Docking Strategies

[Geneva Point]

I'd like to hear those docking strategies. I seem to wing it each time I use crowded public docks. So far, I've been ok but some useful advice would be helpful.

[Phantom]

Strategy #1 -- Find my boat and then look for docking space to experiment with in a different area :laugh:



sorry ..... couldn't resist, that was a slow pitch right over the plate !

[bostonjd]

It is all about getting the boat into the appropriate slide that you want (i.e. so that if you stopped everything and on a frictionless surface it would slide straight into the dock) and then for a split second put it into gear in reverse with the wheel turned all the way toward the dock to kick your back into the dock, and then split second forward with the wheel turned all the way in the other direction (away from the dock), repeat. This assumes a single engine.

To get out he had me start by turning my front into the dock! (sounded counterintuitive) and then reverse for a split second turned the other way, repeat. It worked so amazingly I couldn't believe it. It was very crowded all around too...

It is also important to note that I have a single engine but I also have a dual prop with opposing directions. If you have a single prop there is a different strategy as you can't back up well in one of the directions.

[Geneva Point]

Thanks Bostonjd. Nice explanation for some complicated moves.

[NH_boater]

It is all about getting the boat into the appropriate slide that you want (i.e. so that if you stopped everything and on a frictionless surface it would slide straight into the dock) and then for a split second put it into gear in reverse with the wheel turned all the way toward the dock to kick your back into the dock, and then split second forward with the wheel turned all the way in the other direction (away from the dock), repeat. This assumes a single engine.

To get out he had me start by turning my front into the dock! (sounded counterintuitive) and then reverse for a split second turned the other way, repeat. It worked so amazingly I couldn't believe it. It was very crowded all around too...

It is also important to note that I have a single engine but I also have a dual prop with opposing directions. If you have a single prop there is a different strategy as you can't back up well in one of the directions.

I am pretty sure it is not what you meant but, of course, water is not frictionless.

[LIforrelaxin]

I'd like to hear those docking strategies. I seem to wing it each time I use crowded public docks. So far, I've been ok but some useful advice would be helpful.

The biggest docking strategy is practice practice practice....

[8gv]

1) NEVER approach the dock at a speed that's faster than you're willing to hit the dock.

2) Position and STOP the boat two boat lengths away from the dock, oriented as it would be in at the dock.

3) Observe the effect of wind and current on the boat while positioned there.

4) These observations tell you what helm and thrust inputs are required to peacefully join the dock.

5) Reread #1.

[Dave R]

My favorite docking accessory is my Edson stainless steel power knob. I will never own a power boat that does not have one of these.

Easy docking:

1 Approach dock at dead idle speed, and at 30 degree angle with the bow aimed directly at the spot you expect it to be when you are tied up (end point).

2 When you are 1.5 boat lengths from the end point, put boat in neutral, and maintain course.

3 When you are .5 boat lengths from the end point, turn wheel hard over TOWARD the dock quickly while simultaneously engaging reverse. The boat will slow gently and the stern will pull toward the dock while you are slowing. If the boat is not slowing as quickly as you would like, apply a little throttle.

4 As soon as the boat has stopped forward movement, put the engine in neutral.

5 At this point, the boat should be very close to the end point and parallel to the dock. If it needs adjustment, use steering and power in small amounts to bring the stern closer. If there's room to move forward, turn the wheel hard over AWAY from the dock and briefly engage forward gear. This will kick the stern toward the dock. If there's room to move rearward, turn the wheel hard over TOWARD the dock, and briefly engage reverse gear.

[SAMIAM]

This a has always worked for me in wind, current or crowded docks.
Drive at a 45 degree angle right against the dock or post and have someone do two or three quick turns around the post with the dockline. No need to knot it, that can be done afterwards.......then reverse into place. Then secure the boat.
Is anything worse than screwing up at a busy gas dock with other people waiting and watching???

[jazzman]

I know no real sailor would do this....

