Im new to cruiser yachts. Can anyone enlighten me ?

Question

Hi yahoo people

My mothers partner has just purchased a new Bayliner300 cruiser and has told me that I must learn how to pilot this boat. I will get a one day course from the company that sold the boat to us and I will then take the ICC course to get a basic knowledge. My question is..... Is there a website where i can find out more about basic controls for a cruiser boat (specifically the bayliner300) and basic knowledge of the rules and regilations of the sea to try and get a head start.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

The main thing, other than what these 2 have told you : Take your time when docking, only go as fast as you are willing to hit the dock at. You are endangering other peoples lives without skills, learn them from someone competent.

Answer 2

They can teach you rules of the water way> Basic boating skills> But make sure you understand the ways of handling the new boat> If twin screws you learn how to dock> rotate the boat> Back into slips> Anchoring> No sites I know of might want to hire a skilled captain to show you what to check before leaving to dock > Safety first> Chapman's has a good book that covers most skills you will need to learn as all on board will be in your hands> Always have life jackets for all and they know how to use them>

Answer 3

Your new 30' Bayliner is designed to appeal to the novice boater.  It has power everything, so it,s comparatively easy to drive.  It has a computer like navigation/depth finder that will make navigation very easy.  You'll want to get the basics down, and the USCG has a download-able program for this on it's website.   I assume your mothers partner will let you take the helm and tell you what to do!!!!! Men are that way, but you'll catch on a lot quicker than he has..... it's all about wind direction and controlling speed........ A little tip, use only one engine in forward and the other in Neutral, that makes the boat go much slower.   Good Luck, and if you run into anything you don't understand, you can (and have) Ask????

Log on to Bayliner, click Cruiser, then pick 300.

Answer 4

Okay. As a professional mariner, I have to say that nothing scares me more than BWWs (Big Wet Winnebagos), for precisely the reason that you CAN basically buy one and drive it off the dock with no more training than "this is the ON button".

Please, please, go to US Power Squadrons, or USCG Auxiliary, or US Sailing, or ANYBODY, and take a several week long course in navigation, radar, weather, and collision avoidance. Whatever the boat dealer told you, Nobeltech is not a navigation tool, and GPS alone will not tell you where the ships are in the fog.

If nothing else, remember these three words, they may well save your bacon when everything else goes to h**l in a handbasket: "Slow is Pro".