docking...

DouglasMB

New Member
Apr 22, 2012
131
Eastern NC
Boat Info
1981 sea ray 255 amberjack
Engines
2 185 mercruiser
ok please tell me that docking the boat will not be as difficult as the simulator....
 
Try going out during the week with someone and spend several hours docking from all diffferent directions. Just get in and practice like stated
NO YELLING
SLOWWWW
you can always make a second approach for free
Fiberglass NOT FREE
 
only thing I'll add to what others have said is to try your hardest to ignore any audience that might be gawking at you hoping for a show. it's all about practice and patience. and unless your similuator has throttles and a wheel and is complete first person or vice versa your boat has a mouse and keyboard I don't think you can draw a direct line between the two.
 
With small boats or even big ones if you put the engine in neutral before you change wheel position things will work a bit better. Do not touch the trottle unless you need power to avoid things or over come wind and current. That is my system. I was watching 36 foot rental sail boat being returned to a dock. BANG, SCRAPE Person at the dock said good thing they put training paint on the boats.
 
ok please tell me that docking the boat will not be as difficult as the simulator....

Real life will be harder than the simulator because of the unknown variables each time you attempt to dock. Get to know your boat and get a good feel for how she handles. Follow all of the above advice and practice, practice, practice.
 
if you yell loud enough doesn't it act like a bow thruster :huh:
 
The suggestion to practice on a nice, calm, mid-week day is a good one. Spectators only add to the stress level. A couple of things to keep in mind.....

-there's no shame in taking a missed approach. Pilots do it all the time and it's much cheaper than fixing gelcoat.
-don't approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it.
-as you approach a dock/slip/fairway, see what the wind/current are doing and picture in your mind what effect they will have on your boat.
-If you plan your approach with the wind/current in mind, they can be your friend and make your docking easier.
-if you have a fairway to go down to get to your slip, use the full width of it....especially if there's a wind or current to contend with.
-as mentioned above, use only your shifters, not the wheel or throttles.
-as you approach your slip/fairway/dock, make sure your wheel is centered, then don't touch it.
-spend 90% of your time in neutral. Give the boat a command (by using the shifters sparingly), then give the boat a chance to respond.
-boats aren't like a car...they take time to respond to a change of direction command. Give them time to react and change direction.
-if you have guests on board, have them sit quietly while you're docking.
-your cell phone will ALWAYS ring at the worst possible time when you're docking....ignore it and questions from passengers. Don't let yourself get distracted.
-nobody jumps off the boat to the dock....people should STEP OFF only after the boat is alongside the dock and has stopped moving.
-take the time to get your lines and fenders set before you start docking.
-if you have a slip for the boat, keep your dock lines on the dock, already preadjusted for your boat.
-PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.....practice makes perfect.
 
The suggestion to practice on a nice, calm, mid-week day is a good one. Spectators only add to the stress level. A couple of things to keep in mind.....

-there's no shame in taking a missed approach. Pilots do it all the time and it's much cheaper than fixing gelcoat.
-don't approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it.
-as you approach a dock/slip/fairway, see what the wind/current are doing and picture in your mind what effect they will have on your boat.
-If you plan your approach with the wind/current in mind, they can be your friend and make your docking easier.
-if you have a fairway to go down to get to your slip, use the full width of it....especially if there's a wind or current to contend with.
-as mentioned above, use only your shifters, not the wheel or throttles.
-as you approach your slip/fairway/dock, make sure your wheel is centered, then don't touch it.
-spend 90% of your time in neutral. Give the boat a command (by using the shifters sparingly), then give the boat a chance to respond.
-boats aren't like a car...they take time to respond to a change of direction command. Give them time to react and change direction.
-if you have guests on board, have them sit quietly while you're docking.
-your cell phone will ALWAYS ring at the worst possible time when you're docking....ignore it and questions from passengers. Don't let yourself get distracted.
-nobody jumps off the boat to the dock....people should STEP OFF only after the boat is alongside the dock and has stopped moving.
-take the time to get your lines and fenders set before you start docking.
-if you have a slip for the boat, keep your dock lines on the dock, already preadjusted for your boat.
-PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.....practice makes perfect.

great info thank you so much... the guy that owns the boat yard where I will have my boat delieverd said I could buy some of his time to take me out to show me the area and some trouble spots to avoid... maybe i should pay for an extra couple hours just to work on docking in my slip. He did say something about showing me how to dock the boat without ever touching the wheel.
 
The suggestion to practice on a nice, calm, mid-week day is a good one. Spectators only add to the stress level. A couple of things to keep in mind.....

