Quote:
Originally Posted by Elizabeth
My husband and I have completed the boating class and we have our licenses. We have a pontoon boat and we’re fine out on the lake. However, we lack finesse when docking. We would love to be able to dock at town docks on a very busy day. We hesitate to try docking at the town docks on a busy day as it would probably take us an incredibly long time to dock and we would hate to damage another person's boat by doing something stupid. Does anyone know where we can get “docking lessons”? Also, what would be a reasonable amount of money to pay for “docking lessons”?
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Elizabeth, you and your husband aren't alone. This will be our third season with our boat. My wife and I did the same plan as you. We both took the boating test and recieved our licenses, mostly for safety reasons, so she could be helpful when needed and not panic.(as much).
We don't get to the lake as much as others do, so when we do go out on the boat it can be like starting over every time. Before leaving the house review your maps, if you trailer, check the drain plug, start the boat (we do this because it sits between uses) be as safe as possible.
Back to docking. I do practice 'a little' and every try helps, but what I wanted to say is if your having trouble docking and no one is around you can take all the tries you need. If one other boater is present I would bet they will come over and offer a helping hand out of pure kindness to assist a fellow boater, I know this from experience. Yes it was embarrassing when I saw him walking over, but I was so moved this person did this for me. Someday my son and I will pass that act of kindness forward. I was docking in Center Harbor with my 9 year old son, and I wouldn't let him jump out of the boat with the rope, to the dock, until I got it just right. Then the only other boater came over and had my son throw him the rope and he tied it off. Thankyou sir, if your reading this.
