"How to Boat" with SeaRay Express Cruiser 215 Express Cruiser

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[@PTC61]

I’ve been boating for over 50 years. Your video should be required viewing for every new boater. They would have a better experience boating as would everyone they share the water with.

[@M.TTT.]

He forgot that you need to consume copious amounts of alcohol and make your 12 year old son drive it back

[@skippergrundy5248]

Try taking the U. S. Coast Guards, boater safety course. You will be 90% wiser than those currently on the water, thinking they know what they are doing. I've crossed the Atlantic, medd, red sea, Arabian sea and a few others. And I can honestly say, after taking this course, I've relied on what they taught me, endless times.

[@MichaelMcAlexander]

I am always amazed at the amount of knowledge you possess and what I glean from you. Not only did I learn about proper boating techniques, but I just learned how to slow down and accelerate a KZbin video! What a legend.

[@kevinjoyce4497]

I watched a young guy drag his volvo out drive for about 10 feet at the Tullytown marina. He was pissed, but he learned a valuable lesson. Thank You for a great video.

[@born_again_torinos]

What a great teacher you are. Thoughtful too. About the guys who take up both lanes. It bugs the heck out of me while I'm driving in town and I pull up to a stop light or sign. I hug the center line so people can turn right at the light while I'm stopped. Nobody ever does that for me sadly. They pull up right in the middle while I sit through the light cycle when I could have turned if they cared about their fellow man. Selfish.

[@pruebaprueba6108]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊😊

[@deshawnberry1539]

dude taught me how to own a boat AND slow down a youtube vid.. NEAT!

[@DougAlesUSA]

Okay, this is the best new boater education video I’ve ever seen, and you just made it without a big production crew. Not only is the content spot-on in my opinion, but it feels like a freind is sharing their experience and tips, not like a self-proclaimed expert know-it-all talking down to the viewers. Hope its okay with you that I share this video with a few people. Well done.

[@NNKH2]

Thanks Doug I really appreciate your feedback and kind words. Glad to hear the video was useful to you and would be awesome if you share it. Been meeting to record a boat tutorial video for a long time, but never did it because it always felt so overwhelming since there's really a lot to cover. So I just kind of winged it in this video and I'm sure there are odds and ends that I forgot to mention. This covers the base pretty good though.

[@teebee5323]

16 volts isn't gonna hurt that battery friendo, but dam straight get that 'nator fixed. Just me but I'd fix the trim indicator too, aughta give you a few years of set it and forget comfort.

[@BuggysTowJam]

Great step by step tutorial for beginners. I can only assume the dock hogs that take the center on a double ramp dock, aren't confident in their backing up skills. I wander what they do on a busy dock day? I just can't imagine throwing the line to your mate when off loading 15 to 20 feet away from the dock here hold these and bring it way over here when I pull out 😂😂😂😂 when we had a place at Indian acres people would gather around the dock on Sunday to watch the entertainment of guys getting their boats out after a weekend of fun on the water. It was endless entertainment.

[@garyseaton4619]

As always, it is a thoughtful and informative video. When I got my first boat, I suffered through all the rookie mistakes - drain plug, not raising the drive, not careful docking in an unfamiliar spot and chewing a prop on rocks... You always learn through experience. Luckily my mistakes weren't very costly (had a way better prop in box to replace the shredded one) and nobody ever got hurt. Just pride and ego. A boat is a wonderful thing to experience and enjoy for being "a hole in the water you throw money into."... Till the next video...

[@kencrouch668]

I'm a little late to the party but - you forgot an important step! You have a inboard outboard I do not recall that you turned the blower on before you started the motor! It is even better to lift the motor cover up and then start the motor. If you don't the gas fumes could ignite and blow the boat up! It is especially recommended if you fuel up at a marina or a gas station. Also - what about boat insurance? also- towing insurance if available in your area! Boat US or Sea Tow - if you break down in the middle of a river or the ocean then you will need someone to tow you home!

[@Djdj-kd8ue]

I just now viewed this & I noticed the samething & was going to comment on this,i've seen a boat blow up because they didn't turn on blower for a few min.

