www.iFourWinns.com

I am new to boating and am certain that I will be boating the rest of my life. But, one thing that I need to master, like all new boat owners is; Stern-In parking. Any and all tips and tricks are appreciated!

I'm guessing from your previous post, that your boat has one engine. If so, my best advice is go slow and use lots of fenders.

Second best advice is spring lines. A spring line is line that runs almost parallel to the boat. Run a line from your mid-ship cleat to person in the stern. As you back in, they tie or loop this line to dock cleat or post as you pass. As you back the line will pass the mid-ship cleat then start to tighten. As it tightens the boat will be pulled toward the dock and then stop.

This never works as easy as it sounds, the line has to be the right length, the boat has to go straight, the person needs set the line cleanly. So always fall back on, go slow and use lots of fenders.

Sorry backing a single engine boat is tough. Remember the rub rail is made to rub on the dock but not on someone else's boat.

Especially remember that gelcoat is easier to fix than flesh and bones, don't let anyone hurt themselves to save a scratch.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Boats carry momentum, you don't always have to be in gear. The sterndrive is also a big rudder, even when the prop isn't moving. Any kind of crosswind with a single engine stern in parking can be nearly impossible.. it takes a lot of planning and knowledge of your boat and how it drifts.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

If you have options where you are pulling in, always try to keep the wind at your back. The wind passing from stern to bow will keep the boat straight. If the wind is coming down your bow, it will push you to one side and spin you around faster than you can say, "Oh shit.!" If you don't have options, put a line on your bow cleat and run it to the stern. The first person off takes that line and controls the bow for you. You control the stern. I have even unzipped my camper canvas and let it drop on extremely windy days so the wind can pass through the boat.

Like they said take it easy...and do not forget your brakes consist of a forward bump, drift angles are like pool shots except the wind changes direction...and lastly it is OK to abondon a unsuccessful attempt. Better to swallow your pride than to hurt someone, or damage something.

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2000 H190 5.0GL

My best advice is take one of those swimming noodles and toss it overboard out on the lake. Use that noodle as a pretend dock and practice, practice, practice. No pressure this way and more important, no spectators to make you nervous. And the best part, if you hit your "pretend dock" no damage

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

Just for the record, it took me 13 tries to get my boat backed into the slip the first time (and I had twins!!). Of course, it was the middle of winter with a good breeze but just go slow and bail if you don't feel good about your approach. Screw all the dock queens who are watching you because those losers don't qualify as boaters anyway. Good luck and as my daddy says, "If you step out in the rain, you are gonna get wet".

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

This is what worked for me....



1, I would cruise to a position about 4 boat lengths from my pontoon at the slowest speed possible and then knock out of gear.
2, When the bow was level with my pontoon and the boat was almost at a stop I put right hand down as fast as possible (this would take any remaining momentum out of the boat and as Ric has said the outdrive gave me enough rudder to turn to the right slightly.
3, When I got to the position shown I would switch lock to full left hand down as fast as possible and knock it into reverse for (1 second only).
4, Then straighten the outdrive using a rudder indicator and give it another 1 second in reverse, nine times out of ten it went in. If it was windy I would sometimes have to have a couple of attempts.

Remember this is what worked for me and there are NO GUARANTEES it will work for you

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Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

You're going to get as many suggestions as there are Captains on this board!

My two cents....With Twins decide to use sticks or wheel, don't use both.

When I come in I center the wheel and put my left hand in my pocket so i'm not tempted to grab it. I then use the sticks to steer the boat. I have a stern in starboard tie slip that is on my port side coming in. I pass my slip and turn around. I'm then approaching it on my starboard side. Coming in bow pointed to the end of my pier the first mat throws the bow line to the dock hand, I push my starboard engine forward and port in reverse, pivoting while the dock hand loosely hangs on to the bow line, once i'm lined up i bring both engines in reverse.

Wind plays a big factor along with your canvas, it could push you around like a kite. Bottom line is go slow, communicate with your first mate, and the dock hands, and it gets easier.

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

First tip: Take a local boat safety course. You WILL learn things that WILL help you and others.

Docking never stops being a challenge. But if you're going to ask for advice about it then it really helps to let us know what model boat you're in, and what sort of docking might be involved. It's a bit different if you're dealing with, say, a strong current, lots of wind or actual mediterranean style stern-to docking (using a bow anchor).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

YES, to the above!! As to cross winds, if its blowing you onto the dock. You need to time it right! If the wind gets blowing, it will push you bow over. DON"T try it when it blowing you off the dock until you get better!

The thing that I learned and it may SOUND stupid! When going backwards, turn the wheel to the right, the boat WILL go to the right. Just keep this in mind!! Its hard to do becuse your NERVOUS as hell!!

It is tough. I have done it a few times with my 25' wellcraft with a big single outboard. Stern drive boats respond slightly quicker than an outboard, I have noticed. Just go slow, learn how your boat handles and practice...you've gotten really good advice from previous posters

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1987 Sundowner 195, 4.3 OMC " Z boat"
1983 Wellcraft 248 Sportsman, 3.0L OMC Sea Drive "Born Again"
9' Patriot 40lbs TM "Quack Addict"

When docking, the other advice I have picked up is to ensure your trim tabs are up. Having one down can affect your backing up.

The Admiral mastered docking last weekend. Very proud of her.

We firmly believe never go faster than you want to hit the dock!

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I avoid stern in parking whenever possible... it takes more time to park that way then to get out of a slip in reverse, or even walk it out once you've got her started. I'm all in favor of spending more time on the water than at the dock.

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

You don't have much choice than to dock that way unless you've got a long finger pier, floating dock or wall alongside. Fixed docks with shorter finger piers means having to back into the slip. Otherwise, what, you'd climb down over the bow rail? Maybe on a bow rider but on anything else it'd be hazardous.

Yeah, in a hurry we've docked bow-in, but then only because of really windy/rough conditions. It was a challenge getting over the bow rails and down to the finger pier with the tide being very high at the time.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista