Boating for Beginners - Boating Basics - How to Drive a Boat

[@GoneWalkabout]

Make sure any auto inflate PFD’s you have stowed are in a waterproof bag. Any little bit of water that gets into your hatches will trigger an inflation in your hatch. Replacing the cartridges and water sensor discs is fairly expensive. Learned the hard way more than once. Great content, great delivery. Love your channel.

[@sweetlou5923]

Buying my first boat this weekend. Perfect timing.

[@alaska56098]

So how did it go?

[@jackhughman9450]

Same

[@sweetlou5923]

@Slowmo LOL nope still happy with it and stickin bass every chance I get.

[@MonsieurDee]

@@sweetlou5923 did you have a lot of experience in the water prior to this?

[@sweetlou5923]

@@MonsieurDee I had fished out of boats but never driven or owned one. Mostly bank fished prior to buying it.

[@winchestermodel7044]

Great video Gene! Another tip for any new boaters is if your boat doesn’t have either No Feedback Steering or hydraulic steering, you should always keep your hands on the steering wheel, due to torque steer. Also, never operate your boat without keeping your hand on the throttle, because if you hit a submersed log or a stump not visible at the surface, you want to be able to quickly pull the throttle lever into neutral.

[@lutter57]

Man brand new to fresh water fishing, just bought a new boat, and I was clueless. After watching your videos, man I feel somewhat confident. Thanks a lot!!

[@bunnyman6321]

What is trim?

[@pags409]

Just got our new old 1966 Bell Boy in the water. It’s our first boat and we are the 2nd owners. The boat had not seen water since 1985, made a couple modifications, but only trained eye would notice. Thx for the information!

[@LekanOyefeso]

This is a great, and MUCH NEEDED video!!! It blows my mind that many states don't require a boater safety course. Driver's Ed is required for cars so boater safety should be required for boats. You can kill someone in a boat just as easily as you can kill someone in a car.

[@Flukemaster]

Agreed

[@corkyvanderhaven3391]

Possible…yes. As easy? Hell no. Safety is good. But saying the lake is as dangerous is ludicrous. That’s why it’s great. 🌎✌️🐠

[@debbiep99]

Drivers Ed is not a requirement everywhere. You just have to pass the tests, it is however a good idea. Just like it is a good idea to take a course on boating before you're out on the water on your own. Makes good sense.

[@lamronnaquavius]

Yes absolutely as a 15 year old who drives bass boats I think this should definitely be a thing cause ik for a fact if it wasn’t for my uncle I would be completely lost on what to do and how to drive and he says he only learned from messing his boat up and figuring out how to use it lol

[@brucenunn3268]

Definitely a good refresher for me. Thanks for the video. 👊😎

[@mtflieutenant7693]

I don't have a boat...nor a jet ski.. But ama watching it anyway😂👍🏼

[@tejaswini8371]

This was a great introduction to the basics of boating. I'm researching how boats work for a short story I'm writing, which made me realize there's so much to consider out on the water.

[@justinclark9750]

33yrs old here with 1 million miles otr tractor trailer exp. Great video. Safety first. Very informative. Land vs law of water are completely different. There's a reason why there are regulations in place. I may not agree with the law, but when you are on the water, things happen differently.trucking is heavy regulated. But I can't argue regulations when on the water, different world with different laws. Water has it's own flow. Great video, stay safe out on the water, have fun reeling in those good catches.

[@christopherterrien]

Thanks Gene, great info that you will never get from some of the big boat sellers, I know they didn't pass any info off to me when I bought my first one, even though I told them it was my first boat. Another aspect that would be good to cover is how to properly decelerate the boat as you come into where you want to be, I almost sunk my boat, (probably not, but I took on a lot of water all the way up the back to the seats), with over run on the back the first time, and I still have a problem with figuring it out sometimes, simply because no one tells you these things. Thanks for doing what you do for us Gene, your videos have helped me be a better boater and fisherman with everyone you put out.

[@bunnyman6321]

There is no boating classes for beginners ?

[@johnoggle4580]

Honest to GOD these tips might of saved my life on Guntersville today!! I watched this video a year ago when I bought my boat. Wind kicked up to 15 miles today and the waves kicked my but first time on Guntersville and my 16ft x press and I had some tight drain holes coming in to the ramp

[@ryanflores2489]

I needed this! Thank you! My state just made it mandatory to have a boat safety certificate in order to be on the water. This really helped!

