The sun is shining, the water is as smooth as plate glass, and the temperature is just right. There isn’t a more perfect time to be out in a powerboat on the water. Perhaps a day filled with water skiing, fast cruising, or finding a perfect setting to anchor out for a floating picnic, would be just what you’re looking for.
Power boating can be the perfect venue for a beautiful weekend as long as it is done responsibly. Just as safety and situational awareness are paramount when driving a car, so should the operation of motor-driven watercraft. Also, proper maintenance and care while the boat is out of the water will reap rewards once you launch.
Be sure your boat is properly registered prior to launching, and that all other legal requirements are met. It is always a good idea to walk around your towing vehicle and boat trailer to make sure everything is secured and ready for over-the-road transport. There should be nothing hanging over the side, such as overly long ratchet straps or line used in securing the boat tarp. If the road trip to your launch point is a considerable distance, stop periodically and tighten the straps that secure your boat to the trailer. The boat will shift during transit and will loosen the tension that keeps it securely in the cradle.
Once at the waterfront, and after all the securing straps or lines have been removed, carefully back your vehicle down the boat launch ramp. Be sure that you back in far enough to provide as much lift as possible for the boat, but not so far that your towing vehicle will be unable to pull out of the water. If the boat sticks in the cradle and has difficulty pulling off of the trailer, slowly increase the throttle while in reverse, and turn your steering wheel from right to left to create a rocking motion. This should be sufficient to allow your boat to slide free from the trailer. When you have pulled your vehicle free from the launch area, and if such facilities are available, be sure to give your trailer and tie-down equipment a thorough fresh-water rinse, particularly if you launched your boat into salt water. Corrosion occurs quickly to metal that has been exposed to salt and the time invested in removing it will be well spent.
If you intend to tie your boat to a dock, have soft bumpers onboard to hang over the side to keep the dock from causing damage. Also, if you are in an area where the depth of water is appreciably increased or decreased by tidal conditions, make allowances for that when tying your boat to the dock.
Prior to getting underway, check your fuel level, oil, and, if applicable, coolant, to be sure your engine will perform up to expectations. Visually check fuel lines and hoses for dry rot or cracks and that all hose clamps are in place and secure. Run your fingers over the lines to be sure they remain pliable, and ensure all steering linkages are tight. Go over the safety items in your vessel such as flotation devices and fire extinguishers. There should be ample emergency flotation for all passengers in your boat, which is not merely smart, but a matter of law.
If you are new to the body of water you intend to operate in, it is wise to obtain a nautical chart and familiarize yourself with the area as much as possible. Look for shallow spots, also know as shoals, and steer clear of them as you operate your boat. Again, if tidal conditions are present, keep in mind the depth of water at it’s lowest point and check to see if the depth of your hull in the water- your draft- will be shallow enough to safely pass over these areas, and if not, avoid them altogether. There may also be isolated obstructions lying immediately below the surface of the water such as sunken vessels, or rocks, which should also be located on a chart and made note of.
When you are ready to get underway be sure all passengers are safely situated in their seats. Walk aft and make sure the propellers are free from obstructions before you turn on the engine. Under most conditions, you will cast off your stern, or rear-most, line first. Ease your throttle up slightly to give the boat forward motion. It is best if the person assisting you with your lines is not going to embark in the boat, and therefore won’t need to jump aboard the boat after all lines are cast off. Once your stern line is free, and with your bow, or forward-most line, still secured, turn your steering wheel toward the dock to cause your stern to swing out and away. When there is sufficient clearance astern, cast off the bow line and put your engines in reverse until you are clear of the dock. Haul in the bow and stern lines and properly stow them so that they do not become a trip-hazard to your passengers.
Once underway, observe no-wake zones, where you could damage other boats secured to docks by proceeding too fast and creating large waves. After you have proceeded into open water, you are free to have fun! Remember to keep a safe distance between passing vessels and operate the boat at speeds you are comfortable with. When doing fast maneuvers, give ample warning to your passengers so that they can hold on. Know your limitations and don’t try to operate a boat in conditions you are not comfortable with, particularly adverse weather and high seas.
The day is coming to a close and it is time to come back to shore. If applicable, observe no-wake zones upon re-entering the docking area. As you approach the dock, line up the side of the boat you intend to moor, and put the bumpers over the side. Assuming there is someone waiting to receive your lines, cast over your bow line first and have the line handler walk your boat to the first securing point or cleat. Once the bow line is secured, turn your steering wheel away from the dock, causing your stern to swing slowly inward. Secure the stern line and shut down the engine on the boat.
Power boating can be a great deal of fun, especially when you take the time to prepare yourself, your boat, and your passengers for a safe, responsible ride.
