Things I have learned being a first time boat owner this year, so far.

[redrooster]

Its the best investment in family fun i have made, so far.   Maybe these could help out new boat owners or you could share some tips or tricks.... 

Things i thought i knew but didnt,

1. when coming into the dock you are going fast than you think.  Slow is key.  On off throttle a lot. i tried strong arming it a couple times... did not work.  lol  

2. Try to  Stay away from Jet skiers.   They are 90% out of control. I have seen 2 collisions this year already!!! 1 resulted in a broken arm. 

3. Boat ramp, be prepared for long wait times as well as pissed off people. I don't understand why people are so mad when picking up or dropping their boats.   I have seen the craziest stuff with boats being dragged out half on their trailer and dragging a prop , and again... what is it with jet skieers??? they cant load or unload anything right!!!!

4, pack 2 tubes of sunscreen so when one gets dropped or lost you have a backup.  Sun burns suck.

5. get the right rope for your tube.  I have a 2 person tube and bought the heavy duty 4 person rope thinking bigger is better and it gets heavy and not only splashes 2 lighter riders, but will submerge the tube when they fall off, causing your bought to almost stop at slow speeds. 

6. have sunglasses for just the boat.   I cant count how many times the wife has forgotten her sunglasses.  its annoying when she steals yours and wont give them back. 

[braindamage]

Jet skis are the bane of my existence. They are horrible in every way.

My philosophy is that in a boat you should never approach an object (dock) any faster than you are willing to hit it.

one safety tip you didn’t mention. The rope is the most dangerous thing in the boat. It can wrap around people’s feet, neck, etc. immediately put away any rope before engaging the prop or moving fast in any way.

[Bozboat]

I would put pontoons up there next to Lake Lice. 

Pontoon/Jet Ski Accident

Edited August 15, 2023 by Bozboat

[Steve B.]

Ugh, I spent some time on Travis. I am so sorry. With so many things that can happen, try your best to be on your A game pre-boating-boating-post boating. Not easy.

Steve B.

[Joshuntnd]

I was explaining to my teenage kids that driving a boat or even being a passenger on a boat is like riding on a motorcycle. You not only have to be on YOUR A-game, but you have to be on EVERYONE else’s A-game at the same time. You have to be willing to call it a day if the lake gets too busy or even remotely dangerous. 

[jjackkrash]

2 hours ago, braindamage said:

The rope is the most dangerous thing in the boat. It can wrap around people’s feet, neck, etc. immediately put away any rope before engaging the prop or moving fast in any way.

Agreed.  100%.  The two things that will kill or maim you quickest in a towboat are the rope and the prop.  My biggest advice for any new boater is to think hard about all the ways these two things will kill you and spend a good chunk of your time planning ways to avoid bad outcomes involving the prop or the rope.  

[onwi]

7 hours ago, redrooster said:

 

5. get the right rope for your tube.  I have a 2 person tube and bought the heavy duty 4 person rope thinking bigger is better and it gets heavy and not only splashes 2 lighter riders, but will submerge the tube when they fall off, causing your bought to almost stop at slow speeds. 

 

Take that and move forward with it.  You'll grow beyond the tubes.  Just like you wanted the right tube rope, you'll want the right wakeboard/ski/surf rope.  You'll want the right life jackets, the right mirror, the right anchor, the right cooler, etc. etc.  Cheaping out on a lot of this stuff just means you end up with something you eventually replace, in my experience.

[DUKENO1]

Some good tips for sure.  I would add for those using a boat ramp, for the love of all things holy , please load all your crap BEFORE you get backed into the lane.  Kills me when someone backs in blocking a lane and then begins to load 17 people with 4 coolers and every water toy known to man only to forget the transom straps are still attached when they finally do go to back off trailer.  Lol it can be pretty crazy at the ramp.  I have gotten better at just chilling out over the years and being patient.  Getting worked up just stresses everyone out either before a day that's  supposed to be fun or at the end of a day, putting a cloud over what hopefully had been a fun day.  Dang the older I get the smarter I get.  (it's a low bar )

[RebesMalibu]

2 hours ago, braindamage said:

Jet skis are the bane of my existence. They are horrible in every way.

