Mistakes Boaters NEED to stop making…

#ad Click the link to download @savvynavvy #savvynavvy urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/...
Find Avail Products at:
availgear.com
Follow Avail Gear:
avail_gear...
/ avail-gear-10348561768...
Real Estate Inquiries:
[e-mail]
Follow Stephanie:
/ stephimonte
Follow Clay:
/ cowart_media
Waterland Sunglasses:
Use promo code BOW to save 15% at checkout.
glnk.io/zl2w4/BOW

[@collindavis8738]

Biggest thing I’ve learned over 35 years/being a Masters Captain is no matter how experienced be patient, be kind, and be safe. The most experienced folks can make mistakes. Take your time and lots of accidents can be minimized. Have a great time!

[@dougsinclair4916]

As a fly fishing guide for 20 + years I found this video to be awesome. Now do one on launching a boat from a trailer at the ramp. So many new boaters, and some old, haven't got a clue how to launch their boats. I think that type of video would be awesome as well.

[@alquinn3562]

its been done. well done i might add. check back in their library. maybe 2022?

[@typicalbaldgamer7061]

He made a great one in 2022 or 2023. Definitely go check it out

[@user-ky7le9bf2m]

After anchoring set your anchor drag alarm especially in areas where everything looks the same and you cannot tell you've moved otherwise.

[@mookman117]

On the ICW channel markers, one tip that’s helped me is to keep the red marker is between the boat and the mainland and the green between the boat and the ocean/barrier island (assuming you know which direction the ocean is)

[@henrylewis7652]

Thanks again for some absolutely great content and safety tips, my man. Your channel is growing as it should. Not only is your channel informative, but your videos are crystal clear. Hopefully the family is doing outstanding 🙏🏾 Until the next video enjoy your time with the family and in/on the water and stay safe my guy.

[@AshleyFox275]

As a kid growing up in Colorado, boating is very different from Florida. I moved to the Tampa area in 2021. I bought a 40' Sea Ray to live on, and before I took it anywhere, I took a safety class. And I see a lot of people that don't know and don't care to know right from wrong. I've been out offshore a few times in my boat, but I still take someone with me who knows more than I do. I can handle my boat pretty well by myself. However, it's big and wide, and it can be a handful docking by myself or going thru the channels. Loved your video and gave a 👍 and sub.

[@RichieRichpobutproud]

This stuff fascinates me. From a Colorado kid who just assumed sea water is automatically “deep”, I’m amazed at the skill and precision it takes to operate a vessel.

[@juarezderrick9647]

Definitely not deep everywhere in the ocean. We have been stranded on a sandbar and had to get pulled off of it before 😂

[@LifeByTheBow]

It happens

[@photographcenter8456]

Nobody understands the skill it takes to operate

[@Abe_Fr0man]

great information. This should be required viewing for anyone operating a vessel in Florida waters for the first time.

[@gracedbygod2854]

Excellent video, Clay! well informed.

[@fredmaples6630]

What a great video Clay. Thanks for the great information.

[@stevenfischer5392]

Remembering to "give way", on passing,larger,or in tow boats. When comming from offshore, or going offshore head on with another boat, stay to the right side. I like to "show" by turning alittle harder in the direction I'm going to the on comming boat so we're not guessing who's going where. I show them by kind of pointing the boat, hey I'm going this way.

[@jamespapp4081]

I just don’t understand why we have to have licenses to drive cars, but you don’t have to have anything, to drive a boat. People should have to take a safe boaters course to get a boat license. People purchase boats and head out, having no idea what to do and no idea how to read the waters or navigate… and lastly……. a lot of people DONT CARE…… these are the people that drive their jet skis and boats anywhere they want to. Over the flats, right by you, as you’re fishing….there’s a difference between knowing and caring !!!! Love your shows , keep up the great work !!!

[@xxgoalieman31]

Not sure what state you are from but up north a license is required to drive a boat. You have to take a safety course and pass a test to get it

[@chipgiles4809]

In order to operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater, Florida law requires anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC.

[@Seven_Craig]

Great video!!! Knowing how to read gps maps and understand nav lanes. It’s fun to watch the amateurs pass the military bounds.

