Expensive & Embarrassing Mistakes New Boat Owners Make

[@mustangracer5124]

Newbie here ( 4 yrs. now).. Make a list of priorities and read it and follow it every time! put drain plugs on the 'home' list along with your supplies list Put drain plugs and straps on the ramp list also.. any tool you use on the boat at home goes into your on-boat tool bag.

[@b.vonschnauser207]

New boat owner here. I tuned in thinking "Let's see how long before he mentions a mistake I've made". Well, it only took about seven seconds: Drain plug. I won't do that again. Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@LighthouseProductions1]

That trailer tip, ive seen it two times, Bill Dance the bass fisherman left his straps on his boat and the trailer went in with the boat, he did save both items thankfully. but in person ive seen a sailboat break from the truck towing it at a boat launch strapped on its trailer, and it went out into the middle of the launch entryway.

[@robcarr8505]

That's so funny!! The first thing on my list before watching this video was "forgetting to put the drain plug in" I'm pretty sure everyone has or will do that eventually. 😆😆

[@ThatBeardedVeteran]

I have never had success with Danforth-style anchors in AZ. I have a 22' boat and had 20' of chain on a 12# and then a 17# anchor with the "recommended" 5:1-7:1 rode and they have always drug in our lakes. Got a box anchor and stuck every time. I will probable get a 13-17# Mantis for the times the box won't work (rocky bottoms). My recommendation on anchors is to have a few options because each lake/ location is different.

[@ThatBeardedVeteran]

@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon depends on the lake but mostly soupy mud or soft sand is what I have ran into. Box anchors are by far the most common around here. I may be wrong but I think the original was invented out or around here.

[@419gates]

The huge plowing wake is a sure sign of a rookie boater. I see so many people slowing down and coming off plane in an attempt to reduce their wake for kayakers, fishermen, etc. only to have the exact opposite effect. They mean well, and usually have no clue.

[@jaylarson152]

Slalom skiers go through the course at 36 mph every run. The rope gets shorter after each successful run through the course. That’s what the professionals do. So that’s how I do it whenever I go.

[@nickkostakis9600]

Great show brilliant video and very informative thank you very much for the advice 😊.from Sydney Australia 😊

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

Glad it was helpful! Love the international comments!

[@cynicalrabbit915]

I've never owned a boat (other priorities) but had opportunities during a stint working the fuel and dock rental at a small county park and lake when I was younger. Boat maintenance, using anchors and nautical rope knots is where I probably lack most knowledge. Boat handling from launching from a trailer to loading back on the trailer seems link logical no brainer stuff. Like what directon you need to turn the helm when the stern of a boat drifts away from the dock and how much throttle (light touch and be patient, doesn't take much to overcome dift on a lake) to use to bring it back so a line can be used to keep it close. Launching or retrieving the trailer shouldn't have more than half the trailer submerged and power loading is a bad idea.

[@keithrobinson870]

I'm owner operator of fearless salvage I would like to highly recommend something that I've been known to teach in the past anybody whose boat I raised I teach them emergency builds procedure knowing the difference between your vents and your villages knowing that you need to run your vents for a second before you start building these things are all very helpful and can help people save their boats I love that you guys suggested the drain plug is number one cuz it is it's the number one cause of people's boat sinking especially new boaters but I've seen people who've been voting all their lives make this mistake and it does happen I've also seen jerk kids go through a Marina and start pulling all the plugs out of boats so this can happen for a variety of reasons it doesn't necessarily mean it's automatically your fault I love that you pointed out that Marina's who pull boats for maintenance will usually open these plugs and it's not just for rain one of the points you missed there is it's also to air the system out so there isn't mold building in the system that system needs to be aired out from time to time and this is part of the reason they will pull these plugs and it's not just a single drain plug you'll have usually three in the bottom of the boat underneath the water line and another three inside that's actually a very common setup smaller vessels will usually only have one but it's still something to check not just the one that's above the water line but also the ones below the water line those are the two biggest things that I find help new boaters learning to use your villages properly understanding the difference between just pushing the builds button and emergency builds procedure is really important and of course checking those darn plugs

[@keithrobinson870]

Speech to text led to some errors here shouldn't say building should say bilging

[@britishsouth]

I've been lucky thus far with my new boat... thanks to your lessons in the "Best Boater on the Lake" Series. However, I keep forgetting to pull in my fenders!

[@tomdrosa7051]

Merry Christmas!

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

Same to you!

