Learning to manuevering a boat
 

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" wrote in message
...
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.

You can read it in a book, you can be taught it in a class but, you won't
really understand it until you are at the controls of a boat on the water
being exposed to wind, waves, current and a screaming wife.

"ed" wrote in message
...
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


I trust you have taken the US Power Squadron course on basic boating safety
and boat handling. If not, that should be your first step.

After completing a course pick up a book on basic boat handling.

After those first 2 steps you can hire a seasoned staff member at your
marina to do the hands on training in your boat.

Here is a link to classroom training resources other than Power Squadron,
but not sure if it is offered in your area:

http://www.chapman.org/training-prog...1000_2005.html

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 11:18:53 -0400, "Bert Robbins"
wrote:

You can read it in a book, you can be taught it in a class but, you won't
really understand it until you are at the controls of a boat on the water
being exposed to wind, waves, current and a screaming wife.

Most often, in my experience, it's a husband who will do the
screaming. In there defense, they're also usually the one who has all
the responsibilty for handling the boat, and in the screamers case,
they're usually not up to the task.

bb

Is there any boating courses out there that a person can take to teach
you
how to manuever a boat ?

************

No. You will need to rely on private instruction, aboard the boat you
plan to operate. One challenge is that each make and model of boat will
handle at least slightly differently, down to an including facts like
Brand X as built at the factory will handle differently than Brand X
with an additional 150 sq ft of optional canvas catching a cross wind.
Books and videos teach the general theory of docking on a perfectly
calm day with plenty of space available, but some boats behave very
differently from the examples the books and videos use, it is seldom a
perfectly calm day, and count on being required to side tie your
40-footer in a 50-foot gap along the face of the float more often than
not.

You can't simply hire the dock boy or some other marina worker to show
you the ropes. In fact, if you hire anybody, they need to be a licensed
master. You might want to give that fact some serious consideration, as
should something go so wrong during the training that your insurance
company becomes involved you wouldn't want to give them a "fine print"
excuse to tell you to take your claim and shove off. You wil either pay
$ome big buck$ for profe$$ional training, or get taught by a volunteer.

The best source of volunteer training is available when you first
purchase the boat. If you buy it from a private party, that person has
quite a bit of experience handling that specific boat, and even though
he or she may not be a professional instructor they can probably give
some very good instruction based on a familiarity with that boat. If
you buy from a brokerage, ask the broker to give you some basic
pointers in docking, line handling, etc. Not to represent yacht brokers
as the consumate seapersons, (many are not), but one skill that a
broker develops early on is the ability to manuever a broad variety of
boats around typically very crowded brokerage docks. As long as the
broker isn't getting paid for instructing, (and he isn't- he or she is
paid by the seller for sevices rendered and not by the buyer), you're
not jeopardizing your insurance coverage.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Is there any boating courses out there that a person can take to teach
you
how to manuever a boat ?

************

No. You will need to rely on private instruction, aboard the boat you
plan to operate. One challenge is that each make and model of boat will
handle at least slightly differently, down to an including facts like
Brand X as built at the factory will handle differently than Brand X
with an additional 150 sq ft of optional canvas catching a cross wind.
Books and videos teach the general theory of docking on a perfectly
calm day with plenty of space available, but some boats behave very
differently from the examples the books and videos use, it is seldom a
perfectly calm day, and count on being required to side tie your
40-footer in a 50-foot gap along the face of the float more often than
not.

You can't simply hire the dock boy or some other marina worker to show
you the ropes. In fact, if you hire anybody, they need to be a licensed
master.

Wrong. I hired one of the marina owners to teach my wife to dock and
maneuver our 32 footer....I did not have the patience.

And who would ever think of hiring the dock boy Chuck?

Wrong. I hired one of the marina owners to teach my wife to dock and
maneuver our 32 footer....I did not have the patience.

***************

Simply because you did something, that doesn't make the practice
correct.
Unless the marina owner was a licensed master (coulda been, but the
qualification you suggested was merely "a marina employee" and the
majority of marinas probably don't have even a single licensed master
on staff) hiring that person to do training was a violation of the law
and almost certainly of your insurance coverage. You got away with it,
(assuming the marina owner wasn't a licensed master), because nothing
happened. Suggesting others do the same is like recommending Russian
Roulette, "I did it, once, and nothing happened so everybody else
should follow my example."

Who would hire the dock boy? Somebody hoping to get the job done by the
lowest bidder.
However, if you want to refute my statement, you might experiment with
including the entire phrase........."You can't simply hire the dock boy
or some other marina worker to show you the ropes...."

