Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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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.