Something I just read reminded me of this. We all know what a float plan is...and for those that dont, it's basically an itinerary we leave behind while we are on the water. ( especially if we go offshore).

But does your wife, girlfriend, teenager, or the occasional fishing buddy ( who is not a boat owner) know how to start, drive and load your boat at the ramp ? How many times have we all taken someone out in our rigs that doesnt know a trim switch from a start lever or the choke?

If you had an emergency ( heart attack, etc. ) on the water, I think it might be a good idea to type up and laminate COMPLETE instructions for, let's say a 12 year old child....outlining each and every step of operating your rig and keep it in the boat...telling everyone at the beginning of the trip where it is.

I dont know how many times that I had to remind my ex wife to raise the start lever on my Evinrude, if it didnt start on the first key bump....not to mention that she'd forget how to push the key in to choke it if it was really cold. And I made sure she drove the boat each time she went out with me.

If they panic, they'll forget things and burn up the starter, or leave the engine tilted out of the water while starting. (I raise mine out when I'm trolling...saves battery life. )...etc.

Gonna' work on mine now...and throw in several "what if" scenarios too.

Good idea...

So far every time that I have taken our boat out, my wife and son both were with me.

So far I have never unloaded/loaded our boat as my wife has always done it.

Both can drive the boat just as well, if not better than me.

Good thought. My wife doesn't fish with me anymore so I don't have to worry about that. But, it is something everyone could print up, put it in a ziplock or have it laminated, and put in their glove boxes.

Well there are 12 that usually go out with me on the boats...I've finally gotten my two brothers-in-law to learn how to drive one of the boats, but not the second...So on one of the boats, only 2 of us know how to drive it...

It's a great idea, OF, I'll get a list together...

Great idea Froggy. I'm fortunate that my fishing partners can all operate the boat and back down and load the trailer. Never really thought about the concept though - thanks!

I showed my son how to run and trailer the boat in case something happened. Now he wants to drive it all the time.
If I could only get him to run the TM now so I can sit in the back and drag worms

I taught my son at 10 years old how to start, drive, operate the features and trailer our boat. He is 14 now and everything is second nature. My wife on the other hand........ is a much longer story.

My 4 year old grandson can drive my Champion. He knows to shift it to N and start it up. He can trim the engine and drive pretty straight. Can't reach the hot foot so he would idle to the shore. Don't think he can load it yet but his dad can't either.

Man, I started on a list last night, and there's quite a bit for someone to learn if you sit and think about it !

Just little stuff, like if it's small female with you and the anchor is stuck. My instructions say to jerk on it a couple of times and if it doesnt break free, then grab my knife and cut the rope. I dont want someone tugging on an anchor rope for 5 minutes if I'm having a heart attack ! So there's no sense in trying to explain how to use the outboard to break it free.

<~~~~ I have a copy of my living will.. on my person.. in my car..on the boat.. at the house, Dr's office, and Hospital...Don't plug me in!

I fish a min of 3 days a week and before every trip I write down where I'll be fishing and when I plan to return. It's old hat from so many days of fishing saltwater that I have just kept doing the same routine everytime I hit the water. I also use the same basic format for when I hit the woods during the hunting seasons. My wife and kids bought me one of those distress becons called a SPOT that you can basically call 911 or emergency from anywhere in the world. I keep it in a small pouch on my belt when I'm out and about. It's my ounce of prevention.