Help exiting a slip

[Marco Miduri]

I'm new to twin engine boats and was wondering if someone can give me a few pointers.
I am docked in a slip with the dock on my starboard side, and a rather large sailboat on my port side. Occasionally I get a strong wind and current from my starboard side causing the boat to drift port side when backing out of my slip. Can anyone give me a few pointer on how to keep the boat from drifting port side and backing up fairy straight.

Thanks for any help someone can provide.

 

[JV II]

Keep the drives straight. Put the starboard engine in reverse and occasionally kick the port drive in forward to keep your boat parallel to the dock. You will have to play with the throttles to muscle the boat in line and go in the intended direction. You could also have someone on the bow feeding out a line from a cleat keeping the bow close to the dock until you are clear of the slip. In that case turn the wheel a little to the right to back up and to starboard (which will get your stern away from the sailboat, but will swing your bow into it if you don't have crew on the bow with a line).

 

[drob]

We also have the same issues. One of things we do is grab the bow and spring lines on the starboard side, asap. This will help keep you from drifting into the neighbor.

 

[Marco Miduri]

Thanks for all the help I will try these suggestions this weekend.:smt038

 

[AKBASSKING]

Thanks for all the help I will try these suggestions this weekend.:smt038

Welcome. You may also want to get in some open water and practice........

 

[wetpaint]

where it is a sailboat, i would dive at night and take his plug out and you will no longer have a problem....just thinking outside the box

 

[nyminute]

where it is a sailboat, i would dive at night and take his plug out and you will no longer have a problem....just thinking outside the box

That would depend on the mast height and depth of the water in the slip. A sure fire method would be to tell your neighbor that you are teaching your 7 year old to dock your vessel. He will move before sundown!:smt009

 

[Skeetobite]

Moved to our new marina/slip about 2 months ago. First time leaving the slip we had 15+ knots of wind across the bow from port (twins, no thruster). As we left the slip, I allowed the wind to push the bow around and then backed down the fairway.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned is the limits of the boat and using the wind/currents to your favor. Takes some practice.