Anyone have thoughts on sizing ones first boat?

Cost is a factor but more the ability of a novice to hiandle a larger boat.

Lookng at around 33 ft. I/B's

Comments?

That's one heck of a big starter boat. Mine was a big old 24 foot SeaRay
Sundancer mid cabin. It was not a very easy boat to learn how to handle
around the marina where I had a slip. Backing in was very difficult as
there seemed always to be a strong cross wind from either side.

I now have a 16 foot center console which is very easy to handle in almost
any conditions.

Hary's advise is sound IMO. Take a few lessons before attempting to handle
any large boat.

Butch
"HarryKrause" wrote in message
...
its me wrote:
Anyone have thoughts on sizing ones first boat?

Cost is a factor but more the ability of a novice to hiandle a larger
boat.

Lookng at around 33 ft. I/B's

Comments?

My first boat was an 8' dinghy with a pair of oars. It's amazing what you
can learn about boat handing in and around a marina with such a little,
sensitive boat. Small boats teach you finesse.

A 33-footer typically is pretty heavy, and if you don't know what you are
doing when you approach a dock, you can do a lot of damage.

Do you plan to get any professional instruction? You might want to hire a
professional captain for a half day to give you some boat-handling
lessons. And don't forget to take a boat safety course first.

Lots of people start out in bigger boats such as a 33 footer. It's not
something I would do, if I were starting anew.



--
If it is Bad for Bush,
It is Good for the United States.

This is one of those catch 22 issues.
You want to buy a boat that you like, is the correct layout for your
application, meets your needs, etc...
However, if your not capable of docking it or moving it around in a marina
then you have another problem.

You will learn how to manuever it with time. A boat that is not the right
boat will never be the right boat. And selling and buying another boat is
expensive and a real pain.

Bottom line - go for it. There are lots of people out there that are willing
to help and teach you how to handle the boat. It does not take much time.

Some tips:
When going at an idle - lower the trim tabs all the way down - this will
prevent (or really minimize) wander.
Go slow. Slower is better but only to the extent that you keep the wind for
driving the boat instead of you.
Allow for wind and current when docking. You always want to be downwind and
downcurrent. That way it is not pushing you past where you want to be.
Use the engines. W/ twin engines you can use one engine and learn to turn
the boat around on itself basically. And don't be afraid to give it some
power to stop it. A sudden burst in reverse will basically stop a boat dead
still.
Get out in the river and practice turning and manuevering using the engines
in forward and reverse. Its fun, time spent on the boat, uses minimal fuel,
and really teaches you how this boat handles.

Good luck.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
"its me" wrote in message
...
Anyone have thoughts on sizing ones first boat?

Cost is a factor but more the ability of a novice to hiandle a larger
boat.

Lookng at around 33 ft. I/B's

Comments?