Docking & dock related questions

M

Mrichardson

New Member
Nov 28, 2009
22
Chicago
Boat Info
1989 Sea Ray 340 Express Cruiser
1977 Century Arabian - 17'
Engines
Mercruiser
Hello All

New owner of a Sea Ray and I have some questions about how to manage the boat at the dock. My boat is a 34' Express Cruiser. I will be storing it at a local marina and will be staying on it several nights a week to help break up a long commute.

Does anyone have any information (Books websites or other things you are willing to share) about how to tie up the boat, bumpers I will need etc.? I'd kind of like to look like I know what I am doing when I am first working with the boat.

I am assuming that I will back the boat in and that I will need swim platform bumpers. If so, where to get them? Any recommended brands? What about the proper tie up procedure? Lines run from where to where? Also, what about rope recommendations?

Anything you can share with someone just starting out would be great.

Thanks
Michael
 
You need to describe your slip layout to answer the questions.
 
Boat US has several related articles: http://www.boatus.com/searchAGresul...:oxjcyrbwtwu&cof=FORID:11;NB:1&q=docking#1137

Doubt that you'll need a Stern Fender unless your dock lenght is smaller than your boat and you have put it up against the pier. If so, just mount any type rubber fender on the pier for protection of your stern. Otherwise, just tie it up so that your lines won't allow it to go back any further. Line will stretch a tad so don't get too close.

I'm sure there will be other boaters or Marina personnel that would be glad to show you the ropes when you first stern in.
 
If you're new to boating and have some time on your hands i would seriously consider buying "Boating for Dummies". I bought it this winter just to kill time in anticipation for spring with our new boat.

While to me a lot of the stuff in there is just so obvious, to a novice i think it would really provide a lot of insight.

Hey, just my 2 cents, but it covers a lot of things first timers might overlook.
 
Look at some of the other boats on your dock to see how they are tied up and what they do with the power cords. You will have 2-power cords and 6- dock lines. I run my power line under the skirt along with the water hock up. This prevents tripping over them. If you have dish TV, tape the coax to the power cord. Then sit back and have a nice cold beer.
 
You can save a lot of time hiring a local captain for in your boat lessons. I can dock mine no problem but still paid for this recently ($210 for 3 hours) and well worth it. he was able to take the wife to the helm while I clossed my eyes and sat on the back salon!
 
Capt Bob F said:
Boat US has several related articles: http://www.boatus.com/searchAGresul...:oxjcyrbwtwu&cof=FORID:11;NB:1&q=docking#1137

Doubt that you'll need a Stern Fender unless your dock lenght is smaller than your boat and you have put it up against the pier. If so, just mount any type rubber fender on the pier for protection of your stern. Otherwise, just tie it up so that your lines won't allow it to go back any further. Line will stretch a tad so don't get too close.

I'm sure there will be other boaters or Marina personnel that would be glad to show you the ropes when you first stern in.
Click to expand...

Nice link--I needed that as well.

I am planning on getting out there ASAP so there are least amount of other boats (More importantly--Boaters) around and Practice, Practice, Practice.

I did this with my single screw 20-footer and now a new game with the twins.

Have fun.

Oh, also, Don't take the wife the first couple of times--I actually found it harder wife her on-board:huh:
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
You can save a lot of time hiring a local captain for in your boat lessons. I can dock mine no problem but still paid for this recently ($210 for 3 hours) and well worth it. he was able to take the wife to the helm while I clossed my eyes and sat on the back salon!
Click to expand...

I am doing exactly the same as Ken over the next 4-6 weeks. I had Captain Doug with for my maiden voyage this past Friday and he showed me things you can't find in books.
 
Mrichardson, I see that you are in the "windy city"! Keep in mind that when you have all of your canvas up on the boat it will affect docking performance (acts a little like a sail) and you will need to practice (first) on calm days to get the hang of it and progress through increasing wind speeds to "play the wind". Make sure you have some help the first few windy days (to fend off dock rash!). A afternoon/evening with a qualified captain will give you tips that you cannot get from books and shorten the learning curve. BTW welcome aboard! and come south to Hammond for a visit.
 
