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Another Docking Question
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Author:  StirCrazy [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Another Docking Question
Okay, so when I come in to my dock I have to do a 90 degree turn to starboard to get in. My problem is once I turn in and the bow gets in towards my dock (which is on my starboard side), the stern continues to swing out away from the dock (floating dock). This photo shows me docked, and I come in from the top left of the pic.

Image

I'm wondering what/how I control the twin engines to swing the stern back in to starboard? I read once to think of the controls like giant parenthesis marks ( ) and that has helped, but consistently swinging in the stern has been rough without the help of a friend or neighbor.

For anyone who doesn't understand the parenthesis "thing," what I'm referring to is single engine operation. As in you move the Port shifter forward and the Bow moves Starboard. Port shifter Rearward and the Stern moves Starboard.
Author:  ric [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
The trick to docking any boat of any size is taking your time and go slow. Use the momentum of the boat to help you, don't over do things and let it control you.

My dock configuration is the same way, and I can tell you right now because I do it alll the time after having some adult beverages.. you're going too fast.
Author:  BoaterDan278 [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
I've always heard that you approach the dock at the same speed you would like to strike it at. Personally I would back in. Just my preference. If you go bow in, steer with your drives, not your steering wheel. You can approach the dock and pivot when your beam is even with your side of the dock. You will pivot 90 degrees to your dock and then put both drives in forward, of course reverse to stop. Pivot to correct. However if you must steer and experience this situation, use short bursts on the port engine only to correct. Also consider starting your turn further out into the fairway and running straight for a longer distance. Dan
Author:  Bliss36 [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
ric wrote:
The trick to docking any boat of any size is taking your time and go slow. Use the momentum of the boat to help you, don't over do things and let it control you.


Thats great advice! I had a terrible time docking last year when we bought our first cruiser until I slowed down to a crawl. When you go slow there is less momentum to carry you away from the dock! Maybe the best way with that style of slip is to break it into two parts...first stopping and aligning, and then moving forward and docking. Of course this is coming from a guy with a single engine cruiser so take it for whats it's worth :D
Author:  StirCrazy [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
I do think starting further out in fairway is what would help me. Our fairway is narrow (to me) as well though. When I come in our marinas channel, I make a right, a left, and start setting up for my right into my dock.

I need to be further to the left of the fairway to start my pivot. I've been getting really close to the dock and then trying to pivot. I will try and practice this Saturday.

Still, I'm wondering if there's any specific maneuver you all do with the shifters to swing her in? Thanks everyone
Author:  jrcinnh [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
If you end up with your stern to far away from the dock but otherwise where you want to be, use the old single engine standby. Turn hard over to the dock, put both engines in reverse for an instant. Give it another burst if needed. Now if you get carried away and move too far back, turn hard away from the dock, put both engines forward for an instant.

You can use a twin engine pivot as well but moving just the stern can be easier with the wheel. Remember the trick in very close quarters is short bursts. Stop applying power before the boat moves.
Author:  ric [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
Docking a boat is like parking a car without brakes on ice. In your case, it's like parking a bus without brakes on ice. It's going to side. The trick is... to learn how far it slides and to use that as part of your approach. It just takes time. If you're really having a hard time, maybe find a little buoy out in some open water and pretend that's the dock.

Also, you're slip is in protected water but I learned this real quick. Approach the dock slowly, from far far away. It's amazing how your waves seem to catch up to you just as you're next to the dock and how they love to scratch your rub rails. hahahaha
Author:  wkearney99 [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
Dock slowly is sometimes bad advice. By itself a novice may assume that means not using power. This is often wrong. There are plenty of situations where a healthy burst of power can greatly aid a docking situation. Like a quick, deep shot of reverse to bring the boat to a halt. Or in this case to goose the stern over a bit.

Yes, you want to move carefully, but not so slowly as to let things get away from you. I'm talking about using power, not using speed.

That and larger powerboats with shallow keels can start wandering too much if you go too slow. The high freeboard (sides of the hull) acts like a sail and wind starts pushing you around. If you maintain a steady forward speed that can help counteract the effects of wind against the hull. It's not a direct analogy, but it's like riding a bike just a little faster so you don't fall over. I'm only talking about the speed difference between simply being 'in gear' at about 2mph and 3.5mph. Just a little more throttle than just 'in gear'.

