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Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12142219 03/15/17 05:29 PM
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Capt Craig Offline
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I suggest you find or hire an experienced boater or guide to take you out and teach you the boat. That includes taking it off and putting it on a trailer. There are so many mistakes you can avoid paying for a skilled teacher. The few hundred you pay will save you 3 times that in frustration and boat damaged.

As a USCG Captain, I have been teaching a few of these a month and clients tell me it has sped up their learning curve and made them feel safer on the water. Nothing beats a good teacher!

I am guessing you had a GPS/Sonar combination unit put on it too. Your instructor will run through your settings to ensure you understand its function and settings. It is important to avoid shallow waters and not hurting someone on the boat.


Capt. Craig Copeland
Licensed by the US Coast Guard

2019 Nautic Star 215 XTS Shallow Bay Boat
Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N
Nautic Star Boats Pro Staff (nauticstarboats.com)
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Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12144280 03/16/17 08:58 PM
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Duece Offline
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A single piece of plastic that will make a WORLD of difference is a hydrofoil. That big plastic whale tale that you see on some (smart people's) lower units. Cost $25 -$75 depending on what you get. Without it you start with your motor LOW in the water while your bow is high. With the hydrofoil you start out flat and get right on plane.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: Duece] #12144296 03/16/17 09:08 PM
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TCK73 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Duece
A single piece of plastic that will make a WORLD of difference is a hydrofoil. That big plastic whale tale that you see on some (smart people's) lower units. Cost $25 -$75 depending on what you get. Without it you start with your motor LOW in the water while your bow is high. With the hydrofoil you start out flat and get right on plane.



Adding one is usually a band aid for another much deeper problem.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12144662 03/17/17 01:21 AM
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The Leadbetter Legend Offline
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Prior to launching: Have a number system. Start with the back of the boat.
1. Plug ? 2. Unhook trailer tie down straps. 3. Take off transom saver.
4. Engine tilted up & free of fishing line around the prop ?
5. I've had my license plate stolen before...so I remove mine.
Rest of the number system...move toward your vehicle (unhook trailer lights etc..)
I launch my boat with a 30 ft long rope that feeds out as the boat
floats off the trailer...just my way of doing it.
Fully charged marine fire extinguisher...or two.
Air horn, $2 bright orange whistle, throwable pfd,
When TPW pulls up next to you, you need to be able to get
to all of your safety devices...quickly. Head-scratching & searching
is a no..no. The Lights have to work. Dry sandpaper.
On the water, you are The Captain. If other boat(s) are
approaching...make your turns early...clearly broadcast your
intentions. Whatever stupid things people do while driving
on pavement...4X on the water. Try to develop a heightened sense of
what is going on around you. Approaching severe weather: You already need
to pulling your vehicle/trailer/boat out of the parking lot
at the ramp. Been there...done that...live to boat & fish another day.
I've been on my home lake during the droughts of 2005 & 2011.
Have gps'd the groups of tree stumps & solos. Get a lake map,
permanent marker, ask a "Old guy" or two, to circle the
stump fields for you.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12145053 03/17/17 10:26 AM
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Denton Pond Jumper Offline
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Be sure to have a spire shear pin for the prop on the 40 and one for the trolling motor. Also the tools for the nuts holding the props on.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12146481 03/18/17 07:54 AM
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Big'n On Jig'n Offline
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I like to laminate the " Certificate of Number (registration) ID Card" and hang it under the steering console with a hole punch and tie wrap. Kept out of the wind and water tight and always on hand.

Lots of good advice mentioned.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12146727 03/18/17 03:34 PM
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PKfishin Offline
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don't put it in any of the Brazos river lakes or Texoma. If you do, your trailer will rust out like mine did in less than 4 years. Don't buy the "Galvashield lie" that tracker pitches. Your trailer is simply mild tube steel and will rust away.

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt..._a#Post12145443


John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee.
Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12146736 03/18/17 03:50 PM
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ShinerInTx Offline
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make sure you have a pin or lock installed on your coupler/latch on the trailer when you tow.

