How to Use a Pedal Boat

How to use a pedal boat: Let me take you back to the time when I rode a pedal boat for the first time. It was a casual evening when my friend Sam and I strolled by the lake. We couldn’t help but notice the vibrant-colored pedal boats available for rent. With a curious mind, we decided to try them, but of course, we were unaware of how to use a pedal boat.

As we stepped inside and adjusted the seat, our main concern was to know are pedal boats easy to use. And you will rejoice knowing that the answer to this question is a BIG YES. 

Pedal boats are incredibly user-friendly, and even as beginners, we can ride them easily. All we have to do is sit down and start pedaling. Pedal in the forward direction and the pedal boat will start moving straight while pedaling in the opposite direction will cause the boat to reverse. Just make sure that you are well-prepared and equipped with the necessary safety equipment, such as a safety jacket.

Not only it’s a fun activity, but also relatively easy to operate so that you can unwind over tranquil waters after a long hectic day. The sightseeing, nature’s sound, and cool breeze offer a rejuvenating experience. I am sure there is no going back once you start pedal boating, just like my partner and me.

With that said, let’s start our comprehensive guide on how to use a pedal boat but firstly, it is vital to understand how a pedal boat work. 

How Do Pedal Boats Work – Let’s Understand Its Working Mechanism

The working mechanism of a pedalo is simple and similar to most pedal-powered crafts. You must motion one or more pairs of pedals (depending on the best pedal boat models) to glide across the water. In reaction to the action, the pedals turn the paddle lying beneath the surface of the water, moving the boat forward.

Similarly, if you reverse the pedaling direction, the boat will move in the opposite direction. In short, you can accelerate pedal boats with the help of manual propellers.

How to Use a Pedal Boat Like a Pro – From Launching To Exiting

As you’re already familiar that pedal boats work on a bicycle-like mechanism which makes pedal boat a good exercise. You have to pedal to propel it across the water. While its usability is relatively simple, but still it is vital to thoroughly understand the operational procedures, especially if you are new to this venture. I swear it’s pretty straightforward. 

Here are all the major steps for using a pedal boat.

• Prepare Yourself For Pedal Boating
• Get in and Start the Pedal Boat
• Operate the Pedal Boat
• Dock and Exit the Pedal Boat

Prepare Yourself For Pedal Boating

Before moving on to the operational procedures, let’s have a look at few necessary prep steps. These steps had always helped me in laying the foundation for smooth operational procedures ahead. Here are the major ones:

Check the Weather and Water Conditions

Of course, you wouldn’t want to get trapped in a flip-over situation. For that reason, you should avoid pedaling in rainy or stormy weather. 

Regarding water conditions, you can pedal on the lake without any worry. However, doing so in a river with too swift currents or a wavy ocean could result in an accident (I never wish it would happen).

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Gear

Almost all sports are fun if you are wearing appropriate clothing. Since pedal boating is also a water sport; wearing tight or something which can’t protect you from harmful UVs and water splashes would lead to a terrible experience. Some people often make bad choices, when looking for the answer to what to wear pedal boating.

For that reason, you must wear appropriate clothing for pedal boating. Generally speaking, you can wear anything you want on occasion (I prefer a T-shirt and shorts). In fact, you may already have these pieces in your wardrobe. But be sure to choose clothing that can protect you from being wet and extreme sun exposure.

Make Sure the Pedal Boat is in Good Condition

Obviously, you won’t want to be stuck in the middle of the lake due to the failure of the pedal system or a small leakage in your little vessel. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain your pedal boat properly and regularly. 

Renting out one isn’t an excuse not to check the condition of your little vessel. Instead, you should always ensure that your pedal boat is maintained properly (either by you or someone else). Here are a few things to check before you use the vessel:

• Inspect for any destructive part in the hull.
• Check for the leftover water in the boat.
• Ensure that the drain plug is lying properly in its place.

Bring Necessary Supplies and Equipment

You can’t get any immediate facility on water; therefore, you must arrange it in advance. Stocking up on essential supplies and gear will ensure smooth pedaling. These handy must-haves will enhance your experience and allow you to enjoy nature fully. Some of this equipment is necessary for pedal boat fishing.

Here is a list of some boat essentials.

• Cooler
• First aid kit
• Fishing rod
• Binoculars
• Water-bailing safety containers
• Life jackets

Get in and Start the Pedal Boat

Once, you’ve taken these prep steps, now finally it’s time to launch and enter your pedal boat. Isn’t it seem like a piece of cake? Nah, it’s one of the trickiest things to do (speaking from my personal experience)

Launch Your Pedal Boat

Basically, launching refers to shifting the pedal boat from storage (dock or garage) into the water. Here, things can go a little wrong if not done correctly. Here’s how to launch a pedal boat:

• Firstly, you have to lift your vessel on a trailer. Finding it hard? Then, you should call your boating companion. 
• Now, walk the trailer to the edge of the water.
• Lastly, carefully back the trailer down the boat ramp until it launches into the water.

If you can’t access a boat ramp, you must push the boat off into the water and quickly jump in. However, this approach can be risky and only advisable for experts. To ensure a safe launch, it’s advisable to have a helper who can push the boat to the water’s edge while you carefully board and seat yourself.

