The Total Boating Manual: 311 Powerboat Essentials

JUST ADD WATER

Ancient marine wisdom holds that the two happiest days in any boater’s life are the day that the boat is bought and the day that the boat is sold.

Cynical? Sorta. But the statement doesn’t lack for merit. Boating is an expensive, time-consuming, and skill-dependent activity. Joining the ranks of boat owners, one does more than just practice conspicuous consumption. One embarks upon a journey of fun, adventure, discovery—and potential frustration.

New boaters soon learn some hard lessons, like that a land-based weather forecast doesn’t cut it and that a seeming tiny difference in wind speed can change how they dock, anchor, and cruise their boat. They learn that there is a bewildering array of equipment that can help ease their way or enhance their enjoyment on the water, but little reliable instruction for the use of this gear. New boaters also learn that anything that can break will, and usually at the worst time, and that furthermore, one cannot count on getting out and walking, hailing a cab or simply waiting idly after calling for a tow when Murphy rears his head.

This book will help with all of that, and do so in a way that other sources cannot. The publication of this Total Boating Manual just happens to coincide with Boating magazine’s 60th anniversary. The editors at Boating, have collectively authored thousands of boat reviews and technical articles and produced hundreds of videos related to boat buying, boat ownership, boat use, and boat maintenance. Millions of boaters have placed their trust in Boating magazine’s expertise, and we’ve brought that same level of care and passion to this book.

One of the great things about boating is the way that it rewards its devotees with a sense of accomplishment and of self-reliance and grants the avid practitioner the gift of mastery over a wide variety of disciplines. There is no price that can be placed upon such a bounty. The Total Boating Manual will help guide you to receipt of that prize and ensure that the happiest day of your life is any day you step aboard a boat you can call your own.

Boats are often compared to automobiles. This is a mistake on too many levels to list. For one thing, a boat operates on a surface that can change from smooth to rough in minutes; highways never suddenly change from newly paved to being riddled with three-foot deep potholes.

Furthermore, most all boats are built and bought for pleasure while most all automobiles are built and bought for need. Because owning a boat is almost always entirely discretional and almost always entirely for pleasure, there are myriad more types of boats than there are automobiles. In fact, the number of boat categories is staggering—so much so that beginners often purchase the wrong boat for where and how the intend to use it. This holds true for the trailer, the gear and the accessories that the boat must be outfitted with as well.

To help you navigate the shoal-ridden water of boat buying, this first chapter of the Total Boating Manual provides clear, easy-to-understand guidance that you will find useful when buying and outfitting a boat, from the best boat for your needs to the gear to complete the package.

001 IDENTIFY THE BEST BOAT FOR YOU

If you’re new to the wonderful world of boating, investigating options for your first purchase, or are a seasoned boater wanting to trade up, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by all the options available to you. Never fear! Boating magazine’s experts have analyzed all of the most important factors to account for and assembled them in this one handy chart. Start at the top, figure out your needs and wants, and then see what the pros recommend.

WATER TYPE

Determining the type of water you intend to boat in most of the time drives a cascading series of decisions that can affect diverse characteristics, from which beach or cove you can explore to economy of operation. Hulls with deeper-V shapes ride smoother but draw more water and may require more power to achieve a given speed.

WET OR DRY?

Marinas are costly but convenient. A trailer requires maintenance and registration, yet provides self-sufficient freedom.

CREW SIZE

The rated capacity, or the number of berths or seats, isn’t necessarily equal to the number of people that will be comfortable aboard. What’s your average outing duration?

SIZE WISE

Displacement is a measure of volume and so is a better measure of boat size, especially for a cruiser. Most service fees are based on LOA.

BED-AND-BREAKFAST?

Is sleeping aboard a reality for you? An alternative is to cruise to waterside hotels. Of course, nothing beats dawn breaking in a scenic cove.

CONCESSIONS?

You can fish aboard a ski boat, ski from a fish boat, and party aboard any boat. Be sure to consider the compromises before you buy.

CHOOSE ONE

P.W.C.

A far cry from the stand-up models some may think of, these jet-powered craft provide excitement, economy, and easy trailerability in trade for few onboard amenities.

