Docking a boat.

[dui9402]

What's the best way to come into the dock? I have been coming in pretty slow about head on with the dock and shutting the engine down when approx 10 feet from the dock. Then I have someone go up front (open bow) and grab the dock. Unfortunately I put a scratch in my gelcoat yesterday doing that when I snagged an exposed nail head on the dock. The lake where I boat is low and the docks don't extend past the boat ramps far enough that I can come in beside the dock.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Docking a boat.

While I can not quite picture what you are talking about, I can definatively say, "Do not turn off the engine until you are sercurely tied to the dock"

I am not trying to be snotty here, but what would make you think turning off the engine & floating in is a good idea? You have little to NO control of your boat. Do you turn your car off and coast into the parking space?

In Chapter 4 of "America's Boating Course" under the heading Boat Docking, it states, "Since boats do not have brakes, move slowly. Bring the boat to a stop by using the reverse gear. Never try to stop a moving boat with your arms and legs." It then goes on to explain how to approach docks & piers in different conditions. I took my Safe Boating course at my local USCG Auxillary.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Docking a boat.

low is best. if docking in shallow water trim you motor up some, it is deep enough wher you dock to come in on the end of the dock. never turn your motor off, till docked. don't count on reverse as brake. your engine should be properly tuned and adjusted so you can bump into forward and directly to reverse without stalling. with PRACTICE you can parallel park that thing. i was downtown a couple of weeks ago, (we have a riverwalk entertainment center) saw a 40 footer dock in a space, between 2 boats, with less than 10' clearance on either end, and there was a swift current he had to fight as well. it was just very pretty and amazing to watch.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Docking a boat.

Hi Dui9402....

You were driving under the influence on September 4th,2002??

Sorry...it's just something I do when I'm bored...trying to figure out the meaning of people's nicks....javascript:;
d

Another thing I do when I'm **REALLY** bored is go to this site: DOCKING SIMULATOR
http://mltsoftware.home.comcast.net/docksim/docksim.html

I doubt it really helps much in real life situations...but I do think that it's given me more insight into how boats move around in tight quarters. Like you; I'm still not completely confident when I approach a busy dock; especially in wind.

Try it out!

Thanks for reading, Chuck

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Docking a boat.

interesting be a good game to play teaching a kid , or any one.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Docking a boat.

Here's my technique. Assume I'm approaching the dock from the left. I come at the dock at a slight angle. While timing is everyting in this technique, at the appropriate time, I crank hard starboard and add throttle in Reverse. This pulls the stern of the boat into the dock and at the same time stops forward motion. Takes some practice but when you deal with river currents and must dock on the downstream side it works great. I do it on lakes as well.

 

[dui9402]

Re: Docking a boat.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Good guess on my name SeaKaye but you're wrong. Ive never been arrested for DUI, I'm on the other side of the law.