Teach me how to backup into dock?

[Fordiesel69]

I have the crappy type of dock with 2 cleats, and 2 poles that you tie off to. Each pole gets shared with the boats next to me. My bayliner has horrific performance & turning backing up. Other boats like my sea ray backup beutiful.

Is there a certain way you are supposed to position the boat before backing up? I wrapped carpet around the poles as each and every time I do bump into the poles, especially if there is a wind and I am by myself.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

Got me, I've been struggling with this for a while now, my boat turns perfectly left in reverse, but goes straight backwards with the wheel turned to the stop trying to go right. A big PITA...I'll get it right sometime.

Ian

 

[PDubs]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

I had zero boating experience, wife had minimal, but my brother in law came down to show us the ropes for a weekend. One of these activities included backing into the slip.

The way he taught us was to overshoot the slip at idle just a little bit, and then begin turning the wheel and start backing up. It involves just very little use of the gear engagement. I would say no more than two to three seconds at a time because the key is reading the drift/wind. Once you get the boat in final position, which may or may not be perfectly parallel with your slip, the other person onboard gets off and holds the boat in position with a rope tied to the corner cleat. At that point, you should be able to cut the engine and walk the boat in with that person at the same time.

I think the rules change if you do it by yourself. One thing that helped me learn quickly, in my car, I always back into corner parking spots because I like to avoid door dings at all costs. The big differences between backing in the car and boat are that you cannot stop on a dime in the boat, and you have to deal with the wind/drift factor helping you in.

 

[mrz333]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

Have you looked into the "Dawson's" material on the net. I don't know what more experienced captains think of it but it seems like a cheap place to start.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

Got me, I've been struggling with this for a while now, my boat turns perfectly left in reverse, but goes straight backwards with the wheel turned to the stop trying to go right. A big PITA...I'll get it right sometime.

Ian

Sounds like "tranverse thrust", the bottom of the prop is throwing water sideways pushing the stern of your vessel. One way to deal with this is to swing the leg the other way and give a little shot ahead to swing the stern to the desired direction.

(edit) Looking back, I realize I didn't explain very well.

In addition to thrusting ahead, the bottom of your prop throws water sidways like a water wheel, this effect, called transverse thrust, is most noticable in reverse a slow speeds.

If you have a right hand prop (clockwise) like most, in reverse the bottom of the prop is throwing water towards the starboard side of the boat pushing the stern to port.

Try this out in an open area as it takes some practise. Put the engine astern with the wheel hard to stbd and allow the boat to gain some momentum astern. If the boat is not turning in the desired direction fast enough (anti-clockwise looking from above) then in quick series of motions, shift to neutral, turn the wheel hard to port then give the engine a little shot of ahead (not enough to stop the astern momentum) which will turn the boat in the desired direction. Neutral again and turn back to hard to stbd and then reverse again. Repeat as required.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

Have you looked into the "Dawson's" material on the net. I don't know what more experienced captains think of it but it seems like a cheap place to start.

Where is this Info, Google doesn't know what to do with it

 

[mrz333]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

Hi! I'm new to power boats and recently bought a cruiser w/ twin i/o's. This info seems helpful but dated. I've been told on this site to watch what you recommend - so please feel free to research it.

http://www.boatingwithdawsons.com/boat-docking-lesson-how-to-docking-a-boat.html

 

[Lrider]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

Ahh thank you - however, for the price you will find me somewhere on the lake doing a Lot of backing up - that's how I learned to back a trailer, was a lot easier when I tried it on land tho

 

[rbh]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

I was never a big fan of backing in, I prefer to nose in at 22*+- slowly, taking into account wind and waves. When the bow is at my target mark reverse prop thrust and direction and use it to pull the stern in, even easier with twins.
my take on it.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

What i did to learn how to is ....
I went to the most experienced boater at the marina & asked him.
If he would teach me how to back into my slip. . Roger was more than happy to teach me.

It only cost me a few laughs & beers. :redface: .

Maybe you could try that also ??.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

that's the answer - MORE BEER - helps me with every problem I encounter

 

[karatejoe]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

I am a new boater with a 21.5 ft I/O cuddy cabin. This seemed like a battle ship to me. I have a boat lift. Once Im completely clear of my lift I have 3 ft before I hit my neighbors boat with his out drive even with the side of my boat. Talk about stress.
I went to the middle of a small bay by our docks and learned the dynamics of what a boat did in reverse in relationship to steering wheel posistion and what the bow did.
I can dock my boat like I have done it a million times now .Im not even sure how Im able to make it move sideways but its impressive. Im ok at leaving the lift. Sometimes I get to axious and cut the wheel to early which swings the bow into my dock.
Best thing is to practice in reverse to see what your boat does with wind ,tides,wakes. One time my own wake pushed me into the sea wall. I could only yell at my self. I think a good boater will learn from his mistake to never repeat it again.

 

[mrz333]

Re: Teach me how to backup into dock?

KJoe: I've got a 28' twin i/o. I had to take the danforth anchor off while learning to get off my lift. Kept grabbing pilings, piling slats, light fixtures, conduits, deck ladders and even the lift posts. I took USCGAux courses - all of them! Had one of the guys, a 500 ton licensed captain, take me out for a lesson. His rule was to get close enough to lasso & make sure you hit something you can afford to pay for. I'm on Marco and won't go near the Snook Inn by boat. Do you know any good instructors?????