new boat, first time on the water

[trout74]

Took the new toon out with my three little tikes and grandma and grandpa and mom and me. went to local reservoir and it was pretty windy. I have a little to learn with the wind. After getting off the trailer ( that was easy ) then trying to pull up to the dock to pick up the passengers I had a heck of a time. IT took about 5 attempts until I got it sideways and next to the dock, but it was not pretty I will admit. After that, we headed off, and went across the bay to a cove to escape the wind. I was careful to not go above 3000 RPM for the first hour, per the mercury manual. We had a blast. I am so happy we got this boat, my kids cant wait till the next boat trip. I was able to go up to 4000 rpm's for the second hour, and I was hitting about 18-20 mph. So i am really happy with that. I have a few more hours of break in before i put the throttle all the ways down, but im pretty optimistic about the speed. It was going 15-16 at 3000 and 18-20 depending on trim at 4000. I really dont think the 75 HP merc was having any trouble at all with my set up, so im very pleased with going with 75 over the 40. Need the water to warm up for some tubing, still in the 40's. Brrrr!

overall, im very pleased, and now im rambling,

Trout

 

[rrhodes]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Congrats and without pics it didn't happen.. lol.... strong wind will always be a pain when docking.... but you will get the hang of it.

 

[trout74]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

ill try to attach some photos:

 

[trout74]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

 

[boaterinsd]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Need the water to warm up for some tubing, still in the 40's. Brrrr!

overall, im very pleased, and now im rambling,

Trout

Welcome to iBoats, by the sound of the weather you might be in S Dakota ?

 

[trout74]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

the water temp is 40's, not air temp. Highs in 60's lows in 40's air temp. Im in Iowa.

 

[lncoop]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Great pics trout. Saw some smiles on the little ones. Can't put a price tag on that. Did you have any trouble getting her loaded at the end of the day?

 

[trout74]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

getting on the trailer was suprisingly easy. getting next to a dock.........i need to practice. Ha!

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Glad to see you got her on the water.

Google boat docking and you'll find lots of tips. Two words of advice are to anticipate the wind and practice.

 

[lncoop]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

getting on the trailer was suprisingly easy. getting next to a dock.........i need to practice. Ha!

You'll get it figured out. You have the right attitude.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

We were new owners last July and we figured it out pretty quickly. Sometimes the wind can be helpful!

That's a good looking crew, you're making great memories for them all.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Way to go Trout !!!

 

[a1nowell]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Welcome to Tooning,
Docking can be tough in the wind. If you have a two sided dock, try the windward side and let the wind push you into the dock. If you can launch with another hand aboard, nice and long bow ropes tossed to someone on the dock can make things easier. Also a pole hook can help with docking. As far as loading a toon onto a trailer it has been my observation that too many tooners put their trailer too far in the water. I have a tritoon now, easy to load, but when I had a two tooner, I never put my trailer more than 1/2 way in the water and drove the toon onto the trailer, this kept the wind from pushing the back off the bunks.

Ain't it nice to go boating in your living room!

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Welcome to Tooning,
Docking can be tough in the wind. If you have a two sided dock, try the windward side and let the wind push you into the dock. If you can launch with another hand aboard, nice and long bow ropes tossed to someone on the dock can make things easier. Also a pole hook can help with docking. As far as loading a toon onto a trailer it has been my observation that too many tooners put their trailer too far in the water. I have a tritoon now, easy to load, but when I had a two tooner, I never put my trailer more than 1/2 way in the water and drove the toon onto the trailer, this kept the wind from pushing the back off the bunks.

Ain't it nice to go boating in your living room!

I agree with all except approaching the dock from the windward side. If you have a choice, you should approach a dock from the leeward side. Approach the dock at an angle, secure the bow, and then power the stern in.

Approaching from the windward side can cause you to hit the dock very hard in a high wind.

 

[trout74]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Great tips!, thank you. and yes it is awesome to go baoting in your living room.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

That first pic looks like it should be in a 'toon ad

 

[lcmains1]

Re: new boat, first time on the water

Depending on what lake you go to in Iowa there are some ramps that will be less busy than others, mucheasier to practice on the docking!