2011 Pro Angler 16

[Shiloh]

So this will be my first and I mean FIRST EVER boat with a motor. I'm so excited!!  (and nervous). I'm looking for any tips or anything from you all for a first time boater. Pretty sure Im going to be taking a boater safety course either online or classroom this spring/summer.

Boat is coming new off showroom floor so I'm pretty stooked!

I have a ton to learn (backing it up.. pulling it out of the water.. driving with it on the back of my truck.. etc)  I can't wait to fish on it!

[lets get jiggy]

Congrats I just got a 2000 pro 165. I upgraded thr trolling motor to a Minn kota 70 lb thrust and added a color Garmin upfront and a Lowrance HDS7 chartplotter in the back. Love it!!!!!!!!!!

[BigLusciousBass]

Congrats on the ride   

[oldjim]

Congrats on the new ride. Did not say what kind, but most things apply what ever kind of boat.
Things to know. Some of these should be covered by dealer when boat is delivered and dealer should be able to answer thes questions. Lots of info in boat book be sure and read and keep in boat.
Launch ramp ediquite.
How to get on plane.
How much of trailer needs to be in water to get boat loaded.
Where and how is drain plug but in.
How to fasten and un fasten boat tie downs.
How to hook up boat to truck.
What kind of fuses does it take.
How to  back trailer and can it be backed with tailgate down with out hitting
How to fill/drain use livewell
How to start bildge pump
How to install and use lights
How mix  oil if 2 stroke, how to use staybill
When is break in over and what are limits
How to fill fuel/oil tank
How much air pressure in trailer tires

Things you need
Life jacket for every person
Insurance for boat
Line for tying to dock
Water proof bag for registeration and insurance
Flash light
Extra TM pin or blade
Basic tools to replace pins etc
Couple of hand towels
Float for ignition key

Thats my list off the top of my head sure I missed some things.
Good luck and tight lines
Oldjim

[ssj3goten]

oldjim summed it up very spot on.

I will my experience as i bought my bass tracker 1 1/2 years ago. Driving it is not too bad really we took straight home from the showroom and 3 hours later at home. Took it the lake the next day unloading and loading will take time, if there were others ready to go I let them go in front of me. After a few trips you will get comfortable loading/unloading and I do it by myself in 3-5 mins.

Some caution things with a tracker in the first 4 months I went through two winches (warranty) covered the costs+labor. Two trolling motor plugs rusted out (one tracker covered/other I did). Keep the trolling motor plug as dry as possible and unplug it after you are done fishing.

With the boat high winds or strong current are a pain because how light the boat is. Otherwise it works just great both on large lakes (table rock/toho) to small lakes,rivers I have down here.

Finally I found my first couple of months I struggled to catch fish because it is completely different fishing from boat to shore vs bank to water. Plus the whole lake opens up vs a small section. Once I got back to basics I started to catch more fish. Also now the rod,reel,bait monkey will come and scream in your ear.

[Shiloh]

with this purchase I will be getting a 20% vip card to bps (for 2 years) and a $500.00 gift card to bps as well.. the monkey has been screaming already!

Thanks for all the great tips everyone!

[ssj3goten]

not a bad deal did they offer an extended warranty? I know mine came with 1 year but a few months later they were offering 4-5 years.

[Shiloh]

It comes with a 3 year if I'm not mistaken

[lets get jiggy]

That is great. You are really going to enjoy the boat!!!!!

[socal Pat]

Do yourself a favor and spend $3 on an extra bilge plug. Also get in the habit of placing the plug in BEFORE you leave the house while you are hooking up the trailer. Unless of course you want to join the sinking boat at the ramp club. And yes I am a member of said club.

[coldfront]

So this will be my first and I mean FIRST EVER boat with a motor. I'm so excited!!  (and nervous). I'm looking for any tips or anything from you all for a first time boater.

tip one:  as excited as you are, go slow...when approaching any object/dock/etc...be especially carefull in windy situations...with cross winds...  and remember:  that boat actually DOES weigh quite a bit...and has a lot of inertia/momentum should you bump into anything...at any speed...

tip two:  was told this a long, long time ago...it simply works because it takes advantage of the way you've 'wired' your brain to this point.

when backing your boat...put your hand on the BOTTOM of the steering wheel.  Push your hand whichever way you want your trailer/back of boat to go...

need to go left?  push the hand at the bottom of the steering wheel to the left.  As simple as that.

and go slow!


I also encourage folks to turn around and actually LOOK at the boat...it does not have to be done 'all with mirrors',....  some folks think this is 'less manly'...the dock is for loading/unloading of boats...and we all appreciate folks who go about their business and 'just get it done'...



Last thing:  every ramp is for loading/unloading the trailer.

Boat Preparation, storing equipment, taking off straps, putting the cooler in...all that... should take place in the 'prep' area...or some place close by, but that does not interfere with folks who are ready to unload the boat trailer...


Go slow...get it right the first time...you'll find out that it's still pretty fast ...


Congratulations and I know you're \going to have a lot of fun.

[JayPea2006]

The bunks on the trailer come from the factory in untreated white pine. Mine rotted off the trailer in a year. Insist your dealer remove them and reinstall pt (pressure treated) bunks before taking delivery of the boat.

My dealer replaced them when they rotted off out of his own pocket because the bunks are not covered under the 3 year trailer warranty.

Other than that, everything else has been covered! Just take it out, be safe, and have fun.

[jeremyt]

The best idea that I can give you is to make yourself a checklist for the boat. A pre trip list to make sure you have everything loaded. A pre launch list to make sure you have taken all the proper steps to launch. Also a check list to make sure that you have everything when you load back up.  When you take your first few trips, try to go to a ramp that isn't crowded it will take some pressure off of you. That being said don't rush, you will forget something. 

Also don't be afraid to make mistakes, they will happen. That's how we learn.

[Shiloh]

I have started a few lists so far of things to pick up (copied from this thread). There is a decent sized lake nearby that my wife and I went to last summer with the canoe. No boats over 40hp allowed there so I wont have to worry about jetski's or wave runners.

[lets get jiggy]

Funny thing but I just experienced this: Don't forget about the trailer.

1. Make sure you have a spare properly inflated
2. Compact Floor jack
3. Good lug wrench.
4. Couple of tie down straps and short 2 x 4's (in case of leaf spring probs)
5. Can of wd40
6. Can of fix a flat
7. Grease gun

Just precaution stuff nice to have while traveling

[jeremyt]

I have started a few lists so far of things to pick up (copied from this thread). There is a decent sized lake nearby that my wife and I went to last summer with the canoe. No boats over 40hp allowed there so I wont have to worry about jetski's or wave runners.

I didn't necessarily mean things that you would need to buy, but more of a procedural list.

Prior to leaving.
1. Boat secured.
2. Batteries charged.
3. Boat keys ( you think ,duh, I did too. Just wait til you do it.)
4. Safety equipment.
5. Check trailer ie. lights connections, tire pressure.


Prior to launch
1. Plug secured.
2. All straps released.
3. Final gear check.


So on and so on. You will still forget things after doing it for years. I am by no means an expert, so I use my checklist to make sure I am good. It has become second nature but I still forget things time to time if I don't use it.

[lets get jiggy]

All good stuff

[Shiloh]

Got her home yesterday. Picked her up from the boat place. Went to the local college parking lot for about 45 mins or so practicing backing and parking. Backed in my driveway on the first shot! (used the hand on the bottom of the steering wheel trick. Worked AWESOME!!)