Thinking about heading out on the water? Want a boat of your own? Well, let me give you a pointer or two, based on my own experience, both on Texas lakes and coastal waters.
I guess the main thing would be kind of obvious--a boat is not a car. Specifically, you have no brakes, and, when you break down, you can't walk to the nearest gas station or phone just anybody to come pick you up. Funny enough, people tend to get themselves in all kinds of trouble by not thinking of these VERY obvious limitations. Too many accidents are caused by boaters (often drunk) going really fast in situations where they may need to quickly change course or come to a stop. This is the dumbest situation you can get yourself into, so just don't be one of those people. Stupid hurts and may get you killed.
When it comes to breaking down, it's one thing when it happens on a lake. Hopefully there's no bad weather brewing (which can come up REALLY fast in any large body of water), and you have practiced anchoring, AND you have towing insurance. If the sun is out, you can probably just kick back on the bow and work on your tan (but ALWAYS be aware of other boaters, and fly your distress flag so they know you can't get out of the way). On the other hand, if you went out when a storm was imminent, or, just as sadly, haven't learned how to properly drop anchor and/or opted not to purchase cheap towing insurance, let's hope you're living right otherwise. Drifting uncontrollably is never a good thing.
On that note, let's talk about coastal navigation for a minute. If we move you from Lake Livingston to, let's say, the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, that breakdown becomes even more serious. Check out the pictures--commercial traffic like tugs and ferrys CAN'T stop (remember, no brakes?), AND they are not very maneuverable. So, if you happen to break down in the path of one of these bad boys, you better hope to God you have backup power (sails or a trolling motor) or the wind just happens to be blowing in your favor. Oh, and did I mention life jackets? It may be too late to put it on now, so it's not a bad idea to have it on all the time.
So maybe you're starting to garner a pointer or two. Regardless, let me sum up a few things for you to think about before you get out on the water:
*Take a boating education course. I'm providing a link if you happen to be in Texas. If not, do an internet search. It's easy to find lots of free stuff, and it's WELL worth the time.
*Remember that, sadly, a good number of boaters HAVEN'T taken any kind of boating course, so always be minding yourself and everybody else!
*If you are dealing with a gas-powered I/O, study up on ventilation and safety around explosive fumes. We had two boats BLOW UP in our marina. It can kind of ruin your weekend if you happen to be on a vessel that explodes.
*Buy towing insurance. For example, Boat U.S. charges a low annual fee for unlimited towing. There are other outfits as well. Check them out and get SOMETHING.
*Know your boat inside and out. In fact, you could get a lot of mileage out of just knowing how to drop anchor and replace a belt yourself.
*Make sure all required safety equipment is up to date and functioning. If you don't follow this rule, best case scenario is that you get nailed by the Coast Guard. Worst-case scenario is that you need it and don't have it.
*Along those lines, wear the appropriate PFD (personal flotation device). You may not look as cool with it on, but it's even harder to look cool if you're in the water screaming for help without one.
*Always, always, always respect the water. It's way more powerful than you are.
*If you see something like the barge with the airstream shown here, it's best just to play it safe and stay as far away as possible. In fact, as bubba as I am, I keep a sharp eye out for anything that even remotely smells of "redneckery." These are usually the guys smoking cigarettes while they fuel up.
Don't get me wrong, boating provides a perspective you JUST can't get from the land, and there's almost nothing else I'd personally rather be doing. The thing is, it's not that hard to be safe--a little common sense and education go a long way.
Oh, and one last thing. I don't know who said it, but, "Remember, when you leave the shoreline, you re-enter the food chain, and not necessarily at the top."
Bon voyage!
