Docking Strategies

[NH_boater]

Originally Posted by 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.

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