As you will now reply with "where did I say the marina owner wasn't a
licensed master?", I'll save you the keystrokes and admit that you did
not. However, if you knew enough to be sure the person you hired had
the appropriate license, you should have included that specification in
your advice, not merely suggested a "marina employee" to teach docking
and seamanship aboard a boat.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Wrong. I hired one of the marina owners to teach my wife to dock and
maneuver our 32 footer....I did not have the patience.

***************

Simply because you did something, that doesn't make the practice
correct.

And simply because you say it is wrong does not mean you are correct.


Unless the marina owner was a licensed master (coulda been, but the
qualification you suggested was merely "a marina employee" and the
majority of marinas probably don't have even a single licensed master
on staff) hiring that person to do training was a violation of the law
and almost certainly of your insurance coverage.

Oh oh.......I am in trouble. And I allowed friends to drive my boat too. I
better hide now.

You got away with it,
(assuming the marina owner wasn't a licensed master), because nothing
happened. Suggesting others do the same is like recommending Russian
Roulette, "I did it, once, and nothing happened so everybody else
should follow my example."

Bull crap.



Who would hire the dock boy? Somebody hoping to get the job done by the
lowest bidder.

And in some cases the dock person (why do you call him *boy*?) may have more
experience in boating than the operators of the boats he/she is refueling or
pumping out.


However, if you want to refute my statement, you might experiment with
including the entire phrase........."You can't simply hire the dock boy
or some other marina worker to show you the ropes...."

As you will now reply with "where did I say the marina owner wasn't a
licensed master?", I'll save you the keystrokes and admit that you did
not. However, if you knew enough to be sure the person you hired had
the appropriate license, you should have included that specification in
your advice, not merely suggested a "marina employee" to teach docking
and seamanship aboard a boat.


Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.

Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

JimH, the only way I *ruined* this thread was by clarifying some very
poorly worded and incorrect advice dispensed by a non-boater. It may
have ruined it for *you*, but this is supposed to be a boating NG and
people who ask questions about boats or boating deserve correct and
complete answers.

The only times you are more hilarious than when you're sneaking around
the corner with your harpoon ready to toss at the folks on your list of
"undesirables" is when you attempt to give boating advice. In the last
few days we have seen "look up the value of a 30-year old boat in NADA,
as it might only be worth $1000 instead of $1500"....... and "hire one
of the employees at the marina to teach you to operate your
boat".....followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."

wrote in message
oups.com...
Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?

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. ;-)

"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.

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.

You can hire a professional or a hobby Captain like me - I know guys
and gals who do this for about $110 for a two hour session. Some
Captains charge by the foot with a baseline dollar figure. Others
like me just do it for fun and gas money.

If you have your boat at a marina, you can usually get the yard
manager, service manager or sales person to help you out for a nice
tip - sometimes not.

It would be to your benefit to check out a book like Chapman's to get
an idea of what's what. Take a Power Squadron or USCG Aux course -
sometimes for a small donation, they will take you out and show you
some tips and tricks.

Like everything, it all depends on how much money you want to spend.

Later,

Tom

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 14:05:06 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.


Sounds very basskisserish, JimH.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

"John H" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 14:05:06 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.


Sounds very basskisserish, JimH.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

I thought the same thing after I wrote it. I guess I am tired of Chuck
twisting around what I actually wrote so he can make *his* case. He
actually had the gall to use quotes to make it appear that is actually what
I wrote.

Just for the record, I wrote "And in some cases the dock person (why do you
call him *boy*?) may have more experience in boating than the operators of
the boats he/she is refueling or
pumping out."

Take a look at what Chuck claimed I said: "the dock PERSON likely knows
more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling up."

Bull****....and he knows it.

I know I will not get any sort of apology or recognition from Chuck that he
made a mistake. After all, that sort of thing requires you to be a real
man.

wrote in message
oups.com...
There is no substantive difference between what you said and what I
said you said.


Bull****. There is a big difference between the words "may have more
experience" and "likely knows more". And to top it off you used quotes to
make it appear like that is exactly what I said.

Not man enough to offer an apology Chuck? I figured as much.

Bert Robbins wrote:


You can read it in a book, you can be taught it in a class but, you won't
really understand it until you are at the controls of a boat on the water
being exposed to wind, waves, current and a screaming wife.



If she's married to you....no wonder she screams!

Bull****. There is a big difference between the words "may have more
experience" and "likely knows more". And to top it off you used quotes
to
make it appear like that is exactly what I said.

Not man enough to offer an apology Chuck? I figured as much.

