How do you learn boating?

[Zeal]

Boating license helps, though I guess that would equal the class/certification.

I learned how to drive a boat long before driving a car and it was under a man who was in the navy and had 50+ years experience (the boat had a rounded tip and no power steering!).

Like others have said, if you know someone who had a boat and knows their stuff, have them go out with you on your boat and be your driving instructor.

Also, know how long it takes for your propeller to go up or down and know how far up and down it goes so it doesn't beat down into the bottom(I see/hear this too many times)!

If you don't know a certain area, go slow, you'd rather move slow and avoid going 30 knots just to slam up on a bar. Know what places get very shallow during the tides and also where the boat is going to be headed on a drift (again, I've seen people drift right on to a bar and couldn't get off it).

Another common thing people seem to not get is knowing how to untangle the propeller if they drove through a bunch of seaweed or someone's crab trap lines.

Lastly, get yourself POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. Will save your butt more than once!

[numbskull]

Find a friend with a pick up truck, on a rainy day have him drive over every curb he can find while you stand up in the back with your wallet open letting bills fly out by the dozen. It is good practice for owning a boat.

[Night Shift]

^^^too funny!

I got an invitation to go harpooning this year. The boat I was on and the two others working with us saw plenty of fish and even threw a few times at some very spooky fish. Long story short, no fish, and a 60 mile trip back to the dock. On the long steam back, one of the guys on the radio stated how he felt like the guy in the insurance commercial.

...the guy with all of the 5's, 10's an 20's flying off of him as he drives.

[Rockport24]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Find a friend with a pick up truck, on a rainy day have him drive over every curb he can find while you stand up in the back with your wallet open letting bills fly out by the dozen. It is good practice for owning a boat.

I believe you, but so many of you guys just love the things, that I figure it's something I have to do in this life! I can't even begin to describe the enjoyment I've got from my kayak, I imagine this will be the same. This is all hopes and dreams for me at this point though!