DECK BOAT

Deck boats carry the width of their beam to the bow for maximized space. Generally they have less deadrise than bowriders, but the distinctions are now blurring.

BOWRIDER

The quintessential day boats, bowriders provide maximum lounging topside. Most have a provision for an enclosed head, and larger versions sport berths and galleys.

DUAL CONSOLE

Self-bailing cockpits, standard fishing features, and hulls designed for open water differentiate these split-windshield boats from bowriders. As large as 30 feet (9.1 m).

CENTER CONSOLE

Complete 360-degree access around the boat and acres of cockpit make these the longtime darlings of anglers. Many are now equipped for day-tripping.

CUDDY CABIN

Also called sport boats, a cuddy cabin provides a cushioned, crawl-in space for taking naps, hiding a head, and serving as lockable stowage. Racier looks than a bowrider.

WALKAROUND

The cabins aboard these fishing boats are smaller than express or midcabin boats due to the recessed, rail-protected walkways providing safer, easier access to the bow.

MIDCABIN

Really a subset of express cruisers less than 30 feet (9.1 m) LOA, midcabins offer a berth under the helm deck and maximum berth count in the shortest length. Any are trailerable.

EXPRESS

Express boats offer less windage while docking, eliminate ladders and stairs, and their lower top-hamper reduces rolling motion. The low, sleek looks garner points, too.

FLYBRIDGE

A flying-bridge boat means more living space than a similarly sized express. Visibility is generally better, though seeing the transom while docking can be hard.

002 KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

Many boat buyers know exactly what they want and why. First-timers, however, may not even know which questions to ask or where to get unbiased answers. Buying a boat means opening up a whole new world of fun, whether you’re interested in fishing, watersports, or just enjoying a lazy day on the lake. It also means spending a lot of money, so you want to be sure you do it right. The first step is figuring out what basic type of boat is best for you. Your options can be divided into three general categories, with some crossover.

CRUISING If your primary interest is to have a fun day out or go on overnight trips with friends and family, look at cruising boats. This is a big category with a lot of variation, from bowriders, which are intended for day trips only, to luxurious crafts with seriously swanky accommodations.

FISHING While you can fish off of just about any boat, if fishing is your main interest, you’ll want a model designed to maximize deck space, which means that the trade-off is for less seating and cabin space. A bigger fishing boat will still have its own overnight accommodations, but they will not be as roomy as those on a similarly sized cruiser.

WATERSPORTS Designed for waterskiing and wakeboarding, these boats are small and fast and are often purpose-designed for expert users. A basic waterski or sport-boat model is a good entry point for the enthusiastic hobbyist.

003 GET YOUR FEET WET

Once you’ve really thought about how you’ll be enjoying your new boat and settled on a basic type (cruising, fishing, or watersports), you’re ready to get serious! Here are your next steps.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Read up on the best-rated boats in the class you’re considering, and familiarize yourself with their features (as well as questions you might need answered). Boating magazine publishes tons of reviews; check out our website for details and inspiration.

HIT THE FLOOR Now you’re ready to go to a boat show or to a reputable dealer’s showroom and check out the boats you’re interested in. Look at everything. Take the time to sit at the helm and test out the legroom and see how you like the control set-up, visibility, and comfort. Open the engine hatch and ask the dealer to walk you through common tasks, such as checking the oil, power-steering fluid, coolant, etc. How accessible is everything? If the boat has overnight accommodations, have a lie-down. You want to make sure your floating home-away-from-home is as comfortable as it looks. This is a big decision, so take your time.

SCHEDULE A TEST-DRIVE If everything checks out, it’s time to take her for a spin. See items 022–023.

004 STUDY UP

Even in calm conditions, you need to feel comfortable handling wind, waves, tides, currents, weather, and other boat traffic, as well as tending to your passengers’ safety. And if any unexpected events do come up, you will want to be ready. Most states require you to at least acquire a safe boating certificate before hitting the water, and you may want to look into some further training through the United States Power Squadron, the Coast Guard, or other sources. The more that you know, the safer you’ll be, no matter what nature has in store.

