Wind or current may sometimes push you toward or away from the pier where you intend to dock. To find the direction and force of the wind or current, stop your boat someplace nearby and see which way it drifts—and how fast. Armed with that knowledge, you can plan your docking approach and avoid surprises. When wind and current come from opposite directions, they sometimes cancel each other out. Read the rest of this entry »
Retrieving your boat from the water essentially reverses the steps you took to launch it. At the end of a long boating day, it’s a great temptation to rush through the procedure. Take the time to make sure that your boat is properly seated on the trailer, both for correct support and for balanced trailering. Also, pull the drain plugs at this time to drain any water from the bilge.
With an outboard, disconnect the fuel line and let the engine idle until it runs out of fuel. This prevents the formation of deposits in the engine. Read the rest of this entry »
Safe and easy trailering depends on preparation and practice. Once you know the basics, towing a trailer is simple. Backing up is more difficult. Remember that no one is a “natural” at backing a trailer, and even the experts needed time to master the tricks. Before you drive off to launch your boat at a busy ramp, take time to practice backing the trailer in a deserted parking lot or empty field. Read the rest of this entry »
It may have been surprising to learn that your boat turns more efficiently in one direction than the other. You will also find that higher speeds produce different turning results. In general, the faster you go, the larger the turning circle. Unlike your car, which has good adhesion, your boat will slip sideways as it turns. At a dead stop, with the rudder hard over, a short burst of throttle will kick the stern to the side.
Preparation: The same as for Drill 1. Since this drill involves higher speeds, check to be sure that the area is clear of swimmers and other boats. Read the rest of this entry »
One of the most important elements in operating your boat in a seamanlike manner is the proper use of throttle and shift control. There is seldom any need for heavy use of throttle and shift during maneuvers such as docking. A light touch and smaller amounts of each achieve the same results with less fuss and noise. It goes without saying that bumping into things at slow speed causes less damage. Read the rest of this entry »
Americans enjoy waterskiing each year, making it one of the most popular waterborne sports. But there’s more to it than just having a boat and finding a deserted body of water. For maximum pleasure and safety the boat should be properly outfitted and the skipper must understand what skills are required. An observer facing aft, toward the skier, must be as involved as the skipper. Read the rest of this entry »
Having marked the courses between buoys, the “legs” of your intended trip, you will want to measure them. And, having measured them and added them up for total mileage, you will want to figure out how long it will take to make the trip. Since distance divided by speed equals time, you will first have to learn how to tell boat speed. If you know your speed and distance on a leg, you can compute time in hours. Read the rest of this entry »
Coastal piloting, or piloting, is basically the art of getting from here to there without going aground or getting lost. It requires a few basic tools—a compass, a chart, parallel rules, dividers, a sharp pencil— and a few simple, easy to learn skills. This kind of basic way finding allows you to range far a field, venturing out of familiar home waters and into new cruising grounds with a sense of confidence. Read the rest of this entry »
While storms generally affect large portions of an area and are usually forecast in advance, the powerboat skipper should be aware of two conditions that can affect his well-being and safety on a more local scale: fog and squalls. Since these weather conditions can be isolated and very localized, they may be unannounced on VHF weather forecasts. The best way to cope with them is to anticipate their arrival. Read the rest of this entry »
A radio lets you communicate with others and it provides a way to broadcast in an emergency. The most common type of radio is the VHF/FM, monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard and used to communicate with other boats, marinas and bridges. In addition, the VHF radio can be linked to land-based telephones for calling friends and businesses. Its range is limited to about 15 miles between boats. Read the rest of this entry »
The depth sounder is the second most useful piece of electronic equipment for most small powerboats since it warns of shallow water. Also valuable as a navigation tool, a depth sounder can be used by the skipper to help pinpoint a boat’s location by comparing the indicated water depth against soundings on a chart. Some depth sounders have features that allow fishermen to spot schools of fish below the boat. Read the rest of this entry »
A program of preventive maintenance for your engine can help ensure trouble-free boating. Inboard engines and sterndrives have similar maintenance programs. Regular pre-start checklists, like those used by airline pilots, serve as useful reminders. In addition, you should plan to give your engine a thorough once-over examination every few weeks to check items that aren’t part of the pre-start list. Read the rest of this entry »
Since the engines of inboards and sterndrives are generally similar to those found in automobiles, most skippers will be familiar with basic maintenance tasks. The underwater drive units for sterndrives and outboards require a separate program of lubrication and maintenance. These are best performed while doing other routine tasks. Lubrication, however, must be done when the boat is out of the water. Read the rest of this entry »
Simply having emergency equipment on board your boat is not enough. Both you and your entire crew must know exactly where each item is located and how to use it. Even an item as seemingly simple as a life jacket can be difficult to don in a crisis, and there is never time to read the instructions in an emergency. Regular practice sessions can save lives. Read the rest of this entry »
Since fire on a boat is second in seriousness only to sinking, you want to keep fire-fighting equipment as readily available as the vessel’s lifesaving devices. Frequent checks to be sure your extinguishers are properly charged are not wasted effort. Nor are drills in which everyone is made aware of what to do. Speed is of the essence when dealing with a fire aboard; calm and quick action is the best approach. Read the rest of this entry »
The living area of the motorhome tends to be built around the front end of the vehicle — the engine needs to be accessible from various angles for servicing, and one of these may be from inside the cab. Access to the cab is made easier by the fact that there is already a side entrance, and in these cases access to the driver’s seat will be via the living area. Some cabs do not depart much from their industrial origins and access here is gained via an ordinary door on each side. Depending on the country of origin, many imported motorhomes have the steering wheel and door on the ‘wrong’ side for South African roads. While this is not illegal, it does mean that the driver will have to make allowances for restricted vision. If you don’t like the idea, rather buy a locally made vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
Aboard a small powerboat, the most likely problems you’ll encounter will involve the engine. While it seems foolish, your first checkpoint should be the fuel tank to make sure that you actually have fuel. Don’t rely on the gas gauge. It may be wrong. Tap the tank or rock the boat to see if you hear fuel sloshing in the tank. If you do have sufficient fuel, try some of the other steps suggested below. Read the rest of this entry »
A fundamental custom of the sea has been for seamen to help each other out of scrapes. Today’s skippers still offer assistance to those having problems. This may be as simple as a tow back to the fuel dock or launching ramp, or helping free a boat that’s run aground. But both skippers should understand the procedures involved in giving and accepting a tow in order to make the operation go smoothly. Read the rest of this entry »
The drive belts on an inboard or sterndrive engine provide power to the alternator and to the engine’s water pump. Both are necessary for the engine to operate. A drive belt may break if it wears, dries and cracks or is not replaced regularly. Constant use in the engine compartment dries out the rubber and causes tiny cracks. You can, however, “jury-rig” a temporary drive belt to get home, if you motor slowly. Read the rest of this entry »
Electricity and water, particularly salt water, can prove to be a breeding ground for irritating problems that range from a seemingly dead engine to cabin lights that flicker on and off. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your electrical system operating with all the lights burning. Read the rest of this entry »
