Serious case of butterflies...

Georgia SeaDawg said:
SInce I, like you, just moved up to a bigger boat with twin screws, I will offer one more piece of advice... I wish I would have purchased a lump of coal to gently place where the sun don't shine the first time I backed her in the slip. I know I could have produced a diamond when she was finally secured and I shut the engines down. The pucker factor was extreme. However, with practice, you will realize what everyone else says is true, twins are much easier.
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That's some funny sh!t right there!!!


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Todd
 
I was told when you grab the shifters your thumbs point in the direction the boat will move. Good luck and enjoy that new boat.
 
Jim, your excitement is quite normal. It makes me remember when I was waiting for my 390. Just consider it was coming on a ship from the USA and my current boat was a 27' center control...

Well, everything went just fine and handling such a big boat for me, was much easier then the old one with stern drives!

Enjoy this moment. It one of the best in owning a new boat!
 
well at this moment it should be hanging from straps on a travellift being loaded on a trailer to come north.
 
Twins are easier but.......there is a learning curve. Practice in open water as previously mentioned.
 
Jim, you will be right.

Do what I did with my Daughter if you can, practice out in the open, as a previous poster said find a channel marker or even a mooring buoy if you can. I made her drive the boat around 10 miles using just the shifters to steer, before we came into the dock.

Wish someone had done it with me!

Also I have posted this before, but a Maritime Officer told me this, and it works.

Use the shoulder method. Standing at the helm.

Looking forward whatever you want the boat to, turn your head and shoulders in the direction you want the boat to go. That is what the levers have to do..... Right shoulder back, starboard lever reverse, left shoulder forward, port lever forward.

When reversing, stand with your back to the bow, so you are looking over the stern, and your shoulders work the levers the same, except obviously now your left shoulder is the starboard,

And go slow, I do a lot of bumping with the levers, more often than not I have one engaged and the other bumping in and out


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Butterflies have evolved into condors now...
No word from the transportation company and storming like hell between there and here. Tomorrow is my only day off till next week.
 
moparlvr4406 said:
Butterflies have evolved into condors now...
No word from the transportation company and storming like hell between there and here. Tomorrow is my only day off till next week.
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Enjoy that exciting feeling, you will have a grin from ear to ear when it finally arrives


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Best advice I was given when in your shoes:

1. Don't use the wheel when docking or coming into the slip. Get the rudders straight and then ONLY use the shifters to turn stop spin etc.
2. Visualize the "pivot point" on your boat. Its way at the back just in front of the props. If you have one side in forward and the other in reverse, the boat will spin around that pivot, but its not in the middle of the boat.
3. Avoid using the throttles. No matter what you do as a beginner, throttle will probably make it worse.
4. Go slow slow slow. There is no prize for getting in the slip fast. As someone else said. Keep the boat in neutral much more than in gear. Bump it in and out of gear and watch how it moves. Then bump again. Always remember to go back to neutral (on both engines) after every bump.
5. Your props have more thrust in forward than reverse. So a small bump into gear in forward has more effect than one in reverse. So a spin is done with leaving the reverse side under power for marginally longer than the forward side. You will get a feel for it.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your marina will be happy to send a couple sets of hands to grab lines, fend off, and help you into your slip. My slip neighbors and I also help each other in all the time. Why stress, even if you could do it yourself?
 
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moparlvr4406 said:
My new old 340 arrives tomorrow about 10am and I am nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs...
This will be the most complex boat I have owned.
and I haven't had access to the owners manuals yet
the things going thru my head..
will I know which switches to flip
what valves to open or close
how hard will it be to start for the first time with new filters and drained tanks
will it still float since the shafts and rudders were repacked and impellers replaced.
how quickly will I pick up on driving a twin engine
in my mind it's a 12' wide boat backing into a 2' wide slip
what if it's damaged in transport
what if...what if...what if...
gonna be a long day...and night.
the plan for tomorrow is a trip straight to the fuel dock(please god don't let me hit it) and back to the
slip to double check EVERYTHING and familiarize myself with it's proper operation....and clean her up.

is this normal ???:smt100
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Jim,

i went from not owning a boat to buying a 24 footer. It was and still is quite the learning experience. I still get nervous every time I take her out and even more so when I bring her in to the slip. But I keep telling myself that I will only get better and more comfortable with her the more I take her out. I'm excited for you there's nothing like that thrill of getting a new toy. Good luck and post a video of your new boat tomorrow.
 
Jim,
When are you expecting the boat to arrive tomorrow? If it would help, I might be able to break away and give you a hand.
 
I went from no boat to 30ft. First time into the slip got me all flustered on approach but nailed it nonetheless (we won't mention some recent mishaps!).

You're going to be fine :D
 
I appreciate it but will figure it out
My boat is in ky right now and supposed to arrive about 8am
Should still be quiet then bit you are welcome to come by if you like... we'll be there most of the day
thanks Tim
 
I hope Jim put on some depends this morning, He's probably pissing himself with all the excitement. :lol: . :smt043


th
 
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Well it is 11:16AM Indiana time, where are the pictures or at least confirmation that it did arrive?
 
She is in.
made the trip to the fuel dock and no collisions
special thanks to searaydad for helping and instruction
I love the CSR folks !!!
got a little run issue to work out but getting her home is the first step.
 
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