New Boat Owner 411/Helpful Tips

[TigerDog]

Been lurking here for a while and this forum is awesome! Our new G23 will be arriving this spring, and I am curious if there are any resources (either prior posts or other sources) that are helpful to give the 411 of boat ownership. I have been part of boat clubs for many years, so this is less about tips for being out on the lake/operating/safety/checking weather type information or checklists I've read in the manual after reading several times, but more what do each of you do to get your boat ready for the day, what do you do when getting back to the dock each evening, and generally keeping your boats in great condition.

Most of the resources I have found online are more general (i.e., make sure you have safety equipment, boat insurance, blah blah blah), and I have not seen anything on this subject here (apologies if I missed it), but any advice Nautique owners have would be super helpful! We have been spoiled by boat clubs too long by just showing up, hopping in, and having fun for a few hours before bringing it back to the marina..

Thanks!

[charlesml3]

Create a checklist for heading out and another for coming back.

Heading out:

- FULL tank of gas. No reason to leave the dock with less. I consider it extra ballast.
- Surf and wakeboard ropes. Some people take them off the boat to dry. Don't leave the dock without them.
- Same for surf and wakeboard jackets.
- Surf watch (if you use Surf Select with a watch)
- iPod or whatever you use for music
- Heater blanket if you have a heater.
- Cooler and drinks

Back at the dock:

- Everything wet comes off. I don't take ropes off since they really don't hold much water.
- Leave seats and compartments open so you're not trapping water in there.
- Fill the fuel tank now. Don't wait until everyone is there and ready to go.
- Find the least-wet towel from the day and wipe down the seats, glass, etc. Get as much water as you can off the boat.
- Make sure the ignition is off.

This list will vary quite a bit if you're trailering. I don't so I didn't include those items.

-Charles

[shag]

^^^^^ Charlesml3 has a pretty good list! Also, can't stress it enough - check the plug - make sure it is snug (sounds silly but I have seen a couple come loose. Don't crank it hard but just check to be sure it's snug). Maybe carry a small basic tool kit - tuned to your boat (any special tools for certain things that may be needed?). Chargers for both types of phones. If any sea tow memberships, be sure to have card or app with your info. Anchor and plenty of line for it. When I load or unload (unless it's just me a 1-2 others, I don't do it on the lift. pull around to dock side if safe and load there. Most lifts are at close to weight limit and a bunch of peeps can put added stress on the lift (imo). Don't get rushed about preparing - take your time. You will find that the owner does a lot of work a lot of the time without much help ... (in many settings). I am sure others will c hime in and congrats!

[Interjon]

My tip: if your boat has a boarding ladder, create some type of reminder so that you remember to put the ladder up before boating off. I have seen several platforms on here ruined. I myself have left the ladder down, thankfully without damage.

My system was to put a drink huggie/coozie on the throttle (so that I could not take off and forget).

[TigerDog]

These are all great suggestions and extremely helpful. Thank you! In terms of how long you keep compartments open, do you do this overnight then shut everything if you don't plan on boating a few days? We are planning something like the touchless boat cover for the dock so we don't have to fight putting on the regular boat cover every time.

[brudererscr]

Your original post asked about keeping your boat in great condition. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on my third G23. Previously had a 2014 and currently have a 2019. I would suggest you invest in the following products:

For general boating days:
1. Lots of Microfiber towels.
2. Some sort of Seat step to put on the seat next to the Sea Deck step down on the flip up seat or in the front(Depending on where you load/unload). I have two. Believe it or not, everyone seems to step on the seat next to the sea Deck step and not on the sea deck. Amazing to me, but it happens. Just put these down when loading up the boat. Tidal Wake has some, but I found some generic pads online that work great.
2. Eagle one Wax as you dry. Grab a couple friends and wipe down boat with this product. Takes 10 min. Spray on wet boat and wipe off. Boat looks great with no spots. I do after each day of boating. Meguires use to have one, but haven't seen in a while.
3. Fantastik - Great for getting out anything in your seats/vinyl. It will happen if you have anyone on the boat
4. Soft Scrub - for the harder to get out stains
5. Meguires Extreme Marine Water Spot Detailer. Mainly use on the glass
6. Soft bristle brush with pole extension. With or without extension. This really depends on how dirty your lake is. Where I live, I have to brush off water line after on lift. Mainly under the boat where hard to reach.

