Sleeping and Docking??

armentb

armentb

Member
Aug 20, 2015
47
Pawleys Island, SC
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2014, Garmin
Engines
300 hp Mercruiser w/Bravo III
Forum friends...first boat purchase...close to purchasing 2014 sea ray 280. I need some help with 2 BIG concerns:

Sleeping on boat: The whole idea of cruiser is for short getaways and probably overnighters at a marina correct. My boat would be on the ICW so I have option to go in carolinas and down to Fla. Not having done it ....sleeping on boat with wife and me, with view of water and possibly stars thru deck hatch seems like great idea. Does this match reality of situation or is sleeping on boat a major inconvenience?

Docking: Never having owned a boat...and due to the large size of 280 and fact it is single engine. Is docking damn near impossible. I've had a dozen people tell me double engines are better...but guess what. this boat only has a single engine. Is docking going to forever be a nail biting event or can even a newbie master this with some practice.

Thanks for your thoughts.​
 
If this is your first big boat you need to take a few lessons on how to handle it. One marina told me All new boats come with training paint. If you do not want to use it lessons will help.
Sleeping on a boat is like sleeping in a tent that rocks. If you anchor you will stay up most of the first night wondering if the boat is drifting. The lessons will help you learn how to set an anchor and secure the boat. Bugs like boats so get a screen for the hatch.
 
Welcome to CSR and congrats on the purchase of the 280.

Sleeping on the boat is indeed enjoyable and you have a comfortable boat to do it in. Get a 2" foam gel mattress topper and cut it to size before sleeping on the hard cushions. I think most of the fun is from sleeping with the hatch open, looking at the sky and hearing the sounds of the bay or river.

Docking with one engine...? It is something thousands of boaters do each day all across america! So it certainly isn't impossible and rarely is there any serious collision. To dock successfully with one engine, you need practice, confidence and good weather conditions (wind and tide). Practice how to dock when the weather is good, and go out with a friend who has experience at your marina with a single engine set-up... this will help with your understanding and build confidence too. Try to avoid having to go out when the wind is over 10-15 knots as this will make it somewhat more difficult to control your bow when docking especially with a single screw set-up.

Lastly, I think you'll find this site will be a huge help for you and your new boat. Search, read, post, and support the site...
 
Oh I remember these days :)

You won't sleep the first time on your boat...you'll be worrying about drifting, all the noises, etc. Now, I sleep like a baby and love it. Once your comfort factor and confidence go up, and a properly set anchor, you'll be fine.

Docking - see all of the other posts. I see guys with single engines dock like pros and quicker than twins every day.

Congrats
 
My kids and I loved to overnight on our 280....so yes, it's definitely doable.

We had a single engine too and I got to be very proficient after a lot of practice and it's not as bad as anyone will tell you. Is docking going to forever be a nail biting event? Truthfully, it most likely will be but not because this is your first boat or because it has a single engine. It's because docking is always the most stressful part of boating no matter how good you are or how much experience you have. It's just the nature of a boat. Like flying, taking off and landing are always the most stressful parts.

Enjoy it and remember that it's just a boat so have fun!!! Gelcoat is easy to repair :)
 
Ah the new boat. First congrats and welcome to a great site and a wonderful product. I would suggest sleeping at the dock first to get comfortable with what your needs are and what you don't need. Then try the hook. Single engine docking is very different than twins, but take the time to learn wind and current and how your boat responds. Go with a buddy the first few times and just practice docking either at the marina or practice maneuvering around an object like a form buoy. I have used a milk jug with a weight and a line. I would pull up along side, front, back until I understood how the boat handles. Good luck and welcome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
MancaveII said:
You won't sleep the first time on your boat...you'll be worrying about drifting, all the noises, etc. Now, I sleep like a baby and love it. Once your comfort factor and confidence go up, and a properly set anchor, you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Very true! Our first night anchored out I thought we were dragging the whole time. Every time the generator or A/C changed in pitch I woke up. Wound up spending the night sleeping on the back bench just to make sure. :smt089

Now, the sound of the generator puts me to sleep really fast.
 
