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- Oct 13, 2010
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If you can do this, it proves you are skilled at docking a boat*
The Boat Docker
*not a real boat of course, only a simulated one
The Boat Docker
*not a real boat of course, only a simulated one
I appreciate all the advice, and I definitely plan to get lessons. I'm just surprised at how hard they are to find. I'm doing the online safety course, but that's pretty worthless as far as actually controlling a boat. I do like the suggestion of hiring a captain to teach me. As far as getting a friend to go out with me and help, for some reason the experienced boaters are all like "it's easy, sure you can do it". I think they know so much and it's all so natural to them now that they can't understand my level of ignorance. I also like the idea of the simulator, although I've got to figure out how it works.
I did find a place that offers lessons down near my FL home. If worse comes to worst I'll wait and take the lessons down there next winter. But I'll try to find a captain here that I can hire. Thanks again for the advice. And be assured that I will do whatever it takes to be safe before I take my granddaughters out. I can be personally foolish but am very responsible with other's safety. Plus DW will demand proof of ability, since she doesn't particularly like boats and water.
I would also see what they have to offer... and if you do not see anything near you look for info on youtube...
The one thing that I hate the most is people who do not know who has the right of way... I have an 18ft boat and almost got hit by a 25 ft one because he did not know I had the right of way... I am not supposed to change my course when we are close to each other, but he decided to gun his engine and would have hit me in the side if I had not made a drastic turn...
Also remember there are no lanes.... people can be coming at you from 360 degrees... have to have your head on a swivel...
Try this guy: stanmawyer.comI appreciate all the advice, and I definitely plan to get lessons. I'm just surprised at how hard they are to find. I'm doing the online safety course, but that's pretty worthless as far as actually controlling a boat. I do like the suggestion of hiring a captain to teach me. As far as getting a friend to go out with me and help, for some reason the experienced boaters are all like "it's easy, sure you can do it". I think they know so much and it's all so natural to them now that they can't understand my level of ignorance. I also like the idea of the simulator, although I've got to figure out how it works.
I did find a place that offers lessons down near my FL home. If worse comes to worst I'll wait and take the lessons down there next winter. But I'll try to find a captain here that I can hire. Thanks again for the advice. And be assured that I will do whatever it takes to be safe before I take my granddaughters out. I can be personally foolish but am very responsible with other's safety. Plus DW will demand proof of ability, since she doesn't particularly like boats and water.
Try this guy: stanmawyer.com
Nice guy, VERY qualified, and charges by the hour for lessons. He used to live and operate out of Ocean Pines, but I haven't talked to him in years. I used his services for exactly your purpose when we got our first boat. (We live in southern Delaware.) If you don't have a boat to use, he might be able to work something out for you.
While there’s some truth to that, I’ve seen lots of boaters who go in too slow and get pushed sideways by wind and/or current before they’re in the slip. There’s a range of “right speed” depending on conditions, too fast and too slow are both bad.
And newbies sometimes forget that most powerboats (few have rudders) won’t steer if they’re out of gear - unlike a car. You go in under (forward) power, and finish in reverse, with very little time in neutral. Again, get lessons or go out with an experienced boater at least once.
https://www.boatingwithdawsons.com/...-your-fault-docking-power-boat-difficult.html
We just took a 3 hr private lesson on a sailboat (WindRider 17 trimaran) in Anna Maria Island. It was phenomenal and the instructor Brian was awesome! If you are interested in learning sailing I highly recommend you check it out when you are back here in FL.
Home | Bimini Bay Sailing, Sailboat Rentals, Sailing Lessons, Anna Maria, Florida
They also have a local sailing meetup group that I joined. We can rent a boat each time we go. We are looking forward to building our skills, making new friends, and boating with others who can give us tips as we progress.
Cool cool cool! I'd love to learn to sail! First I'm going to learn on power boats, but I've already been thinking about sailing.
Cool cool cool! I'd love to learn to sail! First I'm going to learn on power boats, but I've already been thinking about sailing. Sadly DW is not a boat person, and has already told me she's not going out in FL. Too many creatures in the water for her. Now that they're pulling gators out of the Gulf she's even less likely to go. But if you need ballast or an overage cabin boy, let me know.
OK, so here I am, 62 years old and I've never driven a boat (other than a kayak or canoe). I've been out on them a number of times, but always as a passenger. But I'd like to be able to rent a boat, probably starting with a pontoon party boat in the bay, and take my family out for a nice time. I know about the boating safety courses and plan to take one, but what about the actual operation of the boat? Do I need to take a course? And if so, how can I find one? I live right on the shore of the Atlantic in MD, and I haven't been able to find a boating operation course anywhere within an hour's drive. I checked the Coast Guard Auxiliary, BoatUS, and USPowerBoating.com, and nobody seems to teach the actual operation of a boat. So maybe I should just rent one and take it out and figure it out? I did teach myself how to drive a stick shift as a teen, so maybe that's the way to go. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions y'all might have.