Taking her out for the first time. Tips and suggestions welcome!

[Cloud]

Going to be taking her out for the first time on Wednesday. The weather is forecasted to be around 80, which is very welcome in the PNW. Boat is a 2014 RZ4. S62 =]

I'm coming from an I/O and know things are going to be a bit different. Looking for any suggestions or experiences you have had the first time. Mainly mistake that would help me from preventing them lol.

Thanks!

[boardman74]

Its going to be very different at low speed and around the dock. No steering in reverse!!! Watch your depth. With the nibral props if you even see a rock it will bend the ear over!! The throttle is really touch the first 20 hours. Goes from idle to way to much..FAST!! Where you aren't used to the throttle by wire you will probably hate it at first. Use the cruise when you can until you get used to it.

[Ewok]

On wed the ramp should not be too busy. Take your time. Remember the boat backs up to the right, so the stern turns toward the drivers side and the bow swings to the port side. Be careful, use lots of fenders and do a lot of practicing slow maneuvering on the water before you come into dock. This video show the basic mechanics of docking the boat, for a while you should only pull up to a dock on the drivers side.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-5BtWIcMw

[2013Z3]

What boardman74 said. Our first trip out in the inboard coming from stern drive was eye opening from a low speed steering and non-existent reverse. Try to remember that reverse at low speed is pretty much a brake. Use it to slow down and only try to make turns in forward. This is my take on it anyway. Also pay attention to the depth. There is no trimming up. It is what it is. Set your depth warning before you go out. Pay attention to it. More than anything - have fun!


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[Stingreye]

What those guys said, I was ignorant of low speed inboard handling. If I was going to do it again I would:

1) Get there early before its crowded... when you unload pick a lane that will allow when you back up for the boat to back towards starboard side (goofy, right side facing bow.) If you pick the lane right next to the dock (starboard side of boat) the first time, you might back into the dock when it doesn't back up like your i/o.

2) Have another person in boat to help you from hitting the dock as you retrieve the person you parked your car. Heck if you want to be extra safe. Back down on port side of ramp, float boat off with rope. Tie near end up dock, have your tow vehicle driver hop in, you should be able to back away from dock (it will pull away from it).

3) forget everything you know about slow speed handling from an i/o. It won't help. Find a nice spot on the lake, toss a fender in the water. approach it on your starboard side slowly at a 45 degree angle pretending its a dock, when you get close use reverse to stop the boat parallel to your imaginary dock. Then repeat, repeat, repeat, until you are comfortable "docking".

4) When you actually need to dock..... approach with the starboard side toward the dock same as the method in #3 slowly. You should be able to nail it. Even when I need to dock on "the other side of the dock" I actually will do a spin where I am facing out so my starboard side (drivers side) will be closest to the dock. I am not skilled enough to dock on the port side.

5) When loading, I am again less comfortable with starboard lane closest to the dock because if you need to back up and do it again, the boat will want to pull you towards the dock.

Once under speed, the transition for me was pretty easy. The first time out, I popped an Exile Big Buoy because when I hit reverse it went a different direction than I expected, then I hit the throttle harder thinking it would help me avoid the dock, then it slammed me into the dock. I lucked out that first time and the only evidence was my popped Buoy

After a few times, I got the hand of it pretty quickly. I still have times I struggle getting it on the trailer well

[LKG PH Creek]

1) The throttle is very touchy. You have to give it a good pull to get it into neutral. My first attempt docking, I thought it was in neutral, but it wasn't. Lucky for me the dealer was onboard for some "just-in-time" instructions. We practiced pulling up to a buoy a few times before attempting the dock. I really miss my old Bravo 3 around the dock.
2) Be cautious of the board racks around docks. Our dock birth is 10' wide but with the board racks out, it is an accident waiting to happen. Our rule is board racks in before approaching the dock.
3) Have fun!

[rensink]

I skimmed through the other post and a lot of good ideas. I also first time out (after winterization) like too take the time to idle the boat on the trailer for a bit to get the thermostat to open up and the motor to cool itself...regardless for the fact I know my dealer has lake tested it as well.


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[mls6722]

Cloud. What lake do you plan to go to? There are a few relatively nice launches and a few I would avoid. My favorite is Lake Sammamish State Park - It is wide and there are many lanes. Do not be pressured by idiots acting like idiots. That is their problem. Magnusun or Coulon Park on Lake Washington are ok. Stay away from Kenmore. I agree with all that is said about docking but I would emphasize a few things. First - SLOW, SLOW SLOW. There is no rudder control in reverse, In forward even with the boat stopped, you can steer with a bit of power while the wheel is turned. It does not take much to get the boat to turn if you learn to just pulse the throttle and get back to idle. If you have a cross wind at the dock, let it help you. I believe it is much easier to let the wind take you towards the dock than to fight against it to get docked on the starboard side. Coming off the dock I push the boat sideways off and begin backing. If you push far enough off, the 5 o'clock creep will not bring you too close. If the starboard stern gets too close, turn the wheel to the right and use a bit of forward throttle to get the stern off the dock. Go a bit past parallel so that your 5 o'clock creep still backs you away from the dock.