[@Flukemaster]

I'm glad you liked it. I wish my state required it.

[@yakityakteriw6774]

Gene, I know this video is 3 years ago. But I'm a beginner and buying a nitro V7. So I'm now taking courses not required but I feel I must do it. I also am watching all videos now. You always explain everything perfectly. Thank you ❤

[@troutbum8699]

Tip: leave the killswitch cord attached to the pfd at all times. That way u have to go grab the pfd to start the motor and since u have the pfd just put it on.

[@keithjohnston5936]

Unless you want to fish, etc. anywhere but the drivers seat. I’m thinking you either: a) don’t fish, 2) don’t wear your pfd or iii) don’t hook up your kill cord.

[@usafr1pilot]

I absolutely appreciate your video as I am looking to purchase a jetski soon but I'm a little nervous about messing up. Thank you for sharing

[@BucksIsland]

Good stuff Gene! Boats and fishing are fun, but it can get very dangerous very quickly if you don't know what you're doing. Please be safe out there!

[@firefighter5212]

I’m 32 seconds into the video and I just want to say thanks for representing the Dawgs up in Minnesota! Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

[@gordy5250]

Thanks for making this video. Just starting out with a boat and learning is tough. Definitely appreciate the plain language instruction here.

[@Flukemaster]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adrianwarfieldfishing]

Came at the perfect time just got my first boat a ranger 185 vs will take all of the other tips I can get!

[@lamontgray6015]

Congratulations

[@zaneasherman]

Appreciate your video brother. I’ve been on the lake a million times and never driven one. Always been with friends. I’m familiar with the lake and common things but operation not so much. This video was great!

[@notopsatoll]

Agree this was a great video.

[@j.r.134]

In my opinion, for safety reasons anyone so much as riding on a boat should know the basics about boats. You never know if the captain is being safe, if you don’t know what being safe on a boat actually MEANS. Thank you for this video.

[@jarfishing7840]

Glad to see you do a video like this, I think it’s much needed and your platform is perfect.

[@troy7402]

Thank you FlukeMaster I really appreciate all your knowledge. I have never and still don't own a boat but one day I hope I will. Thank you for sharing all this with us. 🇺🇸

[@ballzybaits4414]

We have a lake here where it gets white capped all the time. One of my scariest time was when the wind picked up and we were got caught in a 24mph wind about 2 miles away from the dock. Literally we did at least 5-6 nose dive at least, going back. We were soaked wet. When the waves came, we literally saw all sky...then all water. That lake is horrible....but fishing is awesome! haha.

[@iowabassman4701]

Sounds like Okoboji in Iowa, lol!

[@michaelblock4397]

You are a very good teacher, I have a hard time explaining to people. Besides I don’t get out as much as I wish. One thing that I’m a firm believer in is to, have someone with experience to teach a new boater, using the new Boater’s boat, that is the best way to learn. It’s much easier to learn, I wish I would have had a experienced person teach me. I live in Mi, a few miles from Harbor Beach, Mi. Harbor Beach is located on the Thumb of mi. Lake Huron the Great Lakes are more like Sea’s here. We get rough very quickly, very much like ocean waves due to the size of the Great Lakes. Just as you stated, 5 to 25 mph winds quickly. When we get high winds of 25 and higher the waves get over 6’ quickly. That makes it (VERY UNFUN, LOL). I got caught in those windy days with very high waves once, never again. We were out by the Shipping Channels 11 or so miles out in the lake. In about 300’ of water could have been deeper, at that time, I had no deep finder. My boat weighs over 3000 lbs when we got back, we all kissed the land. Thank god I have a 22’ Thompson Deep V, with a 300 hp I/O. At least it was built for rougher water. That 11 mile trip took forever, we got beat up, because before we got back the waves were pounding over the harbor break wall. If we had a bass boat, my god I don’t know what would have happened.

[@bunnyman6321]

What is trim?

[@michaelblock4397]

@@bunnyman6321 trim is lifting your motor stem, weather it be a I/O or outboard, using the trim button, to get up on plane quicker. as opposed to lifting your I/O or motor, With the up and down switch. I hope that I was clear.

[@bunnyman6321]

@@michaelblock4397 Thank you! I just got into boating and all this stuff is foreign to me. What's getting on plane?