*********

I hereby announce that I regret not quoting JimH's assertion that the
dockperson might have more experience than the boaters he or she fueled
up and/or pumped out by using his *exact* words. It would have made him
look just as clueless, also served to defuse his feigned outrage that
anybody would even think he might have suggested hiring a dock person
to teach boat handling, and saved his pointless, Bill Clinton defense
centered around the meaning of "is" or "sex". (i.e "more experienced"
vs. "likely knows more")

I additionally regret spending time exchanging comments with a guy who
does not take responsibilty for the ideas his statements convey, and
instead retreats into splitting hairs when his goofy recommendations
are challenged.

There you go, Jimmy. Manly enough for ya?

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 16:01:46 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"John H" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 14:05:06 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.


Sounds very basskisserish, JimH.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

I thought the same thing after I wrote it. I guess I am tired of Chuck
twisting around what I actually wrote so he can make *his* case. He
actually had the gall to use quotes to make it appear that is actually what
I wrote.

Just for the record, I wrote "And in some cases the dock person (why do you
call him *boy*?) may have more experience in boating than the operators of
the boats he/she is refueling or
pumping out."

Take a look at what Chuck claimed I said: "the dock PERSON likely knows
more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling up."

Bull****....and he knows it.

I know I will not get any sort of apology or recognition from Chuck that he
made a mistake. After all, that sort of thing requires you to be a real
man.


I believe Chuck changed the word to 'person' (in caps to show the difference)
because you questioned his use of the word 'boy'. (Although I've never seen a
dock 'girl'!)



--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

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

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 09:37:55 -0400, HarryKrause wrote:

John H wrote:
On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 16:01:46 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"John H" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 14:05:06 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:


"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oglegroups.com...

Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************


followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about

boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.


Sounds very basskisserish, JimH.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

I thought the same thing after I wrote it. I guess I am tired of Chuck
twisting around what I actually wrote so he can make *his* case. He
actually had the gall to use quotes to make it appear that is actually what
I wrote.

Just for the record, I wrote "And in some cases the dock person (why do you
call him *boy*?) may have more experience in boating than the operators of
the boats he/she is refueling or
pumping out."

Take a look at what Chuck claimed I said: "the dock PERSON likely knows
more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling up."

Bull****....and he knows it.

I know I will not get any sort of apology or recognition from Chuck that he
made a mistake. After all, that sort of thing requires you to be a real
man.



I believe Chuck changed the word to 'person' (in caps to show the difference)
because you questioned his use of the word 'boy'. (Although I've never seen a
dock 'girl'!)


For the last few years, Breezy Point Marina has hired a couple of really
good-looking young ladies to work lines on the main dock in front of the
store and help with sales of gasoline, diesel and ice.

Of course, you rarely take your boat more than a few miles from Deale.

I've probably been to Breezy more times than you this year, Harry. At least I
take *my* boat out!
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

"HarryKrause" wrote in message We all know that
while I have a bigger dick than you have, you're the
bigger dick.

Don't your boat spend most of its time being repaired?


Harry is this you or the Harry imitator, it is hard to tell who is more
ignorant or who has worse writing skills.

"HarryKrause" wrote in message
...
John H wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 09:37:55 -0400, HarryKrause
wrote:


John H wrote:

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 16:01:46 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:



"John H" wrote in message
om...


On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 14:05:06 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:



"*JimH*" wrote in message
...


wrote in message
news:1119113437.399976.238830@g49g2000cwa. googlegroups.com...


Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************


followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about


boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is
fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can
apologize
for your mistake.


Sounds very basskisserish, JimH.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

I thought the same thing after I wrote it. I guess I am tired of Chuck
twisting around what I actually wrote so he can make *his* case. He
actually had the gall to use quotes to make it appear that is actually
what I wrote.

Just for the record, I wrote "And in some cases the dock person (why
do you call him *boy*?) may have more experience in boating than the
operators of the boats he/she is refueling or
pumping out."

Take a look at what Chuck claimed I said: "the dock PERSON likely
knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."

Bull****....and he knows it.

I know I will not get any sort of apology or recognition from Chuck
that he made a mistake. After all, that sort of thing requires you to
be a real man.


I believe Chuck changed the word to 'person' (in caps to show the
difference)
because you questioned his use of the word 'boy'. (Although I've never
seen a
dock 'girl'!)


For the last few years, Breezy Point Marina has hired a couple of really
good-looking young ladies to work lines on the main dock in front of the
store and help with sales of gasoline, diesel and ice.

Of course, you rarely take your boat more than a few miles from Deale.


