My new boat!
Jan 16, 2021 10:35:34 #
Congratulations! A good purchase.
Check in on the Vexus Owners Facebook page.
Take a safe boating class. You will probably want to take it again after a few months on the water.
Develop two checklists: one for launching and one for trailering.
Practice backing and maneuvering your trailer at a shopping center or church parking lot. go slowly.
If possible, try your first few launches and retrieves during the week when there is less crowd.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Respect the power of the water and the wind.
You Tube is your friend.
Check in on the Vexus Owners Facebook page.
Take a safe boating class. You will probably want to take it again after a few months on the water.
Develop two checklists: one for launching and one for trailering.
Practice backing and maneuvering your trailer at a shopping center or church parking lot. go slowly.
If possible, try your first few launches and retrieves during the week when there is less crowd.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Respect the power of the water and the wind.
You Tube is your friend.
Jan 16, 2021 10:43:14 #
smitty
Loc: maine
how bout some trailer tips;
if your on a long ramp put the shift in neutral, let gravity ease you down the ramp
if your in a pu truck drop the tail gate specially when takin out
if your on a long ramp put the shift in neutral, let gravity ease you down the ramp
if your in a pu truck drop the tail gate specially when takin out
Jan 16, 2021 10:57:47 #
Oh. One more thing
Pay attention when the guy shows you power trim during your test run
Trim is important for proper ride and performance of the boat.
Learn to get the feel for trim setting.
You may have a gage but it’s more of a feel thing.
Pay attention when the guy shows you power trim during your test run
Trim is important for proper ride and performance of the boat.
Learn to get the feel for trim setting.
You may have a gage but it’s more of a feel thing.
Jan 16, 2021 11:29:52 #
Papacon357
Loc: West Texas (Permian Basin)
Laura D. wrote:
We recently moved from where I was 2.5 HOURS from ... (show quote)
Would like to know where you’ve moved To so we’d have a reference point. My daughter, in Del Rio, backs it in herself, everytime. Just study and learn as if you’ll be teaching others. You probably will be. You can do it. Happy trails.
Jan 16, 2021 11:37:53 #
Dehy
Loc: Jacksonville, Florida
Make a a checklist and keep in mind some things like drain plugs can be done before you leave for the water. I put my drain plug in at home and pull it after I put the boat back on the trailer at the end of the day. Don't forget there is a drain plug on the back of the boat and in the live well(s). Also include on your list, back at home to plug the battery charger in when you are done at the end of the day.
Jan 16, 2021 12:19:06 #
Laura D. wrote:
We recently moved from where I was 2.5 HOURS from ... (show quote)
Congrats Ld. I have been trying to promote Forrest Woods finale of great product line since it was introduced about 3 years ago with a beautiful welded aluminum hull and then introducing their gourgeous line of fiberglass Vexus Boats a couple of years ago now. I have property about 8 miles from their state of the art factory in Flippin Arkansas and enjoyed watching it being built and start production. I hope if you haven't yet gone there for a tour of the factory that you at sometime will do that and take your boat with you to fish Bull Shoals Lake or Lake Norfolk which are both fantastic fisheries.
Have fun with the new boat, and yes there was a ton of good advice above from everyone.
If you get to the Flippin area make sure you stop in and visit Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock and the Eastwald family with their great crew of workers.
MAS fish
Jan 16, 2021 13:11:00 #
Along with the basic safety practices... Situational awareness is key... Know what the water is doing and know what's happening around you... She's gonna get some bumps and bruises, those are battle scars, wear
them with pride!
them with pride!
Jan 16, 2021 13:14:19 #
All that has been said by others. And, be real familiar with how your boat handles before putting it in moving water. Current is a challenge not found in a lake. It’s similar to operating on a windy day.
Top of the list: HAVE FUN and CATCH A LOT OF FISH!
Top of the list: HAVE FUN and CATCH A LOT OF FISH!
Jan 16, 2021 13:30:43 #
Jim Sargent
Loc: Payson, AZ
Laura,
These are all great suggestions. I would add two more. Get a small tool box for your boat and have the dealer show you how to change the prop. Then purchase a used or rebuilt prop for back up and keep it on the boat.
