Stern in docking

liv2ryde100 said:
twin i/o's should be backed into the wind almost always, use the outside engine and the steering wheel to bring the boat around. the pivot point on i/o's is too far astern to use just the throttles like us inboard people. my first boat was a 27 rinker with single bravo 3. always set up to back into the wind even if there is a cross wind. back into and then turn the wheel the drive will pull the boat around.
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This works very well with twin inboards as well. Sterning into a tight slip with say a 15-20 mph cross wind and narrow fairway, is best done backing with the stern into the wind, and then laying the downwind rub rail up against a downwind spring piling and then backing down while pulling the bow around to line up with the slip opening. Done slowly, nothing gets broken and there is little drama. This becomes second nature with experience. Until you learn to perform this maneuver, docking is an adventure.
 
I’ve also mentioned on this site about picking one shoulder to look over when backing in. Don’t switch otherwise in your mind the controls get reversed
 
sbw1 said:
This works very well with twin inboards as well. Sterning into a tight slip with say a 15-20 mph cross wind and narrow fairway, is best done backing with the stern into the wind, and then laying the downwind rub rail up against a downwind spring piling and then backing down while pulling the bow around to line up with the slip opening. Done slowly, nothing gets broken and there is little drama. This becomes second nature with experience. Until you learn to perform this maneuver, docking is an adventure.
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It's really made an adventure when there are no center pilings.
 
Woody said:
It's really made an adventure when there are no center pilings.
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Yes, but there is an answer to that situation as well. Place a long line on the upwind side stern cleat of the boat before you enter the fairway. Coil it in a position to be picked up by a dock hand as you slowly go by the finger dock. I hand the line to the helper and return to the helm. I tell them not to pull on the line until the boat is in the slip. Once in, snug that line to prevent your boat from being blown into your neighbor's boat. Complete the four way tie and springs and you are all set. I do lots of single handing of boats. The key to removing stress during docking is have your lines set on cleats and coiled prior to entering the fairways. Knowledgeable dock hands know what do with them, and will listen to your instructions which should be clear and courteous.
 
I always just keep track of lock to lock. If I ever 'forget' where the drive may be pointed, I just reset. At first I thought I wanted a 'rudder' indicator but realized it was unnecessary. Also, if the situation is appropriate, you can pulse the throttle and figure out where the drive is pointing, too. There are little indicators you can put on the center of the steering wheel, but some people say they're not accurate. I've never tried one.
 
sandydlc said:
When we took an on-water course from a captain many years ago, the docking advice he gave us was to practice over and over while in a safe area away from obstacles using a point on land for reference. Then when you're more confident, use a dock where you could side-tie the boat and practice going stern-in without fear of hitting anything on either side of you. Once you've done these two exercises you should have a much better sense as to which maneuvers to use to dock your boat stern-in. I agree with the advise to not use your steering wheel to dock. You'll have much more control if you learn to maneuver your boat using only the throttles.
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That last line.... you meant shifters?!
 
I always look over my right shoulder but I m left handed and backing in to the left.

I go upstream against the wind/current and back up with the current. What I don't like is sometimes I hit the finger slip a little harder than I like. I have my fenders on and have fenders attached to the finger so not hurting the boat but I mentioned this to the marina owner and told him I didn't like how hard I hit it. He said there are steel brackets and steel cables holding it on so no worries there but I still don't like it. I did mention last year about trying to back upstream instead. Might try it this year.

You can see in my sig pic what I mean. I am the last finger (you can see it to the starboard side)
 
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