[@thomaschandler4831]

I agree

[@drewandcharlie7583]

Actually. You have to have a safety license, you have to register your boat and trailer, you have to have tags, decals, lifejacks, a throwable, noise makers, lights at night. Theres arguable just as many legal requirements, theres just no driving test. Boating has far more feel to it. Like you could give someone a driving test in a lake but a river or the ocean would be way different. Running in a bay or a canal is different than the open ocean. Which is different from a shoreline. And launching and recovering a 15ft smokercraft is far different from a 18ft pontoon boat. Etc etc.

[@Blakeneal407]

Great video one thing I think you missed is to show boat ramp courtesy. Please load/ unload your boat with your stuff (not talking about putting the boat in water) out of everyone’s way and give people respect and offer to help if you can. Not everyone can back a trailer in on the 1st try or have their boat on the trailer and pulled out within 3 minutes like most can. Everyone starts somewhere and don’t make them even more uncomfortable by rushing them.

[@alexmercado3210]

A lot of good information. U guys rock💪🏽

[@aydenroark328]

We have a 25ft key west with a 300hp motor and we went to edisto Island in SC and me and my dad went eleven miles out and when we got back to are rental house we pump the Motor with fresh water to get the salt at and we spray the outside of the boat with salt gone and when we got back to are real house me and my dad washed everything down like the rods the Livewell the boat cleats the ropes the bumpers the trolling motor and we spray the flour of the boat very thoroughly with a hose and a little rolling pressure wash attachment to get all the spots under the boat for the spots the salt gone didn’t get and it is worth it.

[@ultraape8746]

This is a very good educational video. I am kinda new to offshore and going alot more. Well done sir. Hope the baby and Mrs are doing great. Proud of yall.

[@aydenroark328]

Show the cleaning process of your 40ft contender

[@juarezderrick9647]

Hook up rabbit ears, turn on the motors and then pressure wash everything! Super easy

[@runbabyrunrun2912]

So helpful, thanks for sharing

[@DroneViewHD]

Great Video Clay.

[@ChrisandKrisOutdoors]

Something we have noticed a lot being on the water is people not paying attention to tides and or their depth finders. We recommend getting an app for your tides to avoid getting stuck , we see it a lot

[@ThoughtfulWander]

Great episode! Thanks for sharing! 👍👍great tips! 👍👍

[@jimkirk41]

packed with excellent advice for the keys boater. so much common man boating points and save your butt smarts. thanks for taking the time to make this video!

[@biffjohnson2076]

Great point right at the end of the video about helping people. I also think, people in general, need to be more open to advice, on any topic. So many people are quick to get offended.

[@exploringourwaterways]

Great video Clay, lots of good info.

[@user-zm1wm1ou5c]

Love your videos ! Tell Stephanie hello ! A lot of good information for boaters visiting the keys, where everything is different. One thing we have learned over several visits is to plan ur route before ya hit the water! Take a look at where you are going and what is around you. We have been learning over our last 6 visits and learn new things on every visit. Our last trip we finally made the voyage to content keys and it was amazing ! The islamorada sandbar was our first boating experience and made us fall in love with the keys. We learn something new on each trip, my best advice is plan your route and take it slow until you know.

[@chipavin1555]

Great info !

[@tgr1313]

Well done video as usual! I hope you turned in the video to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for the irresponsible boater at 0:14. It’s accountability! Another way to say it, regarding the water color, is “Green Good, Brown Bad, White You Might”.Shorter version :-) Hope you and your family are doing well. Give Momma and Keyley Shea a big hug from me. 💙🤍

[@daveenlow1103]

Great job - agree with Doug on ramp technique & etiquette and also docking techniques. Thanks for the Savvy Navvy tip, looks great even as a backup.

[@matty6212]

I love these types of video's, please keep them going. I rented a boat and went to the keys before, and even though I'm very experienced in my area for boating I found the keys to be very challenging. There are certain areas you can't anchor and have to tie up to a buoy, certain buoys that mark off areas you can't go in, state parks as you mentioned, etc.. Would love for you to go in detail on all the buoys and what the colors represent. Also, for us fishing on a reef - you need a reef stamp\license. These are free, but you have to get it added (I do it online). They also expire after a year, so pay attention to renew every year.

[@jeromeengerskiii9963]

One thing not covered is when a boater has new people on the boat, they need to take the time to review safety before leaving the dock. Show where the fire extinguisher is located, life jackets, whistle, etc. Should also include how to radio in to Coast Guard.