These are all great suggestions. I would add two more. Get a small tool box for your boat and have the dealer show you how to change the prop. Then purchase a used or rebuilt prop for back up and keep it on the boat.
Jan 16, 2021 13:38:18 #
And Marvin
Loc: Lawrence, Ks
Laura D. wrote:
We recently moved from where I was 2.5 HOURS from ... (show quote)
All the other info is good/great most important.
Something I would recommend is always try to run premium gas and run stable in your gas year round.
Only fill gas tank about 3/4 full and let go down to 1/4 tank and then only put in 2 - 3 gallons to keep fresher gas.
Jan 16, 2021 13:39:06 #
Fredfish wrote:
Congratulations Laura, beautiful rig. I can't really add anything to what everyone has told you already. Be safe at all times,
and Good Luck. Don't forget the pictures!
and Good Luck. Don't forget the pictures!
Number 2 on the launch list - right behind the plug - is to make certain your engine is tilted up - can do a lot of damage to the lower unit and prop if not up and out of the way.
Jan 16, 2021 13:40:40 #
Congrats!! Awesome boat. You’ll be having a super time using it. I would agree with Robert Samples and GaryH 100%. The online boating safety course covers just about everything. Study it and don’t cut corners it’s priceless. What’s intended to be good healthy fun can turn really bad in a heartbeat. And you would be surprised to see what some things that seem like common sense are overlooked or somehow get screwed up. I would recommend a lot of dry run practice before venturing out . Protect yourself and others as well as your investment. Also check out Geico boat insurance with free towing attached for less than $200. A year.
Jan 16, 2021 13:53:24 #
MStone
Loc: Hayden Lake, Idaho
Congratulations!
If you can, have an experienced friend go with you for your shake-down run. Here’s a couple of points to avoid stress at the ramp.
1. Have the boat ready to go before you go down the ramp i.e. test start the motor, ice chest and tackle loaded, etc... Don’t block the ramp if possible.
2. All tie-downs but the main one undone. Don’t go down the ramp depending on just gravity to keep the boat on the trailer. I’ve seen many boats dumped off the trailer because they had to stop unexpectedly.
3. Don’t stress at the ramp. Usually people will be cool as long as you are wasting time.
4. Have fenders on the boat so if you have to dock, you can protect the paint job. Docking lines too.
Enjoy!
If you can, have an experienced friend go with you for your shake-down run. Here’s a couple of points to avoid stress at the ramp.
1. Have the boat ready to go before you go down the ramp i.e. test start the motor, ice chest and tackle loaded, etc... Don’t block the ramp if possible.
2. All tie-downs but the main one undone. Don’t go down the ramp depending on just gravity to keep the boat on the trailer. I’ve seen many boats dumped off the trailer because they had to stop unexpectedly.
3. Don’t stress at the ramp. Usually people will be cool as long as you are wasting time.
4. Have fenders on the boat so if you have to dock, you can protect the paint job. Docking lines too.
Enjoy!
Jan 16, 2021 14:03:29 #
Jim Sargent
Loc: Payson, AZ
Laura,
I was drift fishing past the launch ramp at Saguaro Lake Arizona a few years ago. Young fellow was in his boat gunning the motor trying to back off the trailer, all the while yelling at his poor wife who was driving the truck as if it was her fault he couldn't launch. Finally watched him reach over the bow and unhook the winch, looking around to see if anyone noticed. I've always wondered if he ever admitted to his wife what happened.
One more, this one was on me. I didn't realize that the safety lanyard on the kill switch was broken. Couldn't figure out why the motor wouldn't start. Always check.
I was drift fishing past the launch ramp at Saguaro Lake Arizona a few years ago. Young fellow was in his boat gunning the motor trying to back off the trailer, all the while yelling at his poor wife who was driving the truck as if it was her fault he couldn't launch. Finally watched him reach over the bow and unhook the winch, looking around to see if anyone noticed. I've always wondered if he ever admitted to his wife what happened.
One more, this one was on me. I didn't realize that the safety lanyard on the kill switch was broken. Couldn't figure out why the motor wouldn't start. Always check.
Jan 16, 2021 14:13:37 #
Remember to always wear your safety lanyard that way if something was to happen and you get thrown out of the boat the boat shuts off. First and foremost Safety First 😁 have fun with your new boat and catch some fish
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