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SAMRUSH.
Not a brag post…but are you a good boat driver and was it seat time or watching and learning from someone else. The reason I ask is from talking to someone from the past and discussing someone who could drive the chines off of a boat. I see some guys who can turn them 90 degrees on the pad and run them like no-bodys business. So how did you learn and any tips……….BTW.. I am not a good driver, my boat drives good. I want to learn to handle one like some of the good drivers. I know alot will say seat time, but there has to be something else.
Well seat time seems to be the answer for anything you driver. I have been a boat catain on inland-river waters for 16 years and now im in blue water out of N.Y. up and down the east coast and in N.Y. harbor for the past 9 yrs. Any boat you steer has different handling capabilities and reacts different, as does cars motorcycles etc. I had a 95 PII prior to my 08 Cougar and am still learning this boat slowly and making sure to feel everything the boat does through my hands and seat, while making smart and slow changes. I learned along time ago that there is no knowledge gained quickly that will make for experience. Like i said i have ran boats for a long time and have trained wheelhouse personnel, time will always make you better at the helm. Patients is the key and listen to anything anyone says, but that doesnt always mean that it will work for you but you can curve from it and make it work for you. You can make two boat identical but they will always handle a little different. Remember safety first
Glad you were not talking about fishin cause in that respect Im a HERO or a ZERO……………….
I am usually Zero! Like another post I eat beef jerky on the boat. I know some boats turn on a dime…….do Cats? I guess I dont have the …..whats the word? ……Junk……to try it. Bumblebees would slide and I could handle that…..but Cats seem to hook and will break your back if you let off in the slightest. Is it hold it to the floor or a trick to it? I miss running WFO and carving the corners. That was with a 150 ……..250 I will not play with! But, I see guys that drive them like they stole them! I want that!
Heck it is an 05 that I purchased in 06 and has 53 hrs on it …………….needless to say I use it very little! The mechanic actually @#%%$*# at me for not running it! I ran 36 hrs at less than 2000 rpm. Powerhead blew and he said that was why! That is the reason for my post! She will run upper 80s ….not me driving . But I want to do it! 27 big ear that I am running now and I tried a 30 and it scared the crap out of me! You boys that run these are obviously naturals or had someone teach you!
Anyone trying to do a 90 degree turn in a bassboat in a non emergency situation needs medication ! Our boats are not designed to withstand that kind of abuse, and to do so will stress the limits of what tolerances are engineered into the accessories and hull. There are certain situations which call for drastic manuevers, but recreation isnt on the list ! IMHO, D.
Some of the guys with the 250s dont need them? Heck they dont need to be drivin if thats what you call their activity? Glynn
The worst bass boat accidents at LOZ I have seen or heard of were by experienced drivers who exceeded the capabilities of their boat in rough water. Several big name pros were injured in the last FLW. They did not understand how fast rogue waves form on this lake. Several had to be heli-evacted to the hospital. Seat time is very important to learn the capabilities of your boat, but local knowledge is also important. I heard the injured pros were told they needed to trim down and slow down, they didnt pay attention. Learn what your boat can do on a particular body of water and dont try to exceed it. LOZman
LOZMAN is right on. I think sometimes the more experienced take more chances thus accidents occur. The video at Sam Rayburn with the guy in the Legend is a perfect example. He hit that boat wake at just the right angle and spun out. Seat time is important but things happen so fast at those speeds. I had a Champion that I tried to turn to sharp around a corner and the hull caught. Threw my partner in my lap and almost knocked me out of the boat. Scary to say the least. Even the man himself had an accident at the dealer meeting a few years back and he has more experience with these boats than anyone. Accidents happen even with the most experienced. Bottom line respect your equipment and wear your safety gear.
90 degree turns usually equal 360 degree turns, any boat driver that does not use his head while driving is a total idiot. Any time the water ahead looks dangerous slow down. 5 min more to any fishing hole is better than 24hrs in hospital or in court fighting law suits when you endanger someone else. I know guys that say their boat slides at WOT when turning a curve, I always ask why didnt you slow down a little, their response- the boat should not act that way in a turn. On the highway you dont drive 70 mph in a very sharp turn, you automatically power down, a boat is usually less responsive than your vehicle , so why push the limits. JUST USE THE BRAINS GOD GAVE YOU AND DON”T TRY TO SHOW OUT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE THAT REALLY COULD CARE LESS!!! The last thing in your mind should not how to perform 90 degree turns or 180s, but how to avoid the situation in the first place!!! SAMLast edited by SAMRUSH on May 17th, 2009, 4:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.BAYOU BANDIT
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