If you love fishing and being on the water, owning a boat can be an exciting adventure. But if you’re new to boating, it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and fear. Whether you’ve just obtained a boat or plan to get one, having a boating license is essential (if you don’t have one yet, make it a priority!).
The journey of learning to drive a boat takes determination, patience, and courage. It’s okay to feel nervous—pray, take a deep breath, and do it scared if you must. Here’s how I tackled the process, and how you can, too.
Patience is Key
The first thing I learned about driving a boat is that it takes time. Lots of it. Be patient with yourself, practice often, and don’t hesitate to ask someone you trust for tips. Before you can enjoy fishing, you’ll need to understand how your boat operates.
Safety First
Safety should always be your top priority when driving a boat. Here’s a list of essentials to have onboard:
- Safety Gear: First aid kit, flashlight, fire extinguisher, life jackets.
- Navigation and Tools: GPS, toolkit, extra plugs, battery jump box (fully charged).
- Personal Items: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, towels, extra clothes, snacks, and drinks.
- Miscellaneous: Dock rope, tie-downs, bungees, a knife, paddle, electrical tape, and a floating key ring.
Towing Your Boat
Getting your boat from point A to point B involves some preparation:
Vehicle Setup:
- Make sure your vehicle can tow the boat.
- Check the trailer tires and ensure they’re properly inflated.
- Use the correct-sized ball on the hitch and attach a trailer adapter for the lights.
Connecting the Trailer:
- Lower the trailer jack onto the hitch ball, secure it with the latch and pin, and hook the safety chains to your car.
- Double-check everything, including the trailer lights and straps.
Prepping the Boat:
- Insert the boat plug and live well plug before heading to the water.
- Remove the key from the ignition while towing (so it doesn’t get lost).
- Snap down seats and secure the motor with a motor holder to keep the prop off the ground.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a boat requires extra caution:
- Drive slower than usual and allow more time to brake.
- Swing wide when turning, especially in tight spaces.
- Check your mirrors frequently to monitor the boat and ensure safety chains have proper tension.
- Be mindful of vehicles around you when changing lanes.
The Challenge of Backing Up
Backing up with a trailer is one of the most challenging aspects of boating. It takes practice, patience, and a few tricks:
- The Hand Trick: Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. To move the trailer left, turn the wheel left. To move it right, turn the wheel right.
- Practice Makes Perfect: It might feel impossible at first. I struggled to back my boat into the launch, starting over multiple times. A kind stranger even offered to do it for me, but I was determined to learn on my own.
With persistence, I succeeded. It wasn’t easy—there was frustration, a few choice words, and even some tears. But that moment when I finally did it? Pure triumph.
Driving the Boat
Once the boat is in the water, it’s time to learn how to drive it. Starting and operating a two-stroke motor was intimidating at first, but listening to the engine helped me learn when to trim up or down.
Empowering Every Girl
I’m sharing this journey because I want every girl to know: that if I can do it, so can you. Learning to drive a boat was one of the most empowering experiences of my life.
Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Surround yourself with friends who encourage and teach you. Then, get out there and try. You might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.
With the right mindset and a little grit, you’ll be confidently driving your boat in no time. Happy boating!