My philosophy is that in a boat you should never approach an object (dock) any faster than you are willing to hit it.

one safety tip you didn’t mention. The rope is the most dangerous thing in the boat. It can wrap around people’s feet, neck, etc. immediately put away any rope before engaging the prop or moving fast in any way.

Also, never add metal hardware at either end of a tube or ski rope. It can become a deadly projectile if an attachment point breaks. 

[gtfish]

1 hour ago, Bozboat said:

I would put pontoons up there next to Lake Lice. 

Pontoon/Jet Ski Accident

Same night another crash on Lake Austin and one teenager missing and presumed dead

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/river-terrace-circle-lake-austin-recovery/269-f787375b-421f-4260-bc76-1a627a723661

 

[gtfish]

1 hour ago, Joshuntnd said:

I was explaining to my teenage kids that driving a boat or even being a passenger on a boat is like riding on a motorcycle. You not only have to be on YOUR A-game, but you have to be on EVERYONE else’s A-game at the same time. You have to be willing to call it a day if the lake gets too busy or even remotely dangerous. 

My 16 year old thinks he should be able to take the boat out with his friends and no adults.  The next words that came out of my mouth were not fit for this forum.    I made him captain the boat while the rest of us surfed and he realized that it isn't that much fun and you better be on your A game.  In Texas you can't drive a car with more than one passenger under the age of 21 but don't think there are similar restrictions for boats (but should be). 

[Bozboat]

Ok, one more thing to learn  (update on a previous boating event)

[Nick55]

New here but not new to boat ownership.  Over the years I’ve trailered but my family did have a 50’ Sea Ray that was in a slip.  The lessons learned carry over.

1) approaching the dock, never go faster than you’re willing to hit something.

2) no comment besides agree…..

3) ramp prep and maneuvering is what makes you look like a pro.  That just takes practice and a plan.  Just like a plane, preflight.  Develop a pattern of hitching the trailer, walk around and check lights, straps, and tires/brakes.  Then repeat with the boat at the staging area, not the line to the ramp (run the boat on a fake lake if you’ve done mechanical work, or it’s sat for a little while), uncover, blower on, load gear and as many people as practical, remove straps, install drain plugs.  The actual ramp should be for launch and retrieval of a boat, not blasting the stereo while you load 5 coolers of beer….

4) add a small first aid kit.  Or large depending on where you boat.  I actually have a small trauma kit because I am a little paranoid.  

5) the right road for whatever activity you are doing….. during COVID I saw a guy pulling a tube with a clothes line……

6) I don’t have specific boat sunglasses but I’m going to get some.  
 

The time spent with your family on the water can be priceless. But if the family is getting tired of it then it’s time to head back to the dock. Know when to call it a day. 
 

[redrooster]

Oh. 

Also no chocolate on the boat. 

Crap gets everywhere!!

[dizzygti]

I've grown up around boats and been around them most of my life, but this season was my first boat ownership experience.    The one lesson I learned that gets repeated every time I'm on the boat: as the captain and owner, you are the only one who knows how to do ANYTHING!  

[BlindSquirrel]

11 hours ago, Bozboat said:

Ok, one more thing to learn  (update on a previous boating event)

Wonder if it was on a pontoon. Somewhat relevant to our boats, but never let someone hang off the front of the boat (or any part of the boat) while its underway. I see it often, people sitting on the front of a pontoon with their feet skimming on top of the water. Easy for them to fall forward, and no time to stop the boat before the person gets hit by the prop.   

[Ronnie]

1. We live on a lake. Weekends are the times we avoid unless we have company.

2. Jetskis are something that you're able to convince to go away. We have some trouble with them but not that bad.

3. The Absolute worst is...TUBERS!! Their #1 mission is to throw their riders off the tubes. They are weaving and circling and love to get in other boats wakes. AND...they do it in the best water on the lake! People, teach your kids a skill, not how to ride on a couch behind the boat. 

