A beginner's guide to boating starts with getting familiar with the boat before you ever leave the dock, then practicing in safe, open water instead of a tight marina. Captain Harley Hunt teaches new boaters to check the throttles and steering first, then work one engine in and out of gear to feel how the boat moves. In this How 2 Tuesday I talk with Harley Hunt about building real confidence on the water, one controlled step at a time.
Listen now: press play in the player above and follow along.
Captain Harley Hunt's approach is to get familiar with the boat before you ever leave the dock. He steps on, makes sure the throttles work and the steering works, and checks everything over before untying. Then he practices in a low-consequence setting rather than a tight marina. The whole idea is to learn how the boat responds where a mistake costs you nothing, so you build real feel and confidence before you put yourself in a situation with bigger consequences.
On a twin engine boat, Harley Hunt only uses one engine at a time, popping it in and out of gear instead of throwing both into reverse at once. Using both engines together increases speed and risk, especially leaving a slip. By working a single engine in and out of gear, you feel how that one engine moves the boat left, right, forward, and back. It is a slower, more controlled way to learn how your boat actually behaves in close quarters.
Because a marina is full of expensive consequences, other boats, pilings, and tight spaces, exactly where you do not want to be figuring out how your boat handles. The better approach is to get out into a safe, open area first, learn what to expect from the boat, and build your skills where a mistake does not cost you anything. Once you understand how the boat responds, close-quarters docking becomes far less intimidating.
Harley Hunt says it compounds. Start by popping one engine in and out of gear to ease away from the slip, and as you get comfortable, leave it in gear a little longer next time, then longer and longer. That gradual approach builds your confidence using one engine until you are completely comfortable with the boat. His rule is slowest pro, or only go as fast as you are willing, so you stay in control while your skills grow.
A lot of people got into boating since COVID, and many are stepping onto a boat that may be more than they are ready for, a big upgrade or simply too much boat. That is exactly why getting familiar with how a boat handles, starting slow, and practicing in safe water matters so much. Add in feeling how wind and tide affect the boat on open water, and you set yourself up to operate safely instead of learning the hard way.
Captain Harley Hunt runs howtoboating.com, where there is a short questionnaire you can fill out, and he will give you a call right away to schedule something. You can also find him on Instagram and TikTok under the how to boating handle. He specializes in helping newer boaters get comfortable and confident, which is exactly the kind of hands-on guidance that makes the difference for anyone stepping up to a new or bigger boat.
A lot of people have gotten into boating since COVID, and many are stepping onto a boat that may be more than they are ready for, a big upgrade or simply too much boat. Captain Harley Hunt of howtoboating.com teaches people exactly how to get comfortable, so I brought him on to share how he gets a new boater familiar with a boat safely. We get into it in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Here are the steps Harley Hunt walks through for learning a new boat. He shares the reasoning in the episode.
He unpacks each step in the episode. Press play in the player above.
On a twin engine boat, Harley Hunt only pops one engine in and out of gear instead of throwing both into reverse, which would just increase speed and risk leaving a slip. Working a single engine teaches you how the boat moves in every direction. He explains how he uses it to build feel in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Harley Hunt's point is that comfort on a boat compounds: ease away on one engine, then leave it in gear a little longer each time, longer and longer, until you are completely confident. His rule is slowest pro, only go as fast as you are willing. He breaks down how that mindset keeps you in control in the episode, so press play in the player above.
Getting out on open water and feeling how your boat behaves with the wind and the tide is some of the best advice there is for a newer boater.
Check everything first, start slow in safe water, and build up one controlled step at a time. Press play in the player above.
How 2 Tuesday is my weekly series where I break down one fishing skill at a time, from knots and casting to gear, tactics, and the habits that make you a better angler. Watch and listen to every How 2 Tuesday episode from Tom Rowland.
Captain Harley Hunt · howtoboating.com · boat handling · twin engine boats · docking · navigation · Star brite · Nikon · Danco pliers · How 2 Tuesday · Saltwater Experience
I'm Tom Rowland, a professional fishing guide based in the Florida Keys, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, and the longtime host of the Saltwater Experience television show. On the podcast's How 2 Tuesday series I break down one practical skill or lesson at a time, from fishing technique and gear to the habits that make you a better angler, in short, focused episodes you can put to use right away.
Subscribe to get the latest episodes, show notes, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.