I've been searching for my first boat for a few weeks now (something in the 24'-26' range, midcabin cruiser). My family has always had boats, but I've never owned one. None of my friends own one either, so I'm missing some very basic knowledge that would be useful.

As I've been looking, I have been writing down basic questions on a notepad, and now I'm bringing them here.

I hope you folks don't mind answering a few stupid newbie questions...

1) Does operating a boat automatically recharge the battery?

2) How do you tow a boat / get towed if you lose power at sea? Who would you call to help tow you in?

3) Must you call US/Canada customs if you're at risk of crossing the water border, even if you don't intend to land/disembark in Canada?
(I'm in Buffalo)

4) What do I do if I get caught in bad weather?

5) What do I do if I bottom out?

6) Can you anchor in fast moving water? When CAN'T you anchor?

7) Do I need to take a course to get licensed in New York?

8) How do you boat at night? Do boats come with headlights?

9) What are the typical controls at the helm, and how do you work them properly?

10) Does the fridge work at sea?

11) Why do many drives have two propellers on the shaft?

12) The last time I was at a marina, I saw a powerboat spitting water out of a small hole in the hull. What was that?

13) Is there a water heater for faucets and the shower?

14) Am I allowed to drink a beer while piloting the boat (not get drunk obviously). If I'm spotted drinking a beer while at the helm by the authorities, am I in trouble?

15) What are trim tabs?

16) What is a bilge / bilge pump?

17) What knots do I need to know?

18) Where does the water from the sinks and the shower go?

19) Do boats have normal household ac outlets?

20) I've heard it's a good idea to pack spare fuses. How would i know if I had a bad fuse, and how would i know which fuse to replace?

okay, I'm going to stop at twenty. Thanks so much to anyone who is generous enough to help a novice out...

Jonathan
Buffalo, NY

1) yes
2) you can ask/request a tow from another boat (depending on your boat size and the size of the assisting boat or you could contact Sea Tow or some other local company in your area
3) ?
4) best plan is to try and avoid bad weather altogether. if I get stuck, I try to make it back home (usually can see the storm clouds coming) or to an island with shelter.
5) i would stop the boat and check the outdrive
6) you can, but depending on your anchor, good luck getting it set
7) depends on where you are going to boat - but it is a VERY good idea no matter where you will boat
8) No headlights. Some have docking lights that are only used for docking boat. Some boats have a spot light, but it should be used sparingly, as its use hampers your night vision. takes time for your eyes to readjust to the darkness.
9) That is an open ended question, not sure where to begin. See answer 7.
10) Depends on boat, others will have more info on this
11) Its called a duo prop set up. Helps with getting on plane and control of boat
12) Probably a bilge pump running. Taking water out of your boat. Most are automatic
13) Depends on boat
14) Depends upon who you ask. Most would say its not a good idea.
15) Trim tabes help get some boats on plane and also help with stability when on plane.
16) See answer to 12
17) you need to have someone show you a few basic knots. nothing complicated.
18) Depends on boat but usually into holding tank
19) Depends on boat
20) You will know you have a bad fuse when something stops working (lights, radio, ect). Usually the boat has a fuse chart, which tells you where each fuse is located.

Bottom line, take a generalized boating course. It will help alot...

Understand that this is a hard to control model for a new skipper. Lots of windage that the breeze takes and moves the boat in ways that frustrate.

See this thread:

alot of information

Ask away my friend as answering newbie makes us feel superior.

You might enjoy taking a boating safety course. Many basics will be covered with of course an emphasis on safety. Perhaps even provide answers to questions that you don't know to ask.

As with everything, the answers to your questions depend on specific circumstances or configurations. For example question 1) Does operating a boat automatically recharge the battery? - In power boats equipped with a single battery, the answer is yes, but many boats in the size you mention have two or more batteries. Some with an A/B switch, some with Starting and House battery configurations. All batteries will not necessarily be charged when running depending upon the configuration.

Many of your questions are also intuitive or can be addressed with a little common sense - for example the second part of question 6) When CAN'T you anchor? - When the water is too deep for the length of rode you have on board, when bottom conditions prevent the anchor from holding, when there is not enough room at the anchorage for the amount of scope that is needed, or when there are already too many boats at the desired anchorage to name a few.

On question 12) the water coming out of the thru hull could have been water used to cool an inboard engine. You will see similar streams coming directly out of inboards and i/o's. If the engine's running and that stream stops watch out for an overheating condition.

14) Drinking while boating - This depends on the waters that you boat on. Some inland lakes have open container laws in my home state Illinois. When I cross the boarder into Wisconsin, it's permissable to drink and pilot a private boat as long as one does not become intoxicated.

Many of the remaining questions are covered in the multitude of topics here in the various forums. Find some time and read the back posts. I think you'll find them interesting, often even entertaining, and they will help you gain much of the knowledge you seek.

A lot of those questions can be answered by taking a boating safety course.

http://www.boatus.com/

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.htm?WT.mc_id=400009

http://www.boatus.com/foundation/BoatUSFoundationPrograms.htm#

www.cgaux.org/

http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html

www.usps.org/

http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm

Specific requirements in N.Y:

http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/boating/edu_boat.asp

May I add that if it is a "No Anchorage Zone" on the chart, you cannot anchor there.

10) most are. Do not leave it on as it will drain the battery when the engine is off unless you are plugged into shore power with one of those yellow cords.

You need to not use head lights on the water as it reflects off the water and actually decreases visibility. You need to know how to read and use navigation lights on your boat, other boats and the shore. Some boats have docking lights, not head lights and I'm not sure how useful they are for the reason given above. That said, I've never had or used them.

EDIT: Red lights on your helm gages are best as the eyes work best with red lights as they don't need to adjust too much from looking at the helm and looking out to sea to navigate. Something to consider when chosing your boat if you plan to navigate at night.

Thank you all so much for the helpful replies. I just went to Amazon and bought that Chapman book, and I do certainly intend to take a safety course.

Thanks again. Thanks especially to Deepv for all those links.

If you are worried about the Falls, get local input.

I am the self appointed safety officer. And Capn Morgan, whale away on me. I've got a thick skin today!

You got some great answers.

A quick answer about knots: You reaaly only need to know 3 knots, a bowline, a half hitch, and a cleat hitch.

WTH Arrogance at it's finest!