3. Last night there was a Mastercraft with 3 young males trying (?) to surf. They could get up but they were being towed way too fast and in circles, in the good water. Their rooster tail was taller than their rider. I never saw one able to ride without the rope at that speed. We went to another part of the lake. Learn the fundamentals and how to do what you are trying to do Before you get out on the water. Get a coach, a friend that can teach, watch vids, etc.

4. We all know that the others on the lake hate surf boats. Be respectful of other boats and docks in the area, especially low freeboard fishing boats. Surf boats are the ones that will get the sport outlawed.

5. When you are in the cove, not everyone wants to hear your stereo and your choice of music. Keep it clean if there are other boats in the area with kids. The volume only needs to be loud enough for YOU to hear it.

[electricjohn]

What makes me the most nervous? Boat operators that stand up while driving.

[tvano]

10 minutes ago, electricjohn said:

What makes me the most nervous? Boat operators that stand up while driving.

and/or climb in/out of the helm while it's in gear.

[Woodski]

Another tragic event over the weekend (lots to think about relative to your activity on a busy lake):    https://www.wxyz.com/news/novi-man-dies-after-being-struck-by-a-boat-in-lower-straits-lake

 

[DUKENO1]

On 8/15/2023 at 10:32 AM, electricjohn said:

What makes me the most nervous? Boat operators that stand up while driving.

I stand up sometimes if it is really rough or crowded ...easier for me to see the wakes and other traffic.  I never drive fast when doing so however...my boat will beat us to death under those conditions. 

[bboozer]

"The Absolute worst is...TUBERS!! Their #1 mission is to throw their riders off the tubes. They are weaving and circling and love to get in other boats wakes. AND...they do it in the best water on the lake! People, teach your kids a skill, not how to ride on a couch behind the boat. "

 

I don't allow tubes on our boat (occasionally if someone is on the tube filming a wakeboarder)... I am happy to teach someone new any type of skilled water sport, but not tubing... 

[Steve B.]

1 hour ago, bboozer said:

"The Absolute worst is...TUBERS!! Their #1 mission is to throw their riders off the tubes. They are weaving and circling and love to get in other boats wakes. AND...they do it in the best water on the lake! People, teach your kids a skill, not how to ride on a couch behind the boat. "

 

I don't allow tubes on our boat (occasionally if someone is on the tube filming a wakeboarder)... I am happy to teach someone new any type of skilled water sport, but not tubing... 

True Dat !!

[Hemmy]

On 8/14/2023 at 9:49 PM, gtfish said:

Same night another crash on Lake Austin and one teenager missing and presumed dead

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/river-terrace-circle-lake-austin-recovery/269-f787375b-421f-4260-bc76-1a627a723661

 

We have had the DNR and local sheriff on the lake quite a bit this summer.  People have been complaining a lot about the jet skiers.  One of the big complaints is kids that don't appear to be of age to drive them out on them causing the issues.  In Michigan, 14 is not old enough to drive one by yourself, however I believe you can drive a boat by yourself at that age with the boater safety course completed.  For a jetski, you have to have your drivers license and have completed the boater safety course to legally drive one. 

On 8/15/2023 at 9:48 AM, Ronnie said:

3. The Absolute worst is...TUBERS!! Their #1 mission is to throw their riders off the tubes. They are weaving and circling and love to get in other boats wakes. AND...they do it in the best water on the lake! People, teach your kids a skill, not how to ride on a couch behind the boat. 

Luckily our lake has a lot of slow movers in the morning so after the few skiers are done with their runs, we go out surfing (between 9-10).  Some of the times I can be the only boat on the water.  Our deep end is right in the middle of the lake and it shallows out real quick around the majority of the lake so our surfing area is small.   My wife posted something on our lake's association page about a boat pulling a tube last week.  My daughter was in the water getting ready to surf and us and a pontoon with a tube were the only boats out.  This guy turned around the back of our boat easily within 200ft of us.  Maybe he was outside of what is legal or not, I am not 100% positive, but why when there are only 2 boats on the lake and we are in the middle, does he have to get so close.  Later this guy circled around us again.  Unfortunately, there are a couple boats that I have seen do this to us while we have been out there.  Usually the drivers are much older.  Sometimes the older people pulling grandkids are just as bad as the young kids.  Zero boating etiquette on our lake. 

