First Time Boat Owner, Any help appreciated

[11Bravo]

I just got a 1999 South Carolina Skiff special Edition Bass boat, its 17.5 feet with a yamaha 115. I have taken the boat out 3 times, just learning the ropes. I.E getting it up on plane, where to ride in the water, and adjusting the trim while once up on plane. I found (or think i have) the sweet spot in rpms where my boat cruises the best at 3100 rpm.

My questions are, how do i know once im up on plane when to trim out the motor, any tips for opperating the foot pedal for the trolling motor on the bow? How can i put the boat in at the launch alone? Without looking like a bafoon. I suffer from ptsd from being in iraq, my anxiety is pretty much a constant thing and someone laughing at me or cursing me out at the launch would probably met with an Infantry Battle drill.

any tips are greatly appreciated. i havent taken the boat out solo yet becuase im not quite comfortable do you have any suggestions or tips that would help me become more acclimated with the boat and more comfortable when i take it out? if so im all ears! Thank for reading this

[Donald Garner]

11Bravo,  congrats on the new ride.  When you get the chance post some pictures of your boat etc.  We all like boat pictures    Alrighty I'm sure other guys will chime in as you've asked some really good questions.  We all have different ways we do things.  With that said here's my 2 cents.

When up on plane when to trim out the motor.
You already mentioned you found that 'Sweet Spot' if the boat running good and it feels right then you don't need to trim it out.  For me when I'm in my Stratos I've found that 4500 - 5000 rpms and the back 1/4 of the boat is in the water is my best feel.  Now every now and then when the weather and water conditions are right I crank her and run at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) 63.5 mph with the engine trimmed out and only a couple inches of the back of the boat is in the water.  Of course running WOT the gas mileage sux's and it burns more oil.  If the waves are rolling and the wind howling I keep the engine trimmed against the transom and the hull of the boat down in the water.  Of course I'm still learning how to operate this boat too.  Every time I go out I learn something new.

Trolling motor pedal operation.
For me I have my trolling motor pedal counter sunk in the front deck.  This helps with the balancing and easing of the aches and pains in the legs and back.  I have the pedal positioned where I can operate it with either foot also.

Backing the trailer.
We have all had days where that trailer will not turn the way we want it too.  All I can say is find a parking lot and PRACTICE, PRACTICE and PRACTICE some more backing straight, backing left and then right.  Once you got it down then it's time to head to the launch ramp.  If possible go during the week and if not then head out on the weekend at MID DAY or the Middle of the afternoon.  You will find that there aren't two ramps the same.  Some are multi-lane; some are more narrower than others.  The more you practice the better off you'll be.

Launching alone.
Check out this post.   Just click on the link.
Launching alone

Good luck and if I can be of assistance just drop me a personal email and we'll work on it together.

Tight Lines
Don

[ranger1882]

i just got my first boat last summer - have only had it out three times and have much to learn....the most important things so far that i've realized , besides boat driving rules ( e.i. right of ways, running lights , no wake zones , etc. ) and ramp etiquette , is learning about the maintence -watching motor temps and your oil system, as well as impeller replacement , spark plugs ,livewell operation ,  winterizing - and all of the other mechanical factors that come with optimal performance....it's not driving the boat that makes me nervous, it's blowing the motor up !!! 

[Mike Cork]

Great info already  And as Ranger1882 said maintenance, nothing more frustrating than breaking down on the water.

A couple thoughts, learn to back with your side mirrors. On rainy days it can be hard to see out the back. Also, steep ramps make it difficult to see the trailer through the back window.

The trolling motor will come to you. It won't be long and you won't even think about it, your foot will just make it happen.

Congrats and good luck. Let us know if there is anything specific we can help with.

[Pferox]

When I back a trailer, I always use the mirrors after I am sure the coast is clear.  I also use the back corners of the trailer as the actual item I am watching.  For me, it is easier to see if it is veering off and needs to be corrected earlier than it actually happens.  Hope that made sense.

[31airborne]

First off, thank you for your service.  I've a few trips to Mother Benning under my belt (all schools, never stationed there).  Good to see another grunt on the site.

Trimming the big motor and learning the foot pedal for your TM are both feel things.  You're gonna have to play around w/ them to understand what the limits are.  As a general rule, you'll begin to trim up the big motor as you come out of the holeshot and plane out.  Trimming up from there should be gradual.  If you trim up all at once and in a hurry you'll sometimes cause the boat to chine walk (sway violently from side to side).  A good thing to keep your eye on both the tach and speedometer (or GPS speed indicator on your electronix) as you do this.  You'll see the RPMs come up as you trim up.  Your speed will also increase.  Additionally, you'll feel the nose of the boat rise.  As you come out of the holeshot the wake coming off of your boat will be right next to you ~mid-boat.  As you trim up it'll appear as if the wake is moving towards the back of the boat.  This is that lift on the front (bow) that occurs as you trim it out.  As you get the feel for how your boat behaves as you're accelerating and trimming up you'll be able to dial in how fast you can do the trim process.  Practice, practice, practice.

The TM foot pedal isn't as involved but there are some things you'll need to play with.  First off all, there's a tension screw on the pedal that'll allow you to adjust how much pressure is required to move it.  You don't want this to be a chore (or you'll wear out your legs).  Likewise, you don't want the pedal flopping all over the place.  Somewhere in the middle is best but you'll have to find that middle spot for your body weight and leg strength.  Your TM head will have a direction indicator on it (kinda like 'front towards enemy' for your boat).  As you begin the process look at the head as you lift and depress the pedal.  This will teach you which movement causes the TM to go in which direction.  After a couple hours of playing w/ it you'll be able to make TM adjustments without ever looking at the TM head or pedal.  You'll be able to feel the boat moving in the direction you're steering.

[Bud Kennedy]

Some of the best tips I can give to any new boat owner/driver is to be patient.  Time on the water will teach you the how to stuff.  My tip is to pay attention to the details, watch out for others and always wear your pfd and kill switch when underway.  Your learned experiences will take care of a lot of things but being aware and careful is truly important.  Good luck with your new boat.  Be Safe

[Dark3]

Be careful on waterways that you dont know. Keep the speed down until you are familiar with the routes you are traveling. A chop on the surface can be very good at hiding things that are barely sticking out of the water or just under the surface. I once hit a large rock that would have been easily visible in calm conditions but because it was sticking out of the surface less than the height of the chop i didnt see it until it was too late. I had two children go overboard. Be careful

[Dark3]

And Always keep passengers, especially kids seated, off of the bow or near gunnel and in PFDs while underway

[jonboy]

Your boat will get its best fuel economy usually around 3/4 throttle trimmed up as much as handling will allow. It will ride better in rough water with the motor trimmed down a bit but your mileage suffers due to the bow plowing. Always be listening for your motors alarm, it can be difficult to hear on some engines when wide open.
When launching, just get your rig ready before you actually pull up to the launch. That is most folks biggest complaint with rookies. Even with one person, it should take no more than 3 or 4 min to have your truck out of the way and the launch ready for the next boat.