Random boating tips

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for Random boating tips

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

jonnywaselectric - 6 years ago

Good stuff mate, you sure know a thing or ten

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate!

Ray Bush - 6 years ago

Great tips Stu

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate!

Simon MacMillan - 6 years ago

Love the beer holding tip. We all need more of these tips

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate. Beer tips are the only ones I have. ;)

Mc Damo - 6 years ago

Liked just for that beer tip. Really great advice too all round.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate. Pleasure to be of service. :)

prevail223 - 6 years ago

Can you legally drive a boat and drink a beer at the same time in Australia.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

+prevail223 Yes. You just need to be under 0.05.

Tammy Sue - 6 years ago

People,,a depth finder does work in front to a degree,,as it fans out from the units rear location.,you can't trust it though

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

The big trouble is how that information is represented. The display will generally only give you an single depth directly under the transducer even though the cone fans out.

Daniel Loureiro - 6 years ago

Best tip I have ever heard about beer!

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

John Smith - 6 years ago

Wow.,comments by someone who had knowledge to drop,,unusual

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

It's a miracle!

Paul Shiryaev - 6 years ago

Thank you for your videos - very educational, great content. The only wish you used a clip-on mic as the audio is somewhat hard to listen to sometimes (probably due to wind / engine noises?).

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yes, this is an older video from before I had the wireless mic.

10. comment for Random boating tips

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

Hi Stu, I wanted to share this advice with your subscribers.

Running any outboard motor, when it is not submerged in water or without the motor flushing device installed on the intakes with water running through it, can very quickly over heat the engine.

I would not suggest deviating from the manufacturers advice. Doing sowill prove to be harmful to the engine and very costly to repair.

There is a difference between running the engine out of the water and running it out of water.

Running the engine out of the water means while it is not in water. Running it out of water means to not supply enough water while it is running. Both will be distructive to the engine and parts that require cooling.

Running the engine while the flushing device is not installed is equal to out of the water. Running the engine with too little flow and volume of water while the flushing device is installed is also distructive.

Accelerating the engine while the flushing device ia attacted, water on, is also to be avoided. Reading the owners manual and applying the advice offered is the best and safest methods for engine maintenance and long life.

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

But even if water is peeing doesn't mean the water has enough pressure to cool on some engines. The muffs have water pressure from the tap and if the water is not high enough in a water barrel the motor will heat up.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yes, overheating an engine sure can be a problem. When running without water at all, it is the impeller that will suffer the most in the short term if the pump is completely dry.

JazzyMC - 6 years ago

Terrific videos... Most useful tips i could find. You really cover everything important in your videos without overcomplicating it. Great job man

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate, glad you've been enjoying the vids. :)

Bill Brown - 6 years ago

I like the beer holder idea. Nice job.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks Bill!

Adam Billings - 6 years ago

Great videos and tips! All your videos so far have been a great help as this is only my second season with a boat so your videos have really helped.

A big thank you from cornwall uk

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks Adam, glad the videos have been helping you with your new boat. :)

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

There is nothing like the excitement of living on the edge. ;)

Christopher Freeman - 6 years ago

Do You Have A Captain License?

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

No, I'm in Australia. Good luck with your license!

Christopher Freeman - 6 years ago

+Dangar Marine Ohh, okay. I'm working on getting my OUPV license. Do you boat in America?

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yes, I have my coxswains which lets me drive commercial vessels up to 12 metres.

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

http://www.wral.com/boat-explodes-after-gas-was-pumped-into-fishing-rod-holder/16740105/
Here is a good example of what not to do when filling a boat with fuel. my guess is the boat owners friend filled the boat not knowing where the fuel went in at. Then what really made matters worse they were trying to start it to get the boat away from the fuel in the water. people tried to warn them not to but it blew up injuring all three. Wow take time and know what you are doing out there folks.

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

first time my bilge pump came on auto it freaked me out till I realized what the heck was going on.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yeah, I've seen someone here do that too. The trick once it has happened is to avoid any source of ignition so turning the bilge pump off completely is an important step too in case it kicks in automatically.

Serge Casals - 6 years ago

Is there any chance you'd be able to do a video on servicing a trailer? Also how to differentiate between the Ford and Holden bearings?

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

This video talks about the difference in Ford and Holden bearings from memory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osXS7XmhpWE

DamoDoesAll - 6 years ago

Stubby holder pure Stu ingenuity

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Necessity is the mother of invention!

