Hey guys, so I'm new to the boating scene as far as an owner. I just picked up a 73 sidewinder with a 454 and berk jet. Any advice on getting my boat ready for the season coming up? Looking to launch at big river/Parker and havasu. Anything helps thanks

Do a shakedown run before you take the family and friends out, to make sure everything is mechanically sound.  You are in a great place to hook up with people who are willing and able to help you learn.  Welcome to SCJB and and to boating.

Cheers,

Joe

You do all you can to make sure the boat is right when it leaves, but it is always different when you get on the water.  Just friendly advice.

Our first run will be during the week so there will be less traffic on the water and a much more open ramp for launch. I never was a fan of the launch at big river though...Always want to stay as safe as possible. Also, already have a tow rope and paddle for the boat as well as a fire extinguisher. I'll def keep a $20 hidden is that to cover a tow fee?


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Crewchief22, yea the launch at big river is a bit intimidating for now, looking to stay up in movalya keys or in Havasu. Been to big river quite a bit but never with a boat. Seen some people from the scjb videos at big river but didn't chat much was playing beer pong in the river.
Once I saw y'all out there I was hooked had to get one, and this boat kinda fell on my lap as a gift. Looking to learn as much as possible and do some runs with y'all once I'm more familiar with boating.


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The boating areas you mentioned have become less friendly to smaller boats conditions-wise. Know the weather (wind chop in the afternoons), what other types of boats you'll be on the water with (offshore, rollbar, etc), and holiday traffic. Rolling an 18 in Parker is not what it once was..... just sayin'.

Jess, yes the boat is in Southridge/Jurupa Hills area. And am looking to do a run at Elsinore prior to a river run. Would be nice to run into some people from scjb there, maybe get more advice in person.

Roost, we have planned on doing a trip in Havasu from Sunday-Thursday. I'd like to be launching with as little traffic as possible on the water and I know during the week is probably my best bet. No holiday trips planned yet due to my inexperience on the water as a driver. I'd rather take my time, get some runs under my belt before doing a holiday/river run.

Any and all advice is much appreciated and taken seriously.


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Welcome to SCJB. Its a sickness get used to it!

Launching during the week is def a good idea. Doing an Elsinore trip or two is an even better one.

Looks liek you have an engine cover on your float. Id launch and cruise around the no wake zone with that up while someone is looking for leaks and other potential issues.

Remember, it takes throttle to turn turning the wheel with no throttle input will not help things. Took me a minute to get used to that. if you're trying to turn around on the river remember to throttle up as you make the turn and things will go easier.

Have fun!

Thanks Steve, I have a few friends who have boats but not jets. Most likely I'll have one of them come out on first launch to keep an eye on the motor as we put around. I was told to make the first passes short and tune as needed then grow to longer runs on the lake. I'm assuming(with no boating experience) that it would be somewhat similar to a seadoo as far as turning. I do know that I must throttle through turning because if I don't it's not going anywhere. Definitely looking to launching and learning what boating is all about!


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I drove my jet boat (first jet ever) last year for the first time, it took me a couple times out to figure it all out.

To be honest, only the last couple trips have i even started driving it on the trailer. I used to swim it on every time.

My first trip out. I launched the boat, and cruised around elsinore just on plane. Learning steering sensitivity. Stopping, obstacle avoidance. allt he basics

Most importantly have fun

You can never have to many spare plugs, for that one time (or more for some of us) stashed in boat and truck.  They sink real fast when loaded down and plug out.  I carry jumper cables and tow ropes.  2 spare tires that you KNOW are on correct rims is not a bad idea either.  Trailer tires age and fail with alarming quickness.

i have one of these that i keep with me. I bought it awhile ago i have actually jump started a duramax with it.

They work great for jump starting, they also work great for charging a dead phone or somehting like that

http://www.amazon.com/Nekteck-Multifunction-Portable-External-16800mAh/dp/B00MG687JW?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_11&smid=A3GMRWNJ2V9TRM

I'm at big river about every holiday and almost every other weekend usually have a few other jets there with me feel free to come up and say hi would love to give you a hand with anything you need and I have been launching at big river my entire life that is my river home I know a few pointers that may help also there are many shallow spots on that river you need to learn some section can be just inches deep on one side and plenty on the other it's a back and forth drive up to the dam I saw a couple video on YouTube from the air over the river that showed some of the shallow spots. So good luck with the new float looks great and I'll keep an eye out for you this season

Hopefully see you there

If the water is low you go to the side I always put mine in heading down river let's the boat come off without hitting the fender and your facing up river when you come off. There is another ramp right at the entrance that has no current and a dock will fit 2 at a time but can be slippery and also drops off if water is low. Best to have breakfast and wait till the water comes up around noon