One last suggestion - post some pictures

[Cloud]

Thanks for all the help! Probably going to reread all this info a 100 more times before heading out tomorrow.

How touchy is the transmission? Can I just slide from Drive-N-Reverse with just a pause like an I/O, or do I have to give it some "rest" time before switching between them?

Also, how much draft we got to play with? Since we can't trim up, what's the shallowest depth we can go? I don't plan on testing it at all, but would be nice to know.


@mls6722
I've heard a lot of people say to stay away from Kenmore. I also heard that they have a brand new boat launch. I heard there is a bunch of dead wood floating around there, is that why?
I was thinking of checking out the new Kenmore launch, but it looks like Mag Park now.

Also, I'm pretty sure I've seen your boat before. My first boat was a brand new Black Bayliner 235 with a MTK Monster tower. I took it out almost every weekend in Lake Washington last year and your boat looks so familiar. lol

@Ewok
Thanks for the Video, going to study it very closely.

Also, it's going to be my first time in a wet suit. Trying to start wakeboarding asap. I know it sounds like a stupid question but do I simply get into it and jump in the water? Do you guys usually take it off while taking a break from boarding?

[Ewok]

I usually don't put my wetsuit on until I'm ready to jump in the water. When I'm done I take the top off and let it hang until I'm sure I'm not doing any more sets. Use a plastic garbage bag to help your arms and legs slide through the wetsuit. Take the bag, put your foot in it like a sock and slide your leg into the wetsuit, then take the bag off your foot, put it on the other one, and continue until the wetsuit is on.

[c_hotshot]

In addition to all of the good things that have been mentioned - I think the other good thing to keep in mind is "think about where you want the boat in 3 seconds, but do your actions now" and you'll place the boat where you want it!

[Dave S]

reading these posts reminds me of the first time I pulled a rider after going from my I/O to inboard. Yes, throttle by wire - hit the gas, punched it and wake boarders (2) went from on back to on stomach and face plant and person on passenger seat ended up on the floor. Everyone yelled at me then, but now we laugh about it. Since then, I only ever put my wife on the floor once, we were in high winds, had to goose the throttle pretty hard to avoid a collision.

[ericinmich]

My main thought, don't spend much time looking for the tilt/trim buttons. And watch depth gauge...

[Joeprunc]

-Be sure both drain plugs are in, if the new RZ4s have two (transom and hull).
-Don't be afraid to walk your boat on the trailer if you don't feel comfortable driving it on. If you decide to drive it on, its easier coming from a further distance that way you are sure you are straight and can judge how wind/currents will push you.
-Bring tools and check for leaks from hoses etc.
-keep eyes on temp and oil all weekend.

Smile

and this \/ \/ (great advice in docking)

What those guys said, I was ignorant of low speed inboard handling. If I was going to do it again I would:

1) Get there early before its crowded... when you unload pick a lane that will allow when you back up for the boat to back towards starboard side (goofy, right side facing bow.) If you pick the lane right next to the dock (starboard side of boat) the first time, you might back into the dock when it doesn't back up like your i/o.

2) Have another person in boat to help you from hitting the dock as you retrieve the person you parked your car. Heck if you want to be extra safe. Back down on port side of ramp, float boat off with rope. Tie near end up dock, have your tow vehicle driver hop in, you should be able to back away from dock (it will pull away from it).

3) forget everything you know about slow speed handling from an i/o. It won't help. Find a nice spot on the lake, toss a fender in the water. approach it on your starboard side slowly at a 45 degree angle pretending its a dock, when you get close use reverse to stop the boat parallel to your imaginary dock. Then repeat, repeat, repeat, until you are comfortable "docking".

4) When you actually need to dock..... approach with the starboard side toward the dock same as the method in #3 slowly. You should be able to nail it. Even when I need to dock on "the other side of the dock" I actually will do a spin where I am facing out so my starboard side (drivers side) will be closest to the dock. I am not skilled enough to dock on the port side.

5) When loading, I am again less comfortable with starboard lane closest to the dock because if you need to back up and do it again, the boat will want to pull you towards the dock.

Once under speed, the transition for me was pretty easy. The first time out, I popped an Exile Big Buoy because when I hit reverse it went a different direction than I expected, then I hit the throttle harder thinking it would help me avoid the dock, then it slammed me into the dock. I lucked out that first time and the only evidence was my popped Buoy

After a few times, I got the hand of it pretty quickly. I still have times I struggle getting it on the trailer well

[Stingreye]

How touchy is the transmission? Can I just slide from Drive-N-Reverse with just a pause like an I/O, or do I have to give it some "rest" time before switching between them?

I have been shocked how smooth the transmission in on my V-drive. No I/O clunk! I would be curious to know if the you need to pause at all before shifting from fwd to reverse too.