[@sisterspooky]

@Flukemaster : I sincerely wish to thank you for making this video. My dad had a custom Bass Cat and I am wanting to take my son fishing this year, but my dad passed away and there’s no one to learn this skillset from. So, truly, thank you for this video and the time and effort that went into making it. This information is truly helpful. Now... I just have to learn how to get it in the water and take it out. Hahaha. I am going to subscribe and check out your other videos on this stuff. Thanks again!

[@Words-of-encouragement.-.]

I'm sorry about your dad. 😞 Wishing you and your son the best.

[@downtowntommybrownakadttb7983]

Having just purhased my first Bass boat, i appreciate the video a TON! TY

[@johnnycardozo5813]

I want to thank you for this awesome video. Most importantly I've been looking for a video that explains trim and man did you ever nail it. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@pywifishingandoutdoors]

I've fished Lake Michigan, and had a time where I was out 1 mile or so, and weather got real bad, felt like 2-3 foot rolling waves and white caps, had to take my time riding the waves and time my peddling not to tip over in my kayak. Scariest moment of my life, made it back safe and sound and why I'm glad I got a hobie. And when I fish inland lakes with similar weather conditions 10+ wind gusts, I'm like, this is nothing lol, I've been through worst and boaters just look at me like I'm crazy to be out in a kayak fishing.

[@JamesC.0670]

Always the right video at the right time! I’m looking to get into fishing from a boat. I’m actively pricing option and AlumaCraft is on my radar because of you. New to bass fishing as well. Keep it up! You videos are a huge help!

[@TheRoyaleFilms]

It’s not a coincidence. Google is tracking your life.

[@glennbarnes2438]

Just bought a boat two weeks ago. Thanks for the video

[@coachsmith4856]

Thank you for all the information. It helps new boater like my self .

[@remoteriverman]

In Australia, where I now live (I was once a a Californian), you need to have a boat license, just like a driver's license. And to get one, you need to complete a 50-question written exam and get a 100% score on it, followed by a practical on-water exam in a powerboat with a qualified instructor, where you practice and then are tested on such things as situational and speed awareness, correct planing, emergency stopping, man overboard drill, approaching a mooring safely, berthing, channel navigation, etc. It's astounding that in some US states you can just buy a boat and then away you go. No wonder so many of the 'boat fails' videos come from America... :).

[@CelticLaserCrafts]

I havent bought my first boat yet, I am about to within the next few weeks... Thank you for the information...

[@tesiemarie8942]

Georgia!! Yea baby!!! Im Georgia born and raised.. I’m getting my boat license in 2 weeks! I’m in Los Angeles now so I decided I’d need one .. I miss Georgia so bad.. Anywho, thank you for this video!!!! Thank you!!

[@ianwedderburn997]

Never in my life did I think Alan from the hangover would be teaching me about boats😂😂 jokes aside lots of very useful information thanks a lot dude.

[@jasonyaj7536]

Can’t stand idiots that will speed by while you’re fishing. Some idiots just do it for fun. Basic navy seamanship really help me. But after 20yrs and just got my first boat, this refreshed my memories. One easy thing to remember about nav lights is red, right, returning. Meaning red is on the right, you stay to the right of boats coming towards you and it indicates boats crossing you or towards you to know your direction of travel.

[@caaguilar82]

Looking to get in to boating in the near future. Trying to get informed now. Thanks for posting!

[@ThePorkchopExpress975]

lived on lake of the woods in northwestern ontario all my life and never had a boat. going to get one this year so definitely will be watching more videos. (did get my boaters license in 2008 but definitely need a refresher lol)

[@taliesinangling3564]

Twin cities pleasure boaters are dense gotta say, I was in a canoe fishing and a wakeboarding boat making max wakes drove 10 yards from me and I had to scramble to angle correctly to not flip.

[@mattseifert]

Thanks so much Gene! I really wanted one of these videos for a while from a KZbinr I trust! As a future boat owner this will help tons!!

[@staveman11]

Thanks for the tips Gene! You are right about Ky Lake, It gets mean out here.