005 CHOOSE BETWEEN NEW AND USED

Anyone who’s ever bought a car will be familiar with the basic trade-offs. Buying from a dealer means the latest technology, a full warranty, and (hopefully) support for years to come. Buying used, of course, can save you a lot of money. That might mean an incredible deal, or a nightmare.

BUY NEW Buying new means going through a dealer. To find a good one, check out the tips in items 009–010. The boat you get should be factory-perfect with a good warranty covering any problems that may arise. A good dealer will be there for you over the years, so really ask around and do your research.

BUY USED A good used boat may come from a dealer who took it as trade-in, from a broker, or from a private owner. As is the case when you buy a used car, that used boat may have been lovingly cared for by a little old lady who only took it fishing on Sundays or by a dimwit who skimped on maintenance and forgot to mention accidents he’d been in. You can protect yourself and get a great deal by following the guidelines in item 021.

Unless you’re mechanically inclined, have a lot of spare time, and love to tinker, you’re probably best off with a new or relatively new (three years old or less) boat from a reputable dealer, especially for your first purchase.

006 START SMALL(ISH)

If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to start small. Smaller boats tend to be more affordable, but that’s the least of your concerns in choosing one. As a relative novice, you will want a craft that is easy to handle and relatively painless to maintain. You will also want to find one that offers you maximum flexibility. For example, some larger boats may not be trailerable, which will seriously limit your options and increase storage costs.

It’s true that bigger boats do have all kinds of cool amenities, like roomier cabins, a full galley (kitchen), and a much nicer head (bathroom). But the right 22- to 24-foot (6.7- to 7.3-m) boat can offer everything you need. If you fall in love with a bigger boat, be cautious. Only look at it seriously if it really is the best for your needs—for instance, if you’re planning to carry a lot of passengers on a regular basis or go on long, multiday trips. And take your test-drive seriously. If you struggle to control the boat or are flummoxed by overly complex systems, you won’t have as much fun. And fun is why you got into boating in the first place, right?

007 STUDY BOAT ANATOMY

A waterworthy vessel does have a fair amount of complex components, but here’s a primer on some of the basic terms and structures to help you navigate your way around a boat.

008 HAVE A PEEK AT YOUR PROPELLER

This is how your boat gets around, and it’s no simple piece of metal. Depending on your boat type and the waters you travel in, there will be a propeller design for every vessel and occasion you can imagine. That said, they all share some common design features, as seen here.

009 FIND THE BEST BOAT DEALER

Buying a new boat usually means going through a dealership, so here are some tips to ensure the dealer is as good as the vessel you want to purchase.

MAKE CONTACT Are any calls or emails to the staff promptly responded to? Or are they unwilling to work with you when not in person? It’s not always possible to negotiate or get answers in- store, so get email confirmation of any deals made over the phone.

GET REVIEWS Search the Web for reviews of a dealer. One or two glowing reviews or a few critical posts shouldn’t be an undue influence, so look to see which type of review outweighs the other. Ask a dealership about contacting existing customers for their own references as well.

PAY A VISIT Nothing beats real-life experience. Your very first encounter with the shop can tell you a lot. Is the store staff happy to see you? If no one greets you or asks if they can help you within a few minutes of your showing up, don’t count on some improved service in the future. Confused or annoyed looks when you ask for help are an even bigger red flag. If you’ve made an appointment with a salesperson and are kept waiting for a long time or if you’re interrupted repeatedly by them taking calls, be wary.

CHECK THE SHOP How are the yard and showroom? Are they clean and organized or unkempt and cluttered? If you can, talk to the service manager or mechanics before closing the deal. A clean, well-managed shop with good equipment and knowledgeable staff is a good sign.

ASK FOR CERTIFICATIONS Does this dealership hold marine-industry certifications? Have they ever held a spot in the Boating Industry Top 100? (There are about 3,000 dealers in the United States, so earning a place is a serious achievement). Check with the service manager about any manufacturer certifications—the more they have, the better.

010 LOOK FOR FIVE STARS

A dealer can make or break your ownership experience. But how do you identify the best from the bilge crud?

