30 + Sunday, June t2, 1994 - North Shore News Know what to do before heading for water THE OLD-TIMERS — at Flemming Beach in Esquimault don't always fish on the weekends when the salmon are running. It gets too crowded to be enjoyable. By Martin Miilerchip Contributing Writer But there are generally one or two perched above the boat ramp waiting for entertainment like rusty gulls on a cannery. Early in the summer they get all the laughs they can handle. As the weather calms, the sea warms and the possibility of fresh fish on the barbecue beckons, all manner of unlikely sailors take to the water. All too often, however, their ability to survive is closer to the lemming than the cel. The tip-off to the experienced eye that Wally has just sunk his savings into a new (to him) 18-foot- er is the amount of backing and {ill- ing in the parking lot just getting the trailer lined up with the ramp. “If we see ‘em having trouble with the trailer the odds are they're gonna screw up the launch,” says John, as he hops around the parking lot collecting fees and checking plate numbers. “There’s not a week goes by at this time of year that I don’t remind someone that a boat's like a bath- tub, they both need plugs before you show them the water.”. He shakes his head in exaspera- tion as one boat bobs around the 66 All tov often, however, their ability to survive is closer to the lemming than the eel. 99 jetty area by itself after being launched with nobody in it and no mooring fine attached. “If the Coast Guard ever showed up here more than once a year maybe we could get rid of some of these jokers,” he mouns. The worst offenders are the small pleasure boaters. Yachting involves skill and is generally a iearning experience, hopefully in the hands of a. good school or expe- tienced skipper. The truth is that while there are some enforceable regulations con- cerning equipment and registration, anyone can buy and operate a boat without even the most rudimentary knowledge of safety and seaman- ship. On a lake it would be like putting the keys of the fam; car in the hands of your teenagers and encouraging them to dake it fora spin Defore giving them driving Do you know; WM How to load and balance the boat? HB How to fuel the boat safely? How to adjust the angle of the outboard to avoid cavitation and provide aptintum Lilt and thrust in conjunction with the trim tabs? Does that sound too mechanical for you? Wait until you discover your placid donkey is a raging stallion at planing speeds. That splash you just heard was the unclipped anchor bouncing over. the side. ® How to use the radio, compass and charts — assuming you thought to bring them? @ How to take a bearing? @ What the marker buoys and day beacons are telling you? B Haw to pass another vessel? @ How to signal your intent, assuming you knew how to tuke evasive action? BM Whar your cruising range is and how wind, current and chap will affeet that? @ What to do if your motor quits? @ How to swim? Jeff Toghill, author of Small Boat Handling and Safety, says: “Ut should be a matter of pride that everyone who owns a boat Knows how to handle it properly. “Anyone can jump into a power boat and make it go in @ straight fine across an open bay. But few NEWS photo NO MATTER what size boat you plan to take out on the water this summer, be prepared with adequate knowlecge of the boat and how to operate it safely. Set The Water On Fire. 1993 & 1994 beat owners can handle their craft under difficult conditions or meet any emergency calmly and easily becuse their boat handling is natur- al and instinetive. “And sooner ar later an emer- gency always arises.” To learn more about boating safety courses or navigation the fol- lowing are just some of the organi- We've Meved “Ia Monday out Fridey" on most repairs TOM SAILMAKERS Est. 1976 éations that can help: HM Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, 522 East 2nd, North Vancouver, Tel: 986-3017, @ Royal Life Saving Society Canada, 1235 W. Pender, Vancouver, Tel: 684-6368. @ The Canadian Red Cross Society, Suite 400, 4710 Kingsway, Burnaby. Tel: 431-4200, We are now on the North Shore and have LOTS OF PARKING Call Brett or Nige! 983-9866 Or drop by our new loft at} 869 West 3rd Street North Vancouver 4 HP to 15 HP AT GOST! Full Service & Repairs by our Master Certified Technicians for all Merc Cruisers & Outboards. Quick Silver Inflatables & Accessories also available. lessons. Out in the salt chuck, or even in Vancouver's harbor with its busy shipping lanes, it would be like giv- ing the car keys to someone who had never been a passenger, much less a driver, Assuming you get your new bout to the launching site without it bouncing off its trailer You knew about tie-downs, towing regulations and bearing-buddies. didn’t you?) and launched without sinking or damaging the prop...