[@integr8er66]

If you lived in the Midwest you wouldn't need tow insurance, I boat the Mississippi and I have towed people home and been towed home before and would always help a fellow boater out, I guess it's just midwestern decency.

[@kaydesign]

Hey mentions this point at the end (21:45m)

[@FL.AirBoater]

@@integr8er66 same here in Florida

[@robertsurprenant1205]

True!

[@1000monograms]

As a guy who doesn't have too much experience with motor boats but quite a lot with sailing ones - I must admit I love your videos. Thank you for them!

[@pruebaprueba6108]

Wfaazkx

[@grngs1]

Your spot on on your tips! I've boated for 40 plus years, and do most thing like you, your a safe boater!! Jen is sweet also for a first mate.

[@arkadandfortuna1582]

Wow can’t believe I haven’t seen this vid yet. This is great! Straight fwd in plain layman’s terms and no dancing around the point. U make me wanna buy your boat now.

[@runbmc35]

Your video is by far the best I've seen on here if you ever wanted to know what you need to know for a day on the water

[@runbmc35]

Dude u made my day when u rolled her on and let her rip and got a solid 43 out of it. That's what my 19' would do

[@Bierdaddy1]

Wonderful info for those first time owners and good reminders for rusty old salts. I get your obvious skills with years of experience, however new boaters might want to leave the boat running in neutral while Capt or mate ties off at the dock. Saw a small wake from a passer-by knock someone tying up at the dock. Capt was scrambling to grab the wheel while cranking up the motor. Bumped the pyle then the boat on the other side of the slip before he had powered control. Oops. Might need a little power on windy days too. .. Thanks again for the great vid!

[@ackack612]

That's my only issue....would definitely NOT shut down the engine until the boat was properly secured at the dock. Otherwise, well done, lots of useful info, thumbs up!

[@johnsn10]

Jen is the star of the show

[@southernshooter]

Funny thing about roller trailers. Whenever you release all of the straps and chains, it pretty much launches right there. Highway, driveway, wherever.

[@sailboy1212]

not a bad overview However Cardinal Rule always use Blower to clear confined engine compartment of Gas Fumes before engaging the ignition. I do like 1 minute while i check boat over. Thank you

[@richardstamper5630]

Great tutorial and a good reminder for us seasoned boaters

[@robertsurprenant1205]

Hey Chris we're finally going to get our 97 EC 215 out on the water tomorrow. Long overdue. I appreciate this video you provided us. I'll have to bungee my swim ladder on ,it flops around. I drive a stick too so 4WD low and yes I bought rubber wheel chocks. Should be ready. This is a huge deal for my wife and me to finally launch. We picked a Monday hoping traffic won't be too busy at the docks. Been doing a !ot of work on the 97 to make sure she's ready. So tomorrow is the big day. I'm stoked as hell. Again,thanks so much for the valuable tips.

[@NNKH2]

Awesome to hear that and hope everything goes smooth! Great to hear that the video was helpful too. Don't forget to turn your blower fan on before starting. Or open the engine cover. Forgot to mention it in this video. An explosion would be a terrible first day out on the boat. LOL. Have a blast! The express cruiser is a wonderful boat.

[@wyldbill100]

VERY WELL DONE! Thoroughly enjoyed this and the narration was excellent. Get your First-mate another beer. She did great!

[@adventuresonthewater-we9pk]

Late to the party here too. Awesome video especially for first timers and old timers as reminders. I would say that generally recommend leaving your boat on as you dock versus shutting it off right away. Just in case you need to do a quick maneuver with the wind or current

[@edadan]

I had a SeaRay 225 Weekender that I bought brand new in the early 2000's. It was a great boat and I had a lot of fun on Lake Lanier with my kids.

[@kuujo50]

should do a video on trailer and boat after care , .washing of salt and preventing rust ect, so many peeps dont know how to look after there boats and trailers. wheel bearings especially here in Aus see so many boats on the side of the road cos a wheel bearing has gone !

