Can your wife drive a boat

[farmo83]

Does your significant other drive the boat? Or at least can they ?

My wife has been adamant since before we were married that she had zero interest in driving the boat or learning to. She’s perfectly content to just be a passenger, which is fine but I want her to be able to drive if needed. I’ve brought this up several times before and she just puts it off. Finally this year we got in a bit of an argument and I told her the main reason was not for me to get really drunk and just let her assume command but if something happens to me (not alcohol related) she needs to be able to get us back home. Hopefully nothing happens but would always rather be safe then sorry.

I don’t really view this as an unreasonable request but would appreciate others input.

 

[JD D05]

My wife has done some but not enough.

 

[milkmoney]

First of all , pics of wife ..sorry had to.
I believe you are exactly correct. There always needs to be someone in the boat that can at least get you back in case of emergency. , wife , kid, friend etc....[emoji106][emoji202]

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[Mike Honcho]

Mine knows how to drive and dock it may be a little bumpy but she actually enjoys driving with the wind in her hair. Also I am a big proponent of teaching kids and friends how to operate the boat usually because it reminds me of being a kid and an uncle let me drive his flatty (with him in the boat). I like to see kids experience this and maybe it sparks a life long addition like it did to me.

I suppose there are a few caveats like what type of boat and such but either way I feel if I am next to them to correct any situation then it ends up being a positive experience.

 

[Yellowboat]

Not married, but I would not marry one that could not

 

[941Punk]

Do what? lol
No, just look good in her bikini.

 

[RodnJen]

Yes, on and off the trailer like a boss and pulls me skiing.

 

[Bobby V]

When I meet my wife in Havasu she had her own Caliber 1 boat. I sold mine and used hers until we bought the Eliminator. We always split the day driving. Me in the morning and her in the afternoon. She doesn't drink.

 

[RitcheyRch]

My wife drove our boat once but really didn't feel comfortable with it. I tried explaining that she really should get more comfortable with it in case something ever happened and she needed to be able to safely operate the boat.

 

[Devilman]

Although she doesn't drive very often, she doesn't have a problem with it & enjoys it occasionally. She also tows and backs the trailer with ease as well. I've got an old video clip somewhere, from one of the get-togethers when she took some of the wives for a ride and was giving it hell, lol...

*edit* To add, I don't think it's an unreasonable request, if nothing else but for the situation you describe... Something happens to you preventing you from driving. Being stranded would suck.

 

[SoCalDave]

My wife prefers to launch and receive (driving the truck) over driving the boat though she can do both.

 

[guest hs]

I taught my wife how to drive our boat when she was 19 years old. She is now 43 and can drive just as good as me and can back a trailer down better then any guy can!

 

[Outdrive1]

Yes.


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[SBMech]

I always try to teach my women to handle a boat, drive the tow rig and trailer etc.

It's very important IMO, besides the fact that most of them have really enjoyed it once they got comfortable.

 

[WhatExit?]

More importantly, can your wife/woman back the boat trailer down the launch ramp?

 

[Ziggy]

Yup, mine launches and puts it back on trailer every time(better than me actually) while I do the trailer duties.. I generally drive out on lake but she will every now and then.
We need to reverse rolls to practice keeping the other skills in tune.

 

[pwerwagn]

Yes. Mine can drive the boat, unload the boat, etc. hell, she will go to the lake, hook the motorhome to the boat and pull it all down on the beach. Comes in handy when I’m day drinking.

 

[Ziggy]

And if it's any consolation, I do agree with you that your wife should have the minimum basic skills to get the boat back to safety.

 

[DC-88]

Mine hates getting the trailer , plus we both ski so her and later the kids handled a lot of boat driving / retrieving over the years in all types of boats ranging from easy to v drives with no reverse to tournament boats and cats which require a more accurate line in crowds or current. Bottom line for me is ....I'm off work at the river, so once it becomes a 100% burden on me or resembles work stress I lose interest. Plus, there's no way I want to be that guy clogging a public ramp or side tie area so we divided the duties from day 1.

