Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

[LiquidAssets]

So I went out on the lake today for my first solo ride....it was amazing, until I had to dock the boat in my slip.

Earlier in the morning, I practiced docking a bunch of times...and the current kept pulling my boat towards my neighbor in the slip. There's very little room for error, literally two feet between the boats.

I have no problem with passengers, they just jump off and bring the boat in, but when I am docking solo, either my stern or my bow goes towards the neighbors boat. Finally I attached docking line to the stern cleat and the bow cleat and tried to jump off quick and bring the boat to the dock. That didn't work so great either.

At this point, it seems inevitable that I am going to ding the neighbors boat. I am going very slow, in gear, and then into neutral...slowly creeping into the dock. But I just cannot pull her in straight with the current.

I am the left side of a dock, and the current moves left to right(which naturally pushes me towards the neighbor).

I don't actually think I could cause any damage, but I would feel horrible hitting the boat next to me.

Any advice?

 

[arks]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Many Fenders, and keep practicing...
Don't move any faster around the dock than you're willing to hit something.
You'll get the hang of it, just keep your cool.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

It's usually easier to dock against the wind or current than with it. Try that approach.

Have your bumpers and lines ready, even temporary lines you move later, that you can wrap on a cleat.

Remember that you steer from the rear, not bow. Use reverse to pull your stern in to the dock. Get a midships line on the side of the dock then pull your stern up to it with the motor.

If you can get one line tied you can leverage off it. Likewise if your boat has good rub rails you can leverage off the pilings.

maybe you can find an empty pair of slips like yours and practice without the second boat next door.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Practice, practice, practice. It's better to be a litle slow, than to damage something !!!!!! As mentioned alot of boat fenders. (Keep an eye out in the water for extra ones floating around !!!)

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

A boat hook is helpful for stuff like that. Be prepared in advance by setting your fenders and lines before your approach. As said, much easier to dock into the wind.
I bought this one here from our sponsor. The Admiral loves it!
Garelick Premium Telescoping Boat Hooks
http://www.iboats.com/8ft-Premium-T...7632451--**********.267732295--view_id.163096

 

[Bondo]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Practice, practice, practice. It's better to be a litle slow, than to damage something !!!!!! As mentioned alot of boat fenders. (Keep an eye out in the water for extra ones floating around !!!)

Ayuh,....
Never approach a dock any faster than you Intend to Hit it.....

 

[seaboo]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

A boat hook is helpful for stuff like that. Be prepared in advance by setting your fenders and lines before your approach. As said, much easier to dock into the wind.
I bought this one here from our sponsor. The Admiral loves it!
Garelick Premium Telescoping Boat Hooks
http://www.iboats.com/8ft-Premium-T...7632451--**********.267732295--view_id.163096

+1 I use mine all the time (I dock solo alot). GREAT addition to your equipment.

 

[TX H210SS]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

In that sitch it's tough cuz the water inside the slip is protected from the dock flotation and the water outside the slip is moving from left to right....been there done that....keep in mind once you get the bow in the slip the water resistence will shift more to the stern requiring a turn to push the stern to port side - slightly. It will just take practice and is tough.

Keep couple things in mind - your boat is the moving target and your dock partner is the stationary. I would imagine your common contact point is the port stern side of your slip mate. Just talk to them and ask if they mind you putting a large bumper on their port stern corner and the port around midship. I guarantee they will not, i would not and can't see anyone mindng that. Another helping hand coming in solo is hanging a grab rope from overhead slightly to your port side....this will allow you to come into the slip and grab the overhead hanging line to help pull you in under no power.

Just a thought to help relieve some of the stress while you get the docking practice under your belt.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

I back into the slip solo all the time. It's a practice thing. As was stated, work against the current, not with it. Move past your point of entry and the back into it. That way, you are constantly moving. When you try to sit still is when the current and wind will have their way with you. There's nothing against using a pylon for leverage. Come alongside slowly to it, allowing the current or wind to pin you there, counter with prop thrust or steering, and use it as a pivot point to get into the slip.

If your boat is easy enough to board from the side, go in bow first if you have to.