The boating industry recognizes this problem. Specifically, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the Grow Boating Initiative run a dealer-certification program designed to grant boat buyers the confidence they need to close a deal with a boat dealer they can trust.

The program is called Marine Five Star Dealer Certification (MFSDC). Launched in 2006 as one of the core strategic programs of Grow Boating, Inc., MFSDC has more than 300 certified boat dealers throughout North America. MFSDC is built on a stringent set of standards designed to enhance the sales and service experience, with the goal of promoting industry growth.

In early June 2013, MFSDC unveiled research results that demonstrate certified dealers outperformed noncertified dealers in every category of the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) surveys. Boat buyers were asked in a 2012 survey to rank their dealer’s performance in a variety of sales and service areas. In every category, customers demonstrated that they were more satisfied with their experiences with certified dealers compared to their noncertified counterparts. Certified dealers must also publicly post the Marine Consumers Bill of Rights, which ensures compliance with industry-set standards.

011 GO TO SCHOOL

Few trailer-boaters are 100-percent confident and comfortable at the launch ramp, and everyone has nervous days on the water. Confidence around the docks is vital to a new owner’s fun on the water, and a great dealer should be there when the boat is brought to port the first time.

Boating skills are really techniques, easily learned—with the right teacher. Too many boat dealers bypass this part of the sale; instead, they offer to hitch the trailer to the truck and just walk away after the sale. Some buyers resort to asking friends and family to teach them all about boating. Finding someone who has the information and the time to show the buyer is rare.

Continuing boater education is essential. Experienced dealers make great coaches and cheerleaders for new and existing boaters. At the very least, a dealer should know who in the community conducts classes in boating skills and safety, where to find adult education courses, how to access training provided by the United States Power Squadrons, or other resources. Some dealers may even sponsor or host courses at their dealerships.

Be sure to go to school—uncertainty on the water can be intimidating. A dealer can serve as a committed mentor to help overcome the hurdles that a new buyer may not know about yet. They can teach the rules of the road, provide lessons on knots and other seamanship skills, and guide you on those all-important safety measures in a format that’s efficient and enjoyable.

Given how important they are, the lessons aren’t as hard as you might imagine—and there aren’t an interminable number of them. Classes in local communities allow new owners to meet other new boaters, where they may find they have a lot in common. These are bonds that can last a lifetime.

012 KNOW YOUR MATERIALS

What goes into making a boat? That’s a really simple question with some very complicated answers and a lot of debate around the best choices. There’s no way we can give you more than a cursory introduction here, but you’ll learn the basics and figure out what you still need to research in the rest of this book, on our website, and beyond.

FIBERS Most boat hulls are made with fabric created from glass fibers; fiberglass gives boats their stiffness. Carbon fiber and other newer fiber materials may be lighter, stiffer, and stronger than fiberglass, but are also expensive and experimental. Expect this to change quickly, as the dream of a lighter, stronger, more efficient, faster boat is almost universal.

CORE MATERIALS Fiberglass is a very light material, but use enough of it, and the weight does start to add up. For boats smaller than 30 feet (9.1 m) or so, this may not be a big deal. But with larger vessels, you can get the stiffness you need with less weight, by sandwiching a lighter material in between inner and outer layers of fiberglass laminate.

RESINS Your boat is quite literally held together by resin. This is some serious chemistry going on, and you’ll be bombarded by a lot of terms. Take the time to know what the trade-offs between performance and price may mean, and what will be best for your specific boat’s intended mission.

BACKING PLATES Backing plates are installed on the back side of fiberglass, beneath or behind hardware or fittings, such as cleats, hatch lids, and grab rails. In the past, backing plates were almost always plywood, but there are much better plastic materials available today that won’t get soft and mushy when they get wet. Backing plates provide bite for screw threads, add crush-resistance to cored laminate, and spread loads over a wider area than fasteners alone.

013 UNDERSTAND THOSE FIBERS

Most boat hulls are made using either knitted or woven fabric created from glass fibers set in resin. Woven fibers often translate to a lower-cost end-product,