I started off with a small fish and ski boat and over the years the size of
the boats keep getting bigger and bigger. It is amazing how different the
boats will handle. I would always practice on calm days, once I felt
comfortable I would go out on a windy day and practice more. It is amazing
what wind and current can do to a boat.



wrote in message
...
On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 08:01:39 -0700, "ed"
wrote:

Is there any boating courses out there that a person can take to teach you
how to manuever a boat ? Kinda like a car driving school but one for boats
?
Just curious.

Thanks
Ed


Ed there are several tapes and lots of books about piloting and
manuevering boats but nothing can replace practice. Read and watch
tapes at home, then find yourself a quiet place away from anything
expensive to hit and practice the various skills. Understand how the
prop (and rudder if you are iinboard) affect the movement of the boat.
Learn how "prop walk" changes the way your particular boat backs up
and turns. Get a feel for how wind and current affects what you are
doing. Remember that flashy Cypress Gardens stuff looks cool but when
you watch a pro dock it is a slow steady thing using small inputs of
power and careful rudder angle selection.
If you can get to the point that you can approach a moored float from
any angle and lay along side at the orientation you want in different
wind and current conditions you are ready to tackle that resturant
dock on a saturday afternoon. ;-)

All the books can do is teach you the fundamentals and some possible
areas to watch for problems.
Once you have an understanding of that, your best bet is self practice,
but if you can find someone with good experience (watch THEM for awhile
to see how good they are) be they licensed or not, don't be afraid to
ask if they would be willing to give you some pointers.
G Personally, I'd do it for a sincere "thank you" ...... course, if
you want to through in a nice bottle of Chardonnay......

otn