Docking the boat

S

smdavis1004

Cadet
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
15
Re: Docking the boat

With regarding the the number one piece of advice "don't go faster than you are willing to hit the dock"

Thanks! I have seen this one a lot! So I will keep it as the number one rule.
 
Last edited:
S

smdavis1004

Cadet
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
15
Re: Docking the boat

NFA said:
I commend you for looking for advice and input in regards to parking and docking your boat. I'm currently on my third boat with nearly 20 years of boating, navigating and driving experience.

A couple of things I noticed and agree with on this thread...

When approaching a dock, consider the wind and current, if you use either to assist you in getting in closer to the dock, use it! I've used the wind numerous times when approaching the dock from whichever side. It's as easy as getting in close and shutting the engine down and letting the wind do the rest.

This also works very well when trailering the boat. Most of the time I will tie the boat to the dock, back the trailer down and manually pull the boat on to the trailer. If the wind is cooperating, I will use it to my advantage.

When driving in reverse, keep in mind that whichever way the engine is facing, is the direction the back of the boat will go. A lot of times this is forgotten. Whenever I look behind me when reversing, I know that whichever way the cowling of the engine is facing is the way which the (back of the) boat is going.

I use this method all the time when parallel parking a boat. I run the nose in to the dock at a 45, kick the boat into reverse, and crank the engine to point at the dock. As long as I'm nearly sitting dead in the water with a slight forward movement, this works every time.

I think the best piece of advice I can offer is twofold;

1) Don't go anywhere near a launch on a weekend, especially a long weekend. In only the last month or so I've had to help out two boats with either trailering or launching. Both of these people decided to go out and "practice" on a weekend. Bad idea.

2) Get out there and practice and have fun! The only way you'll ever get good at it is by practicing and experimenting. Eventually you'll get a feel for your boat and you'll become confident in your abilities.

Also, DON'T FORGET TO TRIM UP YOUR ENGINE WHEN PULLING IT OUT! ;)

Have fun!



Scott
Click to expand...


Thank you to everyone for your help. I know that the best way to learn is to get out there and do it. You can't really learn it in the forum but the advice is well received and I do appreciate it. What is nice to know is that it appears everyone had to go through that learning experience - it really isn't like driving a car. I am 35 years old and sitting there "learning" to dock with all these teenagers who have been doing it for years... makes me feel strange.

With this being the 4th, I think it was the best decision to NOT go out this weekend (even though it is Saturday night and I am dying to go out). Like I said in my first post, we got the boat this week and my sales rep suggested just taking it out on Friday, which we did. He has a guy who works for him who stated he would take us out again this week and help us learn and practice a little. So I think that will make me feel better.

Overall I just couldn't believe how nervous I was on Friday afternoon - I had docked a couple of times but not enough to feel comfortable. Also even by Friday, it was starting to get busy, a little wind and waves, and man, the whole dynamic changes. I suppose also knowing the check just cleared for the boat as well! That's what insurance is for. It would be a complete waste to be out on the water worried the whole time about coming back to dock - that is what being on the water is all about - fun and relaxation. I know over time it will get easier - so I don't want to be too dramatic.

Thanks you all for your help. I am going to check out the books and links. I am SOOOO excited about joining the boating community. When you see that dumb amateur out there docking and driving on the wrong side of the lake - it is probably me!

Thanks again,
Stephen
 
M

Mi duckdown

Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,575
Re: Docking the boat

Every boat acts differently with wind and current. take your time it will come to you.
Sounds like you have a VERY GOOD SALESMAN. Very lucky..
Good luck. be safe.
We all had learning curves. You are not the first.
That is what those shift levers are for. Don't panic.
 
krakatoa

krakatoa

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
705
Re: Docking the boat

Here is the best advice.... Just take your time! ;)
 
cgd7777777

cgd7777777

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 30, 2009
Messages
325
Re: Docking the boat

You will be kicking yourself tuesday morning at work if you dont take it out this weekend!
just go have fun and dont worry about the docking till its time...if its busy just toodle arround till you get plenty of space.
GO!! i am on call and dying to go out! (just got called out while typing this)
 
Fireman431

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
4,292
Re: Docking the boat

smdavis1004 said:
With this being the 4th, I think it was the best decision to NOT go out this weekend
Click to expand...

Going out this weekend will help you with 3 things:

1) Getting used to your boat handling
2) Handling your boat in more crowded conditions
3) What you DON'T want to act like being by stupid or drunken boating

If you're dying to go out, good lord, go out. That's why you wrote the check in the first place. Just operate cautioously and take your time doing whatever you do. Have fun! That's why you bought a boat. Holidays can be some of the best times on the water.
 
04fxdwgi

04fxdwgi

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 10, 2011
Messages
754
Re: Docking the boat

Or, you can join the Coast Guard Aux and practice with someone else's boat while there are other folks aboard to give you all kinds of good tips and tricks.:D
 
Mike Zee

Mike Zee

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
98
Re: Docking the boat

Take it out later in the afternoon. Docks/ramps around here tend to quite down later in the afternoon. Maybe find a piece of structure to practice with, out of the watchful eye of all the bystanders. Practice approach speeds and basic boat handling, all at slow to very slow speeds. You will pick up on your boats handling quirks within a few attempts. But you will always be nervious, just not as bad. Enjoy your new boat, hell thats why you got it. Try to approach this as being fun....Trim up, put out the fenders, slow speed.
 
180shabah

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: Docking the boat

Keep reminding others around here - It DOES have neutral - there is no rule that says the boat has to be in gear all the time....

just bump in gear enough to maintain conrol - you can go MUCH MUCH slower than idleing gear. Gives you more time to make corrections and less momentum if things go wrong.

And above all else - practice,practice, practice then enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.....
 
cgd7777777

cgd7777777

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 30, 2009
Messages
325
Re: Docking the boat

or let the wife dock and blame her for scratching it!
but she would probably do way better anyways:D
 
mlrman

mlrman

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
82
Re: Docking the boat

Philster said:
One tip among many:

Go into the current or into the wind, whichever is stronger, when docking.
Click to expand...

I have found this to be a big factor, especially on a windy day. I decide which side of the dock to tie up against by the direction of the wind. If the wind is blowing right to left, I will tie off on the right side of the dock, and vice versa. As I idle toward the dock, I then put it in neutral and let the wind guide me against the dock as the boat coasts. When you are close enough, grab onto the dock, then tie off. Make sure your fenders are attached properly of course.

Like everyone says, practice will make you better and more confident.

remember not to stay tied off for too long, especially if other boaters are waiting.

Have fun on your new boat!
 
H

high'n'dry

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
156
Re: Docking the boat

mlrman said:
That was a funny video. I don't want two dudes with swimtrunks that short docked next to me anyway!!
Click to expand...

You might notice it was Greece, you are lucky they had on any cloths as nude is the norm there on the water and beach. You must realize that your being in Illinois, you might be just a tad provincial. In most of the world, outside of the US, people actually wear swim suits, not Dockers with short legs.

JR
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top