Practice, practice, practice. And don't hit the boat next to you. It might be mine someday.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

i find it best to tie off your ropes to cleats few laps out be ready. have them on the side you are taking then make sure you can hold the bow and stern ropes come in slowly then flip your bow rope over a pylon and put the boat into reverse and turn it into the dock while attaching your stern rope. must be done quickly as you dont have time to tie off the bow and rope the stern plyon at the same time. once ropes are around the pylon jump off and tie one at a time. add bumpers and double check lines.

if your gunna hit the boat next to you best to sink it that way its totaled and the people get a new one from insurence

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

A lot of advise is to not go any faster than your comfortable with, but on the flip side, you can't steer if you're not moving, and the slower you're going, the slower your boat will react.

I know how it is docking solo. 40ft sterndrive houseboat.. Im on it every day, guests are only occasional. I do a lot of boating by myself. Try hitting a fuel dock between a couple other boats in a 15 knot crosswind. It gets a little scary...

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Use a return (big loop that starts and ends at the same cleat) spring line that's pre-tied to the correct length and at hand while you are at the helm. Drop it over a piling/post on the way in, and then use the engine/steering at idle speed to get the boat tight against the dock. You can leave the engine at idle speed and in gear pulling on the spring line to keep the boat stationary while you secure the bow and stern dock lines.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Sadly, I can't give you advice on specifically what to do with dock lines, pilings, etc... It will actually change between the times you take the boat out. All I can say is this, take it slow, but keep enough speed to actually get the boat to do what you want. Wind and current can be a nightmare if you aren't moving under power. If your heading into the slip and see things going awry, pull out and try again. No harm in taking a few shots at it. Good advice is to have lines ready and fenders out prior to hitting the slip area.

Practice helps, and builds confidence, as does everytime you slide the boat in with no issues. Just keep in mind each time out will be a new adventure. Take it slow, steady and calm and you should get the hang of it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

two things I didn't mention--I assumed you have a boat hook as that is standard equipment on a boat. Or should be.

Also leaving lines on your mooring points is a whole lot easier than tying from the boat while mooring. You may find you leave a line that is the incorrect length for mooring but helpful when docking. An eye splaced at the terminal end allows you to instantly cleat it.

Sometimes I have to dock in tough conditions--current, wind, or driving up a mud bank. I always tell my help, "don't grab the pier/piling/cleat with your hand; wrap a line around it." They seldom listen, but they learn, after they trade their fingernails for a handful of splinters.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Great thread with invaluable information!

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

Ask the Marina if you can use a different slip for a couple weeks to get comfortable. I lucked out and used a 20x50 for the first twelve or so times and I also have never parked in a slip so this is a new world for me to
I am now in a 12x25 and although it is half the size I can maneuver into it since I got some practice in the larger slip.....I would hate to imagine what I would have done if I did not get to practice in the larger slip.....I also practiced on bouys to get the feel of how to keep the boat exactly where I wanted it to stay....well almost exactly.....
I also followed most all the advice you have been given thus far.....it all helped

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

To add to what Navigator_Victory said, take your boat over to a section of the marina with a few open slips and practice your butt off over there for 2-3 hours.

 

[LiquidAssets]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

This is great stuff....thanks!!

I'll find an empty slip and practice like crazy. I have tons of fenders that came with the boat, so I'll utilize those.

Honestly the comments about the current are a big help by itself....that would explain a lot of my struggles the other day.

If I'm having trouble docking a 19' boat I don't know how you guys(or gals) do it with a 40 footer.

Cheers

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

If I'm having trouble docking a 19' boat I don't know how you guys(or gals) do it with a 40 footer.

You would be surprised how easy it is to dock a bigger boat with twin engines. Have you ever driven a Bobcat? Same concept. Steering wheel in the center (rarely touched)- one engine forward, one reverse- boat spins in it's own length. The heavier the boat, the less it's quickly influenced by wind or current. Of course, once it gets moving, it's tougher to correct. Add bow/stern thrusters and it's even easier. I don't have thrusters, but my boat is 13' 4" abeam and my slip is 14' 6" wide. That's only 7" on each side of the boat when docking. I rarely ever touch the dock or pylons while backing in. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Docking Solo at the marina.....harder than it looks

If I'm having trouble docking a 19' boat I don't know how you guys(or gals) do it with a 40 footer.

Here is how it's done Maryland style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdI3-LHiCng&feature=related