New FSH 210. Need advice for first launch!

[Timothy Pearch]

Hello I’m new to jet boating. I’m a bass boater who just got a FSH 210. I’ve got to pick it up, launch it, and drive it to my marina on Lake Erie on Saturday. I’ve never driven a jet boat before!!! Can someone give me a quick ramp checklist and some advice on how I can successfully get through this? I’m excited, but nervous.

 

[jeff_s]

A few things I always try to remember:
-don’t leave home without your boat keys.
-Make sure your drain plug is in.
-make sure you have your kill switch lanyard and it’s inserted properly.
-Once you are ready to back down the ramp, undo your rear buckles.
-get an idea of the wind speed, wind direction and water movement. (I launch into the bay so all 3 of the above factors determine which side of the ramp I drop in at and what dock I park my boat up to)
-throw some bumpers out on both sides of your boat this way you can get it to dock on either side.
-don’t let anyone else at the ramp dictate your pace.

*Try to have fun although your first launch will get your juices flowing*

 

[Timothy Pearch]

Thanks for all that!

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

-don’t let anyone else at the ramp dictate your pace.

This x10000. Pick the ramp you will be most comfortable backing down and what works best with the wind. If you need to wait 20 minutes... so be it. Take all the time you need. My dealer gave me some good advice - if someone is giving you crap about taking so long - throw them a beer and tell them to wait. As far as driving the boat... make sure you get a good push off the dock as you will need some time to figure out the boat maneuvers in reverse, so giving your self as much distance from the dock is a good idea. The cruise assist buttons are your friend around the dock. If you are by yourself I would get a dock hock. Makes it easy to pull the boat right next to the dock and can use it to push your self off.

 

[jeff_s]

@Timothy Pearch will you have anyone helping you when you launch?

It always helps to have someone push the boat off the trailer while you are at the helm.

With bunk style trailers, you’ll need to be in enough water so that the boat floats up off the bunks.

And since this just happened to a friend of mine this past weekend, try To get an idea how far into the water the ramp goes. My friend was dropping in his 18’ hurricane and backed his trailer to far down the ramp and the back trailer tires went off the ramp and dropped about 18’ down. He had to muscle his truck in forward to get the trailer back up on
To the ramp after his boat was off

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

If he has someone with him, it may be wise just to walk the boat off. I do this pretty often, less crap to worry about.

 

[jeff_s]

If he has someone with him, it may be wise just to walk the boat off. I do this pretty often, less crap to worry about.

I would agree with you except I’m not sure what conditions Lake Erie present. But usually it’s much easier to walk the boat off.

I know I have to drive my boat off the trailer at my launch because it’s only 2 boats wide and the current and wind would turn my boat sideways unless I was in it motoring off the trailer.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I would agree with you except I’m not sure what conditions Lake Erie present. But usually it’s much easier to walk the boat off.

I know I have to drive my boat off the trailer at my launch because it’s only 2 boats wide and the current and wind would turn my boat sideways unless I was in it motoring off the trailer.

Even with two ropes? I often have one person with ropes on the Forward and Aft cleats, which gives pretty good control of boat. Of course if it's super windy that is a different story for one person. They will just walk it back as I push the boat off the trailer.

On a side note, I just read a story this morning about meteoric tsunamis, or something of that nature, in the great lakes.

 

[Timothy Pearch]

This x10000. Pick the ramp you will be most comfortable backing down and what works best with the wind. If you need to wait 20 minutes... so be it. Take all the time you need. My dealer gave me some good advice - if someone is giving you crap about taking so long - throw them a beer and tell them to wait. As far as driving the boat... make sure you get a good push off the dock as you will need some time to figure out the boat maneuvers in reverse, so giving your self as much distance from the dock is a good idea. The cruise assist buttons are your friend around the dock. If you are by yourself I would get a dock hock. Makes it easy to pull the boat right next to the dock and can use it to push your self off.

Thanks so much! Should I engage cruise assist immediately after I start the engines?

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I always start the engine, get settled in and then push off the dock and then shift into reverse neutral and then give it a click or two (depends on current) and slowly exit my way from the docks.

 

[Frank Marshall]

After departing the ramp dock, I usually select a level of No Wake Mode 1-3. Once I'm cruising, I match the rpm's of the engines, as cruise control does not balance them, and then turn on the cruise control.

The boat does not handle like a bass boat. I know it looks like it has a rudder, but it doesn't. No power, no control. However, you have separate control of each jet. You can spin on a dime by putting one jet in forward and the other in reverse. You can even crab walk because of this. It just takes the right input of steering with the jets opposite.

For docking, with minimum forward thrust, driving at angle into the dock, SLOWY, as you get close throw the far side jet into minimal reverse. That will swing your bow away from the dock and slow your forward progress. When your close and parallel, turn off the engines and tie off. If you can, approach from the leeward side, so you don't get pushed into the dock. In other words, like on your bass boat, take the wind and current into account.

Good luck. Enjoy your new boat. Glad your on a little lake without a lot of influence on your boat.

