That just because they can afford a boat payment that they automatically know how to drive the dam thing?

If you can't back it, don't buy it. If you can't park it, don't hook up to it. If you cant control it, sell it.

I witnessed a guy trying to park his trailer in the parking lot and slightly sideswiped another trailer. Yes, I left the note since the a-hole didn't.

It took him (not to mention about 6 other people trying to back their boat down) about 12 tries before it finally hit water.

Why doesn't our state require people to prove they know what they're doig before they're allowed to endanger other people???

I learned to back a trailer when I was 5....while playing with my "toy boat" and truck on the carpet. By the time I was 10 I was backing real trailers for my dad. This drives me nuts.

How bout the fact that you must have a license to catch a fish, but ANYONE can have children?

I assume these were pleasure boaters and not fisherman.

Actually, one boat was a 21 ft. kenner...obviously a fishing boat. The others were large cuddy cabins and ski boats.

It just cracks me up when you see a brand new 45K chevy tahoe backing a brand new 50K ski boat and the dumb-a$$ hasn't the slightest clue how to load, unload, back, drive, or anything. Kinda funny, since it was pretty breezy out there. I thought about helpin the poor guy, but I figured a nice scratch on the hull from his inexperience was a far better teacher than me helping him. And he scratched more than the hull, then played it off as if it were no big deal. Just fess up and be a man by admitting that you have no business owning a boat. All he needs is practice, but I'd have it down pat in all different situations PRIOR to dumping 50K on a boat.

most people take a driveing test for cars and motorcycles why not boats?

As bad as I wanted to go fishing this weekend, people learning how to back there trailers, drive their boats, and otherwise gain experience on a holiday weekend, is the reason I stayed home. Sure everyone needs to learn these things, but do it during a less crowded time or take a day off from work and spend the day learning how to trailer your boat, and read about water safety before endangering everyone around you. I agree that some sort of written test should be required. The days of 15hp motors pushing little run abouts around is gone. The boats these days go as fast as cars (on a 'road' that is moving, and with no breaks) yet most people don't have a clue about water safety. I am surprised I haven't heard of a wreck or drowning on Lewisville yet, that lake is flat dangerous.

Learning curve maybe?

This topic is constantly on here and no one was born with the knowledge on how to back a trailer or drive a boat. I read somewhere on here not to long ago that boat operators should have a license. I promise you that would not cure anything. How many drivers do you cuss on the way to the lake and they all have a drivers license? I know the first time I tried to back a trailer I almost wiped out the trailer, my truck and two others. Be patient and maybe try helping instead of bashing them.

I'd be more apt to assist a fellow angler taking his 7 yr old boy out to the water for their 1st fishing trip, not 3 rich kids living off of daddy's money trying to impress some other daddy's daughters while toting three 18 packs of bud light to get wasted and endanger everybody on the water.

That's my way of hoping they never get the boat off the trailer.

Everyone has to learn how to back a boat sooner or later.

I learned by practicing in the driveway with my Dad's little boat. I remember at first I was intimidated to back a boat. Now it is old hat.

Some people though just never consider things like that. Unfortunetly allot of people are basically selfish and think only of themselves. If they had practiced in their neighborhood first or in a parking lot then when they got to the ramp they wouldn't have problems.

I would like to see some sort of license to operate a motor boat. But then it would involve the government and that would suck the life out of it for sure. Waiting in line to get a license is bad enough let's not add another day I have to wait in line.

BTW, the easiest way to teach someone how to back a boat is to have them hold their hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and if they want to move the boat to the right they move their hand to the right. and Vice versa. Works great.

Sounds like the best advice a newbie could be given . Perhaps the above should be printed up and handed out at every boat dealership in the country .

Remember the post from last week..."Idiot boater season starts this weekend" ?????
Case in Point....

MAybe I should sit at the boat ramp all day on holidays with my video camera and produce a bloopers video for sportsmen?

I could call it "Back That A$$ Up"

12.95 per copy....hmmm...

My friend just started working at a boat dealership, he said you'de be amazed at the "not so smart" people with huge boats! Seems like the salesmen need to give an IQ test when the boat is purchased.

All the money is the world doesn't make a person smart!

I love hanging out at boat ramps and just watching, best comedy around!