New to the water

[Captain Dave]

HELLO! I'M NEW TO BOATING AND FEEL A LITTLE INTIMIDATED WITH THE WHOLE DOCKING THING. I'M SURE IT'LL COME WITH PRACTICE. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S SO MUCH TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOAT AND ALL THE THINGS GOING ON. I GUESS I JUST HAVE TO DIVE IN!:huh:

 

[Summer Fun II]

Welcome to CSR. & Congrats on the new ride. :smt001

As for docking you'll learn in time just go slow and DON'T over-correct on the steering like this. :smt021
The dock wasn't playing well with others that day. :grin:
View attachment 9350

 

[jmunro123]

hey Dave - good on ya to step up and ask for suggestion on this. See if you can't get some lessons from someone at your marina. The practise and practise until you feel comfortable. Also, do practise without your whole family there on a day they want to hit the water. Dedicate the time to learn and you will be fine.

 

[JediJD]

The internet is your friend...lots of Youtubes on docking and instructional videos out there. Also, pick up a copy of Chapman's (pretty cheap on eBay and Amazon).

As for advice from another novice...swallow your pride and be sure your insurance is intact. While we all aspire to elegance...any docking you can walk away from is a good one.

 

[joe and ali]

Looks like one set of your vents is facing the wrong way. Every boat I've ever owned, the vents all face the stern... so that spray & water don't go right down the vents. Just a heads up.
Also, they sell them on e-bay for pretty cheap. I paid $14 for a set of two last year.

 

[Summer Fun II]

The front one is fresh air intake & the other is Bilge blower exhaust.
It has the same on the other side also.
That's the way it came from Sea Ray.

 

[Sundancer]

Yep, vents were the same way on my 87, but the previous owner changed them on this one, so I had to switch the front vent on each side.

As far as docking goes, the speed that you approach the dock is proportionate to the thickness of your wallet! And DON'T be afraid to abort and try again. Call for help if there is someone on the dock. It just takes a bit of practice to gauge the wind, current and "dock speed"!!! :grin:

 

[my3sons]

I'M SURE IT'LL COME WITH PRACTICE.

IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S SO MUCH TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOAT AND ALL THE THINGS GOING ON.

I GUESS I JUST HAVE TO DIVE IN!:huh:

It will........Kind of, but it get's easier...and...Yes, you do, cautiously

You'll do fine, Welcome aboard, from the other end of the lake

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

I don't think I see the suggestion on this board for all the new boaters out there this spring but I highly recommend taking one of the coast guard/power squadron classes. Something to do with your family as well. Learning to drive the boat is important but the safety aspects of being on the water and the rules of the road are just as important. As a new boater there are many many things you don't even know that you don't know. Please do your fellow boaters and yourself a favor and learn from the pro's.

http://www.usps.org/

 

[NoThanksDad]

Welcome Aboard :thumbsup: I can't add anything to the great advise below except - remember to have fun...

 

[rcknecht]

Welcome... Practice without wind... Try not to have too much canvas up... Use the pilings as pivots. Have your crew help. Slow as you go. and try not to yell too much.

 

[NoThanksDad]

lol :lol: :lol: :lol: Ahhh yes - the yellers :wow:they never seem like they're having much fun... please don't become one of them. Yes, docking can be stressfull:smt089, but this stress is rarely caused by anyone else on your boat other than you...try not to take "your" stress out on "them". :thumbsup:

Welcome... Practice without wind... Try not to have too much canvas up... Use the pilings as pivots. Have your crew help. Slow as you go. and try not to yell too much.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Take a friend out for a boat ride who has experience.
You never need to leave the marina.
Practice docking with plenty of fenders deployed..underway is the easy part.
You can learn soo much from doing with instruction.
Enjoy some cold ones after.
Welcome to CSR.

 

[Moose]

Yea, and get rid of the caps, please!