 

[ClemsonTiger]

-don’t let anyone else at the ramp dictate your pace.

Hmm, depends on the circumstances! If you don't know what your doing or its your first time at a ramp...don't do it at 8am on a Saturday! Do your practice rounds not during peak times. Also, if you don't pre-load your boat with everything PRIOR to launching your boat.....uhm yeah, your gonna catch hell and deservedly so.

Rule #1 - have your cooler, towels, life vests, rods/reels and whatever your taking out on the boat loaded in the boat prior to backing down the ramp!
Rule #2 - if you are green, just ask for help from the guy next in line...99% of people will help and understand.

 

[Timothy Pearch]

After departing the ramp dock, I usually select a level of No Wake Mode 1-3. Once I'm cruising, I match the rpm's of the engines, as cruise control does not balance them, and then turn on the cruise control.

The boat does not handle like a bass boat. I know it looks like it has a rudder, but it doesn't. No power, no control. However, you have separate control of each jet. You can spin on a dime by putting one jet in forward and the other in reverse. You can even crab walk because of this. It just takes the right input of steering with the jets opposite.

For docking, with minimum forward thrust, driving at angle into the dock, SLOWY, as you get close throw the far side jet into minimal reverse. That will swing your bow away from the dock and slow your forward progress. When your close and parallel, turn off the engines and tie off. If you can, approach from the leeward side, so you don't get pushed into the dock. In other words, like on your bass boat, take the wind and current into account.

Good luck. Enjoy your new boat. Glad your on a little lake without a lot of influence on your boat.

Thank you very much!

 

[Timothy Pearch]

Hmm, depends on the circumstances! If you don't know what your doing or its your first time at a ramp...don't do it at 8am on a Saturday! Do your practice rounds not during peak times. Also, if you don't pre-load your boat with everything PRIOR to launching your boat.....uhm yeah, your gonna catch hell and deservedly so.

Rule #1 - have your cooler, towels, life vests, rods/reels and whatever your taking out on the boat loaded in the boat prior to backing down the ramp!
Rule #2 - if you are green, just ask for help from the guy next in line...99% of people will help and understand.

I’m not totally green. I’ve launched bass boats many times. Just green to the jet boating thing and dual throttles. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Timothy Pearch]

This x10000. Pick the ramp you will be most comfortable backing down and what works best with the wind. If you need to wait 20 minutes... so be it. Take all the time you need. My dealer gave me some good advice - if someone is giving you crap about taking so long - throw them a beer and tell them to wait. As far as driving the boat... make sure you get a good push off the dock as you will need some time to figure out the boat maneuvers in reverse, so giving your self as much distance from the dock is a good idea. The cruise assist buttons are your friend around the dock. If you are by yourself I would get a dock hock. Makes it easy to pull the boat right next to the dock and can use it to push your self off.

Thank you!

 

[Timothy Pearch]

@Timothy Pearch will you have anyone helping you when you launch?

It always helps to have someone push the boat off the trailer while you are at the helm.

With bunk style trailers, you’ll need to be in enough water so that the boat floats up off the bunks.

And since this just happened to a friend of mine this past weekend, try To get an idea how far into the water the ramp goes. My friend was dropping in his 18’ hurricane and backed his trailer to far down the ramp and the back trailer tires went off the ramp and dropped about 18’ down. He had to muscle his truck in forward to get the trailer back up on
To the ramp after his boat was off

My buddy will be there for assistance. But just like me, he’s a bass boat guy and doesn’t know anything about my new boat.

 

[Timothy Pearch]

If he has someone with him, it may be wise just to walk the boat off. I do this pretty often, less crap to worry about.

I’ll have help. Do you mean I should back it down until it floats and then just walk it down the ramp with a rope without powering up?

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I’ll have help. Do you mean I should back it down until it floats and then just walk it down the ramp with a rope without powering up?

Exactly. Get the boat ready in the waiting area by putting on bumpers and dock line to the pop out cleats in the front and back of boat (to side you are docking). Back it in until floating, have a buddy on the deck pathway, jump in the boat and toss him the rope (or have him hold it as you back in)... then push the boat off the trailer and have him just pull both lines to the dock and tie up.

 

[Timothy Pearch]

Exactly. Get the boat ready in the waiting area by putting on bumpers and dock line to the pop out cleats in the front and back of boat (to side you are docking). Back it in until floating, have a buddy on the deck pathway, jump in the boat and toss him the rope (or have him hold it as you back in)... then push the boat off the trailer and have him just pull both lines to the dock and tie up.

Sounds good. Thanks!

 

[Timothy Pearch]

I would agree with you except I’m not sure what conditions Lake Erie present. But usually it’s much easier to walk the boat off.

I know I have to drive my boat off the trailer at my launch because it’s only 2 boats wide and the current and wind would turn my boat sideways unless I was in it motoring off the trailer.

Erie is crazy, but I’ll be inside the breakwalls initially. So normal conditions at the ramp. Once I motor outside the breakwalls it’s a different story. Erie is often very “ocean like” with current, wind, and waves.