Expensive Boating Mistakes

Boats and boating cost money; we wouldn't try to tell you otherwise. Want to know how to avoid expensive boating mistakes? There are a number of ones that we see over and over again every season and cost you cash and more importantly time away from the water. They are simple to avoid and don't really cost much or no money at all. In this video we will cover:
Intro 0:00
Fuel Contamination Issues 1:25
Leaving your sterndrive tilted up 2:32
Not paying attention to your temperature gauge 4:06
Hooking up your battery incorrectly 5:43
Not buying a good GPS or Charts 7:09
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For more info check out these resources:
*One on one boat chat to ask me questions: app.hubspot.com/meetings/sean715
*Best Gas to Use in a Boat Video: • Best Gas to Use in a Boat
*How to Maintain a Boat Battery Video: • How to Maintain a Boat...
*Boating Lifestyle Playlist: • Boating Lifestyle
*Len's Cove Learning Center: www.lenscove.com/learning-cen...

[@boatinglessons]

What are some mistakes you know about that our viewers can avoid?

[@omieyouknowme]

Avoid ethanol fuel when ever possible or burn thru it more often, don't let it sit to long in tank or motor.

[@TOURMANBOB]

How about adding a few ounces of methyl hydrate to the gas to absorb any water that gets into the tank. I do this routinely and especially over the winter along with Stabil to stabilize the gas

[@JCASTELLUCCIOJR]

Still adding a form of ‘alcohol’ to your fuel???😮😮😮

[@richmac918]

Here's a few more based on things I've seen over the years at the loading ramp. Make certain your drain plug is in the boat, make certain you have your tow vehicle in park before getting out to release your boat, and make certain that the engine is in the water before starting it up.

[@keithhults8986]

45yrs owning boats, I never run offshore using only electronic navigation! In 1966, every Montauk captain used compass and charts. Most people don't know what a beacon receiver was. Before loran was available. GPS is really EZ till it shuts off, looses satellites. When you are 45 miles into the ocean, and your electronics shut off, do you know where you are? If you are an ocean boater,Learn to use a chart, parallel rules, a protractor, and the compass rose! Learn dead reckoning. Because I always write a navigation course, and use a compass, any boat I was on, always made it safely back to the dock without electronic aids. Electronic nav aids have failed before and will fail again. A compass always points towards home.

[@SurvivalHunterNM]

Great video. Even for a seasoned boater, this was filled with a whole bunch of good reminders. Thank you!

[@chadparks9810]

Many Thanks for all the very informative videos Sean! The info you pass along is priceless and more appreciated than you'll ever imagine.

[@boatinglessons]

Wow Chad, thank you for saying so!

[@andrewx8888]

8:30 please also pay attention to where you park your boat. On low tide, you can very easily damage your rudder, especially on a sailboat. Don't ask how I know..

[@jhors7777]

Thank you for posting this helpful video.

[@abdulkkhan5095]

Fantastic, very valuable information. Thnx Much

[@alecharper515]

Just subscribed. Thanks for posting these excellent videos.

[@barrybebenek8691]

Perfect tips. Also thanks for posting the GPS systems. Was hoping you would post after bringing it up in the vid. 🇨🇦👍🏼

[@boatinglessons]

My pleasure Barry. They all make pretty good stuff and some people have favourites :)

[@thecarolinahoosier3596]

I've been watching your videos for months, and I'm about to pick up my new Jeanneau NC 895 in a couple weeks for a long ferry ride home. It's been years since I've owned a boat, so I really appreciate the variety of topics you cover to (hopefully) protect me from myself!

[@boatinglessons]

Amazing to hear!!! It’s our pleasure and am happy they help a bit. What colour did you order? When will it arrive? 😊

[@thecarolinahoosier3596]

@@boatinglessons I’m getting the blue hull option. Due to arrive St. Simon Island, GA next week for sea trial and electronics install. I’ll ferry her to Myrtle Beach on January 11. “Sea Roses of the River” is the play on words name I came up with. 🤷🏼

[@OB1974]

Here’s one that I’ve done a couple times. Not bringing the outdrive up enough to clear the cement boat ramp when retrieving the boat.

[@maxmann8607]

If you have an I/O make sure you keep your coupler greased! Easy prevention against total propulsion failure with no warning signs.

[@boatinglessons]

Expensive to repair if it goes - requires engine removal. Good advice Max!

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

I/O?