Markolav70 - 6 years ago

Update on the bowrider mate ? Merc 4 stroke i'm assuming to replace the oil guzzling 90 2 stroke ? If it's the same boat. Still no cup holders in GM ? Eagerly await that episode ..haha

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yeah, new motor for the bowrider, same boat. I never got around to installing the drink holders in the end but I will soon!

20. comment for Random boating tips

Negotami Mesa - 6 years ago

hello mate i still stick with the helpful videos. thanks

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

You're welcome Negotami. :)

Fireship1 - 6 years ago

All great tips Stu. Especially the ones about docking and maneuvering around the dock at slow speeds. When it comes to docking I'll take all the tips (and help) I can get!

Fireship1 - 6 years ago

Dangar Marine unfortunately Stu, they always seem to be watching when your docking, launching or retrieving! Why are none of them ever watching when I hook a 25 pound fish? Lol

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks Jack, there are plenty of techniques to help with docking that don't take long to master. All you need is a place to practice where there aren't loads of people watching!

Michael O'Connell - 6 years ago

Love the shallow water people on one side tip

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

I've used that one a few times to get myself out of trouble. ;)

Michael O'Connell - 6 years ago

My man!! I asked and I received! Thanks, it's a shame as I go into my summer u go into your winter

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hi Michael, enjoy your summer! I'll still try to do a few on-water videos on the nicer days, might have to put a heater in the workshop though!

William Bates 0361 - 6 years ago

Stu my grandson really likes the hydro steering hes 10 much less effort for him to operate lol thanks. been seening your getting alot of rain. have a good day brother

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hydraulic steering really is good. Yeah, bit of rain on and off, now it is clear but it has gone very cold. Hard to get out of bed in the mornings!

single mothers Are the sludge pits - 6 years ago

went straight to 7 mins

G Man - 6 years ago

Love your videos, straight forward and easy to understand. Keep them up.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate. :)

David Bee - 6 years ago

Thanks for an informative video - in Canada, laws regarding alcohol/boating vary, with some Provinces not allowing consumption unless there are permanent kitchen, toilet and sleeping quarters on board and the fines (and possible jail time) in ALL Provinces are similar to driving a car under the influence. I like a cold one just as much as the next guy but I don't think its a good idea to have one while at the helm . . . if it DOES tip over it can cause a dangerous distraction at a critical moment not to mention making a stinking mess. NOT a good idea. Happy sober : ) boating!

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

In Australia it is simply that you must stay under 0.05, the same as in the car. The cops do occasionally do on water breath testing so most people are pretty careful about it these days.

Serge Casals - 6 years ago

Good tips thanks mate.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

You're welcome Serge.

Jonathan Andrews - 6 years ago

That hydraulic steering really looks super slick! Sadly RiBs don't feature that grab rail.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hey Jonathan, yeah, so far that steering has been working really nicely, well worth the upgrade. Ha! You'll have to go drink holders!

30. comment for Random boating tips

shannon Vo - 6 years ago

Good tips. Thanks again.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks Shannon.

Josh Davies - 6 years ago

What's your opinion on the mercury efi four stroke 75-115? Good or better with something else?

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

The motor on this boat is an EFI Merc 90 and seems like quite a nice motor.

Tammy Sue - 6 years ago

U r wrong,,a depth finder reads in front of the boat as well

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Depends on the transducer and the depth of water, but you are never going to get an accurate depth reading ahead of the boat.

Moe - 6 years ago

Is the throttle cable supposed to have any play in it?

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

No, generally not much at all.

Dayne Cowan - 6 years ago

Good one! I think you need to do a video on "advanced beer handling in a boat".

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

I think I'll need a co-presenter! ;)

vetterfellow - 6 years ago

I believe Wash is the same as what we call a Wake =The ripple water another boat makes when going by. Thank you for the courtesy rules of the water way and boat maneuvering. Very helpful.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yeah, we use both wash and wake here. Glad you liked the vid. :)

lefty940 - 6 years ago

some great tips there, the beer one was genius

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate. :)

Yarra Shejtan - 6 years ago

As i novice boater i enjoy the way you explain the "why" not just the "how to".

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate, I always want to know the "why" myself so I figure everyone else does too!

