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So a few years ago we had a 21ft Chap, and it would take several good jerks to get off the bunks.  So I would unhook it all , back downt he ramp and jerk it a few times and it would finally float off.  Wife cant drive the tow vehicle or the boat yet, so she just holds the rope(I know I am trying to train her but after some small incidents we feel this is best).  So I asked at West Marine if there was anything to help it slide better.  He gives me a spray on product for the bunks to make them slick.  Needless to say it worked.  A little too well.  I unhooked it all, like I had done a thousand times before and dropped the boat off the back of the trailer about 20ft from the water and it bounced and slid down the ramp into the water.  Surprisingly enough there was absolutely no damage to anything.  After a quick inspection of the hull, we continued on to the Glen for a great day on the water.

So another great adventure was earlier today.  Decided to take the new(to us) boat out for a ride after a tune up.  Ran great but man was it choppy and windy.  So on the way home back to Deland from the Glen we realized that it was taking way longer than we expected with the headwind.  So I got up to about 35mph.  Yeah that doesnt seem all that fast, but it was extremely rough and windy out there.  So a little south of Astor the engine got really loud.   I immediately shut it down thinking I blew something up and when I looked back to see what happened the entire rear padded engine cover was missing.  The wind caught it and blew it clean off.  Good thing it floats.  Obviously we were late getting home.

Oh and the reason the wife doesnt back the truck and trailer in is because she pushed a PWC trailer sideways down the ramp once.  I still dont trust her to try it again, and she wouldnt try if I gave her a chance anyway.

I am quite certain I will think of more, but we can save them for live tales when I get to meet some of you folks.

We all do things that amuse other people. Mount Dora Boating Center does a very nice Women on Water class, several of the Women on here have gone and given it very good reviews.

 Their website is www.mtdoraboats.com

ActiveBoating is working out the details to do a trailer "rodeo" and maybe help some people get more comfortable behind the wheel. More info to come.

THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD ONE! I THINK WE ALL HAVE SOME SORT OF STORY TO TELL! WOULDN'T BE BOATERS IF WE DIDN'T. I DID TAKE THE W.O.W CLASS AT MT DORA MARINA. IT WAS GREAT. VERY INFORMATIVE AND LEARNED QUITE A BIT. I LOAD AND UNLOAD OUR BOAT WHILE MY HUSBAND DOES THE TRAILERING. CHECK OUT THE CLASS IF YOU GET A CHANCE.

I fear she needs more than a class.  Do they teach how to physically drive the boat or truck/trailer combo?  We have been going out for years and She knows the rules and knows the basics, just is afraid to attempt to dock the boat or back the truck in.  I find it easier not to push her.  The screaming match that ensued after the PWC incident over 12 years ago still resonates.  I am not sure how you dont notice the trailer tires dragging all the way down the ramp on the back of a Honda, or see it sideways in the mirrors smashed up against the bumper, but I wont get into that.  Best to not mention it unless in jest. 

I UNDERSTAND. THE CLASS THAT I TOOK WAS CLASSROOM AND ON THE WATER. WE DID GET TO DRIVE THE BOAT AND HAD TO DOCK IT 3 TIMES. WE ALSO HAD TO GET UP TO "CERTAIN" SPEEDS AND MAKE WIDE TURNS WITHOUT TROWING ANYONE SIDE TO SIDE. THE INSTRUCTOR ALSO SHOWED US THE DIFFERENCE IN THE FEELING OF DRIVABILITY WHEN THE DRIVE WAS TRIMMED UP AND DOWN AND WHERE IT SHOULD BE FOR A SMOOTH RIDE VS. WHERE IT NEED TO BE IN ROUGH WATERS. IT WAS A REALLY GREAT CLASS. IF YOUR WIFE KNOWS RULES AND WHATNOT, THE CLASS WOULD STILL BE GREAT BECAUSE THEY DO MAKE IT HANDS ON. I WAS ALREADY DRIVING, LOADING, AND UNLOADING OUR BOAT BEFORE THE CLASS, BUT I STILL LEARNED ALOT AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FEEL FOR A DIFFERENT BOAT. THERE WAS NO TRAILERING INVOLVED IN THAT CLASS, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE PUTTING ONE TOGETHER, AS ACTIVEBOATING IS ALSO TRYING TO DO. WHEN EITHER BECOMES AVAILABLE, I WILL BE THERE, AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW THE INFO ON IT. MT DORA ALSO OFFERS A "FEAR" OF DOCKING CLASS. NOT SURE WHAT ALL IT ENTAILS, BUT I KNOW THEY HAVE IT.

I am forwarding the info to her now.  I will talk to her tonight about it. 

GREAT! IF YOU NEED ANY MORE INFO, JUST VISIT THEIR WEBSITE OR ASK US!! 

That is tough to find on the website.  I had to go to the site map, under about us, and the calander.  I know I can be stupid at times, but did I miss something? 

Incidently, do they have a men's course?  We have some good friends that are planning a boat now that we have one again, and they are complete newbies.  Their extent of boating has been going out with us 2 times last week. 

My daughter and I have been doing an online "safety" course with myFWC.  SHe is only 9, but I want her familiar with safety and operation and courtesy. 

ACTUALLY, COME TO THINK OF IT, NOT EVEN SURE IF IT IS ON THE WEBSITE. THEY ONLY HOLD THEM FROM TIME TO TIME, AND I FIND OUT BECAUSE I SIGNED UP TO RECEIVE THEIR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS. I WILL CHECK FOR YOU AND GET BACK TO YOU IN A BIT. WILL ALSO CHECK ON A COURSE FOR MEN. IT'S GREAT THAT YOU HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER INVOLVED. I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY THERE!

Yes it's on the website, they don't do the class every month so you kind of have to search for it,. You were in the right section though.

Some of us that have been doing it a while have talked about volunteering our time to help new people out. Kind of continuing what the site was started for. 

 No professional captains, just years of experience. Kind of the same idea mt dora has for the wow class, no spouses trying to teach each other, so no fighting.

 Let me know if we ( my wife drives both the boat And the truck) can help you out with your wife , or your friends.

I hope some of the other members may stand behind the two of us having a little knoledge, maybe.