Need lessons on how to dock our boat

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Descant

My wife and I share the duties, and now she drives more than I do.
However, too many boaters and the audience on the dock expect that a man will always dock perfectly, and that women can't drive boats.

Let your wife drive. If she's perfect, say "Perfect, Honey. Just like we practiced. You remembered everything."

If she makes a little misjudgment, and we all do, look at the chauvinists on the dock, shrug your shoulders and say "Close to perfect, Honey."

In all that is unfair in this man/woman world, I will have to admit that I love that I get a pass when I do not dock well and enjoy the compliments when I do dock well, because it is unexpected for a woman to do this "man's" job.

I know of times when the guy driving the boat gave the docking to the woman in crowded places for just this reason. We are all just a tad silly!!

IG, just watchin' that ice melt!

[jazzman]

I always tie a rope between the bow and stern cleats with about 10 feet of slack (which I pull into the boat). As long as you can get the bow against the dock you can reel the back end in (or the other way around if things go really bad). I also keep a docking loop on board.

http://www.theboatloop.com/boat-accessories/

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

In all that is unfair in this man/woman world, I will have to admit that I love that I get a pass when I do not dock well and enjoy the compliments when I do dock well, because it is unexpected for a woman to do this "man's" job.

I know of times when the guy driving the boat gave the docking to the woman in crowded places for just this reason. We are all just a tad silly!!

The non-Navy types can Google BZ (Bravo Zulu). I know from my pilot days, air not water, that as a group, the ladies are better pilots. Gentle on the controls, calm and focused. Same for boats if they have the chance.

For the non-drivers out there, the Captains need to teach them at least how to call a "Mayday" on the VHF, not 911. Help may be in the boat 100 yards away. They'll never hear your 911 call. (Boat/US says your #1 safety gear is a PFD. #2 is your VHF.) A captain who doesn't teach emergency procedures when....happens, is a ....(fill in the blanks, this is a pass/fail course).

Back to docking lessons. In an emergency, get the boat to the dock, forget about No Wale Zones and do a controlled crash. Go in the ambulance with the EMT's. Somebody else will tie up the boat. Done it.

[pcmc]

Great info here!
Descant, thanks for the scenarios, I wouldn't have thought of such an instance until it's over taken me.

[pcmc]

dickiej, winnisummergal, you both may have the start of a new separate thread that only the brave shall enter. lol.
Aaahhh the memories.

( Referring back to Post 30 & 31)