New to Cuddy Cabin

[LVChris]

Ok so I lied a little, really I am new to owning a boat. Dad had boats since I was a little kid and so I learned a lot about them growing up. But I never liked the look of the trihull bowrider he had and I always wanted a cuddy....

SO I went a bought one, and now I am thinking, why didn't I get a bowrider????I can't get to the front of this damn thing to grab the dock when I am coming back to the trailer.....oh damn there it is....reverse....ahh...well I didn't crash. I actually pulled right up to the dock and grabbed it from my seat. My very first time on the lake in this boat and a perfect parking job. But I know that was just dumb luck. How am I not going to look stupid in front of all you cool boaters when I have no idea how to dock my cuddy??

Can anyone help? are there resources for new cuddy owners? I tried to search, but didn't really know what to search for. So any pointers, or advice or things I should have (I saw something about an anchor box? but not sure what that is yet.)

Thanks in advance,

LVC

(no I was not typing this as I docked the boat, that was just a re-enactment)

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

iboats is your best resource....... yes cuddy cabins are different to launch and dock

 

[JoLin]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

There's always a way if you step back and think about where and how you need to position the boat. For instance, you could attach a line to a bow cleat and run it back to the cockpit where you can reach it. If your boat doesn't have 'midship' cleats that you can reach from the cockpit, you can add those. Goal is the get a line, any line, around a dock cleat or piling to secure the boat. Once you've done that, you can worry about prettying things up.

There's a state-run park and marina I visit occasionally that's a real PITA- the slips were all built for boats a lot bigger than mine. The bow pilings are 30' from the bulkhead and too far apart. If Lin and I don't get the boat positioned and the bow secured quickly, I'm suddenly sideways- broadside to the bulkhead and taking up 2 slips. I need to pre-configure my bow and spring lines before I leave my home dock so that Lin can get those on one of the pilings quickly as I'm backing in. After 3 trrips there, I think I've got it figured out as well as I can. We're going there this coming Sunday, so we'll see.

Think it through, and good luck!

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

i started witha 17 foot open bow and upgraded last year to a 23 foot cuddy, some helpfull tips,

1, pretty much the bow is uncontrollable if there is high winds/current try to dock the boat with the wind pushing you into the dock if at all possible.

2, i have 3 cleats on each side of my boat bow, middle, transome, i find it best to tie a rope to the middle ease my way to the dock grab it tie off get out and grab the ss bar that runs around the front till i can tie my rope on the bow cleat.

3, if your dock is to small give yourself 3-4 feet of extra rope, when you back the trailer in it will hit your bow and push the boat backwards enough for the trailer to sink [insanly helpfull for small docks]

4, if for some reason you have no choice but to dock against the wind tie a 15-20 foot rope on the bow cleat put the bow into the dock and fling it over the pylons, turn hard towards the dock in reverse till you can grab it from the middle of the boat.

5, when appoching the dock, never leave the motor in gear it will propell you to fast put it in gear for about 2 seconds then coast the slower you come into the dock the longer you have to try to get a rope out.

just some helpfull tips i useually boat by myself includes luanch and retrival rarely have docking mishap where i have to tottally abort and back out to try again. hopefully i helped a little if i missed something give a specific question and i will try to answer it to my best ability.

 

[2300max]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

Like you I wanted a cuddy cabin and found that it's totally diferent when it comes to launching and docking. The first time I went to gas up at the the marina it was a tough moment with the current. I've found if I take my time and take it real slow I have real sucess when it comes launching and docking.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

Slow and easy mixed with lots of practice. Go out on a slow day and do it over and over. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

 

[badkins50]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

Depending on the lake and conditions you'll be glad you went with a cuddy. Things I considered is toilet privacy (with a wife and 2 girls), a place to relax while they swim, for kids to get out of the sun and listen to the radio, store things that you need to keep dry and keep your cooler out of the sun, and to keep things locked up and secure when not in use. Being on erie all the time, I don't ever see going back to an open bow.

Take your time, patients, pratice and get a grabber poll with a hook on the end and you'll be just fine.

 

[produceguy]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

It just takes time to get it right.
When I first started, I can't tell you how many times I slammed into the dock or had to turn around because I couldn't reach the dock.
You do get some funny looks but hay everyone has to start somewhere.

I really enjoy the cuddy and have thought the same thing.( why did I buy this boat ) but when I see the kids crawl up into the cuddy to take a nap, I know I did good.

 

[LVChris]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

Thank you all so much for your responses. I think I will keep her and take all the advice I can from this forum.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

Funny. I just bought a cuddy too and was looking for some of the same advice. The search tool works well!
My only worry is docking my 21ft boat in the wind. Being I can't get up front to grab the bow, the best I can do is
grab midship and hope my bow doesn't bang against the dock. I'm taker her out for the first time this weekend.
Boy do I hope it's calm out!

See you on the lake

Joe

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

Wind is an issue with all boats. Ultimately you'll find that you are better around the docks because you can't 'cheat' with someone in the front to grab.

 

[LVChris]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

I have launched her about 5 times now, each time I have been patient and waited for the side of the dock that wind was blowing into. Pulled up slowly and let the wind do the rest, 5 times and 5 successes! Not as difficult as I thought...of course I have always had the wind on my side and a lot of luck.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

I have two dock lines for the front, one port, one stbd. both I run back over the windshield while boating (easier than a superman leap over the windshield, or a dive into the cuddy and up thru the hatch) I also leave the bumpers tied mid-ships. I can usually get the aft lines ready when about 1000' out for the dock or slip opening while knowing wind and current. having bothlines in front ready at all times helps, so does a boat hook. I can usually get around a dock cleat or pylon without the boat hook, however sometimes not.

other than that, simply practice practice practice

 

[Lakes84]

Re: New to Cuddy Cabin

I have two dock lines for the front, one port, one stbd. both I run back over the windshield while boating (easier than a superman leap over the windshield, or a dive into the cuddy and up thru the hatch) I also leave the bumpers tied mid-ships. I can usually get the aft lines ready when about 1000' out for the dock or slip opening while knowing wind and current. having bothlines in front ready at all times helps, so does a boat hook. I can usually get around a dock cleat or pylon without the boat hook, however sometimes not.

other than that, simply practice practice practice

Very good advice. I'll do the same this weekend. Thank you!

See you on the lake

Joe