Great advice through this thread. I am also a brand new boater on the lake. Spent the weekend taking the boat out for the first time (3 days) to different locations with an experienced lake Winni boater (+ 25 years). So many good practical leanings and takeaways. Biggest ones; 1) Do not trust other boats to know what they are doing or where they are going 2) Specifically, despite knowing right of way rules keep your head on a swivel and expect the unexpected 3) No need for speed - better to get a handle on surroundings and key markers 4) Docking and docking practice is where a large chuck of time needs to be spent. Understanding speed, wind, and throttle sensitivity all a huge deal for me. 5) Mooring - I am on a mooring and similar to docking understanding how to get attached was a huge deal.
All in all a great weekend on a great lake. Hoping to have the same friend with me for most of the summer to keep learning! Also great advice if i can do it, I intend to try and spend time in the middle of a week on the lake just practicing docking. I had an audience a few times at a few locations so definitely had some pressure. Slow and steady... neutral is my friend!
Thanks to all the folks who post great advice on the site.
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