How to Drive a Boat? 10 Fundamentals of Driving A Boat
You will need to pop the boat in and out or reverse 3-5 times to get enough momentum without prop interference to have the rudder get a good hold of the direction. Once you feel the boat going to the left, you can put the boat into reverse-idle and leave it there. You should now be holding a straight line or turning slightly to the left. Pop the boat in and out of gear, wait until the engine engages in reverse, leave it there for a second, then click back to neutral.
I always let everyone on board know before we ever leave and again when we return that hands and feet should stay in the boat around the dock. If you take in the 3 driving tips shown above on how to drive a pontoon boat, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t be up and running in minutes. Here are some of the best videos that I have found on YouTube for first time pontoon boat driving tips. Your speed should be slow, even, and steady giving you just enough power to get the pontoon boat driven into the slip space.
Similarly, throughout the US, there is no age restriction to operate non-powered vessels except for the four states of California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah. In some states like Newyork and Oklahoma, you can start early at the age of 12 but up to 18 years one needs to get a special certification to drive a boat. While anyone above 18 can drive a boat without such a certificate. Different states have different laws in terms of minimum age for boating. For example, the minimum age limit to drive a boat in Arizona is 12 years while 16 in Texas and 18 in Newyork without certification. When approaching large waves, rather than hitting them boats head on try taking them on at about a 45-degree angle.
Warm, sunny days are ideal for boating, but you can’t always predict when a storm will roll in. Varying gusts of wind and choppy water are signs of an approaching storm. And even if it’s a warm spring day, the water could instead reflect winter temperatures. In the event that your boat capsizes or you and your passengers get wet, make sure you have a plan to seek help and get dry. So the one thing my first instructor beat into my skull is the fact that coming off plane without checking behind my boat first is dangerous.
When in coastal and inshore waters, these preparations can help take the search out of search and rescue. Part of the alert is the MMSI number, which will identify your vessel automatically. Boats 16 feet and longer must be equipped with one Type I, II, III, or V personal floatation device plus one Type IV throwable device. Boats that are 16 feet or less must have one Type I, II, III or V PFD for each person aboard. All boats must be equipped with one Type I, II, III, or V personal floatation device for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and longer must also be equipped with a Type IV throwable device.
While there happen to be a handful of accidents each season. It is better to be prepared and take account of all safety precautions. After all, boating is all about fun, leisure, and relaxation. Plus you would not like to ruin all the excitement of everyone who comes to celebrate your big day as the captain of your boat. If the boat has trim tabs or a trimmable drive, try trimming the bow up and down a bit.