340da v-drives slip parking

[jim_m5]

Any tips or technique to back into the slip? For example, keep the wheel stright and just play with each of the v-drive's, or is it better to steer it in. How about with the wind, best to back into the wind or put the bow into the wind. Just looking if someone has any technique that works best.

 

[skolbe]

When, I pull into my slip - I am about 25' perpendicular to the dock starboard side facing the dock, I then line up the starboard front windshield frame to the dock. Then I put the starboard engine forward and the port motor reverse for 3 seconds - let the boat settle in neutral - then I repeat aiming the rear of the back seat toward the far corner of the dock. Then - I make port or starboard engine adjustments and then start backing in after I have swung the boat into the slip - works every time - if windy I may give the engines a touch of gas when spinning. Your rudders should be straight the whole time and before you start your spin - make sure the boat is not moving.

 

[bushway9172]

Bow into the wind. We only have one outdrive on ours, but with my experience with larger boats with 2 outdrives... you'll have the most control using the thrust from the engines, rather than the steering. :thumbsup:

Good luck! Practice, Practice, Practice!

 

[Chris R]

Most everything everyone else said. One thing many people forget, and was mentioned above, is to stop before you begin to rotate. Look over your shoulder and get a reference point as you begin to pivot. This will allow you to see if you are moving too far forward or back. Always back or bow into the wind depending on which end you are trying to get into the slip first.

 

[BON DIA]

All advise above good. In a no wind / current situation it's easy once you learn how the boat handles but rarely will you find said conditions thus you'll have to evaluate each situation as it happens. Cross winds & currents will present the most challenge & you'll have to compensate for drift. There's a point where you can't overcome either; that's when you tie up somewhere safer & wait for the conditions to change.

I'll add, do what you have to do to control your boat & that takes lots of practice to learn to read what Nature is doing to your boat & how you can control it via the props. Normally going slow is best but sometimes it takes more energy to overcome Nature thus you have to get a bit more aggressive. Initially I worked in open water backing to a bouy from all angles then moved the exercise into our marina. I did lots of pull outs & back ins over & over to learn the feel of the boat in the slip & how to control it until it became 2nd nature.

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Slow and easy. Works every time.
George

 

[rondds]

Rudder amidships, use gears and throttle as needed. DO NOT TOUCH THE WHEEL!
I notice in your sig that you have (or had?) a 260DA with B3. Your 340 absolutely positively will NOT respond to steering in reverse like your 260 did. I learned that the exciting way. No loss of limb or property but a real eye-opener!

 

[Hampton]

Normally going slow is best but sometimes it takes more energy to overcome Nature thus you have to get a bit more aggressive.

+1

I have to agree 100%. Make sure that you don't mix up the throttles from the shifters when adding power around the dock. Aggressively pusing levers forward when transitioning from reverse with power to a stop can be quite disastrous if you mistakely add more power instead of shifting one from reverse to neutral.

When you get more comfortable, you'll have one in forward at idle and the other in reverse at 1000 RPM or more. Get them back to idle before shifting - every single time.