[Mo_Gearhead]

I’m also late to this thread. Nice boat Matt.

We have had four different boats over some 30 years - from an old 14 ft. closed-bow runabout, 18 and 19 ft. boats similar to yours (walk through windshield) and now a 21 ft. Sea Ray Sundeck type.

Some thoughts for new owners:

Since you will be working the front winch, and tie downs and in the water as you launch and (later) load the boat, and your wife will be operating the boat; give her careful instructions so she clearly understands what the shift lever/speed control, the trim/trailer button, and the bilge blower are doing.

I always ask her these questions (during launching);
“Blower (bilge) on?”
“Trim at half-way?” (on gauge)

Putting it on trailer at end of day, before I get back into the tow vehicle;
“Trim up?”
“Key off?” (she has turned it to ‘accessory’ and ran the battery down)

The “trim” (outdrive position) I mention because on some launch ramps you may be in shallow water or the ramp may be so steep the outdrive may hit bottom. Also, one should NEVER engage forward or reverse with the outdrive in the full out (up) position!

Also when loading on the trailer, she should ask all passengers to stay seated! Sometimes children (or unknowing adults) are up, moving about trying to gather belongings. Keep them seated till you have the boat secured in the trailer bunks and your safety chain (at the wench) is in place.

RE: the wandering at low/idle speed. EVERY boat I have owned did this at idle speeds. It’s a function of prop torque. As soon as you hit the throttle and the boat rises and planes, it should stop. If it continues - then you need to look for a problem. (My current boat has twin, counter-rotating props ...and it still does it.)

Over time my wife became a great boat captain, I learned to ski decades ago with her at the wheel. She can put in on the trailer even with a 15- 20 MPH cross-wind, usually on the first try.

Enjoy.