A Guide For Beginning Boat Owners
If you love the open ocean and want to spend some time exploring and navigating it, boating may be just the recreational activity for you. Boating can offer you a great sense of freedom. If you like fishing, boating can give you the opportunity to do some deep-sea fishing without the need to charter a boat. Here are a few ideas you can use to get started as a beginning boater.
1. Decide what type of boat you want to pilot.
There are many different types of boats available, but motorboats are probably the best choice for beginning boaters. Unlike other types of boats, which are dependent on the wind or your own ability to propel yourself forward, motorboats do all of the work for you. All you need to do is steer and avoid hitting obstacles. Bowrider boats, such as a Sea Fox bowrider, are especially versatile. They offer seating in the bow, or frontmost part of the ship.
2. Shop for a boat.
Boat ownership can save you a lot of money in the long-run. While boat rentals are fine for occasional trips, the cost of renting watercraft can really add up over time. It's worthwhile to rent a boat at least once to make sure you enjoy boating, but once you know you want to continue, it's best to purchase your own boat. Look for a boat manufactured by a company with a good reputation. If you decide you want to purchase a bowrider boat, make sure you take the number of passengers you plan to ferry into account. If you don't plan to have many companions aboard, purchasing a smaller bowrider can help you save some money.
3. Learn proper boat care.
The saltwater of the ocean can have a corrosive effect on boats if excess salt isn't properly cleaned away. Proper boat care will help you protect your investment, and it's one of the first things you should learn as a new boat owner. If you have a friend who is a more experienced boating enthusiast, ask them to share some tips with you. You can learn to scrub your boat's sides and deck from instructional videos, but it's even more helpful to have someone show you in person.
4. Practice boating in favorable weather.
As you become more experienced, you can take your boat out for a drive even on days with choppy water and high winds. However, when you're first starting out, it's best to practice when the weather is calm. Watch your local weather reports and plan your boat outings for days with calm seas.
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