Of course you don't want to use more power than you can control. Power improperly applied can make things turn ugly fast. But I'm encouraging people not to get so scared about docking as to avoid using power when it can truly make it much easier.
Author:  Lakebum [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
Every dock is a little different, current, wind, etc. I back into our slip, but the principle is still the same. Instead of pivoting the boat against the dock or pole, approach your slip more in the middle of the isle. Bring the boat to a complete stop and then using your throttles spin the boat 90 degrees, bring the spin under control and then pull into the slip. It helps if no one from the dock is watching or trying to help.
I've also learned that it doesn't matter how good you get at docking, don't try to teach your wife how to dock the boat. It's better to just stand ready on the back of the boat with a cold beer, keeping the boat from hitting anything else. She'll figure it out faster if you don't try to help. First time I offered suggestions we slept in separate beds. She is actually a lot more patient then I am and does a great job.
Author:  drballard33 [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
I know this wont help you learn how to correct your docking issue, but could you pass your dock, turn the boat, and approach the dock going into the dock, instead of swinging away from the dock? I had the same boat, and the same configuration for a while and that is what I would always do, that way the boats momentum is putting you into the dock instead of into someone elses boat.
Author:  taz42169 [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
Here's a bit more advice from the peanut gallery. I also stern into my slip. I too have a very narrow fairway so I use the principles Bill explained, power, not speed. Because of the narrow fairway, I tend come in straight down the middle, hard over with a shot of power in reverse and the bow comes right around. When there aren't winds, I can back right in!

It gets a bit hairy when we have winds. To counter wind concerns (or for just piece of mind), I installed a roller on pole to my port side (bow out of the slip). Our prevailing winds tend to blow in that general direction (across my bow). If we have winds, I change up my approach (because I don't want to take out anyone's anchor or bow), and lay her right on the roller and pivot in. Like I said, I only use that approach in winds.

I have a single engine but having a duo-prop does help (GREATLY)! I definitely have twin envy....I had a single outboard before this rig and that was a nightmare.
Author:  ric [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
You don't teach someone to drive in a race car. You go slow until you learn the machinery. Once you learn what you're working with, then you can start turning up the volume. Sure, there's guys in here that could rip that boat in at full throttle and dock it perfectly.... but you didn't learn that by reading forums. You learned it by years of practice.
Author:  BoaterDan278 [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
One more two cents worth. If you force yourself to steer with your drives, you will become adept at handling your boat in any docking situation. I turn my drives straight in the channel approaching my marina. I turn 90 degrees to starboard, then 90 degrees to port, and then I back in. I never turn the wheel. Short bursts of power. Perhaps as a start, at least approach your slip using your drives to steer. If necessary, use the steering wheel to dock. Dan
Author:  Paul I. [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
I must say, I love reading Bill's post!! You have away with words, a GOOD thing!!

You could try this (if all else fails), one boater at my club has a real bad silp. He put a PVC pole with a hook on, mounted at the begining of his slip. Which has the looped end of a dock line on it. Then he cleated the other end to the first cleat right next to the pole. He does bow in, his wife with a gafe hooks the line & cleats it to the midship cleat. Slowly goes forword and that sucks him in.

Personally, I would stern in, I found it easier to dock and to get off & on the boat.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Docking Question
Bow-in is nice if you have a long finger pier and a good view from the stern. We have neither. So I back into the slip as it does make it easier to get on/off.

I was going to make the suggestion about leaving a line handy to aid in pulling the boat into the slip. But I figured someone else with a floating pier setup would have better advice than I. My fuel dock bow line trick came to mind.

While you might leave the line ready for your return, they often have a way of getting rearranged. Nothing bugs me more than when the boat in the slip next to me drops one of my bow lines into the water when they leave. I mean, c'mon, how hard is to share the hook up there? Anywaaaay....

And, from the Beavis & Butthead department.... "sucks him in"... Heh, heh, heh...

I rarely use my rudders (the wheel) when docking, but that's because they're pretty much useless with inboards, during docking at least. Stern drive setups have the advantage of being able to actually point the thrust in reverse. Inboards can only steer with the wheel when water is pushing over the rudder surfaces; which only happens when moving forward. Stern drives can pull in reverse at an angle. But it does require a bit more thinking. Remembering where the drives are pointed and juggling the throttles. Like anything, you get used to it.

I'm amazed at how computer controlled setups like Zeus and Axius (sp?) do it. Pointing the drives in different directions and using different thrust directions at the same time, it's pretty cool to see it in action. You can't quite replicate the same thing with a regular steering setup as you can't independently steer each drive. That would really add to the amount of thinking you'd be juggling! I definitely want to consider that kind of drive setup when we get around to another boat.
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