Parking

GTO · 06-22-2011, 10:36 AM

I have noticed that when some people are parking their boats, they come in towards the dock forward and then throw it into reverse to swing the back end in. Is this bad for the gears or any other mechanical part of the boat?

ishoot308 · 06-22-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I have noticed that when some people are parking their boats, they come in towards the dock forward and then throw it into reverse to swing the back end in. Is this bad for the gears or any other mechanical part of the boat?

Well I'm not so sure about "throwing" it into reverse but yes, standard operating procedure in most V-Hull style boats especially when parking between two boats is to use reverse by turning your front end into the dock and using reverse to bring your stern in. Reverse can also be used as a gradual brake to slow you down. No harm should come to your motors transmission from doing this. Obviously this should only be done at very slow docking speeds.

Dan

4Fun · 06-22-2011, 03:31 PM

Although you do need a little speed to dock this way, one good rule to follow is never approach a dock faster than you want to hit it. If your boat stalls when "throwing" it in to reverse you have no brakes....

sa meredith · 06-22-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

I have noticed that when some people are parking their boats, they come in towards the dock forward and then throw it into reverse to swing the back end in. Is this bad for the gears or any other mechanical part of the boat?

Don't really know of another way to do it...

jrc · 06-22-2011, 06:48 PM

There may be other ways, but GTO you describe the most basic docking technique.

As 308 said you don't throw it in reverse, stop for a second in neutral. So basically you drive slowly towards the dock at about 45 degrees. When your bow is as close as you dare, shift to neutral, turn the wheel all the way towards the dock, then shift to reverse giving a little gas if needed to stop the boat. This should stop you and pull the stern in to the dock.

This is safe for your boat transmission because water is not like a road. The prop just slips a little until it grabs. The gears are not under undue stress.

BroadHopper · 06-22-2011, 07:01 PM

I do know that Alpha drives are not as forgiven as Bravo drives. Your Mercury manual will state that you need to put it in neutral for a few seconds before engaging an Alpha drive. You can reverse gears on a Bravo drive quickly but my mechanic says it is not recommended.

ishoot308 · 06-22-2011, 07:30 PM

Just to be clear, my above post only holds true for V-hull type boats, flat bottom boats react totally differently. I have both so I know the difference first hand.

Dan

Seeker · 06-23-2011, 07:17 PM

If you have a boat with a right hand prop as most have then when you put it in reverse the torque will pull the stern towards the dock assuming you are docking port side to. Works best with straight inboards so with an outdrive or outboard it helps more to turn the drive towards the dock.

06-22-2011, 10:36 AM	#1
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,072 Thanks: 336 Thanked 342 Times in 158 Posts	Parking I have noticed that when some people are parking their boats, they come in towards the dock forward and then throw it into reverse to swing the back end in. Is this bad for the gears or any other mechanical part of the boat? __________________ GTO

06-22-2011, 03:31 PM	#3
4Fun Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 283 Thanks: 1 Thanked 66 Times in 38 Posts	Although you do need a little speed to dock this way, one good rule to follow is never approach a dock faster than you want to hit it. If your boat stalls when "throwing" it in to reverse you have no brakes.... Last edited by 4Fun; 06-22-2011 at 03:32 PM. Reason: spelling...

06-22-2011, 07:01 PM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,512 Thanks: 3,118 Thanked 1,090 Times in 784 Posts	mercruiser stern drives I do know that Alpha drives are not as forgiven as Bravo drives. Your Mercury manual will state that you need to put it in neutral for a few seconds before engaging an Alpha drive. You can reverse gears on a Bravo drive quickly but my mechanic says it is not recommended. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

06-22-2011, 07:30 PM	#7
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,931 Thanks: 2,289 Thanked 4,941 Times in 1,917 Posts	Clarification Just to be clear, my above post only holds true for V-hull type boats, flat bottom boats react totally differently. I have both so I know the difference first hand. Dan

The Following User Says Thank You to sa meredith For This Useful Post:
Belmont Resident (06-22-2011)

06-22-2011, 06:48 PM	#5
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	There may be other ways, but GTO you describe the most basic docking technique. As 308 said you don't throw it in reverse, stop for a second in neutral. So basically you drive slowly towards the dock at about 45 degrees. When your bow is as close as you dare, shift to neutral, turn the wheel all the way towards the dock, then shift to reverse giving a little gas if needed to stop the boat. This should stop you and pull the stern in to the dock. This is safe for your boat transmission because water is not like a road. The prop just slips a little until it grabs. The gears are not under undue stress.

06-23-2011, 07:17 PM	#8
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	If you have a boat with a right hand prop as most have then when you put it in reverse the torque will pull the stern towards the dock assuming you are docking port side to. Works best with straight inboards so with an outdrive or outboard it helps more to turn the drive towards the dock.