If you have dreamed of owning your own boat for years, you are not alone. Being out on the water in our own vessel is a dream for many Australians, whether its to fish or just to get out and relax, a boat is an essential item for getting out on the water. Not all of us however, are born with the skills to make sure our boating experience is perfect from the get go. As experienced boaties, Advanced Fibreglass Repairs have put together a list of the top skills to have and things to be aware of for any new boat owner or a refresher for those who haven’t been out for a while.
Learning how to wrangle a boat is a steep and expensive learning curve if something goes wrong, so always make sure your boat is insured, and if possible, as you’re learning the ropes, have an experienced boatie show you how its done.
Launching
Master the art of reversing a boat trailer away from your first day at the ramp. An empty car park is perfect for learning how the trailer behaves on the back of your car and where your blind spots are, so you can fix them up before you get to launching.
When you are finally ready to launch, be prepared. Make sure your life jackets are in the proper place, pack all the essentials before leaving home and whatever you do, do not hold up the queue. Nothing sours a Sunday boating adventure than a few angry boaties keen to get on the water. Just remember to be courteous to the other water enthusiasts on the day.
Check your Weather
Seems like a no brainer, but many a boatie have been caught with their anchors down in rough weather. Don’t just check the forecast the day before, check before you leave the house in the morning and plan accordingly.
Trim Tabs and Anchors
Trim tabs are not only convenient but also a prime safety and performance component of your vessel, so make sure you take care of them. Let your group know they are not footholds to return to the boat and make sure they are raised before your boat is loaded, or you might be shocked by the cost to fix or replace them.
In a similar way, make sure you know how to safely and properly operate your anchor. You don’t want to head out for a swim and come back to find your boat has drifted away. Your anchor can also prevent your boat from knocking into the other boats around you if space is a little tight.
Mooring
Learning how to properly moor your boat is one of the first things you should learn. You want to make sure you have someone on the bow helping guide you in at the right angle and speed. Just make sure you have worked out what communication style works best for you, or it could be a long silent ride home.
Ultimately, a little common sense goes a long way when it comes to boat basics and safety. The key thing is to remember to come prepared for the day, launch efficiently and have fun.
Mark, Nigel and the team provide our clients across industrial, private and commercial fibreglass our professional design and development services as part of the project. We enjoy the challenges presented in boat restoration and take great satisfaction in achieving the customer’s desired result. We use the latest techniques to repair your watercraft, whether it be a small cosmetic repair or a structural modification. Contact Mark or Nigel today, on (08) 8182 4877 or drop in for a no obligation free quote.