Bman Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 The most important thing that nobody mentioned is "Don't Forget The Drain Plug!!!" Most boat owners learn that one the hard way! I know I did once! The only good line is a tight line
rps Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Many of us have made dumb mistakes, a/k/a learning experiences, with our boats. One of the reasons we all love Bill Dance bloopers is that we have been there. You have already received good suggestions. You will receive and learn others. Best advice I can give is to make a check list of to do's for your boat. I mean, really, write it down and laminate it. Use it. Maybe that way you won't float your trailer because you forgot to undo the tie down straps at the back of the boat. Or have your trailer tire catch on fire from over heated unlubricated bearings, or ....
flytyer57 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 My boat never took on much water and I always parked it in the garage, so I just left the drain plug in all the time. But I've seen enough guys forget it. And learning to back a boat trailer. Really sucks when some jack*** is hogging up the launch cuz he can't back a trailer to save his own ***. There's a fine line between fishing and sitting there looking stupid.
GloryDaze Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Or.... Driving it into too shallow of water and getting stuck in the mud. Then AFTER you read the manual realize it has a depth alarm that you can turn on with the flip of a switch. Or..... Taking off while youre anchor is still in the water I could go on and on about how much I learned from the school of hard knocks on boating. Follow me on Twitter @DazeGlory
Members Dapper Dan Man Posted February 3, 2011 Author Members Posted February 3, 2011 Thanks all for the good info. From what I was told the boat is ready to run all it needed was some tires for the trailer and he was keeping his batteries that were in the boat, but I will go over everything that you guys mentioned. Hopefully none of the following will happen to me Eagles may soar, but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines - Unknown
kevthebassman Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I'm with GloryDaze, the only boat I'll have is one where the motor and the passenger are both named Kevin. I spent too much time and money catering to the whims of a two stroke motor.
Brian Jones Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 You've heard the old saying about what boat sands for: B.O.A.T = Bust Out Another Thousand!! Or the other: "best two days I owned my boat, the day I got it and the day I sold it" Honestly, after the experience I had with my boat- a 18' runabout Four Winns, these were both true. But then again I pobably shoveled too much out to buy it, which was why I had trouble swallowing all the expenses that went into it. Wow, do I sound a little bitter or what? That's why now I only have boats that I can paddle and have no moving parts. We've had two I/O bowriders as well and Glorydaze's above statement applied to them both as they were both terd wagons. Our river boat on the other hand has been nothing but a pleasure to own and operate. With the exception of some preventive maintenance (water pumps, ect.) it has only been in the shop for a mechanical problem once in 12 years and that was for an issue with an o-ring in the fuel connecter disintegrating and becoming lodged in the carburetor.
oneshot Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 You've heard the old saying about what boat sands for: B.O.A.T = Bust Out Another Thousand!! Or the other: "best two days I owned my boat, the day I got it and the day I sold it" Honestly, after the experience I had with my boat- a 18' runabout Four Winns, these were both true. But then again I pobably shoveled too much out to buy it, which was why I had trouble swallowing all the expenses that went into it. Wow, do I sound a little bitter or what? That's why now I only have boats that I can paddle and have no moving parts. I bought a Wide 18 Foot Boat,70 HP.Got to where I wasn't taking it out and it was costing more than it was worth.Sold it to my Son but he had to make Payments. In the mean time get 12 Footer,Trolling Motor and Oars.Can put it in the back of Pickup,good for Creeks,Small Rivers and Coves at the Lakes Love the Boat and having Fun. Meanwhile Son calls says he knows he still owes $1,500 but can't pay to just come get the Bo (No lets just say Money Pit)I get it home see right off the Bat its needing alot of work but might be worth it.I back it in my Barn.Decided to get it ready for Winter,this is when I found it was no longer running and needed to go into the Shop. So at this time I'm short $1,500 that I was counting on to pay towards a Bill and have a Pile of Junk taking up needed Barn Space. oneshot
David Unnerstall Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 The mistakes one makes at first occur less frequently with time. There is a learning curve in owning a boat.
Gary Lange Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Owning a boat is all about proper maintenance. I put Stabil and Quick Clean in ever tank of fuel. Change the water pump impeller at least every other year. Maintain the batteries by keeping proper fluid levels and keeping the charging system going. Washing and maintaining the hull with wax and cleaning the seats and carpet. They cost a lot of money to buy and I can't see them setting around with no cover and just getting wet and dirty. It is a lot like a house and I see people paying tons of hard earned money for things like a house, boat, truck, car or motorcycle and they neglect them all and let them got to pot. It never makes sense to me why people pay good money for something and then are just to lazy to take care of it. Respect your Environment and others right to use it!
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