Docking in Style....for singles??

[stunod12]

Hi Everyone,<br /><br />I came across an article on HOW TO DOCK YOUR BOAT. http://www.yachtsurvey.com/docking.htm <br /><br />It shows how to dock your boat with twin engines.<br />Question: Does anyone know of a site that explains how to dock with a single engine inboard? <br /><br />Thanks,<br />lou

 

[JB]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Hi, Stunod.<br /><br />The boater's/seaman's bible, Chapman's Piloting And Seamanship is loaded with such wisdom.<br /><br />A very good investment, particularly for saltys.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

OH yea. We come in WOT, till about 20 yards or so and shut it down and coast in. <br />J/K

 

[JB]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Hmmm. I'll bet that makes you real popular among the other boaters there.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Oh man... I thought you meant "Ways to impress the Ladies with stylish ways of docking a boat"... <br /><br />JB is right on with Chapmans book...<br /><br />Basicly when docking with a single you need to realize that you have very little control in reverse so plan ahead... With some practice you will learn how to use the the rudder and the torque of the propeller for some directional control while in reverse...

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Thgis web page has that info.....<br /> http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/safetips.htm boat info

 

[Seagull6]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

That boatsafe website is great, as is the Chapman book. However, there is nothing that beats practice and experience. <br /><br />Try going out and manuevering up to a buoy as if it were the dock; plastic buoys in areas that aren't well travelled work best for this trick. <br /><br />Learn how your boat handles at different speeds with the wind hitting you from different quarters on each approach. Try moving forward very slowly to see how your boat walks due to prop torque. Note at what speed/RPM the walking stops. Shift into reverse and then see how quickly the boat responds as you back up at different RPMs. Try turning in reverse to see what happens.<br /><br />Practice docking against the buoy at minimum controlable speed and then coasting, so you don't need to depend on reverse to stop. Coming in fast and then throwing the boat into reverse at the last moment to stop is not good form and will eventually get you into trouble. <br /><br />Experiment where you can't do any harm and have fun. After a while you'll be a lot more comfortable and docking like a pro.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Chapman's is a great resource, however, I am with the practice part. Reading docking instructions are like reading golf swing instruction to me. I frequent a restaurant in an inlet off the Chesapeak Bay and when the tide is changing the current will run 5 knots. It makes you a dinner show and gives the other boat owners in the place indigestion. Figure everytime you go out that conditions will be differant than the time before and remember when you get really frustrated that everybody that has docked a boat has been where you are. And by the way, I find I have alot more controll of either twin screws or single if I am heading into the wind or current.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

"The more people watching you, is directly proportinal, to the way you handle the boat"

 

[Seagull6]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Onlookers play a big part. I am a private pilot also and I do my best landings when no one else is around. But when I drop the airplane in or run my boat into the dock, everyone one I know seems to be gathered around, watching. This must be some corillary to Murphy's Law.

 

[stunod12]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Thanks for all the replies, I've taken EVERYONE's advice.<br />It's funny that you said: "The more people watching you, is directly proportinal, to the way you handle the boat" This past August, I had my sterring cable replaced on a Thurday. On the weekend I took the boat out to go fishing. As soon as I took off, I turned left, and the boat went RIGHT! The Mechcanic put it on backwards. My boat started floating into everones docked boat. Of course, it was at 10am on a Sunday when 20 people were watching. I felt like such an A__ hole. <br /><br />So now I'm thinking of next season's future for me: <br />I'll be driving a 27' boat with a Fly Bridge, Docking 30% of the time by myself. I could just picture myself docking.......the boat slowly drifting towards a docked boat out of control ,I have to jump down off the Fly Bridge, run to the bow, push off, run back up to the bridge, back up the boat.......well, you get the picture <br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Lou

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

WWell, it's been my experience that when all else fails, the automatic braking system will take over- the dock piling, the rocks, the beach, etc. Don't all those people standing around watching have jobs they should be at???

 

[magster65]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

There is three 'golden' rules to docking ANY boat..... unfortuneatly nobody knows what they are...

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

JB said

Hmmm. I'll bet that makes you real popular among the other boaters there.

It doesn't really matter JB. Thats the way everyone up here in kentuck does it. LOL.

 

[araiha]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

Hmmm... three golden rules?<br /><br />How about:<br /><br />1) Don't approach the dock faster than you want to hit it.<br /><br />2) Use the elements (wind/current) to your advantage<br /><br />3) Any mooring you can walk away from is a good one!

 

[magster65]

Re: Docking in Style....for singles??

We have a favorite little gulf island retreat that we often visit in the summer months. During the busier times of day we get our lawn chairs out and set them up on the edge of the field overlooking the marina. <br />There we watch the tourists display thier various docking techniques. Since watching we've learned the 'Oops, is that your boat?' style, the famous 'See how strong my boat is!' technique and of course the 'Right means left and left means right' manouver. <br />All kidding aside, use your reverse 'swing' to your advantage... slowly approach with your bow in first and then hit reverse to draw the aft in. It's tough at first but you'll be a pro in no time! I don't recommend the other methods that we saw at the 'retreat'(Browning Harbour / Pender Island.)