Are Bigger Boats Safer?

You will need to pop the boat in and out or reverse 3-5 times to get enough momentum without prop interference to have the rudder get a good hold of the direction. Once you feel the boat going to the left, you can put the boat into reverse-idle and leave it there. You should now be holding a straight line or turning slightly to the left. Pop the boat in and out of gear, wait until the engine engages in reverse, leave it there for a second, then click back to neutral.

When I first started driving the boat, my biggest obstacle was overcoming nerves. Take my word for it, there’s nothing to be nervous about. Next, turn the battery switch to the on position and head over to the captain’s seat. Once seated, attach the emergency stop lanyard to your person. This lanyard is typically a bright red cord attached to the emergency stop switch. Thirdly, when the prop does grab as you lose speed, it causes the back of the boat to rise out of the water due to hull shape.

That way, in case anything does happen and you call for help, it would make it easier for the other party to spot you. They are more spacious than some other boats which means you will not have to fight for legroom. This is especially important if you are a taller individual. Advance the throttle as appropriate to reach the desired speed. Do a quick check and make sure that all of your belongings are on your boat. You can use flare guns or whistles to call the attention of nearby boats.

When traveling at planning speeds and especially when running at very fast speeds, make steering adjustments slowly and smoothly. Jerking the wheel one way or the other can cause sudden shifts that can catch your passengers unawares, and turning very rapidly at high speeds boats can be downright dangerous. When driving a boat in close quarters to maneuver up to a dock or into a slip, turn the wheel while the boat is in neutral. Shift into gear until the boat begins to respond as desired, and then shift back into neutral. Eliminating any power or steerage between adjustments allows for much more precise handling.

Keeping the crew aware can make the difference between an enjoyable time on the water and one of discomfort or, worse, injury. Let the rider swim up to the boat, do not drive all the way to them. It’s a good idea for the whole family to enroll in a boater education course.

While there happen to be a handful of accidents each season. It is better to be prepared and take account of all safety precautions. After all, boating is all about fun, leisure, and relaxation. Plus you would not like to ruin all the excitement of everyone who comes to celebrate your big day as the captain of your boat. If the boat has trim tabs or a trimmable drive, try trimming the bow up and down a bit.