Fabian Sosa - 6 years ago

If I could add one tip about shallow water is to "Always" take the mrs advice unless you still want to hear about it 20 years later. As for a drinks holder,food holder etc,etc.....the mrs comes to mind again.That boulder at the end will look great in my pool area,but at a guess it will weigh a little bit. You forgot the tips on how not to run idiots over at night with no nav lights displayed.My tip is to keep an eye out on the drop kicks glow from his lit cigarette as he passes you taking a drag.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Ha! You are very wise indeed. Nobody wants 20 years of "I told you so!" ;)

Rene Corbett - 6 years ago

We are required to take a weekend safety course and pass the test with 80% to operate a motorboat less than 30 feet. Larger you need a captains licence. My course didn't prepare me at all for the North Atlantic. 6 foot rollers on a good day, reefs galore, wind and cold water that will kill you in minutes. I'd love to move where it was warm all the time, Stu you live in paridise.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

We have a similar requirement these days to get your small boat license. You are right though, they certainly don't prepare you for offshore sea conditions!

pinay addiction - 6 years ago

Another great video Stu, The other way to stop your beverage spilling is to use gimballed drink holders...

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yeah, I'd love to install something like that in the Green Machine one day soon, particularly given I don't have a windscreen! ;)

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Have fun! :)

Ron Volmershausen - 6 years ago

That's a great tip about getting the keel to roll up by getting all the weight over to one side. We do a lot of boating in the shallows so this info will come in handy........thanks :) Oh and the T shirts arrived, picture to follow soon.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hey Ron, looking forward to getting your photo! :)

Scotty3ist - 6 years ago

Hey Stu, when you were talking about the safety requirements you mentioned that you have to have that green safe boating sticker.

What do I do if my boat didn't come with one?

Thanks,
Jack

Scotty3ist - 6 years ago

pinay addiction thank you mate!

pinay addiction - 6 years ago

The stickers should be available where you register your boat. It includes the size to number of people allowed also.

Coop W - 6 years ago

Thanks for all the tips bro. keep them coming. peace up and Jah bless. stay dry

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate, you're most welcome. :)

Brent L - 6 years ago

here in canada we cant have beer on the boat unless you are anchored and ur boat has a sink and shitter.

Brent L - 6 years ago

Dangar Marine this as far as I know applies to ONTARIO LAKES just to be clear.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Ah, interesting. Here is doesn't matter about the size of the boat but you need to stay under 0.05, the same as in a car.

james hardin - 6 years ago

Hello, from Las Vegas NV. Australia seems so clean and nice people! Thanks for the Videos Dangar.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks James, Australia like all countries has nice places and people and some not so nice. ;) I loved visiting Las Vegas. Had a great time there and really enjoyed driving around the surrounding area like out to Hoover Dam. Where we had lunch on the dam there were plenty of boats and huge boat ramp but the water level was looking very low.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

You're welcome. :)

Gogs - 6 years ago

Great tips, especially the one holding beer bottle steady

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate! :)

Stan Patterson - 6 years ago

Your on-the-water tutorial vids are absolute eye candy for us viewers (the scenery, not you specifically, although there may be some female viewers whose gaze may fall upon you). I can follow along with the lecture, but I can't help but take in the view all around (and hear the background noises too, like the train whistle...). And of course, what responsible boater would permit willful and wanton waste/destruction of good provisions? Hope you wiped up any foam that escaped the container. Would have been neat to find out what paperwork/documentation is required on a boat, should the local enforcement be in a nosey mood, but then I suppose that might differ greatly from region to region throughout the world, so perhaps best that segment not included. 6 months old and misfiring? Yes, let's hope it's lousy fuel. I must say, I was disappointed that you didn't take the opportunity to go ahead and "pull-start" the green machine and get out there for a while to charge it up a bit. But on the other hand, that Merc-powered craft is nice and quiet for the purpose of lecturing and capturing voice in the recording. Thanks for the pointers.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hey Stan, I do like getting out on the river when the sun is shining as I figure it gives people a chance to go boating vicariously, particularly if they are watching from their work desk and wanting a bit of escape for a few minutes. It's a good point you make about rules and regulations being so different from state to state, let alone different countries. Here we don't need to carry any paperwork other than your license if you are travelling over 10 knots. If you are going under ten knots (regardless of how fast the boat is capable of going) you don't need a license.

50. comment for Random boating tips

Kevin Stornes - 6 years ago

Nice video thanks for the tip.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks Kevin.