[@cherylcentenioblessedvirgi3241]

Years ago my Dad and I enjoyed fishing the lakes in a regular flat bottom boat. Unfortunately, there were fisherman in all kinds of boats that ride past us open throttle. Waves were created and we had to hold onto the sides of the boat to keep from falling overboard. We had been watching these people fish and could tell they were not successful fishing that day. We could tell they were watching us and we were very successful. Jealous people will try to harm others on the water. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@hashiramasenju4846]

That lake gets pretty bad. Been out there a few times when there were mild storms. Last weekend there my buddy said he couldn’t even see over the next crest standing on the bow! Let us know the next time you’re in town. Maybe I’ll head up with the boat to say hello!

[@jasonf6182]

Brand new to boating and picked up some great tips from you...thanks alot for doing this video!

[@Panhandledawg1]

I'm digging that hat, bro! Go Dawgs and happy boating.

[@gagealtman-lewis3381]

Sorry bud cant agree. Go Vols!

[@ZZ430T56]

How about wakes from other boats? Best angle to approach them? Ty

[@melvinjohnson7842]

GREAT INFO i was never told about TRIM i thought i only neede to lift the motor to go back onto trailer!! THANKS BRO

[@leonfaulk8599]

Just got a new boat a 1986 Ranger do I need to have idle turned up or should it automatically idle up when I accelerate

[@Unplugged704]

Haven't bought a boat yet.. but always good to learn!

[@stevekindt1213]

Welcome to Minnesota. Mille Lacs has been great for smallmouth lately

[@offthebooksmusic]

i just got my first boat. only has a 9.9 outboard but still good knowledge to have!

[@robertsharp1214]

Thank’s for the “ non, crash course” on getting a boat up & out on a plain,,,, Excellent pointer’s...🌎🇺🇸🦅

[@Joeteck]

Are you talking about the motor tilt / lift? What about boats with trim tabs? Do I leave my tilt alone and just adjust my tabs?

[@angelicwarrior4133]

Boats are for salt water and fresh water ? I'm wanting to purchase one

[@nv_music1987]

Love this. Musky angler here in wisconsin looking for my first boat this year.

[@JoeJumps]

We bought a 1981 celebrity. It doesn't have a kill switch, do I need to have one installed?

[@southerngurlfishing2561]

Thanks for making a video on this gene there really isn't enough content on this subject for new or inexperienced boat owners needs to be more info out there

[@vincesilva1128]

I am buying a boat in two weeks. Thank you for your the great video.

[@SouthernAceCrafts]

This is a great video. Best basics tutorial I've found. Subscribing.

[@rileyshane78]

Good tips for a Georgia fan.

[@Flukemaster]

Glad you think so!

[@timgallagher6529]

Thanks!!! I am about to buy my first boat and needed a good video to learn from!! et you at the Bass University this past year.

[@briangreaves9835]

What boating for beginners! So how do I start it how do I make it go forward, and what about the reverse? Does it steer like a car? Does it have brakes?

[@MarioGuy104]

Is their any specific lines that you have to take like stay on the right side of the river or does it not matter?

[@Flukemaster]

The only time it matters is when you are in a marked boat lane. It usually means that it's dangerous outside the markers.

[@MarioGuy104]

@@Flukemaster What if there is no indication of markers or anything of the sort?

[@MrAjallday91]

You are good at explaining things, thank you!

[@Flukemaster]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Acrillies]

Great vid but one thing i would like to add that mainly apply's to older boat owners, do not take boat hands off the wheel, some boats will whip around suddenly and make a very dangerous situation.

[@Flukemaster]

You are absolutely right. My boat has electric power steering so I don't think about that anymore.

[@lasvegas9426]

if i could i would give a million likes... very informative. Learned some new terminology. Please keep us posted with new stuff

[@kenmcintire6850]

Thanks for this video. I bought my first boat, a near new 21' bay boat. I'm waiting for all this virus nonsense to go away, so I can go fishing with my boys. Watching this video helps sink-in the basics. I'm going to check the State regulations and then off to the coast guard to get my boat safety check. It's soon required to have a boating license, so that's on my list too. Thanks for helping out us newbies Gene! Much appreciated.

[@KendallArnoldFishing]

Those rough water tips are 🔥

[@AsiqueIkbalAnsari]

Which lake is this! The water is very clear!

[@cedfunches6039]

Appreciate the straight forward explanations of why you don’t need to go fast

[@jonpeterson7133]

Gene-thought you were strictly a southern dude. What are you doing in my MN backyard? Ha! Great video

[@Flukemaster]

When it’s too hot to breathe down here I like to travel north. Those lakes around you are amazing largemouth lakes.

