Want to learn!

[Sea Ducks]

Hi fellow SR friends. I just bought a used 240 Sundancer, 2004 and very new to boating. We know very little about cruising operations and all the systems. Is there a tutor or a support group to give us advice. I don't even know what questions to ask at this point! We've taken it on a cruise up the Columbia River to Portland, OR and survived with no problems. We love it but want to learn everything about it. Any tips?

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

Hi!

All the tips you ever wanted to learn can be found right at this website. Just do a little digging and/or searching in the forums and you will come up with too much to read! Enjoy!

 

[Presentation]

Hi fellow SR friends. I just bought a used 240 Sundancer, 2004 and very new to boating. We know very little about cruising operations and all the systems. Is there a tutor or a support group to give us advice. I don't even know what questions to ask at this point! We've taken it on a cruise up the Columbia River to Portland, OR and survived with no problems. We love it but want to learn everything about it. Any tips?

Please do two things:

#1) Take a boaters safety class.

Several are offered online:

http://www.boat-ed.com/


I really prefer you take a real live class. Check with the local marine store like West Marine or your state or coast guard auxiliary to see what classes are offered in your area. These classes are normally very reasonable in cost; the cost only covers the cost of the book, about $10. It’s the most economical part of boating.

#2) Get a free safety inspection
http://www.safetyseal.net/

Also get a free boat safety inspection. If you fail you do not get a fine, they will tell you what you need. If you pass you get a sticker to display, good for one year.


EDIT: If I can add one more. As you are doing the above two, ask the instructor / boat examiner if they know of a local boating club. Joining a local boating club will give you a local resource for places to go and things to do. They will likely have a calendar of events and help teach you the local boating area.
They also will likely have social get together events, raft-ups, cruises, etc.

 

[Lazy Daze]

A big +1 to what Presentation advised. And, buy yourself a copy of Chapman's Piloting. It's generally referred to as the Bible of boating. Oh, and then don't forget to actually read it! :smt001

 

[Presentation]

Thank you Dennis.


Sea Ducks....

Here are some local Vancouver, WA boaters safety classes:

http://www.d13cgaux.com/sites/BoatingClasses/WashingtonClasses.aspx

http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/Boating Safety Class Schedule.pdf

http://a130.uscgaux.info/dso-pe/

 

[katricol]

Good post presentation....good advise.

 

[Alegria]

Can't add anything more then what Pres has recommended... Just have to ask... You mean Columbia River as in Columbia River Bar where they take Coast Guard vessels out and purposely capsize them???? For training of course...

I hope you don't ever run into conditions like that!!!

Take Care!!!

 

[JerryS]

You asked about "systems". You can download a copy of the owners manual from www.Searay.com if you don't have one.