If you’ve never driven a boat before, then you’re in for a new adventure. Driving a boat is not the same as getting behind the wheel on land. For one thing, there are no roads, only a few signs, and the weather can make it very easy to disrupt any boating and fishing plans you have for the weekend.
Don’t let those thoughts shy you away from finally dipping your toes in the water, though. Driving a boat isn’t all that complicated. You might feel the jitters for a bit, I get it, but you’ll get over it quickly. And before you know it, you’ll be excited to sail the water.
Whether you intend to rent or buy a boat soon, learning how to drive one should be your first objective. Otherwise, hiring a captain will be your best option if you rent a boat, which can up your rental fee. If you know how to drive a vessel, you’ll be able to explore waters freely, especially if you have your own boat.
After all, it’s important that you have some type of instruction before embarking on a boat trip. Most US states will require you to complete a boating safety course. And if you want to be serious about driving a boat, it’s best to get a captain’s license.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step guide on how to properly operate a boat. I’ll also go over the various basic marine terminologies and gears you may need to familiarize yourself with. Don’t fret—I’ll make it as easy for anyone to understand as possible.
Are you ready to be the captain? If it’s a yes, then let’s get started!
Age Requirement for Driving a Boat
Each state imposes different age requirements for driving a boat. The minimum age to legally operate a boat in Arizona, for example, is at least 12 years old, while it’s 16 in Texas. And that’s without certification and will depend on the type of boat you’ll be driving.
In other states such as New York and Oklahoma, you can start as young as 12 years old. However, you must have a specific certification to operate a boat until the age of 18. If you are above 18, you can drive a boat without the need for safety certification.
Conversely, there is no regulation governing the age requirement to operate a boat in several states. In addition, not all states mandate a boat operator’s license.
The states of California, New Mexico, and Utah don’t have restrictions for operating non-powered watercraft. California has the latest boating education requirements. Although in 22 states, proper documentation of satisfactory completion of the boater education course is necessary.
How To Drive a Boat
Boats come in different types, but we’ll start with the basics of operating a motorboat. This will make it easier for you to become acquainted with operating a pontoon boat, or other types of boat, even if they have varying features.
Whether you have an inboard or outboard engine boat, the general process applies. However, there can be some minor differences between models. In any case, here are some fundamentals on how to drive a boat.
Run the blower.
But first, check if it’s safe to launch a boat. The vessel may have an engine compartment and it might be filled with fuel vapor. This can be devastating if ignited by starting the boat’s engine.
As per United States Coast Guard (USCG), that compartment needs ventilation through a blower. So, the very first step you need to do is turn on your engine compartment blower. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This step helps you to guarantee that fumes don’t accumulate in the compartment.
It generally takes a simple toggle on the dash. Once it is up and running, spend a few minutes going over your pre-departure checklist.
Start the engine.
When it comes to starting the engine, keep in mind that newer boats may have a key ignition or a push-button one. But regardless, they all work roughly the same way. In most scenarios, push-button engines still have a key. It just functions as a security element.
For key ignition, insert the key and turn to start the engine. You do this the same when you start a car. A push-button ignition fob will require you to hit the button. Other push-ignitions require a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag to be within reach to unlock the ignition.
Driving a boat may be the same as operating other vehicles with a motor. However, it requires knowledge that is not accessible when you own a car or other forms of motorized vehicles.
Engine safety cut-off or “kill switch”
Almost every motorized boat has some type of kill switch to deactivate engine performance in case the boat operator moves away from the helm. It’s a little red knob located near the ignition or sometimes, the throttle. You’ll find it in many smaller or open boats. This safety feature needs to be activated to start the engine.
A small clip connected to either the skipper’s life jacket, vest, or belt loop keeps this switch activated while operating the boat. Since it’s spring-loaded, it should be drawn out and fastened with the clip. The kill switch clip must be connected as part of your pre-departure checklist.
Throttle position
The throttle is another safety feature, keeping the engine from starting. In most cases, the throttle should be in a neutral position for the engine to start. This is to ensure that the engine isn’t already in place and under throttle load when it starts.