[@christopherbellamy3411]

Do you have to trem it ?

[@ichloefetti]

My fiancé doesn’t take me out on the water because I don’t know how to drive and he wants to surf. So I’m learning so that I don’t have to be left out anymore! Thank you!

[@richardtinsleyjr]

Question: should I leave the plug in my boat all the time or add and remove before and after use on the water? If I leave it in what harm would it do?

[@Flukemaster]

Take it out after each trip. It prevents a lot of negative things happening to your baot and it prevents the spread of some invasive species from being transported from one lake to another. It's a serious crime in some states to travel with your pluck in the boat as well.

[@richardtinsleyjr]

@@Flukemaster good point... thanks for the info!

[@mirkasanchez2525]

Thanks this is very helpful to me a have lot to learned and this is amazing to me for the ppl I love to make sure they are al safe in the water

[@barriefeatherstone9397]

Great job, thanks for the video and you just earned a thumbs up and a new subscriber. I'm going to see if you have anything on docking!

[@mnfisherman8162]

Thanks Gene for the reminders. I haven't been on the water much the last couple of years so I forgotten some of your tips.

[@stephencrutchfield2032]

What do you do if you're on the water, sun is setting, and your boat won't start?

[@gavva2010]

Just a great KZbin Vid, very informative to new boaters (like me), 150k+ views - & very well deserved. Subbed.

[@MarioGuy104]

Also if your cruising at high speeds, how do you know when to back off the throttle? I personally just do it just because I get nervous and I don't want to total my families boat.

[@Flukemaster]

I rarely go top speed. I cruise at about 4500rpm and that's it.

[@averageamerican1639]

Hey flukemaster, I saw where vmc now makes those slider weights you like for Carolina rigs. It's tungsten too. Thought you might wanna know that if you don't already.

[@EchoRhythmMusic]

I watch this video, sitting on my boat a 1am, after launching it for the first time, not EVER driving a boat 😂😂 😂 I was out so long, I missed the harbor operating hours and I’m sitting on a Marina for the night lol

[@712life5]

How do you come off a plane? Do you trim down first before slowing down or do you just leave it trim up? I'm new at boating.

[@scottyp573]

712 Life trim down if you want to have a nice stop , stay up if you don’t mind a bit of water over the back and a whole lot of bouncing around

[@cptjay747]

3.43 dont know if u noticed ... But u got a UFO in the sky background ...

[@jacksball5065]

thank you so much for this video . no bs just good info

[@CindyDC]

Awesome info 🙂 I did subscribe to you, I really like how you explained the way you boat, Thank you 🙂

[@iowabassman4701]

Some guys I know that have had boats 30 years could benefit from this, lol!

[@gmoutdoorsandmore7731]

Great video for us beginners, thanks!

[@MrWolfSnack]

Best way to learn how to drive a boat is to get an old cruiser boat - 60s or 70s or even early 80s. They usually have a small engine but a giant hull, so they handle and respond very lazily to the controls. A lot of them were meant as family pleasure boats and purposely handle slowly. It is great for beginners, as there is time to react to new things and hazards while underway. A lot of boats go so fast and the handling is on a hair trigger, it would be a disaster for a new boater. I've seen people think they can just crank the wheel 180 degrees like in a car to steer it, and the boat digs into the water and flips sideways.

[@CindyDC]

Oh and very nice setup you have there 🙂

[@elansleazebaganno]

Any tips for offshore boats, like Cape Horns?

[@brokeafishing9963]

Seems like there would be more states that require boater safety courses, driving a boat could be more dangerous than driving a car of you don't know what your doing

[@thesassy_scorpio2063]

broke a**fishing I’m in FLORIDA I know if someone’s born after 1988 they’re required to have the Boater Safety ID which I was actually able to get at 16 and it lasts a lifetime.

[@robbieeitel8442]

Just bought my first boat this weekend. Very informative

[@Flukemaster]

Thanks Robbie

[@RiverJumper7]

thanks good video

[@ryliecastillo6532]

if you don't know how to drive a boat pretty much every state has a boater safety corse and it will teach you the basics

[@DragoonRyRs]

bout to buy my first boat, along with a house so this helped a tonn. Thanks brother

[@ddm62571]

You are very helpful! Thanks for the video!

[@maxglovermakindatmoney]

This is a must watch for any new hellcat owner.