Prop choice for teaching how to pilot the boat

[Mudsport96]

So, I have decided it is a good idea to teach my wife how to drive the boat. Not that she will do it often or even alone as she doesn't really want to. But.... just in case something happens while we are out and I am not able to do it ( medical emergency etc..), she probably should know how to at least get on plane and steer. This got brought up over the weekend while I was getting a few things ready for the upcoming summer. Since an incident happened last summer with a friends family while they were out on their boat. His wife got a crash course on how to get the boat back to the dock( came in a little hot ) and holler for help to get tied off. Everything worked out, but it also could have not been good if she hadn't at least paid attention while he had driven. And my wife has never paid attention so I know I have to teach her from scratch.

Now, for the question. For a absolute beginner, should I put on the 15 pitch 4 blade for better getting up on plane and lower speed manners? Or should I leave the 21 pitch 3 blade on it, since that is most likely what will be on it most of the time?

I just got the 15 pitch so I do not know when it will start to plane, but i know that the 21 is in the 20mph range. Which may be a little fast for a beginner.

[DaveBrabec]

You are overthinking it. Let me 8 year old grandson drive my boat. Just sit next to him. She will be fine.

[Redngoo]

I have taught my wife for emergency reason. She already had the backing in down to an art. She been launching me for several years, as well as me letting her out and backing in for load. A couple years back I taught her to drive the boat and load the boat by herself. She also has taken the boating exam. She learned quick and proud of her. Occasionally I asked her to drive, launch or load to keep her honed in

[Zone18]

I agree .......teach her to drive the boat the way it is because that's the way it's going to be in an emergency.

[yandeltx]

I watched what looked like a 7-8 year old little girl load a Ranger Z520 all by herself. Her dad pulled up to the courtesy dock, got out of the boat and she moved over to the steering wheel. He went and got the truck and backed the trailer in and she drove it up on the trailer like she had done it a hundred times. I have to admit it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

[Mudsport96]

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah i think it is spot on to just leave the 21 on for her to learn with. As for your comment Red, mine has a hard enough time backing out of a parking space at walmart. There is zero chance she could back up a trailer.

[jerzia]

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah i think it is spot on to just leave the 21 on for her to learn with. As for your comment Red, mine has a hard enough time backing out of a parking space at walmart. There is zero chance she could back up a trailer.

Ditto!

[jjue1979]

I watched what looked like a 7-8 year old little girl load a Ranger Z520 all by herself. Her dad pulled up to the courtesy dock, got out of the boat and she moved over to the steering wheel. He went and got the truck and backed the trailer in and she drove it up on the trailer like she had done it a hundred times. I have to admit it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

I plan on doing this with my kids; in fact, my son is old enough to work on boater education certification so that I can teaching him to operate my boat. I already told my daughter that I'm not raising a girl who can't back and park a trailer, and she will also learn to operate my boat when the time comes.

[exttremeparadox]

I’d just leave the 21 on for her to learn. No point in complicating things with a different prop, especially since that’s what she’ll be using if something happens. And yeah, I feel you on the parking situation, backing a trailer is a whole different ballgame. But with practice, she'll get it down.

[mikeky]

For backing practice, a Church with a large parking lot. Start her off using mirrors, not turning her head.

[n2ratfishin]

Just let her drive. You can hang on to the kill switch in case it’s needed.

[weiglein4]

good grief

[Mudsport96]

The biggest problem other than her lack of depth perception when looking in the mirror, is her lack of caring to learn. When we first got the boat and before I got the membership to the fishing club we are in, I tried launching at the public ramp. Easy peazy right? Pull straight up the ramp and follow the parking lot to the spaces designed for a truck and boat and pull straight through. I'll just say im glad a guy I know was also launching and just showed up to show her how to park.