The purpose of this article is to help every boater or those that want to enter into the world of boating and are looking for the boat of there dreams. Every one wants the mega yacht life style and travel the seas of the world, then reality sets in.
Knowing what your able to buy as well as the maintenance required to keep her afloat, and balancing the family budget so your not working just to make the payment can be a challenge unless you’re wealthy.The cost of maintaining the boat can get out of hand unless your on a schedule to keep the operating systems and hull in good shape, here’s the example of a maintenance schedule, cleaning the hull and running gear, changing the filters on the motor, keeping the sails and lines clean and dry. When you buy a boat either sail, power, you need to have knowledge of how to operate it, and what the rules are for recreational boaters. There are several place to look for the information, the state you live in will offer on line tutorial of the states boater laws. The U.S. Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers class room training on boating. These are all good resources to get you started, but this is only the first step of what you need to be safe and operate your investment with out causing you a major head ache for you or others around you.
Hands on training by a professional captain can ensure that you are getting the information and skills needed to perform the task of operating your vessel in a safe manner and still have fun while out on the water. The areas you’ll learn pre trip inspection, close quarter maneuvering, navigation with use of the gps, depth finders, and charts, water way makers, light and sound signals for navigation, rules of the road. after you spent time with your captain learning the operational aspects of driving the boat you’ll need to move into safety procedures fire drills, man over board drills, emergency radio procedures to call for help. The time spent learning in the beginning can make the difference between enjoying your self and coming close to a mental break down when an emergency happens.
At the end of the day and you have done all the research and decided that the boating world i where you want to be remember one thing boats are like your spouse if you give them attention they need and spend time taking care of there needs the cost ismuch less than repairing the broken part after being towed in or re-floating after it sunk. Small preventive maintenance task can save the motors, transmissions, and water systems. knowing how to operate safely can prevent accidents all cost saving ideas. google, yahoo or use your favor it web browser to find the captain able to fill your needs this is what I tell all of my students. We all had to start some where when it comes to boating, and learning is something you’ll do every day.
Be safe and enjoy the water I do.

Planning for you the next boat movement and class to learn.
Capt. Hank![CAPTAIN%20CHANEYS[1] CAPTAIN%20CHANEYS[1]](http://captchaneysnautical.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/captain20chaneys1.jpg?w=300&h=150)