If you are a new boat owner and want to drive it by yourself or are thinking of buying or renting one, the first question you will probably ask is if you can drive it? Or at least I did. To understand more about boats and how to operate them, I researched specifically the ease in the manipulation and driving of small recreational boats.

So are boats easy to drive? Driving a boat is similar to driving a car. Therefore as long as you can drive a car, a boat should be reasonably easy for you to handle. If you’re in the market for a new boat, be assured that you can easily drive them as they aren’t too fast or complicated in their handling.

However, caution should be taken in consideration as with every other vehicle, one should adhere to guidelines and rules to ensure safety. Although handling a boat isn’t all that complicated and you need minimal experience to drive one. There are still some other factors that ought to be taken into consideration, particularly when you’re new to the business of boat driving. These you will you’ll discover by reading on.

Driving A Boat For the First Time

Driving a boat is easy as long as you adhere to the rules. It is not that much different from maneuvering your car but conditions for handling both contrasts. For instance, when you’re driving a car, the road remains solid underneath the wheels. When you’re riding a boat, however, the water continually moves and shifts under the hull. This can make your ride somewhat challenging because you are at the whims of waves and strong breezes.

If you’re a beginner at riding boats, paying careful attention to instructions will serve you well in the long run and keep you out of trouble.

Before you begin your maiden voyage on the boat, there are some things you first ought to see to. These include:

Learning the ins and outs of the boat
Getting familiar with the navigation instruments
Cleaning and maintaining its hull
Inspecting engine”s components and fluids
Inspecting outdrive
Checking for damages and making subsequent restorations

Taking time to study your boat makes it easier to detect when there’s something wrong. You do not want to be out on the water before you discover a leaky hull or faulty engine. Rescue on the water is expensive, and keeping check of all these things will both make sure you’re kept safe, and your wallet will thank you.

Before being on the water, you should make sure to have obtained all locally required certification. You may be required to take a course on boating safety before being presented with a license, but on some occasions, you will be given the go-ahead as long as you have a driver’s license. Pay close attention to wake and speed signs, which are there not just for your protection but for those of the local wildlife.

To avoid running into obstacles, you can take along a pair of polarized sunglasses to help you see beneath the water’s surface.

The Best Boat Options For a Rookie

Every boat is unique, and before you make a choice, you should know about the boats available for the various recreational water activities, along with their strengths and specialties to help you make an informed decision. Some of these boats include:

Deck Boats
Center Console Boats
Jet Boats
Bowrider Boats
Ski/Wakeboard Boats
Pontoon Boats

Deck boats come specially designed with an open deck area as implied in the name and are spacious enough to seat a small group of people. It has a flared hull and wide beam to aid in the accommodation of more passengers. They are ordinarily used for recreational pastimes the likes of water sports and swimming and are bigger than pontoon boats. They are not the most speedy boats out there, though, so you this tidbit of information should be taken under advisement if you are in the market for a faster boat.

If fishing or sports fishing is your recreation of choice, then a center console boat would be the best option for you as they are spacious enough to hold all your fishing gear and buddies too. A center console boat’s hull does not come with a cabin and foredeck but provides reliable insulation for icing fish caught during fishing expeditions.

With a structure similar to that of the bowrider boat, jet boats are quite roomy and come with a swimming platform. They are powered by an advanced propulsion system that sucks water in then forcefully ejects it out to propel the boat forward. They provide quite the thrilling ride but can get noisy if the speed goes beyond 30 mph.

Bowrider boats are flexible and versatile, which is why they are so popular. Ask any seasoned boater, and odds are they will probably tell you their first boat was a bowrider. They are also known as the “family boat” because they offer room for up to eight passengers on board across the cockpit, the bow cockpit and helm. They are less spacious when compared to deck and pontoon boats.

Ski and wakeboard boats are similar in looks but differ in performance. Ski boats have middle engines and direct drive transmission. This makes for a flatter wake for skiers while wakeboarders have deep hulls and a V-drive engine providing a bigger wake and more room for passengers.

Pontoon boats are flatboats that rely on floats or tubes called pontoons to remain afloat on water. They are best used for fishing or a simple cruise. The way Pontoons are designed enables the designers to fit in lounge areas, bars, and other facilities.

Boating Guides for Beginners

Every seasoned boater knows to check for a few things before taking off, while in the water and after docking. However, a novice would not, and that is where I come in with these tips for your first time on the water to provide you with the ultimate smooth sailing experience.

Make sure to check the weather reports before entering your boat. Encountering a storm your first time will make for an unpleasant experience.
Dress warmly or take extra clothes with you regardless of how nice the weather seems. The weather does not remain consistent, and a chilly breeze could take the fun off if you aren’t prepared for it.
Load everything you will need onto your boat, including more food and water for emergency’s sake to save you time.
Secure gadgets and other valuable accessories like keys and wallets to prevent them from getting wet should they fall in the water as they often tend to do.
Stock your boat with first aid and toolboxes. The first aid for any injury suffered while in the boat and the toolbox to fix your boat should any easily fixable mechanical problems arise.
Wear a lifejacket all the time, and I cannot stress this enough. It could save your life and takes little to no effort to put on.

How to Stay Safe on Boating Trips

Boating is a great way to relax and just enjoy the wind, sun, and waves, but it can also be fraught with danger when care is not taken. These dangers can best be avoided by being aware of their causes and desisting from certain practices such as intoxication while driving, speeding, and failure to take basic safety measures.

Speeding is not exclusive to driving on the land but applies to boat driving as well. It is, in fact, easier to speed on the water than on land, as there are no stoplights, traffic, and other deterrents to speed. This can lead to more bodily harm, and boat damage should an accident occur

Partying while boating is not unheard of, and this more often than not means having alcohol on board the boat. It is illegal to drink while handling a boat just as it is illegal to drive on the road intoxicated because it impairs one’s vision and results in poor judgment and decision making.

Boats should always have safety equipment for managing the possible arising of emergencies such as the following items.

A loud horn
Flairs
First aid kit
Fire extinguishers
Right-sized personal flotation devices for all passengers
Lighting for night rides
VHF radio or some communication device
Tools and replaceable parts
A throwaway flotation device

Are Boats Easy To Drive?

Driving A Boat For the First Time

The Best Boat Options For a Rookie

Boating Guides for Beginners

How to Stay Safe on Boating Trips

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