Keep a small set of tools on the boat.


[Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12149524 03/20/17 07:21 PM
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stumpknocking Offline
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We take a dry bag with the essentials in case.

We also have a community otter box for you and your guest's phone , wallet, keys, etc. Nice to keep the important
things dry.

As stated before " Safety First". Enjoy your new adventure.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12149697 03/20/17 09:17 PM
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My first mistake as a boat owner. Didnt study the wind forecast. Boat ramp was not wind protected. Exposed. Was ok unloading boat but wind picked up to 20mph perpendicular to ramp, big huge roller waves made it an adventure to get boat back to trailer. Worst part was wife and kid was in the boat too. So another safety tip for ya. Check the weather and pick a safe boat ramp. Good luck and congrats. Oh the rest is easy lol

Last edited by SeaPro-Todd; 03/20/17 09:18 PM.
Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12149703 03/20/17 09:24 PM
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SeaPro-Todd Offline
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My 2nd, 3rd, 4th mistake was forgetting to plug the drain plug. Doh! Guess I was too excited as a new boat owner.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: SeaPro-Todd] #12149963 03/21/17 12:21 AM
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jbobo Offline
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Originally Posted By: SeaPro-Todd
My 2nd, 3rd, 4th mistake was forgetting to plug the drain plug. Doh! Guess I was too excited as a new boat owner.


SPT!!! Wth. I only needed that lesson once!
I have had through hulls break and baittank lines come loose a few times though.
2 inch drain line came loose from through hull one time too. That one was quick!
roflmao


22 ft. Wellcraft Deep V CC
817-220-2312
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Re: First boat advice. [Re: FishnDenton] #12150092 03/21/17 01:19 AM
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FishnDenton Offline OP
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Great advice from everyone and I will/have taken it to heart. If you hear about a boat sinking at Ray Roberts this weekend it probably won't be me. Keep the info coming, I will be reading and taking it all in. Thank you all again.

Re: First boat advice. [Re: jbobo] #12150284 03/21/17 02:34 AM
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Not consecutive trips and testing out my emergency bilge pump? Lol

Also left the boat keys at home one trip. Unhooked the trailer. Asked buddy to watch boat. Came back an hr or so later buddy said everyone gave him the stupid look saying you can't catch fish sitting on dry land hammer

Originally Posted By: jbobo
Originally Posted By: SeaPro-Todd
My 2nd, 3rd, 4th mistake was forgetting to plug the drain plug. Doh! Guess I was too excited as a new boat owner.


SPT!!! Wth. I only needed that lesson once!
I have had through hulls break and baittank lines come loose a few times though.
2 inch drain line came loose from through hull one time too. That one was quick!
roflmao

Re: First boat advice. [Re: SeaPro-Todd] #12150382 03/21/17 03:38 AM
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jbobo Offline
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Originally Posted By: SeaPro-Todd
Not consecutive trips and testing out my emergency bilge pump? Lol

Also left the boat keys at home one trip. Unhooked the trailer. Asked buddy to watch boat. Came back an hr or so later buddy said everyone gave him the stupid look saying you can't catch fish sitting on dry land hammer
My daughter was "helping" me load up and put boat keys in her pocket and forgot until she left to go visit gpa. Dropped them off later on coffee table. Wife moved them, suppose to be in my truck, I forgot them( out of sight out of mind). Had to drive back from Bport. 1 hr 45 min later back at ramp. Won't let daughter touch keys again.
Don't mean to high jack your thread fishindenton. Just to let you know we have all messed up. We live and learn usually, but not always.

Originally Posted By: jbobo
Originally Posted By: SeaPro-Todd
My 2nd, 3rd, 4th mistake was forgetting to plug the drain plug. Doh! Guess I was too excited as a new boat owner.


SPT!!! Wth. I only needed that lesson once!
I have had through hulls break and baittank lines come loose a few times though.
2 inch drain line came loose from through hull one time too. That one was quick!
roflmao


22 ft. Wellcraft Deep V CC
817-220-2312
www.bobosthumper.com
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