Cruising Skills

psneeld said:

Only some of the guys with semi-experience are lost backing a boat...the others have moved on to that different level...they instinctively adapt to the difference...that's what I'm saying.

No different than any job or hobby...you only get there with either a huge commitment or time. Some learn much faster and have better experiences but it still just doesn't "happen".

You just get to a certain point being good at something...but usually in your own "domain".... then at some point you down the line you have the experience to clearly get past that first plateau.

Thus the point of the OP and the point it was making.

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Me – I’ve been lucky enough to have been indoctrinated into a life-long course to learn boating... it started when I was in diapers to my latter 20's. Goes on still today! Currently 6 + decades of actively doing or thinking about boat handling/study taint all that bad! Boating, and all its nuances, is a course/life-style that has a beginning (and maybe even an extended multiyear break - such as I took) but, it needs no end! - LOL

In all honesty... I had a couple decades in the center of my years where not much boat action was involved... however, my original boat handling decades, that included many types and size boats, were firmly implanted in me wittle bwain. When I reentered pleasure-boat-world on a regular basis the age-old boat trainings and experiences came flooding (pun intended) back to my fingertips!

For new adult boaters, especially those with little to no boat handling background or boating experience, I recommend an intense crash course (from several days to a couple weeks, or more) in boat handling (under most if not all conditions) with a very experienced boat handler as teacher; licensed captain or not. I also feel you should have this course taught in the general size and model/type of boat you are seeking to purchase as well as in the general type of area you plan to do your boating. Therefore, if you are a complete newbie your first task is to learn what type boat you are going to begin your pleasure cruising career on and where that boating will take place. Make sure your better half gets into the program too, if at all possible. Ya know the old sayen... When Momma’s Happy, Everybody’s Happy!

IMHO – Pleasure boating world is wide open and fully ready for new members to “come on aboard”. Reasons abound: One is that there are many affordable boats still in good condition which are languishing at docks needing new owners. For sale signs/ads are everyplace. Craigslist and Yachtworld on the net are good places to look. Check out brokers too and walk marina docks speaking with boat owners... you’ll be surprised what you’ll find and learn. Secondly, there are many cruising areas and harbors with plenty of room available to take on new boat lovers! And, thirdly... Cause You’ll Love the Lifestyle!

Happy Boating Daze - Art

Art said:

For new adult boaters, especially those with little to no boat handling background or boating experience, I recommend an intense crash course (from several days to a couple weeks, or more) in boat handling (under most if not all conditions) with a very experienced boat handler as teacher; licensed captain or not. I also feel you should have this course taught in the general size and model/type of boat you are seeking to purchase as well as in the general type of area you plan to do your boating.

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FF said:

"The real trick isn't putting your boat into your slip every weekend...it's putting it where the dockmaster tells you to, no matter time of day, weather or any other distraction every day of the week in a different place for months on end.

AS you learn boating , when you finally realize as the Captian what the dock master wants is nice , but if its not what you are comfortable with you can say NO!

Telling the dock master NO! will usually solve most slip access problems.

Sorry, NO! also works almost as well.

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FF said:

"The real trick isn't putting your boat into your slip every weekend...it's putting it where the dockmaster tells you to, no matter time of day, weather or any other distraction every day of the week in a different place for months on end.

AS you learn boating , when you finally realize as the Captian what the dock master wants is nice , but if its not what you are comfortable with you can say NO!

Telling the dock master NO! will usually solve most slip access problems.

Sorry, NO! also works almost as well.

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Egregious said:

"The real trick isn't putting your boat into your slip every weekend...it's putting it where the dockmaster tells you to, no matter time of day, weather or any other distraction every day of the week in a different place for months on end"

When the dockmaster says "if you back in today you can drive out tomorrow" it feels great to do that, and it feels even better when you see a boat very nearly crash in a bad current attempting to back away from their berth the next morning. An important notion was raised on this forum in the past which was, dock with your exit in mind.

