Dock/Pier Scratching Problems

Rex

Rex

New Member
Apr 15, 2009
127
LA
Boat Info
Mine
Engines
Merc
It seems no matter how hard I try at every dock/pier I go to my sides end up getting scratched.

Some are too high, some too low, some with a few bumpers, some with none, some with tires, some with 10 support poles, some with 2 support poles... :smt021:smt021:smt021:smt021

I think finally I just gave up.

Anywho. Anyone have any good cures to help with that and or cure for tire marks?

Thanks.
 
Don't touch the docks. Pull in about a half a foot away from them, and then by hand pull yourself in.
 
Well on some personal piers depending on the wind I don't have much choice.
 
Can't say that I've had that problem -- even on my old 240SD. Are you using your fenders when you tie up?
 
Tonka Boater said:
Can't say that I've had that problem -- even on my old 240SD. Are you using your fenders when you tie up?
Click to expand...

Indeed I do. But like I said every freaking pier is different size, angle, height, direction, grrr.

I wish I could just install one long endless bumper on the sides of the boat.. haha
 
Turtles right on - but as you said sometimes the wind/current throw a mix into the soup. You can use some fenders (large) on your boat to keep you off the tires/poles/dock, or have some one fending off the bow/stern as you come in (not really good).
 
What size fenders are you using? I went to a little bigger size to avoid the problem you are talking about. The big thing with the smaller boats is to manage the wind because you tend to get blown all over. I tie fenders to straddle the rubrail before I get to the dock and adjust to the dock once I am there and that covers most of your issues.
 
Rex, fender hangars are adjustable for a reason...every dock or pier is different. When you approach a dock, adjust the fenders to the right height before you get close to the dock. You may have to fine tune the adjustment on each fender to make sure it's right, but that only takes a minute.

Having people fend you off the dock/pier is a bad idea. It's too easy for a person to slip and get between the boat and a piling or dock and be seriously injured. No injury to the passengers on your boat is permissible, and you should never sacrifice a passenger's safety to avoid a scratch on your boat.

As to the wind, use it to your advantage. Have your fenders adjusted before you approach the dock, and check to see which direction (and force) the wind is blowing and mentally picture what effect it will have on your boat. Then use the wind as you approach the dock. If it's blowing you to the dock, stop the boat a couple feet from the dock and let the wind carry you to the dock. If the wind is blowing you away from the dock, make your approach upwind and let the wind slow your approach.

You can control the speed and direction of your boat by bumping it in and out of gear. Practice this A LOT on a day when the dock isn't busy and the wind isn't blowing. That will make you adept at bumping in and out of gear with the I/O straight and also with it turned to the side.

Practice makes perfect.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Rex, fender hangars are adjustable for a reason...every dock or pier is different. When you approach a dock, adjust the fenders to the right height before you get close to the dock. You may have to fine tune the adjustment on each fender to make sure it's right, but that only takes a minute.

Having people fend you off the dock/pier is a bad idea. It's too easy for a person to slip and get between the boat and a piling or dock and be seriously injured. No injury to the passengers on your boat is permissible, and you should never sacrifice a passenger's safety to avoid a scratch on your boat.

As to the wind, use it to your advantage. Have your fenders adjusted before you approach the dock, and check to see which direction (and force) the wind is blowing and mentally picture what effect it will have on your boat. Then use the wind as you approach the dock. If it's blowing you to the dock, stop the boat a couple feet from the dock and let the wind carry you to the dock. If the wind is blowing you away from the dock, make your approach upwind and let the wind slow your approach.

You can control the speed and direction of your boat by bumping it in and out of gear. Practice this A LOT on a day when the dock isn't busy and the wind isn't blowing. That will make you adept at bumping in and out of gear with the I/O straight and also with it turned to the side.

Practice makes perfect.
Click to expand...

Ditto :thumbsup:
 
Gofirstclass said:
Rex, fender hangars are adjustable for a reason...every dock or pier is different. When you approach a dock, adjust the fenders to the right height before you get close to the dock. You may have to fine tune the adjustment on each fender to make sure it's right, but that only takes a minute.

Having people fend you off the dock/pier is a bad idea. It's too easy for a person to slip and get between the boat and a piling or dock and be seriously injured. No injury to the passengers on your boat is permissible, and you should never sacrifice a passenger's safety to avoid a scratch on your boat.

As to the wind, use it to your advantage. Have your fenders adjusted before you approach the dock, and check to see which direction (and force) the wind is blowing and mentally picture what effect it will have on your boat. Then use the wind as you approach the dock. If it's blowing you to the dock, stop the boat a couple feet from the dock and let the wind carry you to the dock. If the wind is blowing you away from the dock, make your approach upwind and let the wind slow your approach.

You can control the speed and direction of your boat by bumping it in and out of gear. Practice this A LOT on a day when the dock isn't busy and the wind isn't blowing. That will make you adept at bumping in and out of gear with the I/O straight and also with it turned to the side.

Practice makes perfect.
Click to expand...

Ditto x 2 :thumbsup:
 
Gofirstclass said:
Rex, fender hangars are adjustable for a reason...every dock or pier is different. When you approach a dock, adjust the fenders to the right height before you get close to the dock. You may have to fine tune the adjustment on each fender to make sure it's right, but that only takes a minute.

Having people fend you off the dock/pier is a bad idea. It's too easy for a person to slip and get between the boat and a piling or dock and be seriously injured. No injury to the passengers on your boat is permissible, and you should never sacrifice a passenger's safety to avoid a scratch on your boat.

As to the wind, use it to your advantage. Have your fenders adjusted before you approach the dock, and check to see which direction (and force) the wind is blowing and mentally picture what effect it will have on your boat. Then use the wind as you approach the dock. If it's blowing you to the dock, stop the boat a couple feet from the dock and let the wind carry you to the dock. If the wind is blowing you away from the dock, make your approach upwind and let the wind slow your approach.

You can control the speed and direction of your boat by bumping it in and out of gear. Practice this A LOT on a day when the dock isn't busy and the wind isn't blowing. That will make you adept at bumping in and out of gear with the I/O straight and also with it turned to the side.

Practice makes perfect.
Click to expand...

I've noticed that Gofirstclass gives first class advice. I personally didn't fully relate to the issue but this advice is dead on for any of us.
 
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