Another piece of advise is to make the perpendicular approach to your slip as close to the mouth of the slip as you can and then do your one engine forward one in reverse 90 deg spin, this will minimize the sail effect before getting between the poles. I have a neighbor with a 07 290DA that starts backing in from the middle of the canal (our canal is 265' +/- across). By the time he reaches the slips he has drifted 3 or 4 slips away.takes him a good 30 minutes to dock, great entertainment though.
 
Dasch Boat said:
Another piece of advise is to make the perpendicular approach to your slip as close to the mouth of the slip as you can and then do your one engine forward one in reverse 90 deg spin, this will minimize the sail effect before getting between the poles. I have a neighbor with a 07 290DA that starts backing in from the middle of the canal (our canal is 265' +/- across). By the time he reaches the slips he has drifted 3 or 4 slips away.takes him a good 30 minutes to dock, great entertainment though.
Click to expand...

If I didn't know better, your neighbor must be related to both people on each side of me at my slip. Better that watching tv. I have to remind myself we all started somewhere. Strange thing is they have been docking this way for three years now, and we have some seriously windy days!! Best thing for me was to have a captain teach me how to do it right from the start.
 
love to see em try it today StevenA.. :grin: Good advice about coming in as close as you can.. I also added one of the largest fenders I could find to the end as a sometime useful pivot point.
 
Mrichardson,
I agree with Dasch Boat. Keep it tight and spin those twins. I would also suggest that if you ever had to goose one of the throttles to assist in maneuvering, that you throttle up on on the prop that is in reverse. I have found that throttling on the forward prop is adjusts the boat too much and normally makes my situation worse. I also believe in using rub rails and pilings for their intended purposes.
 
Never go any faster then you are willing to hit it !!!!

I always have my rudders at zero degrees....

Practice on calm days, over and over and over some more....

Always have fenders and lines ready before you get near the dock...

There are my few pearls of wisdom....

Good luck and keep the insurance paid up !!:smt038
 
The Bill Collector said:
Never go any faster then you are willing to hit it !!!!

I always have my rudders at zero degrees....

Practice on calm days, over and over and over some more....

Always have fenders and lines ready before you get near the dock...

There are my few pearls of wisdom....

Good luck and keep the insurance paid up !!:smt038
Click to expand...

All good points....and if you still want a transom fender, they do make them. I like one for touch-n-go pickups.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/17244-transom-fender-from-taylor.html
 
Compared to most I am still wet behind the ears but the three things that help me most...

1. Neutral is your friend. Aproach slowly & keep the boat settled.
2. Find a nearby flag, or place one at your slip & note the wind before you get there.
3. Remind all aboard to pick a seat, stay in it & don't reach outside the boat.
 
Not a problem. I agree with the others that neutral rudder and nothing but shift the drives. Remember that the rubrails are there and there is no shame in leaning on them if needed. I have a large fender attached to the finger pier just i case the stern wants to lay on that pole. Are you planning on having the lines already tied up? I've never had a problem backing in, practice makes perfect. As long as you know where the wind is coming from you can use it to push you where you want.
See my boat tied up below:
3568285588_268cfa583b.jpg
 
Dasch Boat said:
Another piece of advise is to make the perpendicular approach to your slip as close to the mouth of the slip as you can and then do your one engine forward one in reverse 90 deg spin, this will minimize the sail effect before getting between the poles. I have a neighbor with a 07 290DA that starts backing in from the middle of the canal (our canal is 265' +/- across). By the time he reaches the slips he has drifted 3 or 4 slips away.takes him a good 30 minutes to dock, great entertainment though.
Click to expand...

Ditto, close to the mouth. I could never get in unless I was right up to the slip. I usually start the pivot when I am near the slip next to me and I am parallel with my slip by the time I have turned.

with Stern drives, sometimes you need to put on the gas to get it where you want it. V drives seem to be more subtle with the gas, but the same affect can be achieved with the correct amount of power using sterndrives. And with stern drives you have the option of turning the drives should you need it...and I have Steered in more than a few times when differential drive throttling was not working for me.
 
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