I keep a rope tied to the bow and stern cleats that is about 10 feet longer than the distance between the cleats. I tuck the extra rope in a crack between the seats near the stern.

If I ever get in trouble, I can hop off the boat and control both the bow and stern from my cheater rope.

Living exposed to the NW winds on the broads causes me constant problems since I'm usually docking single handed... I wouldn't dream of even trying to dock today.

A docking loop on an extendable pole is a big help too...

[BroadHopper]

Jazzman pretty much nailed it. I grew up on the Broads, next to Samoset, at times lines may be the only way to go! A friend of mine live near the I-93 bridge off the Piscatugua River for years, the only way to dock because of the tides is to have someone on shore to pull the lines.

Other than that, most of the tips above are pretty much good advise. The best advise is to practice, practice, practice. Spring and Fall when the public docks are fairly empty are the best times to practice. The Weirs public dock will give you a good challenge!

[Dave R]

My favorite docking accessory is my Edson stainless steel power knob. I will never own a power boat that does not have one of these.

Easy docking:

1 Approach dock at dead idle speed, and at 30 degree angle with the bow aimed directly at the spot you expect it to be when you are tied up (end point).

2 When you are 1.5 boat lengths from the end point, put boat in neutral, and maintain course.

3 When you are .5 boat lengths from the end point, turn wheel hard over TOWARD the dock quickly while simultaneously engaging reverse. The boat will slow gently and the stern will pull toward the dock while you are slowing. If the boat is not slowing as quickly as you would like, apply a little throttle.

4 As soon as the boat has stopped forward movement, put the engine in neutral.

5 At this point, the boat should be very close to the end point and parallel to the dock. If it needs adjustment, use steering and power in small amounts to bring the stern closer. If there's room to move forward, turn the wheel hard over AWAY from the dock and briefly engage forward gear. This will kick the stern toward the dock. If there's room to move rearward, turn the wheel hard over TOWARD the dock, and briefly engage reverse gear.

I need to clarify this a bit, this assumes no wind or current, and a stern drive or outboard powered boat. If you have an inboard, it will work perfectly if docking on the starboard side (you really won't even need to turn the wheel), port side will be a bit more challenging since the boat won't pull to port in reverse regardless of the steering input.

One other tip for wind or current: learn to use spring lines, a single spring line, smart fender use, and judicious use of throttle/gears can allow one to dock single-handed with a gale blowing you away from the dock (as long as there's a piling...). When I have to dock single-handed in the wind, I have a 20 foot loop of line tied at both ends to a mid-ship cleat, and fenders out on the same side of the boat, long before I get to the dock. Once I have the loop over a piling, I can use forward or reverse to snug the boat right up to the dock. There's no manually pulling the boat, no panic, no asking for help, just smooth, mellow and secure docking.

[cillovely]

Our boat is a bit older and shifting from forward to nuetral to reverse can be sticky and hard to do. What I've learned to do is just go very slow, line it up and hit nuetral once I feel we can glide in. Then I grab a piling if I can and hold it while others tie it up. If no piling I use the hook on the boat to hold it.

And if I were alone I'd do the line trick.

And I've been pretty lucky with the lake where we've gone and not come across too much wind. But I have had to do it in Boston Harbor which was not easy, but managed.

[Dave R]

Our boat is a bit older and shifting from forward to nuetral to reverse can be sticky and hard to do. What I've learned to do is just go very slow, line it up and hit nuetral once I feel we can glide in. Then I grab a piling if I can and hold it while others tie it up. If no piling I use the hook on the boat to hold it.

And if I were alone I'd do the line trick.

And I've been pretty lucky with the lake where we've gone and not come across too much wind. But I have had to do it in Boston Harbor which was not easy, but managed.

What kind of power package do you have? The symptoms you describe are signs of a worn out lower shift cable on a stern drive. That is a wear item and if indeed worn out, replacing it will make it shift like butter.

If you have a Mercruiser Alpha drive, you run the risk of getting it stuck in gear under power, which can be a bad thing while docking...