New to boating? This is the best VALUE is boating

[Presentation]

Most things in life you get what you pay for.

There are two exceptions when it comes to boating.

1) Boaters safety course
2) Vessel safety inspections

I recommend all new boaters take advantage of both of these.

#1) Take a boaters safety course. They are offered by the coast guard auxiliary, the local power squadron, the DNR and you can also take them online here http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/
Upon passing this course you will get a certificate / wallet card. Many insurance companies give a discount upon providing them documentation that you successfully completed this course.

#2) I also recommend a FREE vessel safety check. You contact the local coast guard auxiliary or the local power squadron and if you are launched they may offer coming to you to perform the inspection. Upon passing this inspection you will get a vessel decal to display on your boat. One place you can go to sigh up for this free inspection is here:

Although you can be boarded by law enforcement at any time for a safety inspection it has been my experience that if you have no visible violation like out of date registration sticker and have this decal displayed on the window they pass you and pick someone else. That’s not the reason to get the vessel inspection but it is an added benefit.

Again, get the FREE vessel safety check here http://safetyseal.net/

 

[beerman]

Great ideas. I just signed up for one of the safety courses by the coast guard aux. The class is close to home(50 min.) and is a one saturday course. We aren't exactly new to boating but we are to a boat this size. So we signed up myself, my wife and my16.5yr old daughter and 14.5 yr old son. I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to be on the same page. As far as the inspection goes is this a yearly sticker that we call them in the spring and its good for the season?

 

[Bridog]

Great advice Doug. :smt038

 

[chazaroo]

I had been meaning to get a VSC and forgot. Thanks for the reminder. I just signed up for one.


-Chazaroo

 

[Petep]

Don't forget about your local chapter of the US Power Squadron, Ours host parties in the off season, fun summer rendevoius, and ongoing boaters education classes. Very useful classes from weather, marine electronics, Piloting, etc. not to mention the Vessel Safety Exams- Good Idea for all boaters!

 

[Aquia185]

Don't forget about your local chapter of the US Power Squadron, Ours host parties in the off season, fun summer rendevoius, and ongoing boaters education classes. Very useful classes from weather, marine electronics, Piloting, etc. not to mention the Vessel Safety Exams- Good Idea for all boaters!

Yep, good people. Currently taking the Boat Smart course through our local chapter...

 

[craig240DA]

Highly recommend the class

New boater here, no idea what we were doing, took the class from our local Coast Guard Aux and it was great. Long story about a goofball in a pontoon boat, ended up touching bottom that killed the engine. The training taught me to first get an anchor out, which then got my bow pointed in the right way and gave me time to check the prop, and other systems, and realise that I can't restart in "F". All of this in front of a restaurant of onlookers.

 

[fragmag]

Took mine today. :smt038

 

[Dave M.]

Re: Highly recommend the class

All of this in front of a restaurant of onlookers.

Things can happen at just the wrong time and place! Great one!

In OR where I boat, it is the local sheriffs dept that does the boat checks. You don't have to remember, they will be at the boat ramps on the weekends when it gets a bit warmer. Then, just like the FAA 'ramp check'. Before you get in the water, you get checked at the ramp. When you pass, you get a sticker for the boat for the year. They are not very picky, but if you don't pass, you don't launch.

I got my sticker last year even though the )(&%@%^%@#& Sea Ray horn did not make any sound that I could hear. He did not ask me to produce my handheld air horn, which I had. Maybe the battery breaker was off, as that was the only time it failed to make it dismal bleat!

 

[Bridog]

Re: Highly recommend the class

I got my sticker last year even though the )(&%@%^%@#& Sea Ray horn did not make any sound that I could hear.

Dave, your high tech Sea Ray horn is working just fine. It's only meant to be heard by ducks and geese. The human ear drum is not sophisticated enough to be able to hear it. That's why we pay a premium for this.

 

[Dave M.]

Re: Highly recommend the class

Dave, your high tech Sea Ray horn is working just fine. It's only meant to be heard by ducks and geese. The human ear drum is not sophisticated enough to be able to hear it. That's why we pay a premium for this.

Maybe he was a hunter, and had trained himself to hear it.

Or just maybe he was taking pity on me because he knew what to expect from a SeaRay horn.

But I suspect he figured I would fix it, and just let me go. I was surprised I didn't have to dig out the air horn from beside the seat and show him.