Maneuvering around the slips

[airdvr1227]

Much is said here about launching and retrieving but not much about slow speed maneuvers is the docking area.

We rented a slip for the remainder of the season here in Ohio. Spent some time practicing slow maneuvering in and around the mooring slips and I have to admit it was stressful. I am nowhere near as proficient as I need to be. I have alot of trouble making the turn from the lane into the slip and keeping things going in the direction I want them to. Pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Splat]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

Always remember your boat turns like well a boat.... er wait that doesn't help, whe I mean is it turns not like a car, darn it thats not helping either.

It pivots in the middle ish? Does that make sense.

BIll

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

The slower you go the less maneuverability, alot of times I will throw on a bow line(loose) and then pull in the stern with another line and tie her off when the boat is positioned with oppisite lines / \ to keep her from sliding forward or back, practice makes perfect, keep practicing, you'll get the knack for it and be pulling in like a champ in no time, Good luck..................Pat

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

It's tricky, very tricky, and I am not very good at it. However, practice makes perfect and hopefully by the end of summer you will be a pro. Fortunately the last few times I've had a slip reserved for special events there was always someone nearby on the dock to give me a hand. So all's well that ends well.

Ian

 

[okboating]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

We were having the hardest time with our 21' deck boat wandering at idle speeds. I had heard great things about the smart tabs and tried them out. They helped out so much that my wife now loads the boat on the trailer and I man the tow vehicle. Before the smart tabs, it tended to kind of titer toter from left to right, now it handles better then our old 19' glastron.
Dave

 

[MRS]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

You just have to figure out your own boat how it handles how to turn it in tight spots. get out in open water and try to make it spin in a circle. With going from forward to reverse some times you got to give it gas quickly as you are going from forward to reverse you just have to trust your self after you know how your boat handles. I have a new old boat to me and I am learning how this one handles it is way different from my old one hope this helps you.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

nose into the wind.....aim to the left or right of your target depending on the wind and move quickly you'll be fine

 

[MRS]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

You just have to figure out your own boat how it handles how to turn it in tight spots. get out in open water and try to make it spin in a circle. With going from forward to reverse some times you got to give it gas quickly as you are going from forward to reverse you just have to trust your self after you know how your boat handles. I have a new old boat to me and I am learning how this one handles it is way different from my old one hope this helps you.

I did mean turn 180 dg. in a circle just like you were going into a channel and it got to narrow so you would have to spin your boat around to get out.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

nose into the wind.....aim to the left or right of your target depending on the wind and move quickly you'll be fine

this is about it...except I use neutral more than anything when im docking or pulling into a slip, tight quarters, etc. I just use forward or reverse to "bump" or nudge the boat in a direction and let it drift. it does get alot easier with time.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

Thanks for the tips. It got a bit easier as we practiced. I still get confused about how she'll react in reverse. It seems to be contrary to driving a car.

The thing I picked up on yesterday is to keep manuevering in gear. I would get the yips and pop her into neutral too soon. My best efforts seemed to be a controlled bump into the slip using the fenders as protection.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

Unlike a car, each time will be different due to wind and current. I found when moving from a 20' to a 28' made a big difference especially with wind. I have found out that on windy days, you have got to be aggressive but cautious as the wind can push you into or away from your target. Having one of those poles with a hook on the end makes it helpful when conditions are more tough. They can help push you away or pull you into your spot. Good Luck and practice will make things a bit easier for you each time......SS

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

...except I use neutral more than anything when im docking or pulling into a slip, tight quarters, etc. I just use forward or reverse to "bump" or nudge the boat in a direction and let it drift. it does get alot easier with time.

I have to agree with that. THis is the method I use. And again, the more you do it the better you will understand how your boat handles in varying conditions.

Go slow, try not to go faster than the speed where you will cause damage if you hit something.

Also, I dont think anyone mentioned prop steer. If you have a single prop, it will pull the boat in the direction it is spinning, so this is another thing you have to compensate for, in addition to wind and current.

 

[Thad]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

Slow and easy. It does not take much effort after you get the hang of it. Reverse and forward are almost backward at this point in the game. Turn the wheel all the way starboard and put in rev. at idle. See how the boat reacts. Then, from neutral, turn the wheel all the way port, again, see how she moves in reference to where you want to be/go. I don't even bother putting out bumpers anymore if I am pulling in to pick someone up. If I am staying a while, I pt them out after I am in the slip.

Good luck

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

...

Go slow, try not to go faster than the speed where you will cause damage if you hit something.
.

Yup, my favorite saying someone taught me once was never approach a dock faster than you are willing to hit it.

 

[wellsc1]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

Lots of good advice posted, which I have done myself. Water currents and wind directions add to the fun (er' frustration) at times. Practice in different conditions. But remember to remind your passengers to keep their hands in the boat. A hand hurts worse than a bruised ego then hitting the dock.

Check out the Boat US boater's course. One of the chapters talk about out to use dock lines and bumpers (fore or aft) to maneuver your boat into and out of tight places.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ReviewPages/BoatUSF/Project/section5.htm

Look in the "Docking" chapter.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

I see people always approaching the dock too fast. Slow and steady wins the race folks.....

Nice and slow....quick blips on the throttle either fwd or reverse then back to neutral - fast. I sometimes find it helpful to turn around and look at the outboard to visualize what my throttle adjustments will do. I'm getting pretty good at it, but it does take a lot of practice, and even then conditions are rarely exactly the same.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

nose into the wind.....aim to the left or right of your target depending on the wind and move quickly you'll be fine

mmm... not always. I tried that in 15-20mph winds, and the sail area of my boat played enough of a role that the wind swung me around before I could correct for the drift. After my 3rd attempt, a guy on the dock (with a similar boat) called to me to back in against the wind. Got into the slip pretty cleanly on the first try.

Practice, practice, practice. Different boats, different current and different wind call for different techniques.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

A boat out of gear is a boat out of control.

Without the thrust of the prop you have no control over the situation. The only time my boat is out of gear is when I'm changing gears or completely stopped.

In my normal slip I just back in. Backing in is much easier than going in bow first because you don?t have to deal with bow wonder. The just ?drag? the boat into position.

If going in bow first I shooting for the up current side of the slip while remaining under power at all times. Once in the slip I make liberal use of reverse to stop forward progress and to pull the back end of the boat over to the dock.

If you have to make a very severe turn to get in the slip you can always ties off your mid-cleat to a piling and power yourself around it and into the slip.

Here is how the hometown boys do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zqsfRUJn2I&feature=related

 

[cgd7777777]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

Docking isin't natural to me at all i use to have an 18' Alumicracf which i didn't mind bumping the dock and now i have a Larson 206 sei which is a whole diffrent world!
My Larson wasn't running right when i first got it and had to keep starting it over and over at the dock. When it started i forgot i had the wheel turned (use to looking back at the outboard on the other boat) put it in reverse and with the current of the river next thing i knew i was backwards in the boat launch slip. Not only did i feel like a big ol' dummy wacked the prop on the ramp in the process
so now i just take it SUPER slow

 

[Bluepike]

Re: Maneuvering around the slips

If you hang around the marina long enough, you'll hear someone say "Go slow and look like a pro". And "Docking is a controlled crash".

As you get closer to your dock, shift in to nuetral and watch the bow and see what effect the wind or current is having on it. Then as you go back in to gear and as you "Bump" in and out of gear, you can anticipate the reaction of your boat with the wind or current. May take some practice.

Thinking three steps ahead and giving the Admiral the boat hook to grab the dock will help too.