[@mitchelllavalley3497]

I am just learning about boating and information is like gold! I feel like l just hit the jack pot💰 thank you for taking the time to share many other boaters would say go learn it like l did👺 Look forward to the next class!

[@floridakeysislandfishing5995]

Great information Clay! Wish every boater would watch this. I want to mention a few key additions as it’s impossible to hit all the notes on such an informative video. You did a great job! #1 always leave a float plan behind when heading offshore and have a EPERB if doing so. Make sure your VHF radio is actually registered so if the distress button is needed the coast guard knows who they are looking for. Count your life jackets. When things happen it happens fast. Have fun but always be ready as the captain. Always have a ditch bag ready and include A hand held vhf flairs water and whistle as well sunscreen and an epirb that is properly registered Sounds like this is a lot but really it’s essential to save lives in the case of an emergency. Hope for the best plan for the worst. And always stay with the boat. Cheers Capt and congrats on your beautiful family

[@ksessa1010]

Great stuff thanks

[@hipreef]

Great advice !!!

[@jamesmeyers4158]

Amazing information .. great video 👍👍

[@JohnBushel]

Great content as always. You inspired me to learn more about boating, fishing, diving etc, Thanks

[@mikepalena3900]

Wonderfully done!

[@davidzamora3020]

Great video Thanks

[@Capt.MichaelWebb-lp2em]

Clay, great video tutorial! Keep it up the great work! Cheers to you and Stephanie and the baby! Capt.Mike

[@captnjerry4950]

Nice job on the video. A lot of good information!

[@thomasbendowski2226]

Awesome video as always! Another topic to cover might be navigating at night. Tight lines!!

[@LifeByTheBow]

Absolutely!

[@larrymeador5550]

When passing an anchored boat that is obviously fishing, please pass “up current” - don’t disturb their chum line, if possible

[@hirammendez4686]

Great educational video. One of your best one thus far! keep it coming...

[@LifeByTheBow]

Thanks, will do!

[@pinotforbreakfast]

Loved this video! Please teach us more!! :)

[@phlegm2141]

You exude confidence and competence. You set a good example.

[@Ticomanguito1111]

Thanks a lot for such educational video. This is all good information for those of us that are new in the boating world. I always thought we needed these kinds of videos to easy the stress of navigating new places. I still struggle with the signs from time to time and have a hard time understanding them. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and your passion for the ocean.

[@Nitrox4me]

Great video... with a sweet ride!👌

[@auggyboy284]

Awesome stuff with awesome takeaways!! Also, people must understand that a online boater safety course doesn’t mean you have the skills to navigate sketchy waters

[@dcyeekee]

Phenomenal vid !!

[@TailEndCustoms]

Should do more like these. Thanks

[@williampruitt8420]

one awesome video Clay.

[@sirpaul8813]

Great video !

[@forrestmoranda6963]

Great video! I'm new to navigating the salt down here in SW Florida and this video was extremely helpful.

[@LifeByTheBow]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. :)

[@freedomwanderer91]

Awesome video. I love the info you give. I would love to see a video on boater etiquette for when you are around other boats. In canals, creeks, docking and out on the water. Thanks.

[@stefanhakansson7316]

Beautiful video, thanks for letting us watch🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@LifeByTheBow]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@GingerNinja68]

Great video. Thank you. I think the US needs to mandate powerboat licenses as here in the UK. Final point is line or chain scope. X5 per foot of water. 20ft depth = 100ft scope.

[@adnanbegic7754]

One of the biggest things, especially here in the northern gulf, people not knowing how to read weather. What clouds to look for and what they mean, to add wind wave to your wave forecast, and to know how to read spacing as well as knowing how the tide and current will effect it

[@dougschemmel99]

Excellent video clay

[@winstonabdulie8701]

Clay, great video as usual And very informative, If you remember I'm the Publix manager who retired and watching you from the beginning, you were the reason why I chose My bay boat , When you made the video about Bay boats and deep V center consoles in the beginning, As a beginner and a first time boat owner you made Me aware that a bay boat serves my needs the best. Oh by the way are you going to be at I Cast this Month in Orlando? Thanks Winston.

[@LifeByTheBow]

Thanks so much for the support! No, we won't make it this year.