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And there should never be a mad scramble as you get close to the dock to get the fenders out. Do it earlier. We also have made it a habit of putting them out on both sides just in the event we have to dock in a different spot than first assigned. And again, for stern-to docking I recommend some form of fenders for your platform. A lot of docking isn't just handling the boat and putting it in position, but it's being prepared for whatever you need to do.

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jleonard said:

Amen to that and having lines ready, maybe even cleated as required.

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BandB said:

It also starts far earlier. Good cruising skills isn't just maneuvering the boat. It included preparation. Having the tools and using them. When you talk about docking especially then visibility and maneuverability are important. Boat design is even the starting point but regardless of the boat, can you see where you need to? If not, add mirrors or cameras or the ability to control the boat from a better vision point. Controls on the side or in the cockpit. Thrusters. Properly located and placed fenders.

One lake boat that has the best and worst of it all. Small single engine outboard on a very large pontoon boat. Wind takes control. Horrible to manage boat. However, one very opposing good characteristic. 360 degree unobstructed view. Not enough to keep the wind from taking control but enough to tell you to abort and try again.

Many boats have blind spots from the helm. Swim platforms are impossible to see so you guess based on experience. Some lower sportier boats are like elongated sports cars and you truly have no idea where the bow ends. Examine your boat. Can you see all you need to for every type of docking you might face. If not, find a way to change that. And people are difficult to see through. Among the instructions our guests get are one to stay seated as we dock. Don't do anything unless we ask you to. But do not get up and start moving around.

And there should never be a mad scramble as you get close to the dock to get the fenders out. Do it earlier. We also have made it a habit of putting them out on both sides just in the event we have to dock in a different spot than first assigned. And again, for stern-to docking I recommend some form of fenders for your platform. A lot of docking isn't just handling the boat and putting it in position, but it's being prepared for whatever you need to do.

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Art said:

BandB - I'm in complete agreement with your post.

Regarding portions I highlighted... and, these two boat features are not desired by everyone...but, the first one is mandatory for me; second one is greatly preferred!

1. Flying Bridge / 2. Twin Screw

As per both my boats pictured: Tollycraft is our current SF Bay/Delta Babbbby! Uniflite, also a very nice boat, was SF Bay only; sold her couple years ago.

Happy Boat Handling Daze! - Art

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manyboats said:

This is a helmsman's skills thread. Almost nothing about cruising.

Planning and preparing is a huge part of cruising. A good balance between anchoring and overnighting in town can be important. I prefer in town a bit more.

How much of your planing do you or should you do before slipping the lines or enroute. I personally like LOTS of flexibility. Very often I don't anchor or stay at the place I had in mind in the morning. And I may change a whole section of a cruise due to weather or maintenance issues along the way. At times we meet up w others and go w them for a day or two .. or stay in town an extra day to do something special that's been discovered. Others like to keep to a plan and are more comfortable that way.

The overall length of a cruise is frequently misjudged. Many assume all will go perfectly as planned and then encounter variables that they can't cope w and be back home for somebodies wedding or back to work. I think lots of make-up time, trouble time, weather time and "I've found a more interesting way to go" time. Cruising is frequently done with an fairly open ended schedule.

Somewhere between no schedule at all and adhering perfectly to a plan made 1000 miles away is where we need to be.

But nobody will argue w halving what we'll need along the way skillfully packed aboard and to have the boat in near perfect shape.

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psneeld said:

Actually some need to catch up...this thread IS about cruising skills...not helmsman skills...go back and read post #1.

Don quoted me from "a single engine thread" where I basically stated..."you know you are good when......"

Cruising skills make docking skills easier...they are being aware of the frontal passage that will pin you to the dock tomorrow if you don't change to the other side...maybe even the other side of the peninsula.....or the tidal current difference....ettc..etc...

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BandB said:

Well, actually I'd say docking is a part of cruising. It all is. From the time you start until it's all over. I would consider cruising to be the all encompassing word.