Kevin Stornes - 6 years ago

Do you have a new engine for the big boat?
And i do not mean the
Green machine... haha.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yes, the owner of the other boat moved from a 2 stroke Mercury to a 4 stroke Mercury not too long ago.

John Wilder - 6 years ago

Hi Dan, I enjoy and appreciate your videos and work. Thanks. I have a few questions for you. 1. Can a 9.9 hp Mercury 4 stroke be upgraded to put out 15 or 20 hp? If so how?

John Wilder - 6 years ago

Ok. Correcting myself. I see your name is Stu not Dan. Sorry. Got it...Also I believe the displacement of the Mercury 9.9 hp versus a 15 or 20 hp is a substantially smaller displacement. Going to have to buy a 20 or 25 hp.

Again
Thanks Stu

John Wilder - 6 years ago

Thanks Dan. I appreciate your response. I upgraded a 1436 Aluminum Jon boat to a small bass boat. I put plywood decking and Cedar framing as the deck. Also added a console complete with electronics (auto man bilge, live well, horn, fish finder, lighting and such. Also changed from tiller handle to steering wheel. I also added 6" diameter by 10' tubes on each side of it to stabilize so I can stand up on its deck.

I still have some work to do on it. All of the upgrades have added significant weight to the vessel. Part of the work is either adding HP to the engine or getting an engine that can handle the weight of the boat without over doing it for the size of the boat.

Again thanks for your reply.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hi John, not sure off the top of my head, you would need to compare the engine block displacement to see which models share a block. If it does share a block with the 15 or 20 then you most likely need to change carburettor jets and reed valves.

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

Great video Stu, other than knowing the basics of boating fire is the most dangerous hazzard on the water. my suggestion to everyone is carry a good working fire extinguisher. never pour water on a boat fire it will spread it and make it worse. If you're not in swimming distance better carry a inflatable life raft. have a marine radio to call for help. be prepared in case the worse happens. Oh and know your engines. if you borrow a kicker motor from a friend make sure to test it first with the cover off and check for fuel leaks. main engine too before you leave dock.

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

Good point on the steering. will put that on my check list too.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Checking for fuel leaks is definitely an important part of a service. I always think when I'm servicing a motor that the two real dangers are fire and steering failure at speed so I always give those two possibilities extra attention.

Tim's Workshop TJY - 6 years ago

Stan, Thanks

Stan Patterson - 6 years ago

Some very good points there.

Ron Powell - 6 years ago

I am in trouble- my boat does not have that grab rail! In a pub conversation one day a guy was boasting he never ran into sand bars because his fish finder gave him the depth of water as well. I had to walk away because he could not grasp the fact the transducer was at the back of the boat - 18 feet from the front, and some sand bars/reefs could have the bow grounded and the stern in 20ft of water (Sow and Pigs come to mind)

Ron Powell - 6 years ago

Stu, Same as the southern end of Shark island - I have been aground two times inside the south marker - and no, I was not the skipper. Both times I went overboard as I set the spinnaker pole for southerly powered run to the finish line off Clark Island.

Ron Powell - 6 years ago

A transducer faced forward at any angle is useless. If mounted on the stern so that the sensor stays in the water when the boat is at full speed (so much drag the bracket would likely be broken within a trip or two) you would need to set a depth off set to compensate for the length of the boat- but hat length do you set? A 20ft boat at cruise may have 12ft-15ft of boat in the water, full speed maybe 10 or less. As the sensor is at an angle it is useless for fish finding, and the angle makes shallow water warning further than a boat length or so in front too inaccurate for the reading to be trusted. Other than drag, the in hull transducer has the same issue. And if you are going at 10knots or more, good luck in getting your boat stopped with in 2 boat lengths anyway! GPS is good , but better than 10m is rare as most GPS units don't tell you when they are effectively dead reckoning or averaging readings from a couple of satellites to give a fix. Many GPS units do have a screen showing what the probable error is, but there are few people that look at that number in normal use. Even charts are are no guarantee. Any water that is marked as being less than 3 times your keel depth (or in our case- skeg depth) or just is an unknown depth should be transitioned at dead slow , hitting a bar or bank and having your kids fall down and be hurt is just not worth the loss of trust and pain you caused.

