Am I too hard on my boat???

[df909]

Hey Guys-

I have a 1992 Bayliner Capri 2050 with the 4.3L Merc & Alpha 1 Gen 2 drive. The boat runs great and handles really well- I don't have any complaints about it.

We're the only one in our group of friends that have a boat, so we take our friends and their kids with us often & I sometimes drive crazy with the kids because they like it.

My question: is doing figure 8's, circles, & sudden turns at about 20-30mph really hard on the boat? What about hitting other boat wake?

Thanks

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

Will things break on your boat faster than the guy that putts around the lake every weekend? Sure

If I were buying a boat would I rather buy yours or the one from the guy that putts around the lake? The lake putter for sure.

But hey, its a boat, you're supposed to have some fun with it. You can make up for your lack of gentleness on the water with a vigilent maintenance schedule...tighten up things as soon as you see they are starting to get loose...dont let anything go and your boat will appreciate that alot more than putting around the lake on Sunday.

Be careful out there and have fun.

 

[Philster]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

Only you can answer that. If repair bills and down time get too great for you, then yes, you are too hard on your boat.

Everything adds wear and tear.

If you are happy, and you do maintenance and are ready for a bill here and there, then enjoy.

Really really dumb stuff would be severe overloading the engine with weight, lugging it and also running it with crap fuel, a bent prop and doing other stuff that could really put a total halt to your boat (and your life).

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

'''is doing figure 8's, circles, & sudden turns at about 20-30mph really hard on the boat? What about hitting other boat wake?

Thanks

Heck - that's the only way I can shake my kid off the tube!

Seriously, that doesn't sound like you're exactly beating it up. It's a recreational vehicle and as long as you maintain it well as already mentioned, don't do anything really dumb like WOT forward to WOT reverse suddenly, I certainly don't see an issue.

Just as a safety note - be real sure you've got good situational awareness when driving like that - keep your head on a swivel. A sudden figure eight into another boat or worse, over a canoe or swimmer will ruin everyone's day real quick. Also, you mentioned having passengers on board during this kind of driving. Obviously you want to make sure moves like that don't take someone off guard and pitch them overboard.

Other than that - have fun!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

I agree with scoutabout. Sudden turns and acceleration/deceleration are fine. Do not run the boat at WOT for any extended time and do not run the motor over the max RPM at all. We are talking about a car engine, and they are just not meant to take it. Cruising at 4500 RPM or less is fine. Running 5200RPM for a while is OK as well.

Hitting boat wakes are hard on the hull, not really on the motor. Hulls can crack, people cna get hurt, so keep it safe.

 

[df909]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

Thanks guys. I do keep up on maintainence and keeping everything buttoned down when I notice a loose screw or nut. I kinda like doing stuff to the boat so I make sure I inspect everything often cause I'd sure hate to get out in the middle of the lake and go dead.

Safetywise I hear you. I'm surprised my neck isn't sore with all the turning around and looking around I do- I can't imagine getting into a wreck with a bunch of kids onboard because I wasn't paying attention. We also go over a little safety talk everytime I take anyone on the boat. Oh yeah, the lakes so far have been pretty wide open as it's a bit chilly still and in CA people are whimps- if it's below 75-80 people don't want to come out.

 

[jkust]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

Thats funny. In my much younger days on our Bayliner, we would push it to the absolute limits on an inland lake. 40+mph full lock to lock turns all day long and was a bonus if we could get completely airborne including the engine and prop. Of course that was an outboard but it was no worse for wear. Other than top speed my I/O doesn't perform anywhere near the outboard. A lock to lock turn with my I/O just gives me annoying ventilation while our O/B simply won't ventilate no matter what not that i'd even think about that now days. Just stay safe and don't overdue it with kiddos in the boat.

 

[df909]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

That's a good point Bubba- I think I should park the pop-up trailer in the garage too & just motel it.

This has made me wonder....do we have friends just cause we have a boat???

 

[Ned L]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

My .002 is if a boat can't do what it is designed to do I wouldn't want it, & it sounds like you are not doing anything outside of what it should do. -- My dad used to say that a good boat will take more than you can.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

My .002 is if a boat can't do what it is designed to do I wouldn't want it, & it sounds like you are not doing anything outside of what it should do. -- My dad used to say that a good boat will take more than you can.

that has to be the words of a former tri-hull owner!

 

[cribber]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

I couldn't tell you how many times I've had my boat airborne hitting wakes at a bad angle. Fun when you expect and sometimes scary when ya don't. But I do the same thing power turns to get a huge wake going then doubling back on it before it goes flat to pop someone in the air. Always be aware of what's around and keep up on your maintenance. As an added precaution I also include bolts and nuts to the checklist. I dropped an alternator boat one day that took out the serpentine belt just as I pulled away from the dock.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

Some fiberglass hulls are much stronger than others. Next time you are in a boat showroom, try tapping on the various manufacturers hulls with your knuckles. Some are obviously thin and flimsy, while others are built like boats should be built. With boats, as with many other things, you get what you pay for.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

"Former Tri-hull ownder" - Nah!
1950 46' C.C. DCFB. -- I can remember back in the early '70's being stuck crossing L.I. sound early in an approaching hurricane (it arrived about 12 hrs before it was predicted), and watching the top of the S.S. bow rail disappear into the green-water & waiting for it to come back up again. The top of that bow rail was about 7' above the waterline. That was NOT a fun crossing!

 

[dave11]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

That's a good point Bubba- I think I should park the pop-up trailer in the garage too & just motel it.

This has made me wonder....do we have friends just cause we have a boat???

Not using a boat is hard on it, too.

IF you want people to go with you, ask them.

Sounds like normal use to me.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Am I too hard on my boat???

"Former Tri-hull ownder" - Nah!
1950 46' C.C. DCFB. -- I can remember back in the early '70's being stuck crossing L.I. sound early in an approaching hurricane (it arrived about 12 hrs before it was predicted), and watching the top of the S.S. bow rail disappear into the green-water & waiting for it to come back up again. The top of that bow rail was about 7' above the waterline. That was NOT a fun crossing!

Wow in a 46 foot boat waiting to see the bow rail?!

I crossed LI sound one time last year because of a storm approaching from the north west (i know usually it comes from the SW) and even in my 20 ft bow rider it was a trip!!

The chick with me was a little scared LOL