-there's no shame in taking a missed approach. Pilots do it all the time and it's much cheaper than fixing gelcoat.
-don't approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it.
-as you approach a dock/slip/fairway, see what the wind/current are doing and picture in your mind what effect they will have on your boat.
-If you plan your approach with the wind/current in mind, they can be your friend and make your docking easier.
-if you have a fairway to go down to get to your slip, use the full width of it....especially if there's a wind or current to contend with.
-as mentioned above, use only your shifters, not the wheel or throttles.
-as you approach your slip/fairway/dock, make sure your wheel is centered, then don't touch it.
-spend 90% of your time in neutral. Give the boat a command (by using the shifters sparingly), then give the boat a chance to respond.
-boats aren't like a car...they take time to respond to a change of direction command. Give them time to react and change direction.
-if you have guests on board, have them sit quietly while you're docking.
-your cell phone will ALWAYS ring at the worst possible time when you're docking....ignore it and questions from passengers. Don't let yourself get distracted.
-nobody jumps off the boat to the dock....people should STEP OFF only after the boat is alongside the dock and has stopped moving.
-take the time to get your lines and fenders set before you start docking.
-if you have a slip for the boat, keep your dock lines on the dock, already preadjusted for your boat.
-PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.....practice makes perfect.

Awesome advice....pretty much closes the topic :)
 
The suggestion to practice on a nice, calm, mid-week day is a good one. Spectators only add to the stress level. A couple of things to keep in mind.....

-there's no shame in taking a missed approach. Pilots do it all the time and it's much cheaper than fixing gelcoat.
-don't approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it.
-as you approach a dock/slip/fairway, see what the wind/current are doing and picture in your mind what effect they will have on your boat.
-If you plan your approach with the wind/current in mind, they can be your friend and make your docking easier.
-if you have a fairway to go down to get to your slip, use the full width of it....especially if there's a wind or current to contend with.
-as mentioned above, use only your shifters, not the wheel or throttles.
-as you approach your slip/fairway/dock, make sure your wheel is centered, then don't touch it.
-spend 90% of your time in neutral. Give the boat a command (by using the shifters sparingly), then give the boat a chance to respond.
-boats aren't like a car...they take time to respond to a change of direction command. Give them time to react and change direction.
-if you have guests on board, have them sit quietly while you're docking.
-your cell phone will ALWAYS ring at the worst possible time when you're docking....ignore it and questions from passengers. Don't let yourself get distracted.
-nobody jumps off the boat to the dock....people should STEP OFF only after the boat is alongside the dock and has stopped moving.
-take the time to get your lines and fenders set before you start docking.
-if you have a slip for the boat, keep your dock lines on the dock, already preadjusted for your boat.
-PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.....practice makes perfect.

I think I'm going to print this out and hang it in the boat lol
Thanks!!
 
I upgraded from a single IO to DA 340 with 2/8.1's. Everyone says twins are easier... they are all right. took the last two weekends practicing docking and just getting use to the boat. the marina I purchased from sent someone out with me to show me the lines (ropes), he was an x navy guy, a real big help, I strongly suggest it.

Also I used the simulator, real life seems a bit easier but then again I can't just close the browser when I screw up on the lake...
 
GFC did a great job of explaining the procedure...

Never panic... it will only cause more problems
Only go as fast as you are willing to hit something
YOU have to drive the boat! Not the wind/current.
Never trust a dock hand to do what you expect them to do!
Don't yell at the admiral if she misses an upright. It is a two way street. The captain makes the 1st mate look good/ the 1st mate makes the captain look good.
Learn the lingo so you can explain what you want done in advance of getting in a tight spot. Never assume anything!

Take your time when you are learning how to drive. By owning a single then a twin screw the twins are magical once you learn to use them.

Keep us posted on your progress!:thumbsup:
 
I take a day out or work in the middle of the week at the beginning of every season to do nothing but practice docking. I spend a good 4-6 hours on it. I use my slip, the gas dock, the pumpout dock, other marinas, private docks, nose in, stern to........I make mental and pen and paper notes of my mistakes.

At the end of the day, I'm mentally exhausted.

I for one always have to use my throttles to swing the boat fast enough into my slip. It's a tight fairway. I've seen others with different boats not have to. Both work.

You have I/O's. Your experience is going to be different than straight inboards.

Good luck.
 
Eventhough I am now a single engine use-the-wheel stern drive boater, what helped me dock better with the twins on my old 320 was what Captain Phil told me to do when docking stern in. Face the stern of the boat when coming in and work the shifters from behind you. You want the boat to move to the port while backing in, bump the starboard shifter and vice versa to move to the starboard. It took me virtually no time to get use to this and you should try it if your shifters are reasonably postioned as mine were on the 320.
 
GFC did a great job of explaining the procedure...

Never panic... it will only cause more problems
Only go as fast as you are willing to hit something
YOU have to drive the boat! Not the wind/current.
Never trust a dock hand to do what you expect them to do!
Don't yell at the admiral if she misses an upright. It is a two way street. The captain makes the 1st mate look good/ the 1st mate makes the captain look good.
Learn the lingo so you can explain what you want done in advance of getting in a tight spot. Never assume anything!

Take your time when you are learning how to drive. By owning a single then a twin screw the twins are magical once you learn to use them.

Keep us posted on your progress!:thumbsup:

the twin is what I am starting with... just kinda how it worked out...
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,817
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top