[@robertsurprenant1205]

Finally got our 97 EC out there. The Sea Ray operated and ran flawlessly, it was fantastic. My personal operating skills will require practice but we got it all done and I'm proud of my wife and myself. Most helpful was the prep advice pertaining to boat essentials and trailering. And the driving while towing precautions also. Most crucial was the big old gnarly rubber chocks I used to stabilize my 95 K2500 5-speed and 4WD Low made the launch and retrieval too easy. Note: I had to get both rear tires of my truck a couple feet into the water to assure the backend was floating and also when I retrieved the boat to winch it in properly(took me two tries)Those tips helped a ton. Going back out there this weekend. Goid stuff. My docking however, dud NOT work like a glove....but practice leads to improvement.

[@runbmc35]

I had a sea ray seville 19'. It was a 1987 with a cuddy cabin and a 165hp mercruiser AlphaOne. It would produce top speed of roughly 44-45mph. I want to point out that in your video when you mentioned the trim/tilt and avoiding trimming too high, you said that you do not have over-trim protection. I notice on your throttle lever that there is both the up/down rocker switch for trimming in the water and that there is a "trailer" button below that. This is supposed to be the bypass switch that brings the outdrive to full upward position for safe towing of the boat. Your "trim" up should only bring the outdrive so far up and away from the transom to avoid cavitation and throwing the propeller or damaging the trim cylinder and outdrive. Very helpful video. Everyone needs to learn these basics before getting a boat. I also like the boat you have as a choice for the video as many of the common components in most boats are featured in this tutorial. Thank you for uploading this excellent video. So helpful

[@mrbluesky9891]

Good safety advice...things can go bad real quick with boats/water. One thing not mentioned...never drop your trailer into the water when the wheel bearings are hot (especially salt water) as the temperature cools rapidly water will be sucked in through the seals.

[@nathanmcolton]

Bummer the guy backed out of the deal but it's probably for the best. This is a pretty big boat for a first timer. Glad you were finally able to sell it.

[@darenleeper1644]

Curtains is usually packed. Good day to dock. Miss boating the deleware.

[@Spacesprocketz]

I bought my Sundancer end of the year last year, we only went out a few times so I'm watching refresher videos. This was great! Ironically my trim gauge is broke too LOL

[@billyaitken7461]

I wish I’d found this video two years sooner, I’ve really enjoyed all your boat restoration vids 🎥👏👏👏

[@CPthetooladdict]

Great video great advice and great for new boaters excellent tips nailed it! I always forget one thing no matter what I do lol

[@NNKH2]

Thanks man!

[@PAKDAMKAR]

Nice

[@JamesDavis-qi4zy]

If I could add one thing to your very well done video, when docking, always leave the motor running in case something goes wrong and you need to manoeuvre quickly, motor may not fire right up. Then when dock lines are tied then turn motor of.

[@NNKH2]

I've gotten in the habit of turning mine off when I come in because sometimes it gets stuck in forward if you go to neutral. That boat is sold now though. But the Habit has carried over to my current vote since it's a airboat. You kind of have to shut it off well before you get to the dock otherwise you're coming in 🔥

[@hotdude655]

that first mate though, wouldn't mind getting stranded 😁

[@beverlylynch6334]

I am hoping to purchase a boat soon, with no experience I need to learn all I can about the art of boating. Enjoyed the video.

[@jasonf207]

Good job sir. Very experienced boater here and you did a great job. Nice boat too, she deserves a little TLC

[@BrandonCrapo]

You do an excellent job of explaining these key steps. Everything u mention is right on point man

[@johnhauser5939]

You did good my friend I would have not a problem sending this video to one of my friends to help them out. I would have thought the top speed of this boat would be a lot higher than what it was with the engine it has. I'm not sure if it's because the bow and under the boat is dragging really hard or if it's pitch of the prop your using, or maybe just a heavy boat. My father has a 19 Foot Maxum with the 4.3L V6 and I can hit 53 pretty regularly. I basically grew up on this boat it's been in the family for ever we put this boat through hell and back on Lake Erie and it's all original and in top notch shape.