 

[DaytonaBabe]

Yep, I agree that, as a responsible boating couple, both parties should be capable in each role.






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[Meaney77]

We each take turns being the DD.

 

[oldschool]

Drives the boat, launches, retrieves and makes a hell of a sandwich.

 

[lbhsbz]

Does your significant other drive the boat? Or at least can they ?

My wife has been adamant since before we were married that she had zero interest in driving the boat or learning to. She’s perfectly content to just be a passenger, which is fine but I want her to be able to drive if needed. I’ve brought this up several times before and she just puts it off. Finally this year we got in a bit of an argument and I told her the main reason was not for me to get really drunk and just let her assume command but if something happens to me (not alcohol related) she needs to be able to get us back home. Hopefully nothing happens but would always rather be safe then sorry.

I don’t really view this as an unreasonable request but would appreciate others input.

When I had the jet boat, wife would drive all the time. She can drive the outboard just fine, but she'd rather not because she doesn't wanna crash the leg/prop into the rocks.

 

[CoolCruzin]

wife wouldn't even try with the offshore type controls. it's scary I was told. lol
but she can back the trailer up bad ass with out a problem -I'm good with that

 

[Ziggy]

Drives the boat, launches, retrieves and makes a hell of a sandwich.

Keeper

 

[HocusPocus]

My wife loves driving our boat and does it often and when it comes to launching and retrieving it, she can either back down the truck and trailer or put the boat on the trailer. She is a keeper

 

[oldschool]

Keeper

I haven't been able to shake her for 23 years.

 

[Rajobigguy]

Both wife and daughter are reasonably capable operators.

 

[milkmoney]

And still no pics of all these awesome women lol. [emoji41][emoji202]

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[Ziggy]

wife wouldn't even try with the offshore type controls. it's scary I was told. lol
but she can back the trailer up bad ass with out a problem -I'm good with that

When we switched to offshore controls my wife started putting a coozie over the throttle lever to prevent grabbing wrong lever in marina. After decades of a single long lever it was easy to hit the throttle accidently.

 

[RVR2SNO]

Drives the boat, tows the trailer and has an RD SUX sticker on her suburban!

 

[WATERDOG]

Does your significant other drive the boat? Or at least can they ?

My wife has been adamant since before we were married that she had zero interest in driving the boat or learning to. She’s perfectly content to just be a passenger, which is fine but I want her to be able to drive if needed. I’ve brought this up several times before and she just puts it off. Finally this year we got in a bit of an argument and I told her the main reason was not for me to get really drunk and just let her assume command but if something happens to me (not alcohol related) she needs to be able to get us back home. Hopefully nothing happens but would always rather be safe then sorry.

I don’t really view this as an unreasonable request but would appreciate others input.

They exact some reason I taught my Wife.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

I have my wife drive the boat so I can watch her boobies bounce.....its safer than me watching them when I drive it.

 

[WATERDOG]

More importantly, can your wife/woman back the boat trailer down the launch ramp?

Mine can and she's very good at it. Of course I have almost had numerous heart attaches as she will back down the ramp between others with just inches on each side.

 

[milkmoney]

I have my wife drive the boat so I can watch her boobies bounce.....its safer than me watching them when I drive it.

You have seen more water in your bath tub than your boat has seen lake water fool
[emoji39][emoji202]

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[Flying_Lavey]

My wife drives the boat on and off the trailer as well as pick my ass up from the dock which can be challenging since we have no reverse.

I do want her to learn to back-up a trailer but it's been pretty difficult to practice having 3 crazy kids in the truck when practicing.

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[Ziggy]

And still no pics of all these awesome women lol.

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You have seen more water in your bath tub than your boat has seen lake water fool
[emoji39][emoji202]

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That deserves a BNAG!