[Hamboats]

My kids ski and surf, and enjoy doing both. But, they also enjoy tubing. I think tubing gets a bad rap often times because of how those drivers pulling tubes act on the water. But I tend to feel like it’s more the driver than the sport/event they’re engaging in. That same driver is likely the guy blasting the stereo, taking up the slot on the boat launch to load 120 cans of beer one can at a time, doing 40mph 50 feet from the dock and thinks it’s no problem to power back into a skier to pick them up while keeping the motor running.
 

I think there’s room for all types of fun on the water so long as those engaging in that fun are safe, thoughtful and courteous. I fully believe (and teach my family) that etiquette is incredibly important. Etiquette is penultimate to safety.
 

My family tubes, because it’s fun, but we always look for unoccupied areas of water, stay a long way away from others when we see them, slow down to a no-wake speed when we see other boats trying to get up/downstream, etc. I’m guessing most on this forum would agree that there’s room for every type of fun so long as people are smart and courteous about it.
 

What bothers me is that “tubers” end up getting ‘looked down upon’ because of the ‘I hate tubers’ mentality pervading the lake. It creates a very pretentious atmosphere where those pulling skiers (wake or surf) feel they are more deserving of the lake time than some other family out there trying to enjoy their summer and family-bonding time. Much in the way that ‘skiers’ hate seeing ‘tubers’, fishermen hate seeing ‘skiers’. It’s all relative.
 

My family was at the lake not long ago…we had planned this week long vacation for months and my two kids and their two friends were absolutely STOKED to be going.  My kids had been telling their friends for weeks how fun it was going to be.  They had their friends come by the house (as I require) before the trip to talk over boating safety, conduct and courtesy with me and also to get fitted and work on some dry time learning how to get up on the boards.  They were super excited.  My kids also talked about how fun tubing can be when they’re able to get out there with their friends and have little competitions on who stays on (I always pull at safe speeds).  Well, we get to the lake, get the boat to the slip and barely sleep that first night talking about how much fun we’re going to have.  The next morning we powered down some breakfast and got down to the lake early.  We loaded up the boat and there across from us was another ski boat loading up.  A beautiful Axis with about 7 people, mostly in their late teens along with what appeared to be a dad and mom.  The dad looked over at us loading up and I remarked to him, “Looks like a perfect day for it!  Hope you guys have a great one out there!” to which he replied, as he motioned toward the tube I was loading up...”Well, looks like no one is going to have fun if you guys are taking THAT thing out there.”  “The tube?” I asked.  “Yep, looks like you guys are going to wreck it for everyone.  There’s always someone out there ruining it for everyone.”  I just shook my head and opted to NOT say all the things going through my head. I turned around and the four kids were all standing right there listening to the entire exchange and every word that man said.  We loaded in the boat and off we went.  After months of excitement and anticipation not one kid would get out on the tube that day (or the next) because they felt ‘bad’ about ruining other people’s fun.  Later that first day, while we were anchored and just relaxing near a shore, we had a wakeboat pass by us with someone surfing (so, obviously throwing a large wake).  They were within 100-200 feet of us even though the arm of the lake we had anchored in was enormous, not busy and calm throughout.  They went back and forth throwing that huge wake at us over and over even though there was a ton of room for them elsewhere and we had been at anchor well before they ever arrived.  My son comes up and asks me, “Why is it okay for them to do that, but it’s not okay for us to go tubing?”

Again, I just feel there’s a place for everyone to have fun and enjoy the water the way they choose just so long as we’re all courteous, careful and thoughtful. 
 

Sorry to steal this thread, OP.