[@maxmann8607]

@@alaefarmestatesllc Inboard / Outboard, also known as sterndrive.

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

@@maxmann8607 thanks

[@wickedvic6953]

Thanks for the info👍

[@benknight5214]

Thanks for the great tips. Happy new year to all.

[@boatinglessons]

Happy New Year to you as well Ben!

[@martinschulz9381]

Good video, sounds like your heart is in it.

[@Rick-sh7qr]

Thanks for the video, keep up the great work and thanks, I'm trying to learn as much as I can about boating and it looks like I found the perfect Host 👍👍💯

[@boatinglessons]

So kind of you to say Rick, thank you!

[@Lifeistooshort67]

Making mistakes is really expensive. Especially in boating. That's where KZbin comes in. Learn from others mistakes. It's like having a very smart Grandfather! I have been subscribed for quite some time. Keep the excellent content coming Please!

[@boatinglessons]

This is such a huge compliment, thank you for being so kind 😊

[@eduardocapmany1778]

Hi there ! Thanks for your technical guidance and savoir-affaire in boating issues. I have an Angler 22 with 2 x 250 HP VX series YAMAHA outbards. Quick question : Why is it so, that when I run the boat at mid power and press the trim button down, it clearly accelarates better...? I assume an electrical issue has to do, and if where shall I look to, in order to guarantee unstable electrical power to the spark plugs I pressume...?¡¡?

[@mariterbrueggen2140]

Great info

[@tomdrummy4984]

Your video proves that you can learn from other peoples mistakes, as well as your own.

[@boatinglessons]

I learn from mine daily 🤣🤣

[@celworthy]

If I have an outboard is there any benefit to getting the engine out of the water? (I'm on a lake)

[@teachingrounds]

Love this content

[@boatinglessons]

Thank you!!

[@answerace]

New pontoon boat owner, pretty sure i triggered overheat alarm while tubing my young kids. Believe a combination of trimmed up too high and sharp turn. 2018 Mercury 150 4S. Guardian system sent one loud beep and cut power to idle. It steamed for about 10 seconds after slowing down. I trolled around a little and headed back to the dock shortly after. No temp guage on the boat but i just purchased Mercury VesselView to monitor engine data. Would this cause damage and what should I be looking for? Its peeing as normal and seems to run as it did before incident. Only 98 hours on the motor.

[@johnm948]

Carry a roll of masking tape (or other tape they teas daily easily), when you remove your drain plug, tape it to the steering wheel. It helps avoid launching without it in place.

[@randomgameingsub9508]

Hi everyone!!!! I'm new in boating. Boat with in engine. Quick question: can I run the engine when leg is up ??? Volvo penta AQAD31A. 1988 year old. Thanks

[@robertstorms5539]

Can I ask a question on Salt Away? I saw another video where the person making the video ran Salt Away through the motor. I have the product but I've never rinsed my engine with it, I use it to clean the boat. Is it a good idea to use Salt away or just fresh water through the motor? Thank you as always

[@walkawalka4ni9]

ethanol free fuel is not available in canada anymore, do you have any suggestions around this?

[@madmanmechanic8847]

Having been in the Marine repair business since 2000 , hard to believe I have been in this industry that long. The No 1 advice I can give anybody when buying a boat is : LAKE TEST ,LAKE TEST , LAKE TEST! I have had so many people buy boats with out lake testing and being lied to by the seller and end up with a junk boat that they paid thousands of dollars too much for. I just makes me sick because people are trusting and some shady seller will lie through their teeth. If you call on a boat and tell the seller I want to lake test and the seller starts him ha ing around making excuses why he cant take you out for a lake test , then tell the seller well its apparent you are hiding something on the boat so I will take my money to a seller that isn't. Don't walk, run away from these kind of sellers. If you can do the work your self and he can start it up in the drive way with a flush attachment then maybe yes, but you are leaving yourself to cracks and leaks in the hull. If its a I/O pull the dip stick and check for milk shake . Ask the seller if you can crack the drain plug on the drive ? If he says no walk away . If he says yes just crack it and pull it out just barely and check for milk shake if it has shake it will cost thousands of dollars to reseal the drive .Pass on the boat if you cannot do the drive yourself it take special tools to set up and reaseal a stern drive. If there is no shake in the drive or engine then I would beat him down on the price if he wont lake test and you are taking it as is if you are going to do the work yourself . If you have to hire a Marine tech then pass on it . The repairs can exceed the value on the boat .

