What lesson did you learn this boating season?

[denpooch]

Now that many of us have docked 'on the hard' for the winter, it may be a good time to reflect on the season and share a lesson that was learned this past boating season.
No matter how experienced we may be, it seems that one can never stop growing in knowledge; especially the kind that is gained by experience and a 'wee bit' of stress.
I will go first!
The 'hardest' lesson I learned this season is the importance of checking more than one (1) weather app when deciding to move along to the next destination.
The one app I checked indicated that although it was a bit foggy and there was a possibility of storms in the area, it would be clearing in the direction of my trip. The app indicated that there should be clear sailing. NOT!!!!!
I found myself in following seas and when it seemed too late to return back to port my radar showed extreme 'red' heading in my direction. The storms hit and the low pressure increased the intensity of the seas. Not fun and VERY stressful with visibility of less then 1/4 mile and 4 -5 footers breaking off the bow. That means 4-5 footers astern. UGH!
With the admiral and daughter in flotation devices, I kept hearing "do you think you should call the coast guard". I can say that the trip likely cost me a few months off of my life. In time I was able to turn into safe harbor, drop the mantus and 'ride it out'.
Terrible experience; but one in which I learned several lessons.
Do not trust one app. Use several weather applications and check NOAA radio before departing in questionable weather. Also, don't be shy about staying in port another day in any questionable weather. Finally, if you find yourself in 'icky shat' determine if it's still feasible to turn around and head back.

[RGrew176]

Good lesson to learn. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Midnightsun]

I learned alway pay double close attention when in unfamiliar waters in shallow areas. After a $47,000 insurance claim and 47 days on the hard, lesson learned. I am no newcomer to boating, dad let me loose at only 8 years old in the 12' aluminum dingy with 6hp Johnson Seahorse and I never looked back. Hooked for life I guess.

[PJHoffnet]

While we don't really have an 'off season' here in Florida, my lesson is to simply enjoy the time on the boat no matter what. We were on day two of a week long trek down to Key West from the Cape Canaveral area when we smoked a fuel solenoid, the starter and mag switches for the starter and air heaters on our Cummins 6BTA's just after we anchored in Lantana.

The fuel solenoid was an easy fix (inboard side of the engine), the mag switches were easy to find, but the starter took two shots (first one ordered was wrong - ordered by the mechanic's parts department). Old fat guy me was over matched by the confines of the no-room engine space (mag switches and starter outboard side of engine) so I hired a young mechanic who skillfully did all fun work of installing the mag switches and starter. All in all nine days blown out of a planned 21 day round trip. So being half way through we headed back home. Key West would have to wait a bit.

While I was doing the repairs we enjoyed being on the hook and relaxing. Got towed (BoatUS - we're members with unlimited towing, so membership paid for itself right there) to a marina for the time the mechanic worked on the boat. We went out to dinner several nights, came in third place at a local bar's trivia night ($20 gift card that I pass on to the mechanic), and got a better feel for the living on board, out of home port lifestyle. We didn't make it as far as we wanted on that trip, but still found ways of enjoying what we had.

[Cooler]

Strange, but true. While in Michigan, another boater ( very familiar friend ) offered me a small piece of a really good brownie. Tried it, liked it, and then 20 minutes later figured out what was in it. Michigan recently legalized recreational mary jane. First experience, felt like I was wearing a concrete scuba diving suit. That, I did not like. Thank God I did not eat the whole piece. Lesson learned. Make sure I at least ask before consuming. Boating lesson - use dielectric grease when reconnecting electronics. Accidentally pushed in one of those little connectors on 19 pin GPS cable, and yes, it was the positive power pin. GPS flashing on & off in an unfamiliar area. Denpooch is right as rain, we all learn something all the time. When we think we know it all - we will get bit in the butt! er

[Midnightsun]

Denpooch is right as rain, we all learn something all the time. When we think we know it all - we will get bit in the butt!

As they saying goes "the older we get the wiser we get" but there comes a time when we forget what we learned.

[vineyardgray]

All flush with hubris and bravado after my successful inverter/charger install project, and carburetor rebuild, I fired up the engines and set off to fish with the family.

First we should look after the black water tank while we have a crew handy, I sez.

Toodle over to the pump out - of course there are boats in line ahead of me. Idle and wait in the bay.

Nice day! Sunny, nice breeze. Everything is going my way.

Engines die. Both. Same time.



I'm drifting towards the dock. No amount of honouring invisible deities or swearing or turning the ignition keys in frustration is starting the engines.

I call the marina and advise that I have lost power and am adrift. They acknowledge the call but advise that they are not allowed to tow and thus unable to advise a path forward.



I am nearly drifted into some large boats.

Thankfully there was a dude on a jetski whom I compelled to help guide me into a slip by speaking firmly to.

Upon opening the engine bay hatches, I look around for a while in a state of confusion. I finally see red flakes of plastic on the port drive shaft and the positive start battery cable torn up and shorted to the shaft! I did NOT properly tie wrap all the cables to the bulkhead as I told myself (and everyone else) that I would.



Major lesson learned and catastrophe narrowly averted.

[pepmyster]

Lessons? Still learning after all these years. My biggest lesson is trying not to be nervous on this boat. Gezz, I find I'm high up. I've many great days to go out but since I was nervous, missed it. Trying , I am.

[RGrew176]

Source of the post Lessons? Still learning after all these years. My biggest lesson is trying not to be nervous on this boat. Gezz, I find I'm high up. I've many great days to go out but since I was nervous, missed it. Trying , I am.

I can understand how you feel. When I first got my 3007 Aft Cabin I tended to stay dockside if it was the least bit windy. Let's face it sedans are wind catchers. Finally about the 2nd year I had the boat I decided I am going to use it regardless. Taking my time, learning how the boat handles in windy conditions I pretty much finally mastered windy day handling.

Obviously I am not going out in a gale but windy days now are OK. I can handle it. I missed out on a lot of great boating days before I learned to handle it.

[pepmyster]

Oh yea. The first year we had her, I was not the kind of boating I was used too. Dock, Me at the dock? This year was year 2, much better, next summer, should be a hell of a lot better.