Backing I/O boat into slip

M

Mstrlucky74

Member
Jul 6, 2015
191
NY
Boat Info
1998 sea ray 215 express cruiser
Engines
Mercruiser
Believe it or not there seems to be no real good videos for showing how to back into a slip. Want to élan how to do this.....scared ****l%...lol
 
Docking in general is best done slowly. Backing is really no different than pulling in from that perspective. Never be afraid to execute a missed approach. It's always better than the alternative.

On the open water practice backing up popping it in and out of gear so you know how your throttle responds to small inputs. Always make small inputs. Never "gas" it.
 
Slow slow slow and if you feel rushed, stop. People tend to make mistake when they get closer to the slip and start becoming to aggressive or over correcting.

Practice in the open and be patient until you know how to control the boat in reverse.
 
You also need to take into account wind, tide, current and even an occasional boat wake or prop thrust. When you have the choice, always go INTO the wind/current/etc, never with it. But, to be honest, you can read all you want or watch some little "how-to" video on the net... but rather than rely on what someone writes or that little video, put the laptop down and just ask someone from your marina that looks like they know what they're doing to help you out and show you some 'moves'. Most people are more than happy to help a fellow boater.
 
Are you on one or two engines? If two, do the props counter-rotate? That's my setup, and it makes a difference.
 
In order to back in with control you need to learn how to pivot your boat in place up by shifting your engines in opposite directions. Once you have mastered that maneuver approach parallel to your slip slowly and come to a complete stop with the midpoint of your boat in the middle of your slip. You will want to be 10' or so away from the slip. Shift the engines to pivot the transom backwards towards to the slip. Adjust the throttles to control the direction of the pivot. When you are perpendicular to the slip put both engines in reverse and back in slowly.
 
I had a 320 with twin out drives and no matter what it sucks , never easy and when the wind takes the bow , it's over pull out and try again , I used to try to let the wind put me in the slip . Good luck and practice ...


Boltman
 
You don't mention if you have a single engine or twins... or single prop or Bravo III with dual props. All of which matter when it comes to going in reverse and especially when backing into a slip. A single BIII drive is pretty easy to back up and to pivot in place whereas a single prop Bravo I is not easy at all. Combine this with wind and current and every situation is different.

My Bravo 1 with a righthand prop will spin in circles all day long in reverse if I crank the wheel all the right. If I spin the wheel all the way left and bump into reverse my boat moves backwards in a straight line if not a little sideways. I need to really goose it in reverse to get it to respond when trying to back to the left.

Tell us more about your boat and we can give more specific advice.
 
The worst dock handling boat I have had was my single engine Campion with a Bravo 2 drive. It was light and high (lots of wind movement) and the large prop bravo 2 would pull to the side when backing up so even with counter steering, it would shift sideways moving back. That was great if it aligned to move towards the dock or towards the wind, but a nightmare if it was the other way. Its just the way that single I/Os handle. With a lot of practice I finally got the feel for it and the last few years I had it, I could put it where I wanted it -- usually. If it was too breezy, that would be a "bow in" day. No point getting stressed trying to back in. Its really all about lots and lots of practice so you know how your boat handles.

My current 330 with twin inboards is a dream around the dock comparatively.
 
Before you even get close enough to start maneuvering to the slip, check and see what the winds and current are doing, then plan your approach accordingly.

The wind and current can be your friend if you plan for them. Picture what the boat will do in the wind and current if you just left it alone. Which direction will it move, and how fast.

I always try to back against the wind/current. That slows your approach. The majority of time your shifters should be in neutral, only going into gear for short "bumps" to realign the boat as it approaches the opening to the slip.

Some people suggest stopping the boat before you get to the slip. I suggest you not do that, rather, keep your momentum going. Assume for a moment that you are backing against the wind and coming to the slip at an angle. Get the stern near the opening to the slip then use small bumps in gear to bring the bow around. (Since you've been backing upwind the wind has had very little effect on the bow until this point.) As the boat starts to align itself with the slip start backing into the slip, (as opposed to backing toward it as you have been doing up to this point.) The more the boat comes around to being aligned with the slip the more you want to be moving into the slip.

From there, it's an easy move to let the boat slide back into the slip. If the stern or bow is coming around a bit too fast and will overshoot the approach, there's no shame in taking a missed approach and taking another shot at it. There have been times when the winds are really blowing that I've taken 3 attempts before getting one that works.

And at that point, breathe.
 
Creekwood said:
The worst dock handling boat I have had was my single engine Campion with a Bravo 2 drive. It was light and high (lots of wind movement) and the large prop bravo 2 would pull to the side when backing up so even with counter steering, it would shift sideways moving back. That was great if it aligned to move towards the dock or towards the wind, but a nightmare if it was the other way. Its just the way that single I/Os handle. With a lot of practice I finally got the feel for it and the last few years I had it, I could put it where I wanted it -- usually. If it was too breezy, that would be a "bow in" day. No point getting stressed trying to back in. Its really all about lots and lots of practice so you know how your boat handles.

My current 330 with twin inboards is a dream around the dock comparatively.
Click to expand...

The worst is a single inboard, with no bow thruster. I still struggle with my Chris Craft.
 
GFC has a lot of great advice. When I bought our 370, V Drives were new to me. His advice really helped.

My only advice is that neutral is your friend, your helm wheel can be your enemy (with I/O's). Plus, there's no shame in do overs! Take your time, don't over think it and practice lots.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I found when I was getting used to all of my boats, I like going 3 seconds at a time in gear and out - let the boat settle. If you are in a difficult docking situation that may not work for you. It helps teach you how it will react. After that practice for a couple hours.
 
AMFM3 said:
Plus, there's no shame in do overs! Take your time, don't over think it and practice lots.
Click to expand...

Best advice right here... I will take 10 do overs and swallow my pride rather than have to repair my gelcoat or, worse, someone else's! Full disclosure: I've done both plenty of times....swallowed my pride AND repaired my gelcoat due to anxious docking. Haven't repaired anyone else's though...knock on wood.

Heck, I'm bringing my boat in tomorrow for a pretty ugly gelcoat repair because I came in hot last week and the boat didn't respond the way I anticipated. Still getting used to the Bravo I.
 
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Like everyone else said, practice until you're comfortable. A lot of guys in our marina get nervous when people come over to help and expect things to happen too quickly as they mash the throttle. Remember to allow the boat to react to your inputs, it took me a bit to realize that the boat has to "catch up" especially when reversing thrust.

never go faster than you're willing to hit something, and you'll be fine.

What model are we talking about? Our engines are pretty close together with only a 10' beam, so I tend to use mostly bumps in and out of gear but once in a while a little bit of steering can help get her going the right direction.
 
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