Top 10 Essential Tips for New Boat Owners
Ready to set sail on your new boat? Don’t weigh anchor just yet.
There are over 12 million registered recreational boats in the USA. By joining them, you’re entering a wider community of people who have achieved their dream.
But owning a boat comes with realities we don’t often consider while we’re daydreaming. These realities don’t have to spoil your fun, but it does pay to keep them in mind while you’re getting used to things.
That’s why we’ve put together some tips below to help you get the most out of your new boat.
Don’t Go Overboard
No, we don’t mean like that.
So, you’re splashing out on a new boat. But if you’re new to the boating world, now isn’t the time to buy all the exciting new accessories you’ve read about.
There are two good reasons for this. The first is a matter of personal investment. You could sink thousands into your new boat only to realize that boating isn’t for you. Now that money’s down the drain – even if you sell it on, you might not get back your expenses.
Secondly, you’ll be learning how to boat for a long time. To begin with, you won’t even know what to do with all the things you’ve purchased, or have any idea why you need them. At worst, they’ll distract you from learning your core lessons.
One thing you need to make sure of is that you have applied online for your boating license. Nothing would make the day on your new boat worse than a visit from the police or coast guard checking for licenses and registrations.
Stick to the basics to begin with. You can always upgrade later.
A Little Care Goes a Long Way
Boat maintenance will become a chore, there’s no getting around that. But like all chores, doing them often will make each job easier.
Break down your boat maintenance into easy activities and try to run them on a cycle. Taking one small action every time you’re aboard means you won’t have to undertake a larger job later.
For instance, if you boat in salt water, spraying down your new boat with fresh water after every outing will reduce the buildup of salt residue. Just like dusting your home, the more often you do it, the easier it’ll be.
Learn Some DIY
Boat owners worth their salt aren’t afraid of a little DIY and elbow grease.
Knowing how to carry out basic maintenance and even repairs yourself will save you a lot of money in the long run. It’ll also give you a stronger connection to your vessel, and you’ll learn to respect what it does.
This also frees you up from relying on others. Finding a spot in a professional’s maintenance schedule can be tough, which is the opposite of the sense of freedom many new boat owners are looking for.
Doing your own basic repairs and maintenance also extends your range. If you want to take your new boat on a long haul trip, you’ll be able to do it and not worry where the nearest repair shop is.
But none of these points beats the sense of pride and accomplishment this gives you. It turns “a” boat into “your” boat – which is the kind of connection you should have with something you’ll trust your life to.
But Pay The Professionals
Even if you take the time to learn some basic boat TLC, you might still want to call in the experts every now and then.
Some jobs require special equipment or the right knack to get them done. Spending on a professional will make sure they’re done right.
If more complex jobs are too much of a chore, you may stop enjoying your boat ownership. That’s the last thing you want, so don’t be afraid to spend on the right things.
Your definition of right will be unique to you. You might take into account physical concerns like your own mobility or health issues. You’ll also have to decide how much you trust yourself when it comes to critical areas.
But whether you’re spending on a bottom scrape or getting an electrician to look over your electronics, there’s no shame in hiring an expert hand every now and then.
Learn to Drive
It may sound bizarre, but one of the skills you’ll need for owning a boat is knowing how to drive.
Driving with a trailer and an expensive new boat hitched to the back of your car is a whole different ballgame. And it’s one with some pretty high stakes, considering how much your boat is likely to cost you.
Take the time to learn in an empty lot and you could save yourself some money and heartache.
Get used to how your car feels when the trailer is attached. Practice backing into spaces and performing complex maneuvers. Ideally, do it with someone with some experience.
Take It Slow
There’s a lot of social pressure at the ramp. A lot of people will tell you to rush it so you don’t clog up the slipway.
Ignore those people. At first, anyway.
While it may be bad form for a seasoned boatman, taking your time on the ramp in your early days will help you get the feel for it and avoid accidents.
You have every right to be on the ramp, and it’s the only way you’ll learn the technique.
If you let the pressure from onlookers get to you, you’re likely to make mistakes. Those mistakes can take a long time to correct – so by rushing you, those onlookers will only make their wait longer.
Take the time to get it right. Do it right enough times, and you’ll soon learn to do it faster.
Be Prepared
Life at sea is full of surprises.
“Expect the unexpected” may be a trite saying, but it applies here. You never know what will come up, so plan in advance to deal with the rough stuff.
Equipping yourself and having a plan are the two best things you can do in advance of a difficult situation. Taking a few minutes to plan for unfortunate scenarios could save you money – or even your life.
The list of things to bring you can do for health and safety on a boat fills a separate article. But here’s a few things that will keep you safe:
- First aid kit
- Personal floatation devices
- Thermal clothing
- Whistle, horn, or bell
- Emergency stash (including cell phone) in a waterproof bag
- Fire extinguisher
Alongside these, information is your greatest tool. Stay up-to-date on weather forecasts, travel advisories, and local contact details. Knowing the basics of what to expect will help you deal with it, and keep you calm if something does come up.
Learn From Yourself
Most seasoned sailors will agree that no amount of lessons will match what you’ll learn from experience.
Learning from others is worth doing because it’ll give you a strong foundation to work from. But your mistakes will teach you the biggest lessons.
Things will go wrong. There’s an old saying that goes: “Worse things have happened at sea.”
You’re going to run into a few of those things eventually. But the important point is that you come away from them with a few pointers about how to do things differently next time.
Most of the time, you’ll spot a mistake after the fact and be glad it didn’t cause any harm. Keep an eye on these to make sure you catch them in the future.
Learn From Others
Maybe you’re excited to get out there on your new boat, but don’t assume you know everything.
Listen to the advice you’ll get from other sailors about life at sea. You’ll encounter situations you’ve never been in before, and a tale from a salty sea dog might help you out in a pinch.
Most of the people you meet will speak from experience – and we’ve mentioned what a great teacher that can be.
But some of the best tips are in the little things. Small helpful tips can improve your quality of life onboard, and those small tips add up fast. These are the kind of things that you might not hear about in lessons, so pay attention to what others say.
Stop, Then Do
If you do find yourself with an onboard issue while you’re at sea, then stop if you can.
If there’s a safe anchorage or harbor nearby, then it’s almost always better to stop and resolve an issue rather than trying to fix it on the move.
Stopping lets you concentrate fully on the task at hand. It also means that basic operations of the ship aren’t going to get in your way while you’re trying to solve your problem.
If you’re calling for help, staying in a fixed position will allow others to find you much easier. It also lowers the risk of you adding another problem to your current situation.
Stopping the boat will also help you calm down and focus on one thing at a time. If in doubt, start with what you can handle.
Enjoy Your New Boat
It’s a free extra tip: enjoy! There’s a lot to consider when running a new boat, but don’t forget to enjoy it, too. By keeping these tips in mind, you can stop worrying and relax with your new investment.
Owning a boat is a hobby that gives back what you put in, so give it the time and you’ll thank yourself later.
Want more boating advice? Why not contact us to find out how we can help you?