 

[coolchange]

If we go Marina cruising the wife drives all the time. If there's no traffic in the water's good she usually drives. She can have a tendency to panic in stress situation so I don't put her in them. She can back a trailer. But my dock banger trailer is short coupled with a short bed truck with a stick. So I don't put her in the situation to cause stress.
My girlfriend back in the day used to peddle my flat. Her and a girlfriend would Cruise the river. I used to do the River race thing and they had a powder puff class and she would make passes but I would notch the pedal to slightly down.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Wouldnt have it any othe way!

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[milkmoney]

My wife drives the boat on and off the trailer as well as pick my ass up from the dock which can be challenging since we have no reverse.

I do want her to learn to back-up a trailer but it's been pretty difficult to practice having 3 crazy kids in the truck when practicing.

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I will give my suggestion. Your wife will learn how to back the trailer from another person ( not you , spouse) a lot quicker and easier .......[emoji39][emoji202]

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[Socalx09]

Not a wife, but a daughter. I’m 28, but my dad taught me when I was young so he didn’t have to do launch and back down the trailer on his own.

Can drive it alone, put it in the trailer alone. Just in case anything comes up. Heart attack, injury, etc. You never know. My mom knows how to operate the boat-forward, backwards turning, blower, blilge bump, etc. but she won’t go more than idle speed without freaking out.

A few years ago my dads friend thought it would be a good idea to switch up to Malibu black rum. It is different than the regular Malibu rum. Well let’s just say my dad and his friend who also had a boat were drunk out of their minds and it wasn’t until I read the bottle that I realized what happened. We were in the channel, so that was a positive, but it was getting late. I drove my dads boat back first with my friend who thankfully was able to back down the trailer. Drove back down to the park entrance. got in the other boat and did the same thing.

I would at least get her familiar a bit. maybe take her on a weekday when no one is out there and start there in a cove. Weekend traffic can be overwhelming. I get nervous sometimes in the launch area when there are so many boats, especially the boats that just sit in the front when it’s not their turn and having to navigate around the traffic.

Maybe another week, try finding some waves to teach her how to drive in the waves. Start slow and small is my only advice.

 

[f12517]

No...but my daughter does. She's 18 now and she learned when she was 14

 

[Ragged Edge]

The wife is fully engaged in the process. Back when I was still ski racing she pulled me in practice many times with the Stoker at 90 plus, I have no worries with her behind the wheel. She even likes driving the Fountain but would prefer to back the trailer because it's a bit of a pain getting it on the trailer straight.

 

[milkmoney]

Not a wife, but a daughter. I’m 28, but my dad taught me when I was young so he didn’t have to do launch and back down the trailer on his own.

Can drive it alone, put it in the trailer alone. Just in case anything comes up. Heart attack, injury, etc. You never know. My mom knows how to operate the boat-forward, backwards turning, blower, blilge bump, etc. but she won’t go more than idle speed without freaking out.

A few years ago my dads friend thought it would be a good idea to switch up to Malibu black rum. It is different than the regular Malibu rum. Well let’s just say my dad and his friend who also had a boat were drunk out of their minds and it wasn’t until I read the bottle that I realized what happened. We were in the channel, so that was a positive, but it was getting late. I drove my dads boat back first with my friend who thankfully was able to back down the trailer. Drove back down to the park entrance. got in the other boat and did the same thing.

I would at least get her familiar a bit. maybe take her on a weekday when no one is out there and start there in a cove. Weekend traffic can be overwhelming. I get nervous sometimes in the launch area when there are so many boats, especially the boats that just sit in the front when it’s not their turn and having to navigate around the traffic.

Maybe another week, try finding some waves to teach her how to drive in the waves. Start slow and small is my only advice.

