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Originally Posted by thing
Wow, thanks guys.
Won't be launching with a trailer. The main reason for a 12 ft (for now) is the ability to throw it on top of the truck and still able able to haul the RV.
I don't recall seeing a plug, that is why I asked. I'm glad TROLLER said that it might not have one...I'll double check tonight.
With regards to putting the boat in the water (remember no trailer) should I launch it at the boat launch, or is it frowned upon to just put it in the water wherever there is space?
I can't decide if I'll go by myself, with a buddy, my son, or whole family. If with the wife and kids (5 & 7). I'm assuming wife at the bow, kids in the middle. 360 +/- lbs too heavy for a 12 footer with a 9.9?
I am under the impression I do need a license.
Any advice for purchasing life jackets?
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Cool cool.
Just make sure you have all the safety gear first. Also get a wet bag or a waterproof bag to put your rain gear, warm clothes in and keep in the boat. I’ve got a 30L bag and it suits my needs nicely.
If you’re going out first, take a buddy with you. That way you can figure out your “system” and pattern for loading and unloading the boat on the truck. Once you’re comfortable with that, then take the wife and kids… otherwise your well planned adventure could turn out to be a disaster of a life time.
360lbs should be fine for a 9.9. When accelerating or cruising, try to move people to the middle of the boat so it gets on a plane quicker. If you see the back end sinking too much… then re adjust the weight in the boat. The 9.9 should be decent power for a 12 footer. I ran a 9.9 on my 14 Aluminum for a while. It was slow with 3 guys in the boat plus gear. If it was my self then it was ok. Now I’m running a 20 hp.
As for launching, I’d launch at the boat launch. Sometimes people will be willing to help out. I’ve helped a few people load/unload their boat off their vehicle while I’m waiting to load or unload my boat at the dock. It speeds things up and it helps make their experience a lot better. It beats grumbling and cussing at the person who is struggling trying to get it done.
Life jackets can be found anywhere. As mentioned, you can take pick them up anywhere. You should take them with you to check for fit, or if you know their weights (yes, asking a woman her weight is a slippery slope) you can go and pick them up.
If you go swimming at any public pools, you could also get them to try on a few there, mark down the sizes and go pick them up.
You can go to most outdoor retailers for the jackets, and also look on kijiji. I’ve noticed some brand new life jackets going for next to nothing.
Also make sure you’ve got Oars. They come in handy should you suffer a motor failure.
As for the license you do need a pleasure craft operators license. As some had mentioned the course can be interesting and some stuff not applicable. You will find when you are out there on the lake you wonder how some of these operators acquired their license with the stunts they pull.
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