Enter and Seat Properly

As your boat is floating, it can be unstable and wobble up and down. Hence, you should not get your seat too slowly or fast. Preferably, you should tie down your pedalo or have someone to hold onto the boat while entering. 

Once you hop off in your little vessel, I recommend you get comfortable first. Because you will be spending a number of hours on the water in that specific position. Also, see if your feet are reaching the pedals snugly or not.

Start the Pedaling Motion

Once the positioning step is sorted out, it’s time to begin the pedaling motion. Be sure to pedal in a straight direction and at a steady beat at the start. While alone it will be a bit difficult, having two or more people on pedaling will make the work easier and more efficient.

Operate the pedal Boat

After starting your watercraft, it’s essential to understand its mechanism. For instance, you can’t put a brake until you know how to do so. Here’s all about how pedal boats work:

Move Forward the Pedal Boat

As mentioned, when you pedal your watercraft, in return, your efforts turn the paddle (hanging below the surface of the water), giving the boat a forward motion. In general, pedaling faster will boost its speed, and vice versa will cause a downturn. This fast and hard pedaling allows you to have a low-impact workout and makes pedal boats good for exercise.

Steer the Pedal Boat

Commonly, pedal boats have some sort of handle in between the two pedal seats.

When the handle is turned, it activates the rotor, resulting in the boat moving in the direction indicated by the rotor’s rotation. For example, a right turn of the handle would cause the boat to steer toward the left and vice versa.

Reversing the handle allows for a change in the direction of the pedal boat. In short, the handle serves as a crucial control mechanism, providing the operator with the ability to maneuver the boat with precision.

Preferably, you should have only one person (who has experience navigating through water obstacles) at steering and all others on pedaling.

Stop the Pedal Boat

One of the obvious things you can do to stop your little vessel is to stop pedaling. But to get an instant brake system to navigate through obstacles such as rocks or water plants, you can use a pedal boat anchor. 

A pedal boat anchor can serve as a swift and efficient brake when navigating through obstacles. To halt your vessel in an instant, simply throw the anchor overboard, letting it sink and grip onto the underwater terrain.

Adjust the Speeds

Relatively, adjusting the speed of your pedal craft is easy. Just pedal faster for a burst of velocity, and ease off to decelerate. However, those who desire more power might want to consider adding a sleek, high-performance rudder to their boat.

The rudder is like the steering wheel of your vessel, and a well-designed one can slice through the water effectively.

Dock and Exit the Pedal Boat

At the end of the day, you must return to the shore. While it’s a cinch for most pedal boating enthusiasts, a newbie will struggle to get out and place the boat properly. Here’s how to dock and Exit a pedal boat properly.

Exit the Pedal Boat Safely

Here’s how to exit the pedal boat safely:

• As you approach the dock, you must ease up on the pedal. It will gradually bring your boat to a standstill.
• Maintain your posture and stability as you get ready to leave.
• Grip the sides or handrails for extra support and cautiously step onto the shore, placing one foot at a time.

Put the Pedal Boat on Trailer

While enthusiasts who rented out a boat should leave this step, doing so for an owner isn’t a good idea. Once you reach the shore, put your watercraft on a trailer (it acts as a transport material from dock to water and vice versa). The option of putting it on a trailer makes pedal boat transportation quite easier.

Lifting up your pedal craft isn’t much effort. Even me and my muscular partner Sam can do it easily. However, it’s always best to look out for some random help if you couldn’t do it alone.

Dock the Pedal Boat

Last but not least, you have to walk the trailer back to the dock. While the process is similar to launching, you must remain extra careful as improper docking can affect your boat’s longevity.

5 Safety Tips and Precautions to Ensure a Safe Ride

Compared to other human-powered crafts, pedal boats are safe. Despite this fact, one should consider a few precautionary measures to ensure additional safety: Here are the major ones:

• Wear a Life Jacket: No need to instruct; a life jacket can act as a decider between life and death in case of any emergency.
• Maintain a Safe Distance: From Other Boats and Obstacles: I know it sounds fun. But, avoid getting too close to other boats or obstacles, or be prepared for a collision.
• Avoid Overloading: Always check how much weight your pedal boat holds and hop off accordingly.
• Monitor Weather and Water Conditions: As mentioned, wavy water and stormy weather can cause your boat to flip over. Hence, you should check out these factors before going on a ride.
• Know the Location of Emergency Equipment: You should know where emergency supplies such as boat safety kits are lying to ensure timely action.

Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)

How to haul a pedal boat?

You can haul a pedal boat using a trailer, car roof, or truck bed.

Can I use a pedal boat in a river?

Yes, if the currents in the river aren’t too swift and of high levels.

Can one person operate a pedal boat?

Yes, a single person can use a pedal boat easily. However, one should take care of essential safety measures before doing so.

Bottom Line:

The article gives you clear insights into how to use a pedal boat. With simple pedal-powered propulsion and intuitive steering, it’s a leisurely yet easy way to explore lakes, ponds, and calm waters.