[@jennifermarren21]

Great content, we love all your videos my husband and I watch them all. We have a home in Tavernier you passed our road on Ocean Drive in the video. We are heading down there for mini mini lobster season. Super excited! If you see us out, there were Mission Accomplished with the big American flag on the side and the Navy logo ! Big mistake I see boaters making is speeding & coming too close to the back of a boat with divers in the water. We release a big mat and a tube to give our divers a safe Haven to come up at and to control how close boats can get to the back of us. Will be scouting for spots on Friday Stay safe everyone!

[@Corvette_pilot]

My brother bought a Viking sport fish out of the Keys ! The trip back to Orange Beach with him after was the most awesome trip on a boat I have ever taken! I learned so much about boating the keys on that trip back!

[@pipsqueak631]

Though I have a shallow draft sailboat (4 inches minimum) and 22 foot, still there was good reminders and tips. Love the fishing app to load and might even get a Garmon instead of charts. Enjoyed a downwind run down Travenier Channel on my first trip to the Keys.

[@TRAILSWAVESADVENTURES]

Great video, one good one as well is dive flags, respecting the distances.

[@teekev125]

Great information. I do have a couple very basic things you should have talked about. When you are operating a boat at any speed, you should have a kill switch attached to your body. In the event you get pulled away from the wheel, it will stop the boat's motor(s). If you are operating a boat solo, you should wear a PDF no matter the sea state. Both things are common sense, but you will find common sense is not very common.

[@chipgiles4809]

Great job with this video. It's not as easy as it looks.

[@buckethead9861]

I like the closing statement. Seconded.

[@Leftlanenightrider]

Charge your phone clay and make sure you got a phone charger!! 😂😂😂

[@jasoncrume1219]

Great content. RRR (Red-right-return) works well when entering from sea. I would add in areas where the ICW (Intercostal Costal Waterways) is used, going south in a clockwise direction from NJ to TX, the Red will be on your right.

[@Lastcall115]

Great video, missed one opportunity. This one drives me insane in Marathon coming through Vaca Cut with a heavy flowing tide. Always give way to the vessel going with the fast moving tide. The boat is much harder to control under that bridge going with the tide than it is going against it due to the way the water flows towards the bridge supports.

[@FishinMagik]

Clay, I can’t seem to find an answer to this one. Lately we’ve been spot locked on a spot and have had spear fisherman roll up, drop anchor, and enter the water right next to us. In cases like that, are we required to move? I can’t imagine that’s the case but I can’t find a clear answer anywhere.

[@LifeByTheBow]

You are not required to move. They should be giving you your space.

[@jaysenpinchinat9061]

I think you can’t drive a boat around spearfishers. But can fish around them and use caution as you leave area

[@kylesplace]

Great timing on the video. Taking our boat down to the keys for a honeymoon soon

[@LifeByTheBow]

Have fun!

[@GregHines-h3p]

Clsy i use an anchor ball set up for retreival. I use the proper weight iron line that floats. My main anchor line is 350 ft, i have 4 additional sections 100 ft connected with spring clips

[@RyanMoodyOnline]

Great info! My buddy and I were pulled over 3 times in one day while jet skiing in the keys a few years ago. You have to know the rules down there.

[@LifeByTheBow]

Yeah it can be tough if you aren't aware.

[@fishnchips7823]

This episode is why I love your channel. I've veered away from your channel bc I'm researching retirement information but you always reel me back in! Great content but!!! Although not necessarily related to this core content my biggest pet peeve on the water are jet skiers who do not know or care to know the regs in their own state. Here in MD speed should be not greater than 6 knots within 100 feet of other boats, piers, pilings, bridge structures, shoreline, wharfs, people in the water or other PWC. But as a former MD DNR Reservist I see it all the time. Keep rocking your channel sir!

[@ptrollip1]

Retirement? I can strongly recommend it 😂

[@sailorman8590]

It is extremely shocking that the government doesn’t require a license to drive a watercraft with increasing degree of licensing as the watercraft gets larger.

[@billrector]

We ran into you when you were cooking swordfish on the beach at Snipes Point. We typically boat in the backcountry and have sometimes found saying away from fishing guides nearly impossible. As you know, there are places where you must navigate in a channel that is no more than 20-30' wide. In many of those channels, you need to be on plane to avoid hitting bottom. We once had a guide yell at us when we were in a narrow channel on plane with no option to move away from him.