[@Johnsonfan169]

He was not wide open

[@brucewatts2022]

Great video. My only thing I disagree with is shutting off the engine before your lines are secure to the dock. Good job!

[@chonasimpson6487]

Bayliner VR 5 Cuddy Cabin pull the drain plug also. Sorry you mentioned that at the end also a set of trailer guides helps big time in a strong current.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Buy new r 5 batrryvoiwr 32 kw 30 mole rang trksa cel 34 Mike appec36 Nile BMW bateris 39 mile rang

[@levergun]

Well done Chris. A lot of good information here for those that care to learn it. I've always thought some of the best entertinment there is, is found at the boat ramp. Bring a folding chair and a cooler of refreshments and observe. 😆😆😆

[@MrAluntus]

I love the fact that Jen is sipping on a Miller Lite.. LOL

[@championplayerdo7604]

i used to Love boating. great vid

[@tracyanderson5715]

So glad I found this video. We got a 2000 EC late season 2021 and I need to learn to be a great 1st mate as well as a 2nd pair of eyes and ears for my husband. I have watched your video several times now, and will be putting my new knowledge to use this weekend! Did you find a buyer? I hope you did, and onto your next boat! Thanks again!

[@NNKH2]

Hey Tracy. Happy to hear that the video was useful to you and I appreciate you dropping a comment. No I decided to keep the boat for now and I'm excited to use it some this season! Enjoy and happy boating.

[@taavivalter4974]

Thanks mate! Videos like these can save a lot of money, stress and nerves :) Thousand thank you's !!!😊

[@andrewspirk6502]

More boaters need to watch this

[@dougrannells]

the greatest overall video for "how to" I have seen!! Thanks

[@NNKH2]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks man

[@michaelgriffin1179]

Great video, I’m not new to boating but you had some good tips! Thanks and keep up the good work

[@markthomas2436]

You're an interesting guy. Not only do you have really good knowledge about all kinds of motors, cars and trucks, boats and motorcycles, you also have a very good vocabulary and could make a good instructor or teacher. I have an idea for you and Jen-- buy an old RV or an old camper and fix it up. That would make a cool video. Love the channel, and I have seen a ton of your videos.

[@robertsurprenant1205]

Damn helpful video. Very helpful. I just purchased my 1st 97 Sea Ray 215 EC. Its a huge step up from my old 79 Tri Hull. Thanks!

[@My_Op]

After that video, I would not buy it neither: I've never been boating and I understand thanks to your video that it's absolutely not something I'd like to do. Too much things to think about, too much stress, not much reward and costly too. Thanks a lot!

[@Luigi-pk8mk]

Great explanation to which I'll add, for gas inboard engines: open engine hatch, sniff for gas fumes. if you smell gas DO NOT START. if no gas smell run blower for 4 min then start up.... and....always know...how much water is under the boat lol....

[@timh.1300]

One more thing, Always check the drain plug going in the water and take it out when pulling out of the water to drain any excess water.....

[@andrewbarber904]

Excellent video, very well done and very informative Great job man

[@NNKH2]

Thanks Andrew

[@jerrywilliams9190]

Good stuff, Chris and I enjoy watching your vid's. Have to agree with Jen - you look VERY handsome with your hair cut shorter.

[@mikehotchkiss8975]

Fast paced yet comprehensive. Nice work

[@cgschow1971]

There are trim cylinder trailering clips available so you don't have to tie up your outdrive while trailering.

[@josephwalder8868]

Hey, great videos. I keep my boat Westville NJ, a little south of where you are. Curtins looks like an awesome spot, are there any other places like that on the river?

[@madmusicman5921]

Blower fan? Not sure I heard you mention its usage.......very very important.

[@aztekwarrior518]

Thanks man! Learned a lot and I'm a little more eager now... Really informative 👍👍

[@erlinavicente7411]

I’m thinking about getting my family a boat 🚤 Ty for putting this video together, sure wish you live near SF, I could use some advice.

[@kevinaldrichFL]

Fantastic boating video. You did such a great job explaining everything.