As others have said, with practice, docking will get easier. We found sleeping in a marina to be very hot, and didn't look out the hatch much, but use the A/C. When on the hook I don't sleep as well, but usually there's a pretty good breeze and we don't run the A/C. That being said, there's nothing quite like waking up in a quiet anchorage, still water, and sitting with a cup of coffee in the cockpit just enjoying the peace and quiet! ..until the kids wake up...
 
As others have noted, sleeping on your boat is a lot of fun. You will love it.

Many people get in, and out of boating within a few years. But if you are using your boat, you will likely find it is money well spent.

There are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here that can help you as you get started.
 
Welcome!

Spend the first night at the dock. Write down everything you forgot. Coffee cups, toothpaste, extra pillow...

Spend the next night on the hook. Set a stern anchor too if you feel better with two anchors out. Hopefully you don't have to make another list.

Don't forget to take pictures to share with your new friends here.

Enjoy one of these in the evening:



And this in the morning:



Yes, it's very do-able, and very rewarding.

Enjoy!
 
Welcome to CSR, you will as other people have said, gain a lot of knowledge about your boat here on this site. As far as docking goes, as others above mentioned, it comes with practice and getting the feel of your boat and how it reacts to different current/wind conditions. I love sleeping on the boat, especially when we are out anchored somewhere. You will love the solitude and peaceful evenings and early mornings on the hook. We do as much of that as we can each season. Good Luck.
 
About 15 months ago, we were where you are....the first night out, i made sure the anchor was set, no bad weather in the area, and slept like a baby. Have never driftted nor had any issues whatsoever and have experienced several severe thunder storms during the nights on the hook. This year, we have stayed in transient slips (4 nights) in some different marinas. Backing into a slip can be a challenge, but not something to shy away from. What we did in the beginning was for the admiral to stand on the swim platform. As I eased up to the dock, she would step off and help guide me into the slip. Have never gotten a scratch. This is amazing, but down here, we have never ever had a bug problem while on the boat-not ever. A gen is very necessary due to the heat and the need for AC.

Enjoy!

Bennett
 
With all do respect to Bennett do NOT have your wife stand on the swim platform while docking. I have seen more than one person end up in the water doing that. It opens you up to some very bad things and possible death can happen if you back over her. Also instruct your crew to never put any body parts between the boat and the dock. Scratches can be fixed but injuries last much longer and more expensive.

Take your time and have fun. My best sleep is on the boat most of the time. Don't worry about the single engine. It will be easy with the stern drive.
 
ttmott said:
Don't worry docking a single engine it's nothing. This is how I learned and still do it.
congratulations, welcome and have a great time!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XHGGj6ZnDGs
Click to expand...

It takes years of practice to do it that way--or maybe many beers.

Agree with everyone else. Once you get some time in all is well. By the way your in one of my favorite places on earth. We rent there at least twice a year-will be there for Labor Day- and we were married at the Pelican on the beach 10 years ago.
 
I found my old 260 OV with a single engine and counter rotating props easier to handle at the docks than my twin 330 dancer. You'll master yours in no time.
 
Sleeping on a boat is not only doable, but it is one of my favorite things to do. But I would stick to sleeping on it at the dock until you've anchored out for the day several times. Hopefully you have A/C. Especially down south. It will make sleeping on the boat a lot better. The quarters can get cramped if you don't stay on top of things. But pack wisely, and your boat is perfect for 2 people. When my 2 kids were younger, we used to sleep on the boat often. Now that they are teenagers, my 300 Sundancer would be a bit tight for the 4 of us. Still possible, but not ideal.
Docking any boat is stressful if you don't practice enough to gain confidence and proficiency. Doesn't matter how many motors or thrusters you have. I've had a single engine cruiser years ago, and although it was a little tougher than twins, it certainly wasn't impossible. In fact, I was so used to it that I didn't know what I was missing until I got a boat with twins and got proficient with it. But there is a learning curve with twins too.
The trade off with a single engine boat is that you only have one motor to fuel, maintain, and a lot more room to work in the bilge.
When people who are thinking about getting in to boating ask me what is the best kind of boat to get, my response always starts with "the one you think you're going to use the most".
 
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