New member, first time boat owner... am I doing this right?

[nawlinstornado]

Hi, all. Just put a deposit down on a 2019 Yamaha 242 Limited S (in black) and I'll pick her up next Friday. Never owned any boat before, though I've driven lots of others' boats. Looking forward to asking lots of dumb questions!

 

[tabbibus]

welcome!

 

[W3bexec]

Hi @nawlinstornado Welcome! Congrats on the new boat! I can assure you that if you keep reading this forum and look up old threads, etc. You will indeed do this right!

Now, just put the blinders on, open up your wallet, and GO!

 

[Liveto99]

Thats great, good luck. Thanks for the questions it gives us something to do. This way we can help you, feel good that we helped you. Then also we can chat behind your back in the "super duper top secret hidden post". Most of your questions are answered already just search in the top right hand corner that says search.

 

[nawlinstornado]

Hi @nawlinstornado Welcome! Congrats on the new boat! I can assure you that if you keep reading this forum and look up old threads, etc. You will indeed do this right!

Now, just put the blinders on, open up your wallet, and GO!

Yeah, I've been focused on having the right tow equipment since I've never actually towed anything this big before. Biggest was a dual-motorcycle trailer with two bikes - total weight was < 1400 pounds. But my Grand Cherokee has the factory tow package (good for 6500 lbs) and I ordered a weight distribution hitch with sway control, new brake controller, etc. etc. And I've already got the insurance in-place. Going to order some bumpers and life vests shortly, and everything else I'm required to keep on board. Then there's the fun stuff...... Now I know why my father always called a boat "a hole in the water into which you throw money!"

 

[bolivas]

Congrats and welcome!

 

[nawlinstornado]

Thats great, good luck. Thanks for the questions it gives us something to do. This way we can help you, feel good that we helped you. Then also we can chat behind your back in the "super duper top secret hidden post". Most of your questions are answered already just search in the top right hand corner that says search.

Fortunately, I'm used to using forums like this one. Between my motorcycle touring and car modifying, I have learned the value of these sites and learned to search them well.

 

[John Mcpartland]

The WDH and sway control won't work on a boat trailer, and it already has surge brakes. The tongue weight should only be about 400lbs.

 

[nawlinstornado]

The WDH and sway control won't work on a boat trailer, and it already has surge brakes. The tongue weight should only be about 400lbs.

I did a lot of research on this and purchased a pole-tongue adapter and WDH/sway control hitch specifically designed to work with surge brakes. Read several reviews by folks that had used the same systems for their boats/trailers and they were all very pleased. See here:
WD With Sway Control 700 lbs Weight Distribution | etrailer.com

Edit: Check out this link, too:
Using a Weight Distribution System on a Boat Trailer With Surge Brakes | etrailer.com

 

[John Mcpartland]

Interesting! The tongue weight on my 2017 ar240 is only 400lbs. With a factory tow package, just not sure if you really need a wdh. Will it be ok with the swing away tongue?

 

[J-RAD]

@nawlinstornado welcome and congratulations! Post up some pics when you pick it up.

I can help with the fun stuff. Message me for whatever you're after and I'll shoot you a discount code. What's listed on our site is only a fraction of what's available.

Transom Watersports | Wakeboard | Wakesurf | Vest | SUP

Best gear behind any boat for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakefoil, wakesurffoil and SUP. Life is better behind a boat with Transom Watersports.

www.transomwatersports.com

 

[BigAbe75]

@nawlinstornado welcome and congratulations! Post up some pics when you pick it up.

I can help with the fun stuff. Message me for whatever you're after and I'll shoot you a discount code. What's listed on our site is only a fraction of what's available.

Transom Watersports | Wakeboard | Wakesurf | Vest | SUP

Best gear behind any boat for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakefoil, wakesurffoil and SUP. Life is better behind a boat with Transom Watersports.

www.transomwatersports.com

Super fast shipping and awesome prices. Highly recommend giving @J-RAD a shot.

 

[BigAbe75]

Hi, all. Just put a deposit down on a 2019 Yamaha 242 Limited S (in black) and I'll pick her up next Friday. Never owned any boat before, though I've driven lots of others' boats. Looking forward to asking lots of dumb questions!

Can’t wait to see the pics!

 

[Merlion]

You’ll love it! Picked up my 2019 242x 3 months ago, it was my first boat too. Very user friendly, and lots of fun

 

[Hoyt]

Congrats, and welcome to the boating world. You'll love it

 

[nawlinstornado]

Interesting! The tongue weight on my 2017 ar240 is only 400lbs. With a factory tow package, just not sure if you really need a wdh. Will it be ok with the swing away tongue?

Honestly, I doubt I really need the WDH for this application. I figured it couldn't hurt, though. I was more interested in the sway control as I'm picking the boat up from a dealer 1000 miles away - closer dealerships either didn't have the boat I wanted or weren't moving enough on price. And I'm worried about crosswinds at highway speeds. So yeah, it's a bit of overkill but may come in handy later as my toy collection keeps growing. Been looking at camper trailers for a while now.........

 

[nawlinstornado]

Congrats, and welcome to the boating world. You'll love it

Thanks! Really looking forward to it!

 

[nawlinstornado]

Super fast shipping and awesome prices. Highly recommend giving @J-RAD a shot.

Thanks! I'll definitely look them up after the maiden voyage.

 

[nawlinstornado]

@nawlinstornado welcome and congratulations! Post up some pics when you pick it up.

I can help with the fun stuff. Message me for whatever you're after and I'll shoot you a discount code. What's listed on our site is only a fraction of what's available.

Transom Watersports | Wakeboard | Wakesurf | Vest | SUP

Best gear behind any boat for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakefoil, wakesurffoil and SUP. Life is better behind a boat with Transom Watersports.

www.transomwatersports.com

Thanks! If you have any suggestions for optional equipment, please feel free to suggest. I am mechanically-inclined and will pretty much do anything except tweak valves.... I've already got some ideas for increasing fuel capacity. Anyone do this already?

 

[drewkaree]

Welcome! Now, if you're not gonna spend money like a madman, I dunno how much help we'll be. Blinker fluid, muffler bearings... there's no end to what you're gonna need with a new boat!