[@Nick_G7IZR]

Happy New Year to you Sean. On the outdrive, assuming we have no "critters" that will eat the bellows (UK), is it better to trim up out of the saltwater or leave down? I'm on a floating dock so I can keep the drive fully up, but I gather that stresses the rubber. Is it better to risk the rubber (and check it each year) or leave the drive in the salt and check the anodes?

[@boatinglessons]

Happy New Year to you also Nick! In salt water, you want to keep it out of the water if possible and and keep replacing your anodes as soon as they depletes to 50% of their original size

[@Nick_G7IZR]

@@boatinglessons I'm told I risk a "set" in the rubber of the bellows leaving them trimmed up. But that is vs leaving them trimmed down in salt water. You can't win sometimes! :)

[@denniswilder3014]

Also check your neighbors if a cord or shore power that is making its way to the water can eat anodes and the lowers especially in fresh water.on my local lake in a cove everybody's jet skis and outboards looked like they where in the ocean for years.found out someone had a ice eater he left in the water year round and he never shut off the breaker.he moved the new owner never used it and pulled the breaker sure enough corrosion stoped.

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

What about leaving an outboard trimmed up? Should it be left down or up when not in use?

[@boatinglessons]

There is more than one answer there. As long as the water is fresh, we leave the engines trimmed down

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

@@boatinglessons that is not the answer I wanted to hear! That means I’ll lose the long standing argument about this topic with the guys at my work.

[@johnm948]

87 octane is not of lower quality than 91. 91 Octane has more additives to keep it from detonating as easily thus preventing knocking or pinging, which is harmful. If the engine is none turbo and under 9 compression 87 will probably work better than 91.

[@scotts.8972]

Is it a bad idea to keep your outdrive trimmed up a bit on a lift to keep it out of the water?

[@boatinglessons]

Scott, unless you are in salt water, the negatives outweigh the positives. If you are in sal water and can’t get it on a lift, then trimming it up can be slightly beneficial

[@gregfeldman6818]

If it is allowed to freeze, it could be Trouble.

[@Maynardd]

I think it depends on the manufacturer? My Merc 250 says always keep the engine down for drainage. It is also susceptible to water in the engine if it is trimmed up and left that way for long periods of time in the weather Along with freezing as well. Always down.

[@andreas_____]

The question is....how could i on earth check the quality of a fuel

[@boatinglessons]

It is supposed to be clearly indicated on the pump it is dispensed from (Octane and Ethanol level)

[@andreas_____]

@@boatinglessons we don't all have fuel pumps with these indicated levels

[@boatinglessons]

@@andreas_____ If a fuel station does not post it, there might be a reason. Best to ask I guess.

[@ibrhm_ackgz]

We would appreciate it if you add Turkish in automatic translation for your Turkish viewers. Thank you for your information.

[@drizler]

Musk rats really can do ya with the older Alphas with the double bellows . 😅I know a guy it happened to😪sank at the dock in just 3’ of water. Luckily he had it insured.

[@martinschulz9381]

When I bought my boat and the sales guy ran me through everything, I got the feeling that most of it was based on all the mistakes that he'd seen over the years.

[@boatinglessons]

Good that he shared that with you

[@captlucky2320]

Don't buy a seafox

[@boatinglessons]

I hope you didn’t have a bad experience 😭

[@captlucky2320]

@@boatinglessons no work on boats for a living

[@knighthawk3559]

Don't eat curry night before boating. I shitt my pants on the last trip and my cushions are now stained. Learn from my pain x

[@ChrisG9978]

LMAO. Curry: it's cheap, but you'll pay for it the next day.

[@jayf6525]

The most expensive mistake is buying one in the first place.

[@Axlenut]

Absolutely. I've owned about 5. You never use them and they're a pain in the ass when you do

[@gdub350]

@@Axlenutwhy did you buy 5 of them if they suck so bad?

[@Axlenut]

@@gdub350 because I never learn my lesson

[@gdub350]

@@Axlenut honesty on the internet, a very admirable trait.

[@Axlenut]

@gdub350 thank you. I did it with RVs too. But at least with those I used them while dirt biking, which I absolutely love.

[@mac-doien9298]

I like hands-on demonstration rather than blah blah blah here's a picture that means nothing to you.. This guy does not like to get his hands dirty. 😢