Precautions when boating alone

I wonder about these things. I've never been in Bear Creek and don't have a chart handy but I can't imagine the water there being more than 5-6 foot maximum and much shallower towards shore. I guess even a relaxed doggie paddle could be tough if you are over dressed.
 
hack4alivin said:
Do you take the proper precautions when boating alone like wearing a PFD, and securing the safety engine cut-off cord?
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Is that to say, "Do you not operate as safely as possible when you go boating with others aboard?" I feel cheated. My 330 does not have engine cut-off cords. I bet Tim's 44, Frank's 450, Gary's 480, and Ryan's 52 all have engine stop cords just like Hack's. Boy! No diesels, and now I find out that I got screwed out of my lanyards.

Best regards,
Frank
 
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When I boat with my wife, I consider myself to be boating alone, at least at cruise. Her comfort zone is at idle power with a briefing about how to get it out of gear - every time. I have been spending time showing her the effects of one in forward, one in reverse... We are getting there.
 
While I havent been out alone yet, if its choppy I will put on the lanyard. I dont usually have someone else on the boat who I feel would be capable of reacting to me going overboard while also taking care of the runaway boat.
 
fc3 said:
Is that to say, "Do you not operate as safely as possible when you go boating with others aboard?" I feel cheated. My 330 does not have engine cut-off cords. I bet Tim's 44, Frank's 450, Gary's 480, and Ryan's 52 all have engine stop cords just like Hack's. Boy! No diesels, and now I find out that I got screwed out of my lanyards.

Best regards,
Frank
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Do you check all your compartments? You know how they like to hide things on boats.:huh:

Seriously though, as long as I am wearing a PFD, if I do fall overboard I will stay afloat long enough to watch it sail into the sunset….. Better than the alternative.
 
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I have never seen anything like an engine cut-off tether on my 2000 310. Is there one?
 
I'll wear an auto inflate vest and I am tethered to the kill switch. I'll normally do this even if others are in the boat with me.
 
Pakmule said:
I have never seen anything like an engine cut-off tether on my 2000 310. Is there one?
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No there is not, but this thread was intended for all, especially smaller boats with operators who go out crabbing and fishing alone.
 
The biggest change is remembering to tie the 300 DA off to the dock when I'm launching alone. I really don't change anything when I'm alone since it's the same routine when folks are with us. I tell the imaginary people to stay seated, show them where the fire extinguishers are, which lifepreserver to put on and how to use the head. I show them the radio and give them a quick run down of the systems and noises they will hear if they've never been on a boat. This take roughly 4 minutes, about the same time it takes the blower to clear the bilge. Then I run around and sniff stuff, check for leaks, make sure the bilge isn't running, energize the starting circuits, yell "CLEAR!" and fire up the engines. The imaginery people don't listen to directions very well and I have to untie the docklines myself. Then we're off!
 
Unless we are tooling around on the Chickahominy swimming, I/we always have PFDs on. It frustrates guests at times as they think size of boat matters for some reason. I guess falling off a bigger boat is less likely than a smaller boat?
 
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