You will make a good wife / girlfriend....[emoji41][emoji106][emoji202]

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[HOOTER SLED-]

You have seen more water in your bath tub than your boat has seen lake water fool
[emoji39][emoji202]

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Careful old man...you're gonna hurt yourself with quick, witty comebacks like that. I've seen plenty of teets bouncing in my boat up to this point. Even you would be proud.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I will give my suggestion. Your wife will learn how to back the trailer from another person ( not you , spouse) a lot quicker and easier .......[emoji39][emoji202]

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Yeah, that may help her. But I think she doesn't have the desire to really learn it either. Oh well.

Not a wife, but a daughter. I’m 28, but my dad taught me when I was young so he didn’t have to do launch and back down the trailer on his own.

Can drive it alone, put it in the trailer alone. Just in case anything comes up. Heart attack, injury, etc. You never know. My mom knows how to operate the boat-forward, backwards turning, blower, blilge bump, etc. but she won’t go more than idle speed without freaking out.

A few years ago my dads friend thought it would be a good idea to switch up to Malibu black rum. It is different than the regular Malibu rum. Well let’s just say my dad and his friend who also had a boat were drunk out of their minds and it wasn’t until I read the bottle that I realized what happened. We were in the channel, so that was a positive, but it was getting late. I drove my dads boat back first with my friend who thankfully was able to back down the trailer. Drove back down to the park entrance. got in the other boat and did the same thing.

I would at least get her familiar a bit. maybe take her on a weekday when no one is out there and start there in a cove. Weekend traffic can be overwhelming. I get nervous sometimes in the launch area when there are so many boats, especially the boats that just sit in the front when it’s not their turn and having to navigate around the traffic.

Maybe another week, try finding some waves to teach her how to drive in the waves. Start slow and small is my only advice.

Have you talked to ol' Pokey? It seems like you and he could make a good RDP couple. Lol!

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[DaytonaBabe]

I will give my suggestion. Your wife will learn how to back the trailer from another person ( not you , spouse) a lot quicker and easier .......[emoji39][emoji202]

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I agree. If possible, have a girlfriend or another female teach her without the pressure of a spouse judging, critiquing, poking fun, glossing over something that he may consider common knowledge, etc.

Same as teaching someone to shoot - I've taught a lot of my girlfriends to shoot. From my experience, when learning skills that can be stressful, it is helpful to have another woman to explain why things are done in a certain way, what she can prepare to feel, what to expect next, where to look, etc.

Just my .02






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[jetboatperformance]

She drives well , backs , launches and retrieves the boat, but in my blown jet I keep a grip on the back of her life jacket and have "tug" occasionally to slow a bit , she likes to haul ass

 

[DWC]

Does your significant other drive the boat? Or at least can they ?

My wife has been adamant since before we were married that she had zero interest in driving the boat or learning to. She’s perfectly content to just be a passenger, which is fine but I want her to be able to drive if needed. I’ve brought this up several times before and she just puts it off. Finally this year we got in a bit of an argument and I told her the main reason was not for me to get really drunk and just let her assume command but if something happens to me (not alcohol related) she needs to be able to get us back home. Hopefully nothing happens but would always rather be safe then sorry.

I don’t really view this as an unreasonable request but would appreciate others input.

My wife has no interest in driving and less in cleaning the boat. She loves being on the water. Cares that whatever boat we have is easy to get on/off. She likes to buy matching towels and sometimes chairs. Driving it. Probably not gonna happen.
All 3 kids can pull it on/off the trailer and in most any conditions. My 21 year old daughter is probably the best. She can put that shit on the trailer better than me. Patience and no ego is a good combo.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Took my ol lady to a Walmart parking lot when we got our first toy hauler. Explained the basic how everything is opposite when backing up. From there I just kept my mouth shut and let her figure it out(had to bit my tounge a few times). Couple hours later she could back it into any parking spot I pointed at. Now she can put the trailer right under the boat so I dont even have to drive it on just clip tighten and go.. makes my life so much easier not having to do it all.. plus she gets a kick out of out doing most guys at the ramp it's kinda funny..