That said, I'll toss out one more. Know yourself and your guests and plan from the outside accordingly. That includes destinations and pace. Cruising should feel right, not too rushed, not boring. Just right for you. There's a skill of making the cruise pleasurable. For instance, whether to stay inside or outside depends on the individuals. My wife and I would rather deal with 3-4' conditions than shoals and bridges but for another smooth water is the key. How long is your cruising day to be. What percentage of days do you move.

And to answer, you know you are good when......

You're able to relax and enjoy and are prepared for all circumstances that arise. I think at the beginning it may be 50% pleasure and 50% apprehension or uneasiness for many. When that pleasure quotient reaches 99% you are good.[/QUOTE]


Only a rare few ever get there...money, time, family, health, boat, skills....all hardly ever come together enough for all but the 1%.

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alormaria said:

The only way to gain cruising skills is to go cruising.

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psneeld said:

BandB said:

Well, actually I'd say docking is a part of cruising. It all is. From the time you start until it's all over. I would consider cruising to be the all encompassing word.

That said, I'll toss out one more. Know yourself and your guests and plan from the outside accordingly. That includes destinations and pace. Cruising should feel right, not too rushed, not boring. Just right for you. There's a skill of making the cruise pleasurable. For instance, whether to stay inside or outside depends on the individuals. My wife and I would rather deal with 3-4' conditions than shoals and bridges but for another smooth water is the key. How long is your cruising day to be. What percentage of days do you move.

And to answer, you know you are good when......

You're able to relax and enjoy and are prepared for all circumstances that arise. I think at the beginning it may be 50% pleasure and 50% apprehension or uneasiness for many. When that pleasure quotient reaches 99% you are good.[/QUOTE]


Only a rare few ever get there...money, time, family, health, boat, skills....all hardly ever come together enough for all but the 1%.

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True, but you get closer and closer. You get to where it's comfortable for you. To where you don't dread docking or trying to find a good anchorage, where you respect inlets but you're use to them, and you realize if things kick up a bit from where they were this morning you can still handle it with ease.

We felt this tremendous relief after our captain had us practice is 6-8' seas. We could have easily run quickly to shore and normally would but sometimes you can't. So without straying far we were worked hard for about three hours between both of us. Seas from all different directions. After that we knew the boat was capable and we knew how to handle it. Still in that boat we don't intentionally go out in those conditions as it's no fun. We still look at forecasts. But we don't go out in fear 3-4' will turn to 6-8' before we can get in.

We're at 99% with out captain, not to that point yet alone. But working toward it and picking the time and place we're close to that. To make a day trip to Miami or West Palm to us now is far more natural than getting in the car and driving there. And probably less stressful.

As someone said you learn by doing. But having someone teaching you can facilitate learning faster. Still over time you'll know when the stress is quite manageable within your mind. Maybe your personal threshold is 80% or 90%. Still that's a lot of pleasure. But 50% isn't very pleasurable long term. Each person knows as they feel more confident. I know one person who said that grounding helped them. They'd always dreaded doing so. But they found out where they did it, the tow boats had pulled three vessels off the day before. They found out with tow insurance, they got pulled off in a timely manner. They then pulled to a marina and relaxed while a diver checked things out. And not that they wanted to do it again, they realized that in the course of human events for them, grounding was no big deal. The journey proceeded fine the morning after.

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psneeld said:

Some pretty gross oversimplifications...
grounding in Maine is not "no big deal"...

6-8 in open water is Kayak weather.... 6-8's in a breaking inlet for many of us in 40 something footers ....is another story . You have to know when to not even get close enough that there's no return.

The trouble is ...that may be the only inlet for 50 miles and you have someone with a compound fracture and severe bleeding. The USCG helo is busy 100 miles away and the second recall crew is hours away....

99% comfortable????? Even the TFers with serious 50 years of cruising I doubt feel 99%...unless they are that good that the described scenario is less likely than getting struck by lightning (person not boat)...

And again...that's only seamanship...not family, money, etc...etc...

I wish you luck.

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