DIY Boats - 6 years ago

You're in luck! They do have 2 more types besides the transom mounted transducer. They shoot through the hull and you can place them mid ship or any flat spot really. One type sits in a pool of epoxy w/ no drilling required. The other is best but requires you do drill a huge hole in your bottom so it can shoot through. There is also a forward looking transducer but that's a totally different animal.

alan mccracken - 6 years ago

Hi Stu. My Four Winn's comes standard with a transducer in the bilge and that gives the immediate depth below the boat on a gauge but I also have a Garman GPS/Sonar set up with a forward depth range of approx 200 feet. The transducer points forward but is only 2 inches below the hull and has not fouled on any thing so far that is excluding the original fit snagged the trailer but that was easy sorted by moving it out towards the side of the boat by 3 inches. Both readouts can be a great advantage on a rocky piece of water or when you have had a wee dram too much to drink and not sure of your surroundings.

Stan Patterson - 6 years ago

With the way "technology" has been advancing in leaps and bounds, nobody has taken time to figure out a better way to sound depth? There's got to be a better way, if not another way, to read depth without being overcome by "drag" in the water. They have little flat antennae for picking up satellite radio. Why can't they make flat pickups that could be either incorporated into the hull at time of build, or attached as an aftermarket device. Something flat to overcome resistance in the water, yet able to sound in more than a simple "straight down" direction. I'd bet there's money in a design that could achieve those goals.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Hey Stan, the big trouble with sounders facing forward is that they aren't protected and break off really easily .

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Don't worry Ron, I guess drink holders are a close second. ;) Yes, I had a similar argument as the boat officer in our local fire brigade. We do go up some shallow creeks at night during emergencies and it was suggested that a sounder would help with this but a good sea chart / GPS is a much better solution if you don't have the local knowledge. Sow and Pigs has a complete fence of cardinal marks around it and people still run aground!

Stan Patterson - 6 years ago

I've often wondered if the transducer's pickup pattern can be altered by the makers to have a selection of patterns such as 45 or 55 degrees forward or simply straight down below. Not that anyone bumping along at 40+ knots is going to have much time to react to the sudden indication that the water depth is decreasing to alarming levels (if they're even paying attention at that point). But for trolling along in a river, a feature like that might be handy. Even still, it's much like having a GPS. You still need, and should always use, a functional brain when operating equipment. Never rely solely on navigational aids and blindly trust them implicitly. Common sense (which unfortunately, is not very common anymore) should always prevail.

Jason Kirk - 6 years ago

Can't believe you spilled a beer on purpose... even for educational purposes..
You've changed man !!!

LOL

Jason Kirk - 6 years ago

Mmmmm Salty :P

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

It's all right, I licked it off the gunwale after I turned the camera off.

Stan Patterson - 6 years ago

A small sacrifice for the greater good :)

Andy Johnson - 6 years ago

A lot don't fallow these lol yesterday on the water it was crazy everyone was Disobeying the no wake signs

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Yeah, people don't seem to have much concept of wash, that's for sure.

AR1G3 - 6 years ago

6:57 best boating tip I have ever seen!

kermets - 6 years ago

The Perfect stubby holder........onya Stu

Russell Harris - 6 years ago

And with a real beer, fishing wouldnt be the same without a Coopers

Happy McJoyjoy - 6 years ago

Worth it just for that tip.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Use it for good not evil! ;)

steven kennedy - 6 years ago

Top tips, especially how not to spill the beer

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Thanks mate. :)

Aidan - 6 years ago

Haha, i was in Australia for winter a few years back. Your winter is like a summer in the UK or here in Ireland :o)!! Enjoy - about to bring my boat out here to keep the motor ticking over and thanks for the top vids Stu.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

We can't complain too much about our winters I guess but it certainly feels cold this morning. Down to 7 degrees! Enjoy your summer. :)

Capt Chef Mark SV Alcina - 6 years ago

Hi , you are up late like me.
I used to Drive the charter boats in Melbourne on the Yarra river which then had sterndrive which is like having an outboard.
So what I used to do was come in Starboard side too with motor midship ( right hand pop ) then put a line on then put motor hard to Port ,then go ahead slowly. Done. Now if I was coming in at the wrong make I had put the motor hard to starboard and put it into reverse which would pull the head off to port but bring in the starboard stern, which was good so now all I had to do very fast was to turn the motor all the way back port then go ahead , and on some of the small 40 footers I used I would some time drive then backwards and in that way all I had to do was aim for where I wanted to go.

Dangar Marine - 6 years ago

Going ahead on a deck line is a great way to bring a boat against a wharf or pontoon. This is pretty much the way that ferry I passed comes in every time and just stays with the motor going ahead until everyone is onboard.