How do you back up your boat?

Flytrade · Jul 5, 2019

I really like having split controls on my 32 Sundancer, with the throttles on the right and the shift levers on the left. When backing the boat into a slip I leave the throttles at idle and only move each shift lever fore or aft as needed.
My technique is to face forward at the helm station and look over my left shoulder as I back up. That way I can continue to keep my left hand on the shift levers as I'm used to doing. However, that blocks out my view of the starboard side of the boat - especially the bow. I find myself twisting left and right trying to get a full view of the boat, and it's easy to get confused as to the proper operation of the shift levers. However, I'm considering the following two options.

1. Stay at the helm station, but turn around so I'm facing aft. This would give me a better view of the stern and the dock (except for the bow), but would require the use of my right hand to operate the shift levers.
2. Move to a position left of the helm station (in the walkway) and again face aft. This would again give me a better view of the stern and dock, but now I could again control the shift levers with my left hand.
3. I have also been trying to back the boat using only the shift levers - leaving the outdrives in their center position. Would it be more adventurous to use a combination of shift levers as well
as using the steering wheel?

I would appreciate your thoughts and techniques.

MikeBravo · Jul 5, 2019

I have V-drives on my 320 and I stand at the shifters looking over either shoulder depending on where I want to go. Some times I have wind and current so I have to use the throttles. It is a matter of experience. The more you do it the easier it becomes. Remember sometimes the pile is your friend, just don't ram into it.

PMC · Jul 5, 2019

The type of boat will help others with specific techniques for the boat. Look to update your profile if the 260DA is now 320DA.

I know that slipping the boat with outdrives is completely different then inboards. In my old 280DA (alpha 1) I had the best control to drive the boat in with one engine at at time, turning the wheel.

The 40 sedan has inboards (split controls) and in normal typical docking, its all gear (no throttle). Keeping the rudder straight I'm standing to the left of the helm station, but half turned around. My left hand is port, right is stbd.

sbw1 · Jul 5, 2019

On a split control boat (Tiara and SRs I've owned) I look over my shoulder when backing. Do the same with an I/O boat and use just one engine with the other in neutral as it adds little value in terms of maneuverability.

Boat Guy · Jul 5, 2019

It depends....Mainly just using shifters with no throttle unless the inputs aren't keeping up with windage or current.

If I'm relaxed, I sit at the helm seat with it turned to port side and I'm looking over my shoulder with my right hand on the shifters.

If it's a little more tricky, I'll stand facing aft with each hand on their respective shifter so I can make changes a little quicker.

ENstig8or · Jul 5, 2019

I turn around and face aft using my right hand on the gears.

MiLoII · Jul 5, 2019

I turn backwards and use right hand. I like to be left of the shifters as I one time was too far right. Reached for shifters and grabbed throttle instead. A mistake I vowed never to make again. Gave the dock neighbors plenty to titter about though. Lol

Carpediem44DB · Jul 5, 2019

MiLoII said:
I turn backwards and use right hand. I like to be left of the shifters as I one time was too far right. Reached for shifters and grabbed throttle instead. A mistake I vowed never to make again. Gave the dock neighbors plenty to titter about though. Lol

I did the same thing the week after I bought the 44 only I ‘shifted’ to full throttle with my drives in reverse, by shear luck the only damage was to an old dock corner and my pride as it was right in front of our crowded Yacht Club Bar!
Now I use my handy little remote control.
Hope everyone had a safe 4th

KevinC · Jul 5, 2019

I turn facing aft and control the shifters with my right hand. It makes much more sense to my brain that way. Every manuevor I would apply going/looking forward is the same except I am moving the boat backwards in reverse.

-Kevin

Gofirstclass · Jul 5, 2019

"2. Move to a position left of the helm station (in the walkway) and again face aft. This would again give me a better view of the stern and dock, but now I could again control the shift levers with my left hand."