[@thirdcoaster1]

Very educational. Did not know about the bayside regulations in the Park in the lower keys. Patch reef anchoring was informative. Some of the Keys boaters have a lot more money than common sense as seen at 30:00. A 300K boat at least and looked like he had trips. Triple the damage. I agree with tgr1313 call the Sherriff next time. Trying to school folks damaging the Keys ecosystem has fallen on deaf ears. People take offense to anything and do not care. You do a great job Clay. Thank you. It's the little things that make a difference.

[@Bottomfeederonfire]

I see calls for more boating restrictions and regulations. In a perfect world everyone would operate a boat with a safe mindset. Regardless, it’s your responsibility to educate yourself. More government involvement rarely results in intellectual progress. The entire boating community would become farther removed from the average citizen. Would it result in higher taxes on vessels and licensing? Yes. Would it bring about safer waters? Absolutely not. You can’t force everyone to exercise caution, unfortunately. The bureaucracy always prevails at the cost of your freedom.

[@cparment48867]

Great video, it’s also important to know ripples on water are nav aides and know the tide, don’t trust the tide charts when running. hope people use moorings when on reef in lower keys. Nothing finer than a Piner!

[@zacarias5443]

Great video 100%

[@peterb4871]

Nice job

[@MaxStax88]

Man i absolutely love the tropics. Im stuck way up in northern alabama and probably never will be financially able to live near a place like that.

[@LifeByTheBow]

Wishing you all the best

[@chaseme-down5774]

Great Video, tired of seeing all the tourist with no respect or common sense.. used to live off Tav Creek. 1 point to consider when talking about bridge clearance, most bridges have a clearance measurement on the pilings, the numbers increase as you go down because it measures the water height compared to the constant height of the bridge. Additionally, not to pass through the outside pilings.. typically your clearance overhead and underwater is in the center of the bridge. (Obviously unless your going under one of our longer bridges)

[@bbwana77]

Good stuff ......! ! ! ! !

[@user-hi4ue4qc8u]

EXCELLENT VID! A KEEPER FOR KNOWLEDGE BASE, SORRY ABOUT THE CAP LETTERS.😂

[@tim6986]

easiest way i've been able to remember which side red/green are on when going parallel is that red is on mainland side.

[@narbiscarmona3372]

Great informational video!!! It would be great if you could do one just on lobsters and harvesting since mini season is coming up.

[@michaelnorton1002]

Great video. I was going through the cut by Robbies to Metacumbe bight once and some idiot was pulling a tube with 2 girls on it with a jet ski through there

[@LifeByTheBow]

Thanks! hopefully everyone was okay, not a great idea to tube in a channel.

[@robertrodriguez5354]

Green green, sailings lean.

[@America2gether]

This is a great video for a noob like me. Thank you

[@michaelnorton1002]

The 300 feet from shore rule for lobster is for improved residential and commercial property. Pretty sure it's only for the first 5 days of the regular season

[@jdmcnutt98]

TLDR: lot of government regulations and shallow water in the FL Keys

[@adamscales2376]

2 things aa a lifetime local. 1. Please, please, if you're going to spear fish do it away from other divers/snooker. Not long ago during last lobster season Had a spear come through a gap in the rocks while a friend was using a tickle stick in a hole. Fortunately, no one was injured. 2. The other day, I witnessed a boater using an anchor on Sombrero because all the buoys were taken.

[@cayman597]

Brown brown run aground, white white you just might, green green nice and clean, blue blue sail on thru

[@waaaillll]

Congrats on 212k suds 🎉

[@LifeByTheBow]

Thank you!!

[@alanbrooks80]

Clay, as a JetSki rider from the Northeast, i always wondered if there are websites that show where the no wake zones are?

[@theonlymrt]

Good informative video. When are you getting more of those shirts in stock?

[@LifeByTheBow]

hopefully this week!

[@matthewlaquerre5118]

Great video! Do you have any recommendations for where to rent a boat from in the upper keys?

[@LifeByTheBow]

There are a bunch of options in the upper keys. check out Angler Eddys bait & tackle shop they have one there.

[@mickemike2148]

Since we are talking about basic knowledge here, I want to point out that boats steer with the stearn. Think of it as having the steering wheels behind you when maneuvering in tight places.

[@dannylopez9842]

Bringing down a 25' bay boat down to Marathon for mini season this year. What would you say are the favorable conditions one should look for (wind speed, wind direction, wave and swell size and direction) for the smaller boats out there. Any chance of an in-depth video with your suggestions?