Moving up question....

R

rhodyboater

New Member
Feb 25, 2009
212
Rhode Island
Boat Info
340 Sundancer 2004
Engines
Twin 8.1 mercs
For those of you who are moving up to, say, a 30 ft+ boat from a 24, 26, or 28ft....are you concerned that you might have a lot more difficulty bringing the boat in all by yourself?
I'm responding to the poll, "are you moving up, staying the same or giving up(!)" and most seem to indicate they plan to move up to a 310 or 320 or 340, all of which it seems to me, will be too much boat to go out alone.
I currently have a 280 with twin 4.3's (edited) and go out alone about 75% of the time and can just about dock it myself, if there are no other people around. I'd like a 290 or something like that but feel that would be the end of my solo trips.
True or false?
 
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All of the boats above your present level will have twin engines (well, a few 290DAs had single 7.4s, but let's not consider those). With twins, docking should be easier than a single. Your post didn't say what your 280's power package is, so you may already have twins, I don't know. But if you move up to twins, particularly twin V-drives instead of twin outdrives, you should find docking easier, once you get in some practice steering with the throttles.

Sorry, just noticed in your other post that you have twin 4.3s w/Alpha outdrives. Moving up to a bigger boat with twin outdrives won't make much difference for you, a little more momentum coming in that you have to compensate for with the heavier boat. A bigger boat with twin V-drives ought to be a little easier to dock, though, once you get in a little practice.
 
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I agree my twin V-drives are much easier around the dock then my previous twin Alpha 1's. The difference for me at least is the 4 blade props but mostly the placement of those props, farther forward and under the boat. That makes the turning point of the boat more centered.
 
My 330 with the bow thruster, is incredibly easier to dock than my 290 was. If it was 10 feet longer it would have the advantage of more weight and a stern thruster.
 
When I moved up to the 37 from the 26 I was a little worried also. But the 37 is much easier to maneuver and dock then the 26 ever was. The addition weight and beam help a LOT!!!!! Plus having twins makes all the difference in the world.
 
I think you have a very valid question. I moved from a twin 280 to a 37' flybridge with inboards. Docking is much easier because of both the straight inboards and the increased visibility. Something to consider, however, is that if you happen to go to a bridge boat there will be more sail area and it will take you longer to scramble down the ladder to grab a line.

My dock and fuel dock are both aligned to the same heading, so if the wind is favorable, it's easy going it alone. With a 15 kt crosswind off the dock, I appreciate somebody out there to help.
 
I run my 450DA by myself frequently. I don't have a bow thruster and never think twice about it. The only change in procedure when I am alone id that I stop the boat 1/2 in the slip to secure the forward spring lines when the wind is on the bow to eliminate the risk of the boat blowing back onto the dock/seawall while I'm getting to the bow.
 
IMO, it's more related to the wind/current conditions, rather than the size of the boat.
In the absence of sunstantial wind or current, it's a one-man (the captain) job to manever the boat into position at the dock- makes no difference if it's a 29 footer or a forty footer.

In tricky docking situations, or where there is substantial wind or current- use of spring lines, etc. may be necessary, which means assistance is needed. Again, this would hold true for a mid-size boat as well as larger ones.

Flybridge boats are a lot more difficult to single-hand at the dock, which is one of the reasons I choose to own an express. I can prepare whatever lines are necessary in advance, get the boat into position and then quickly jump onto the dock to secure the lines. Scrambling down from a flybrigdge makes that a lot more difficult.
 
We jumped from a 260DA to a 38DA so the learing curve was steep. I usually dock alone as the "crew" and I have come to agreement...I take care of all the docking!! As mentioned in a heavy crosswind this becomes difficult, I am in a open slip (no pole between) with a boat just behind and to the south. I usually prepare a spring line that I also losely tie to the stern. As I back in I usually can get the stern close to the dock and jump off with the spring line in hand untied from the stern. I would like bow thrusters but don't have them so I do with what we have. I am no master captain like Frank and others and going from a 260 single I/O to the 38DA Twin V-drive is a bit of a jump for me, but this technique has helped me when handling the dcoking myself...which is most of the time. I just go slow, try to plan ahead, watch the wind and don't panic.
 
Bowthrusters? Another crutch!

Just kidding, wish I had one. Or one of those joystick things that lets you slide sideways into the dock.
 
I was thinking mainly of the trouble of jumping off and tying up a big boat all alone...if it came to that.
At least with my 280 that is no problem, but add a few thousand pounds and a few more feet to the length and height and I'm wondering if I upgrade in size, I will forfeit that ability and always need a "crew".
 
Single handing is just a different state of mind. I get looks when I launch or retrieve the 300 DA at the boat launch alone. They all ask where my crew is I tell them they are at home in bed! It's just a matter of preparing ahead of time, having a plan to get to the dock or off the trailer and then following through. Have an escape plan if something doesn't work out as you had planned. Docking isn't much of an issue, just make sure you have access to bow and stern lines as you are stepping off the boat. Have them preset and strung to the exit point. You will also be amazed at how many people will help you out at the docks too.
 
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