[@AK-ky3ou]

Damn good beginner boating video.

[@gm1937]

Great video. In New York the inconsiderate dudes who drive by fast and real close we wait for them back at the dock later in the day. After we get done with them they don’t do it again.

[@slimriddim4145]

Thank you for the single most informative boat video I've seen on KZbin... so many quality bullet points in 23 minutes. Subscribed Sir! 👍🏾👌🏾

[@kennethmillar8173]

Hi Chris you are a great teacher. I've never been on a boat but I would love to go on a speed boat

[@nilsonc93]

Great tutorial sir.. I want to buy the same exact boat. So this was definitely helpful.

[@jamesrichardson476]

Great little boats. I owned one for about ten years, same as this one but a little newer (2001) and with the Mercruiser 5 litre efi. We used her on the UK south coast and although, as suggested, things go wrong from time to time, we never regretted buying her. We eventually sold her because we weren't using her enough and with gas in the UK now about $12.00 per gallon (UK gallon - a bit more than the US equivalent) I'm glad we sold her when we did, although they're always in demand and easy to sell. Go for it!

[@nilsonc93]

@@jamesrichardson476 I'll get one soon .

[@michaelosmon]

Where I boat there's a lot of boats, and a lot of places to eat and drink and a lot of people in a hurry and a lot of people who disregard everyone else. My main suggestion, not that anyone asked me, but there's no need to be so close to other boats. Especially if they have an orange flag flying. Boating is not something you do because its quick. Everything boating costs money and takes time. Even race boats take 45 min to go the 2 miles to get to the starting line because there are no wake zones everywhere. Slow down and you might actually enjoy it. If you're in a hurry maybe just don't go out. Boating has a crazy high level of inherent danger. Half the people out there are half in the bag, pays to pay attention. These housewives who take their kids tubing all summer love to get within 20 feet of the tube I'm pulling on a 4 square mile lake. That is a great way to make me irate putting my niece and nephews lives in danger when you got all the space in the world to not be right by my family yet you do it anyway because you're ignorant. Give people plenty of space, especially if they're in the water. Also, if you see a bunch of boats anchored.....don't go flying through the area where they're anchored and make a wake right by them. Give them a lot space. If you're floating in the water talking to your friends with a cocktail and some jerk in a big boat flies by and a huge wave throws you into your boat and knocks you out.... that's gonna ruin the whole family's weekend because dude was being ignorant. It's not necessary and completely inconsiderate. It doesn't take much effort to be respectful of everyone around you. The more people act like idiots the more cops you'll see. The more our taxes increase to pay for that. Never actually seen a boat chained to a trailer before. Everyone I've seen launching in or out uses nylon ratchet straps. Interesting. I wait to put my truck into 4 low until I'm ready to reverse down the ramp. My ram hates being in 4wd on dry pavement and it shows when i turn the steering wheel. I can't get my controls to increase my engine speed without engaging the lower unit. I've tried pushing that button where it pivots, I don't think its a button on mine just a cap. I tried sliding the lever outward before moving it like on my old bayliner, seems like it's fwd and rev only for my yamaha 90tlra controls

[@japtele52]

The 4 F's FLARES FIRE EXSTIGHER FIRSTAID FLOATATION ALSO! THROWABLE DEVISE WHISTLE OR AIR HORN AND RED FLAG OR BRITE ORANGE SHIRT SOMETHING TO WAVE

[@assocrec]

Great job but will say you shouldn’t have to get your feet wet to launch or pull your boat from water. I use a technique to launch my boat so it rolls off the trailer however have a line tied to winch area to catch the boat from going too far. If ramp isn’t too steep it works great every time

[@NNKH2]

Yeah that's what I used to do when I had the bunk trailer. Risky business with rollers and definitely not worth it

[@Long-nd8bq]

You didn't mention running the blower or opening the engine hatch when first starting it and in the no wake zone. I always do that since I have seen boats ignite fumes and it looks like a bomb went off in the stern. I saw you mentioned it at the end, but I do it any time the boat is going to be running without any air speed blowing in the vents. Sucks to have had alternator issues but at least you caught it before your batteries got damaged.