I've probably been to Breezy more times than you this year, Harry. At
least I
take *my* boat out!


We all know that while I have a bigger dick than you have, you're the
bigger dick.

Don't your boat spend most of its time being repaired?

Don, Harry has pulled out his dick are you ready?

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:39:28 -0400, HarryKrause wrote:

John H wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 09:37:55 -0400, HarryKrause wrote:


John H wrote:

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 16:01:46 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:



"John H" wrote in message
om...


On Sat, 18 Jun 2005 14:05:06 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:



"*JimH*" wrote in message
...


wrote in message
news:1119113437.399976.238830@g49g2000cwa. googlegroups.com...


Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************


followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about


boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.


Sounds very basskisserish, JimH.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

I thought the same thing after I wrote it. I guess I am tired of Chuck
twisting around what I actually wrote so he can make *his* case. He
actually had the gall to use quotes to make it appear that is actually what
I wrote.

Just for the record, I wrote "And in some cases the dock person (why do you
call him *boy*?) may have more experience in boating than the operators of
the boats he/she is refueling or
pumping out."

Take a look at what Chuck claimed I said: "the dock PERSON likely knows
more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling up."

Bull****....and he knows it.

I know I will not get any sort of apology or recognition from Chuck that he
made a mistake. After all, that sort of thing requires you to be a real
man.



I believe Chuck changed the word to 'person' (in caps to show the difference)
because you questioned his use of the word 'boy'. (Although I've never seen a
dock 'girl'!)


For the last few years, Breezy Point Marina has hired a couple of really
good-looking young ladies to work lines on the main dock in front of the
store and help with sales of gasoline, diesel and ice.

Of course, you rarely take your boat more than a few miles from Deale.


I've probably been to Breezy more times than you this year, Harry. At least I
take *my* boat out!


We all know that while I have a bigger dick than you have, you're the
bigger dick.

Don't your boat spend most of its time being repaired?

Nah, three or four days last year, four days this year. My marina takes pretty
good care of me. I gave them the boat to work on last Thurs, and it was ready
Tues. Of course I couldn't use it anyway 'cause I had to work and earn enough
money to pay for the repairs. But, it's all ready to go.

Don't know about dick sizes. I might drive a Screaming Yellow Mustang, but I
don't go in for a lot of dick comparing. I hope you enjoy whatever comparisons
you make!

But, I see you didn't disagree with my comments Breezy Point and taking *my*
boat out!

Hee, hee.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:45:10 -0400, "John Jay" wrote:


"HarryKrause" wrote in message We all know that
while I have a bigger dick than you have, you're the
bigger dick.

Don't your boat spend most of its time being repaired?


Harry is this you or the Harry imitator, it is hard to tell who is more
ignorant or who has worse writing skills.



That was the post-menopausal Harry. No period. He considers himself the best
writer in the group though, so you probably just ****ed him off.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 20:13:18 -0400, HarryKrause wrote:

John H wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:45:10 -0400, "John Jay" wrote:


"HarryKrause" wrote in message We all know that
while I have a bigger dick than you have, you're the

bigger dick.

Don't your boat spend most of its time being repaired?


Harry is this you or the Harry imitator, it is hard to tell who is more
ignorant or who has worse writing skills.




That was the post-menopausal Harry. No period. He considers himself the best
writer in the group though, so you probably just ****ed him off.



Neither you nor Smithers are qualified to comment upon English usage.
The sentence to which you referred is written properly, even if it
expresses an "improper" thought. You are the bigger dick.

I referred to the sentence written by John Jay. I told you I wasn't into the
dick comparing activity with which you seem smitten.
--
John H

"All decisions are the result of binary thinking."

*JimH* wrote:
"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Chuck you are a do-gooder through and through.

Have a nice day. Go ruin another thread.


************

followed on with "the dock PERSON likely knows more about
boats and boat handling than many of the people he or she is fueling
up."


Where did I say that Chuck? Making up lies again?



Well, where did I say that Chuck? If you are man enough you can apologize
for your mistake.

Jim, when I prove that I'm not Kevin Noble, will YOU be man enough to
apologize?

"Bert Robbins" wrote in message
...

"ed" wrote in message
...
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.

You can read it in a book, you can be taught it in a class but, you won't
really understand it until you are at the controls of a boat on the water
being exposed to wind, waves, current and a screaming wife.




Find a boating friend to take you out and show you the ropes. If you don't
have a boating friend, ask the local dealer to find someone who will take
you out for a reasonable fee to teach you the ropes. In either case you're
way ahead of the game with plenty of things left to learn from future
experiences.