[@CoffeeAndBusiness]

Man I have a 23’ deck boat and it is really hard to trailer. It has to be sitting just right on the trailer because of the design of the hull. I have to trailer it by myself because my wife is too scared. Because of the design of the hull, I can never seem to drive the boat onto the trailer. I tend to back the trailer in really far and maneuver, the boat by hand where it needs to go on the trailer. It is way too difficult. Any suggestions?

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

Check out our Trailer Like a Pro program to start...www.trailerlikeapro.com Maybe adjust the trailer bunks if adjustable? If you get the program, send me a picture and I may be able to offer additional advice after seeing exactly what's going on.

[@jsmooth5480]

Just an advertisement for the best boat captain book noce

[@dtaylortf]

Thank you, good stuff!

[@peanutbutterisfu]

Every boat owner should know how to use a compass, navigate by the sun moon stars, how to drive in rough water and night time navigation. I’ve been on the lake in blue sky’s just perfect weather then all the sudden a storm comes that wasn’t in the weather forecast. All the sudden there are waves and you can’t see the shore.

[@joemilich]

When do you normally drop your new videos?

[@dwayneroberts6616]

I have all of two trips to the ramp and two times to the middle of lake for experience. I did better my first time out than my second 😂 both times we got stuck in the middle of the lake because of engine failure. The first time we got back to the dock with the trolling motor the second time we were using the trolling motor to get back in again and we couldn't get back before a daily Florida thunderstorm rolled in . We got blasted by wind swept 4" an hour rain and lightning strikes all around. I thought we were going to get swamped for sure. I sold my 18' aluminum fishing boat and bought a 19' fiberglass CC with a self bailing fiberglass deck and put a brand new float switch and 1100 gallon bilge pump in it. I'm a nervous wreck about taking this thing out. It feels so much bigger than my Lund and it's hull is in beautiful shape. I don't want to be the idiot that messes it up hitting a dock or something. I'm okay at getting the trailer down the ramp and I did okay loading the boat back up but I suck at docking. Haven't even had the chance to learn the rules of the lake yet. I'll just be happy to not get stuck in the middle of the lake😂 my wife and I plan to take it slow and just find a place on the lake that we can anchor without being in anyones way and get use to the boat itself. Then we will observe and explore 😊 can't wait to feel comfortable about docking and maneuvering in tight spaces.

[@martinschulz9381]

Some good points, but I will say that experienced people make many of the same mistakes. Speed gets a lot of boaters in trouble. People are just putting bigger and bigger marine engines on all the time. I see huge engines on little tiny boats.

[@timothygregg2223]

Never left the plug out or even met someone that did

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

Go to a boat ramp on a busy Saturday, you'll see it

[@GiantsNinerFan56]

Is the link correct? Says it's not secure...

[@tomdavis3038]

You could actually make a case that the biggest mistake is buying a boat on the first place. Just sayin’ Cheers

[@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon]

FREE For Boat Shoppers: www.BoatersSecretWeapon.com/Toolkit FREE Boat Buyer's Toolkit for new or used boat shoppers will give you 28-pages of checklists, questions to ask and how to demo the boat the right way so you don't miss a thing. Plus, get the cost of ownership calculator so you know precisely what your cost of ownership will be. FREE For Boat Owners: boaterssecretweapon.com/pages/boater-bootcamp FREE Boater Bootcamp for newer boat owners gives you insights on boat ownership basics, navigation and practical rules of the water and how to avoid, be prepared and handle emergency situations. No more not knowing what you don't know in the boating lifestyle.

[@bettermost]

Number 1 you bought the boat in the first time.😀

[@duaneh1973]

When I get my boat, my neighbor is going out with me on the first time. He owns 5 boats, from a pontoon, bow rider, 2 center consoles, and a ridge inflatable. He has been boating for over 30 plus years; he is full of boating knowledge!

[@duaneh1973]

@@BoatBuyersSecretWeapon he is very competent. He use to own a 40 luxury cruiser. But he sold it because he got tired of people who just wanted to use his bathroom. 🤣 I call him Admiral Bob! I will purchase your video as well. The more knowledge the better! Thanks Captain Matt! You always do an awesome job!

[@YZFR1000]

I'm buying my first boat this fall. When I put the boat in the water do I need to break a bottle of champagne over the bow?

[@vicpinto1970]

Please don't break a bottle over your bow unless it's made of steel.

[@marakelley6832]

Make sure to break bottle on a stainless steel part not the fiberglass part

[@chadnasr]

Thank you!!!

[@TylerAnimatez1467]

👍🏽💯

[@joemilich]

First