When is it too windy to practice docking a flybridge?

Also do not be determined to place it normally in the slip. Perhaps if it is too windy, bow in instead of stern in until the winds lessen. Or put it in an empty well in the marina until the the winds change. Always have a backup plan you can execute. Finally, if needed go back out and start again instead of trying to force a bad position.
 
Dock wheels and corner guards are a life (hull/ fiberglass) saver. I have found that if I can at least land the stern on the wheel or the corner guard a can then "lean" on that point and swing the boat into the slip. We used to use this tactic in the Navy with our mid & small patrol craft boats. You can also lean on a post or piler gently to stabilize the craft then slowly walk or swing the boat into a slip, well, or side tie. If you have a crew or dockhand, you can also get one line over a dock cleat and then use that point to pivot, swing, or slide into position.

But it really takes practice to build confidence.
 
Joker can I suggest something different. When I first start training people how to use their boats in tight quarters and docking we do it away from the dock. We go out and find a cone or cylinder (as they are really just heavy foam) and start practicing. First try to put the bow right up to it. Then the port side/starboard. Then the stern. Finally back down to put the port and starboard alongside. This teaches docking out where nothing can get hurt. It is also a good place to learn how to use throttles to help with a gasser in current and winds. Start on a low wind day and work up. I do this with people from small outboards to big ol twins.
 
Steve S said:
Also do not be determined to place it normally in the slip. Perhaps if it is too windy, bow in instead of stern in until the winds lessen. Or put it in an empty well in the marina until the the winds change. Always have a backup plan you can execute. Finally, if needed go back out and start again instead of trying to force a bad position.
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Steve, you are spot on with your comment about going back out and trying it again. My ol' saying was: "There's no shame in a missed approach and taking another shot at it.

My slip was oriented E-W and our prevailing winds are SSW. That put the winds almost at a 90* angle to the slip. I would start about 50-75 yards out from the mouth of the slip and back straight upwind. If I mentally calculated my starting position right and backed upwind it would put the stern at the upwind side of the slip opening. At that point I would start swinging the bow upwind until it was close to being aligned with the slip and I'd start moving the boat stern-first into the slip. If my calculations on where to start from were not exactly correct I'd pull out and do a missed approach.

My Galley Wench was always cautioned not to step/jump off the boat onto the dock until the boat came to a complete stop.
 
Protection at your home slip is well and good, but when travelling he will not have that. Also, he needs to understand the impact of current when docking.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Protection at your home slip is well and good, but when travelling he will not have that. Also, he needs to understand the impact of current when docking.
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Very true...current wind and tide.
 
Gas vs Diesels was asked, but I don't see an answer. My 500DB is easier to handle even without the thruster compared to our 320DA. Don't be shy to ask for dockhands to be present. Even without wind I usually call in to our home marina. No ego. M
 
MoonRiver said:
Dock wheels and corner guards are a life (hull/ fiberglass) saver. I have found that if I can at least land the stern on the wheel or the corner guard a can then "lean" on that point and swing the boat into the slip. We used to use this tactic in the Navy with our mid & small patrol craft boats. You can also lean on a post or piler gently to stabilize the craft then slowly walk or swing the boat into a slip, well, or side tie. If you have a crew or dockhand, you can also get one line over a dock cleat and then use that point to pivot, swing, or slide into position.

But it really takes practice to build confidence.
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Good advice. A lot guys think it's gotta be a swish every time they enter a slip. If you have dock posts or pilings there's nothing wrong with using them. Just like getting one line on a dock cleat, you aren't where you want to be yet but you've got control of the boat.
 
Woody said:
If you have dock posts or pilings there's nothing wrong with using them. Just like getting one line on a dock cleat, you aren't where you want to be yet but you've got control of the boat.
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Agreed. I had a friend on my boat Saturday as I was backing into the new slip for the 2nd time. Wind blew my port stern up again the pilon, so I used it to pivot the boat in. I think he thought I was crazy since the rub rail was against the pilon.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Agreed. I had a friend on my boat Saturday as I was backing into the new slip for the 2nd time. Wind blew my port stern up again the pilon, so I used it to pivot the boat in. I think he thought I was crazy since the rub rail was against the pilon.
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I guess it depends what they're made of...but if they're covered or made of wood I use them as part of the plan right from the start, not just because wind or current pushed me against them.

My wife doesn't understand when I do that. She doesn't understand that more times than not the boat is moving in two directions at the same time. I've learned to tell her in advance, 'I'm going to put the bow against that piling'. That way she knows I'm doing good otherwise if I touch a post she rolls her eyes and acts like she don't know me.:D
 
mrsrobinson said:
Protection at your home slip is well and good, but when travelling he will not have that. Also, he needs to understand the impact of current when docking.
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After 30 years of operating a 21' ski boat, I thought I could dock a big boat.o_O Luckily, a good friend suggested that I hire a professional captain to give me a few pointers with my "big boat." That was the best advice ever. The captain I hired was a retired Orange County Sheriff Harbor Patrol deputy. He started his training with a safety review and then gave me instructions on how to tie off the lines (I was getting bored). When we finally made it to the helm he said "I'm not going to touch the controls of the boat. I'm going to stand next to you and talk you through everything. That way you will learn how to feel the boat and understand the affect wind and current have on the boat." At the time, I wasn't sure about this advice. We spent the next four hours going in and out of the slip and all around the marina to practice different maneuvers. Sure enough by the end of the lesson, the conditions changed, and the wind had picked up. With just 4 hours under my belt, I felt up to the task and listened carefully to his advice. It wasn't perfect, but I got the boat back to the slip safely.
The protection at your home slip allows for practice, practice and more practice so that when you do travel, you have built up the confidence to "feel the boat" and understand both the wind and the current as necessary. :)
 
I think after reading the whole thread I have yet to see anyone suggest the operator in question should simply hire a professional instructor of repute. Offering tips is neighborly but I think getting professional training that starts at chapter one is in the best interest of the operator ultimately. If he were a neighbor of mine, I would advise that even out of my own self- interest.
I have given folks pointers over the years and even as a trained FAA instructor, I am not a marine instructor, I would not take on a student from scratch.
CD
 
I remember when I bought my boat the dealer sent a captain with me for a half-day. I learned a lot that day. The biggest thing to me docking is learning how to stay focused and not lose your cool. But I agree that if the person is struggling a professional captain may be a better choice and then you don't have to add to your own stress. But it is awesome you have offered.
 
Phil S said:
I've only been boating 3 yrs and 20 is my max wind for going out. I have a crusier not a DB but I leave the bimini and camper (just the top) up most of the time, which makes it a tiny bit worse for the wind.

If you're new, and you have a really bad experience, that can destroy your confidence. Better to work your way up like the others said. Is there a place you can practice nearby? At our marina, on weekday mornings the fuel dock is closed and no boats right there so it's been a good spot for me when I need to practice (still working on manuevers)!
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Duly noted. We have an empty marina to practice. Thanks.
 
I'm a big fan of the "lean" method, and was specifically taught it by the captain I hired to teach docking when I first got the boat. To the OP, hiring a captain for a day, is money well spent if your friend is not yet proficient with his particular boat.
 
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