You won’t need to stress about the throttle position if you’re new to boating. But it can be a possible culprit that the engine doesn’t start when engaged. The 12 o’clock position is usually neutral, which means the throttle handle is perpendicular to the surface of the water with the lock engaged.
Attach the lanyard to the life vest.
Certain boats have an engine safety cut-off or the kill switch. It automatically shuts down the engine as you leave the helm. If your boat has this function, ensure that the lanyard is attached to the life jacket. You can do so by clipping the lanyard to the belt loop of your jacket.
Remove the boat lines.
Next, you must remove the mooring lines. These are ropes used to fasten your boat to a slip, pier, or dock. This can include dock lines, mooring lines, and spring lines. To detach these lines, you have to move your boat and begin driving.
It should be easy to remove since the cleats are accessible from the boat’s deck. If you can’t do it on your own, you may ask for some help from a dock worker at the marina.
Get moving.
Once you remove the boating lines, it’s time to get moving and start to learn the fundamentals of driving. You can just pull forward and depart the dock area based on how you’re docked. But if you’re parked in a covered slip, you will need to pull the boat out first before proceeding.
Then, activate the engine in forwarding or backward gear. To start the engine, hold the throttle position and push the underneath button. Crank the throttle forward or backward, and once you sense it clicking into place, release the button. If you need to reverse the vessel to get out of a slip, just pull the throttle back.
Shifting the throttle handle forward will boost the RPM and provide greater power when in gear. If you need to move slowly and gain a controlled movement, you can put your vessel in gear at idle speed. This is ideal for “no wake” zones such as docks and ports.
Adjust the throttle.
You can also adjust the throttle as needed. Because speed is so important in boat control, understanding how to correctly regulate the throttle makes controlling your boat a lot easier.
Keep in mind that moving the throttle handle forward from its neutral position increases the quantity of fuel/air ratio sent to your engine.
Throttle control is crucial for people learning how to drive a boat safely and effectively. Also, there are no pedals that you can step on as you would in a car. If you want to go slowly at the first movement, as I’ve already mentioned above, you must pull back on the throttle as it will not revert to idle by itself.
In the early phases of learning how to drive a boat, keeping a high level of situational awareness will be difficult. But it’s an important skill to have so that you’ll be able to adjust the throttle when the circumstance calls for it.
Adjust your speed.
Adjusting to your desired speed is important, and you must do so depending on weather conditions. And, much like when driving a car or any other motor vehicle, you should be cautious in controlling your speed to avoid accidents.
If you need to slow down, simply draw the throttle back to the neutral position. To accelerate the boat, slowly advance the throttle.
How To Operate the Boat’s Throttle
The boat’s throttle is like the gas pedal in your car. As you push it forward, your boat follows suit. So the more you push it forward, the speedier it goes.
But unlike a car, once set to a fixed speed, it does not change. This means that slowing down needs more than simply removing your foot from a pedal; you must also hold the throttle and draw it back.
If you notice a strong wave or a lot of traffic approaching, you must be poised to shift the throttle correctly. And that’s when situational awareness comes into play.
When you drive a boat with a motor, it’s critical to keep an eye out for things that could demand a reaction. In marine terms, you must “maintain a “proper lookout,” which is quite self-explanatory.
As the captain, you must be observant at all times. You must be able to recognize when there’s any risk of collision or any other situation that may demand action at the helm.
Also, it is always a good idea to monitor the weather conditions in your location prior. Checking the weather before boating is vital if you’re still a novice boat operator and aren’t very skilled at driving a boat in rough water or amid waves.
Steering a Boat
Like I’ve said above, steering a boat is so much like how you would operate a car. But you must always consider other factors that affect your boat’s direction of motion. This may be wind, speed boat engine, current, and waves and wakes. So, you can expect the boat to react differently depending on the weather.
Steering the boat might not always shift the boat’s course precisely as expected. This is especially stressful while docking, something that many beginner boaters consider to be one of the most difficult maneuvers to master.
