to tie-off with the "big boys", etc. There are as many 22' snobs in boating as there may be in boats over 40'. We all started in the same place you have. And almost all of us will look at you and fondly remember all the great memories we made on those boats.

Mary & I have been blessed with the chance to travel abroad frequently. We always start our conversations humbly, apologizing that we do not know their language or their culture as well as we like, and then ask if they can help us. Almost always they let their guard down and stumble over themselves to help. The same thing will happen with boaters. If you have a need for help, just ask. Usually the other boater will be glad to help/advise, or will help you find someone who can.

John
 
Well OP you could not know less about boating than I did. We bought a Brand new Glacier Bay 2685 because i saw a video of the brand take it from Hawaii to MidWay in the Pacific. It also broke the speed record for its size to Bermuda from Va. Thats all I knew about boating in the ocean. We picked the boat, up trailered it to Key Largo and ran around in that area for a week. At every stop I would observe the other boats and how they were tied off etc... I asked a very fine older gentleman to teach me how to cleat off. He took about an hour showing me how and why to tie off a certain way. It was a big help. Everytime we came into a Marina i asked for help telling that I was a noobie and did not want to sink the Marina or my boat. Without exception they all helped me and were very nice and understanding. We also are Super quiet people. We do not drink etc... But most people respected that we did not bother them and really could care less about what they did unless it was really outrageous. At the Marina with our 450DA we were known as those Ky people that did not drink etc... But almost everyday almost everybody at the marina would stop by and chat and usually have a cup of coffee. We went to almost all the functions and after a little bit we were just part of the marina Family. You will do fine and I hope you enjoy boating as much as our Family does. Have a great July, JC
 
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