[@nathanmcolton]

No need to run the blower when the motor is running. The motor is an air pump.

[@averagedadgamer27]

One thing also, if your tailpipe is below water level, do not shut your truck down

[@storytimewithunclekumaran5004]

Good eye on the dead alternator..Without that gauge there would have no way to know that had happened.

[@FifiRX]

Greetings from Poland.

[@NNKH2]

Hello there!

[@pugs9278]

Brought me back to my boating days. Love the video!! Miss my 21’ Wellcraft. BTW, cute first mate!!

[@kevinmccarey5015]

Hello to you today, Great video, my first boat was a 215 and I learned plenty with that stern drive. Awesome Be well

[@mikeratcliff1446]

Great video. I’ve boated many times and I actually learned some things.

[@markduncan6690]

A Plus for your Seamanship Chris!

[@adn9122]

Great info! Greetings from Holland

[@OmervandenBelt-vm2qz]

Look around you, look for debri, look at your gauges, look for people swimming. It is almost the same as driving a car. When driving a car you also look around you, look for debri, look at your gauges and look for people walking.

[@jblende]

Nice video, I would add to check your engine temp before giving it throttle. Depending on your boat anywhere from 140 to 170.

[@herrnietschke]

Thanks for the take away. Very interesting.

[@walkingman9171]

Good informative video, I would run the blower when cold as well.

[@phillipmatthews8341]

Great talk on boating.

[@dickritchie2596]

On a boat like that open the hood and/or run the blower if you smell gas before yo start the engine.

[@MissionaryForMexico]

Outstanding video, and one of the sea rays I really like!

[@FreddyFunderbunz]

I hate boats but this was still entertaining

[@ariskoskinas]

Which mobile phone mount is this man ? Awesome footage ….

[@beeffcritter2107]

Safety and all that is Kewl. But when you Sunk Your Truck, That was Fuckn Awesome Bro Love Yas.

[@SpiritandTruth72]

Dude makes it look easy. I'm in PA as well I'd like for you to take a look at my boat if you could.

[@mattbmatt]

Great video mate, excellent for newbies 😊

[@edwardbughiuc100]

tongue's got to be wrapped around the ball....you said it. And you check everything before you head out.

[@barsforlife8948]

Great video! Thank you for sharing this knowledge.

[@NNKH2]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful! I did forget to talk about the blower fan though so don't forget to turn that on before starting the engine

[@sharonbraselton4302]

never had boat alternatire over charibg with high viktagr

[@bxbmbr766]

Great video very informative and easy to follow

[@texascityrc8660]

However It can come in clutch and save your boat from sinking... EXPLAINED BELOW Remember, on a boat you must save yourself first, you are your own first responder. Redundancy will save your property and your life! " Yes hunny I did need to spend that extra $200 on that back up battery. No it's not for the trolling motor, it's for the back up starter system! Id sure hate to have something happen where I couldn't get back in time for work on Monday..." 😉 I had a small hole form in a heat exchanger hose on my Sea Ray. Cruised for a few hours. By the time I knew it was leaking, was feeling the weight shift of the boat change/ power fluctuations, caused some suspicion. I pulled the cover and BAAM, water up past the oil pan, shorting the battery out thru the starter lead! Bilge pump float switch failed to engage. I immediately hit the secondary bilge pump on aux battery and pumped away, as soon as the water was below the starter, hit the battery switch adding aux power, crank the motor, pull the plug, speed away. Water will be gone in no time at all. Have a hand put the plug back in. And your good to go! Sounds like a lot but when you practice it takes about 1 minute flat to bail yourself out of a really shitty situation!

[@careygray9395]

Please turn on the blower before you start!!!😆

[@regconrad7783]

One other pre trip is them single vertical tire mounts will crack where they mount to the trailer found the one on my jet boat cracked stupid mounting

[@user-jz7hk9ku4v]

How far can u travel with a full tank . And how much is fuel.

[@flyship]

Great Video !!!