Go-Fast Boat Safety: Six Tips

You will need to pop the boat in and out or reverse 3-5 times to get enough momentum without prop interference to have the rudder get a good hold of the direction. Once you feel the boat going to the left, you can put the boat into reverse-idle and leave it there. You should now be holding a straight line or turning slightly to the left. Pop the boat in and out of gear, wait until the engine engages in reverse, leave it there for a second, then click back to neutral.

I always let everyone on board know before we ever leave and again when we return that hands and feet should stay in the boat around the dock. If you take in the 3 driving tips shown above on how to drive a pontoon boat, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t be up and running in minutes. Here are some of the best videos that I have found on YouTube for first time pontoon boat driving tips. Your speed should be slow, even, and steady giving you just enough power to get the pontoon boat driven into the slip space.

Similarly, throughout the US, there is no age restriction to operate non-powered vessels except for the four states of California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah. In some states like Newyork and Oklahoma, you can start early at the age of 12 but up to 18 years one needs to get a special certification to drive a boat. While anyone above 18 can drive a boat without such a certificate. Different states have different laws in terms of minimum age for boating. For example, the minimum age limit to drive a boat in Arizona is 12 years while 16 in Texas and 18 in Newyork without certification. When approaching large waves, rather than hitting them head on try taking them on at about a 45-degree angle.

The trim has two main purposes which are; move the propeller away from the ground in shallow water and contribute to the overall performance of the boat while it’s underway. However, throwing the throttle in reverse while underway will act sort of like a brake and bring the boat to a halt quicker than if you just put it in neutral. Once the prop is submerged and the engine is tilted to the degree you want, turn the key and start the motor.

You will see that the bow is starting to rise to an angle with the speed. In no wind, condition engages reverse and slowly steer away from the berth, marina or pontoon. Once you came to a safe distance balance your boat and photooftheday proceed.

This helps you know how your boat responds at different speeds. Instead, just slow to a safe limit and then turn; generally 20-25% slower than the top speed. Now when you reverse slowly this will push your stern into the dock while your bow will move away.