When you go at a low pace, you can steer a boat in a tighter radius than when you are moving at greater speeds. Tighter steering at slow speeds is also less risky than turning at higher speeds which can make your boat fall overboard in some serious scenarios.
Remember to carefully slow down before making large speed adjustments.
Slowing Down a Boat
Your boat doesn’t have brakes. It requires you manually adjust the throttle when slowing down, however, it’s not that simple. The stopping distance for each boat will vary depending on a range of factors.
First of all, you’ll need to become well acquainted with your boat. You must understand how much space it requires for you to safely arrive at a full stop when traveling at different speeds.
In addition, you need to be careful when you change your speed or turn. And whenever you make fast maneuvers, you should send a warning signal to all the people on board.
Boats, unlike cars and trucks, don’t have seatbelts and are susceptible to much more motion. So, you can expect sudden shifts in direction and speed which can throw your passengers off balance or lead them to tumble overboard.
If you want to slow down faster, you may do a power-assisted brake by moving into neutral, stopping, and then switching into reverse and raising the throttle. And, always pause in neutral before shifting from forward to reverse, as doing so too rapidly might cause mechanical damage in certain boats.
Reversing a Boat
Many beginners may not consider this, but there will be occasions where you’ll need to maneuver your boat in reverse. Typically, it should be done at slow speeds and is regulated in settings such as marinas, docks, and harbors.
If you’re used to driving a boat forward and how it operates when the engine is pushing it, then you’ll need to get used to pulling the vessel backward as well. Reversing a boat will be more effective than you imagine in settings like docks and marinas. So, make use of small throttle adjustments.
When you need to reverse the boat in an urgent situation, you must pause after reaching neutral.
Stopping a Boat
Stopping a boat is one of the fundamentals of boating, and to accomplish it successfully, you must be able to balance properly. When you cut the engine while traveling at a certain speed, the boat remains to cruise along its prior route, ultimately slowing down.
You must apply a force roughly equivalent to the force that is driving you ahead if you need to pause the boat. And you can do so with a little shove to reverse. But in certain cases, it requires a lot faster or instant correction, where you may need to do more than a slight nudge to reverse.
Also, keep in mind the powerful force that will be at play. You and your passengers must prepare for the transition. Otherwise, you’ll experience a very quick and significant drop in forwarding motion, which can result in serious injury. The fundamentals of driving a boat also include the ability to stop efficiently and safely.
How To Trim a Boat
After you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll want to understand some of the specifics of driving. This way, you’ll operate the boat more smoothly and efficiently. A vital skill to acquire is how to trim a boat. This entails adjusting the angle of the outdrive or using trim tabs which are the tiny plates on the boat stern.
The way you trim the vessel impacts how much the bow rises in comparison to the stern, as well as how level or not the boat runs. It differs from boat to boat though, so you must play around it until you see how your particular boat responds to changes in drive angle or the use of trim tabs.
Also, in smaller vessels, shifts in weight distribution, including a passenger moving around the boat can influence trim.
Driving Different Types of Boats
Every boat design is unique in some way. However, some boats require special attention, as well as more training and certificates.
The most popular types of boats you’ll encounter in coastal and freshwater locations are a diverse mix of leisure and recreational vessels. Such boats are frequently interchangeable, despite the fact that they drive and handle in quite different manners.
Keep in mind that every boat is different. It takes experience to learn how to drive any vessel. And don’t be upset if you encounter a few speed bumps while learning how to operate a boat. Try to enjoy the experience and you’ll soon get used to driving these boats.
Fishing Boats
Fishing boats vary in size from small vessels ideal for lakes, rivers, and ponds to larger boats suited for sportfishing. These boats will often have v-shaped hulls. This feature helps the boat navigate through waves and weather.
A fishing boat usually features an engine that is proportional to its size. This allows it to maneuver quickly. Meanwhile, larger vessels often have highly powerful engines. So, even slightly adjusting the throttle can result in a significant change in speeds.
Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats have several interesting features. Even some of the more powerful pontoon boats can tow tubes. And while such boats are enjoyable, they really aren’t quick or agile.
The larger buoyant pontoons that earn it its name, as well as their capacity to float, make these boats maneuverable. Although these boats have greater deck space, you still need to be more cautious in navigating and maneuvering. This is especially important while docking.
Sailboats
Often seen on coastal waters, sailboats are a type of boat that requires not just special training to operate, but you’ll also need sailing certifications. This way, you’ll be able to improve your skills.
These boats are usually underpowered. So, they have their own set of guidelines for driving straight and reversing. Sailboats will often require at least a small crew to operate properly.
Driving Inboard Motor vs. Outboard Motor
Outboard engines are situated straight often at the rear or stern of the boat where they are visible. Though I focused this guide mainly on how to drive inboards, this knowledge is easily adaptable to outboards with a few small tweaks.
Keep in mind that most of the process of how to drive a boat will be the same for both inboard and outboard motors. With outboards, though, you won’t have to deal with activating the exhaust fan to vent the engine compartment. This is because it’s readily vented to the outside.
Also, certain outboards may use a tiller to steer, eliminating the need for a steering wheel. To maneuver such boats, you must hold the tiller and physically turn the engine and regulate the throttle.
Things To Prepare
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, driving a boat isn’t the same as driving a car. In order for a boat to move, it must cut through the water. You’ll also encounter mishaps each season, so it’s always best to equip yourself and take all necessary safety precautions before you go boating.
You must complete a pre-departure checklist. This includes being mindful of water conditions, adhering to US navigation regulations, and avoiding overloading. As well as requesting a complimentary USCG vessel safety check.
Some of the key safety guidelines include having a separate life jacket for every passenger, and that’s according to the law. In certain areas, children under the age of 13 are also required to wear life jackets. You should also prepare your safety gear and a float plan. And make sure you don’t drink and drive.
A float plan should contain a set of vital information on the following:
- The crew
- Team leader
- Communication channel
- Safety equipment
- Your intended route
- Name and address of anyone onshore to notify the authorities in case of an emergency
Driving a Boat in Waves
When you drive a boat, there’s a high possibility that you’ll meet some type of wave. You’ll usually encounter waves produced by other boats. These waves may be rather dangerous if not dealt with correctly. Waves are also prevalent when the wind speed increases.
In these situations, the safest way to approach it is to take your time, trim down, and aim to take the waves parallel to your vessel’s long axis. You may also reduce the likelihood of a wave tossing your boat and capsizing it by allowing your bow to cut through the waves.
How To Drive a Boat FAQs
How do you navigate a boat?
To begin, deceive whether you want to navigate using electronic or traditional (analog) methods. Start by using your GPS or chart plotter if you’re using electronic navigation. Take note of your current location, boat speed, and direction of movement.
To get from point A to point B, build a waypoint. Then, connect the waypoints to form a route, and use auto-pilot as needed.
If you prefer traditional navigation, you can use a compass, parallel rulers, and charters. Make sure to keep your eyes on the ground and use important landmarks as waypoints.
Is it hard to navigate a boat?
Navigating a boat is completely different from driving a car on land. You’re not driving down the road, and there are only a few indications other than basic nautical markers designating main waterways. If you’re unlucky, you may also encounter fog.
What is the easiest type of boat to drive?
Smaller boats like bowriders and runabouts are easy to drive and suitable for beginners. They are perfect for day outings and basic water sports. As well as simple fishing excursions.
How do you read a boat marker?
When you come from open water, red marker buoys are on the right side (starboard) of the boat. Green channel markers, on the other hand, should be on your starboard when you travel off to open water. The red marking buoys are also triangular in shape with day beacons or boards.
Final Thoughts
Before you set off, go over your pre-departure checklist to verify that both you and your boat have all the things you may need for your trip. I hope you find this guide helpful in your journey to learning how to drive a boat. Make sure to adhere to rules and practice safety measures while on the water.
Good luck and have fun!