This is how I do it. I don't ever look at the bow. No need to because I know it's following the stern. I stand to the port side of the shifters and operate them with my left hand. I can see the port side of the boat and that side of the slip, but not the starboard side at all, and not the helm.

The thing is--I know if I'm in good shape on the side of the boat and slip that I can see, then the other side is also in good shape.

I always back upwind until I'm right at the opening to the slip, then swing the boat around using the shifters and sometimes the bow thruster.

As an aid to know how far back to go, I painted a 4"x6" rectangle on the finger pier I can see that, when it's lined up with the helm I know I'm in far enough and stop my backward motion.

bbwhitejr · Jul 5, 2019

Gofirstclass said:
"2. Move to a position left of the helm station (in the walkway) and again face aft. This would again give me a better view of the stern and dock, but now I could again control the shift levers with my left hand."

This is how I do it. I don't ever look at the bow. No need to because I know it's following the stern. I stand to the port side of the shifters and operate them with my left hand. I can see the port side of the boat and that side of the slip, but not the starboard side at all, and not the helm.

The thing is--I know if I'm in good shape on the side of the boat and slip that I can see, then the other side is also in good shape.

I always back upwind until I'm right at the opening to the slip, then swing the boat around using the shifters and sometimes the bow thruster.

As an aid to know how far back to go, I painted a 4"x6" rectangle on the finger pier I can see that, when it's lined up with the helm I know I'm in far enough and stop my backward motion.

Except for the rectangle, exactly the same. I can only see the port corner of my swim platform and I know where it has to be for the starboard corner to be in. 14’3” beam in a 16’ slip....

Bennett

Just For Fun · Jul 6, 2019

From another point of view: Can we compare this to backing up a 45' motorhome into a very tight spot? If yes, I use the rearview camera and two side mirrors.

Yes I know that you don't have backup cameras or side mirrors, but has anyone considered adding a configuration similar to this? Or... am I out of my tree?!?!??!?

electricaldoctor · Jul 6, 2019

Years ago when I had a 29' Chris with twin stern drives, I always approached the dock using the engine closest to the dock. The opposite engine was always left running and in neutral. It probably does not matter what engine you use, but that was the system that I used and never had a problem whether driving in or backing in to a slip. As previously mentioned, you cannot back in using the shifters as you would with inboards. It just does not work the same.

sbw1 · Jul 6, 2019

I do a "flyby" of transient slips to make sure they are wide and long enough for the boat and to be sure there are no nails or other things sticking out that will damage a boat. Once the slip passes my inspection, I back into the wind or current while looking at my swim plateform. If it fits, the boat fits.

Korkie · Jul 6, 2019

Facing forward / one engine operation, other in neutral, always backing into the wind using steering, wind and current to get into slip - Just as if a single stern drive. Using bow thrusters to control bow if windy. Stern drives certainly different from inboards. Inboards I use all shifters.

Ididntdoit · Jul 6, 2019

electricaldoctor said:
As previously mentioned, you cannot back in using the shifters as you would with inboards. It just does not work the same.

Dont tell my boat that.......I only use the shifters - reverse needs a little throttle to start the "kick".......i used to use the wheel instead, but got sick of making excuses or being happy with "close enough"

JimT · Jul 6, 2019

I use both engines to steer the boat when backing in. I don't touch the wheel.

JVM225 · Jul 6, 2019

JimT said:
I use both engines to steer the boat when backing in. I don't touch the wheel.

That’s what I do!
I’ll turn myself enough to see where I’m going and use the shifters. It’s like driving backwards.
I use the engines to steer the boat when going forward in no wake zones at idle speed too.
Just center the rudders and hands off the wheel.

Korkie · Jul 6, 2019

Works great for inboards. Stern drives don't have a great response with just using shifters.

Fly'n Family · Jul 6, 2019

Rudders centered, no wheel, facing aft using only shifters.

When side docking, I just break out my Capt'n Ron docking maneuver...

How do you back up your boat?

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