Once a year
1. 303 Aerospace protectant - I put on seats beginning of year. Provide extra UV and stain protection
2. Rejex High Gloss Polymer Wax. One of the best I have found.


If I have a busy day with lots of people in and out of the water, I leave all my seats up to let everything dry out overnight. Hang my ropes and hang my lifejackets. I don't typically leave life jackets under seats when wet. Otherwise, I leave seats down and just remove wet jackets, ropes etc. I live on the lake, so makes it easier to take up to house to dry.

Just what I do and I am sure everyone has their products and might not be as anal as I am. If you take anything away from this, I would highly suggest spending the 10min to wipe your boat down at the end of each day. Makes your life easier in the long run.

Enjoy the new Boat. We have made many memories on ours.

Scott

[TigerDog]

Scott, really appreciate you sharing your process. Will be adding these to the checklist.

Your point on people not using the sea deck to step out is so funny. Whenever I would take one of my old club’s malibus out with friends/family, so many people would just step on the vinyl seat cushions. And while the boat was not mine, I still felt the need to treat everything I used like it was my own and I could never figure out why people would step on an unstable surface when a sturdy soft grip step was an inch away from where they stepped.

[MN Ryan]

Your point on people not using the sea deck to step out is so funny.

Oh, man, so it's not just my family/friends. That drives me so crazy!



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[charlesml3]

so we don't have to fight putting on the regular boat cover every time.

Do not cover a wet boat. I'm going to say it again, DO NOT COVER A WET BOAT.

This is a classic new boat owner mistake. They think they're taking care of the boat by keeping it covered. Instead, they're trapping moisture inside that ends up getting into places it shouldn't and creating mildew everywhere.

-Charles

[MN Ryan]

Do not cover a wet boat. I'm going to say it again, DO NOT COVER A WET BOAT.

I try to let mine dry first, but I store outside and inevitably end up having to cover it before it completely dries, at times. Sunbrella breaths, though, and I leave compartments as open as feasible and run a fan under the cover, too.

[charlesml3]

If you start to see mildew forming, get three of the big buckets of Damp Rid and put those in there. You do not want mildew. It will stain light colored vinyl and once it does, there's no cleaning it off.

-Charles

[MN Ryan]

Good advice, Charles.

[TigerDog]

Thanks again for all of the thoughtful advice! I am curious when the Carolina folks de-winterize with limited worry about having to winterize again. From what I gather on this site, mid-late March seams reasonable.

[brudererscr]

Before I had my roof, I would have to put away wet. Mainly when it started raining. However, I bought a full custom tower up cover that covers the sides completely and have not had any mildew issues. I think it really depends on how much you are allowing it to breathe.

[bturner]

I ditched the factory cover the day I pulled my boat home. While the fit was outstanding I found the material, which looks to be some version of Shark Skin, to be too porous and would let water in. I actually found this out with the factory cover for a MC boat made by the same company using the same material a couple years before and decided not to make the same mistake with the new boat. I switched out to a skiboatcovers.com Sunbrella waterline cover, the difference was immediate and dramatic. I still have the other cover but use it more as a dust cover over the winter or if I need a cover to tow with.

Those of us who don't have a boat house or covered lifts, are left with the reality that the boat will have to be covered at the end of the day regardless of how wet the boat is. The best you can do in this type of situation is to open hatches, remove cushions and remove wet life jackets or any other items that will hold water to help promote air flow and dry out the boat. For me just taking the wet items out of the boat to dry in the garage between outings has made a real difference. The last storage item that will probably make some people cringe is that I pull and store my boat (yes, while on the lift) with the center drain plug removed. No matter the quality of the cover they all leak to some degree and any water getting into the boat will end up in the bilge. You'd be surprised just how much water can build up in the bilge from a single downpour even with a good cover.

Lastly, something we started doing years ago that seems to help is to work on drying out the boat while on the water. I try to keep wet items like life jackets in a single area by a drain on the floor and try keep any other wet items off the seats as much as possible. When we pause or head to the island after our runs we start drying out boat immediately. We'll lay out of wet life jackets, do a quick wipe down in the boat and start hanging up wet towels to dry where/when it makes sense. While it might sound like a lot of work we've made this a common practice that everyone who boats with us knows we do. Once you start doing these things regularly it becomes natural to everyone and also helps reduce clutter in the boat. At least this has been the case and experience we've had.