Need lessons on how to dock our boat

Shreddy · 04-21-2014, 01:44 PM

I feel very comfortable docking a boat in most conditions. Obviously, wind and tightness will severely diminish anyone's confidence. Two years ago, I taught my sister how to dock the boat. We pulled about 100 feet outside of Suissevale marina in the open area, I grabbed a frisbee I had on board and threw it into the water, and then I made her simulate docking up to the frisbee so I could lean over and pick it up. We did this for at least a half hour, until she was comfortable, and then I let her bring it back into the marina and dock it with no issue. As everyone has preached...practice builds confidence, however, nobody is invincible when it comes to the art of docking and there will always be a time where things do not go according to plan. We've all been there.

The biggest point I stressed to her was that you need propulsion to steer the boat...HOWEVER, NOT A LOT. As such, since boats do not have brakes (go figure), when I dock I generally go extremely slow so I am in control. I primarily float in neutral and when I need to steer I shift to gear for a little direction and then back to neutral. When I'm docking, I may shift from neutral to gear 10+ times to control my speed and direction. This is my personal preference when conditions aren't too variable. Other times, if windy and I need full control I stay in gear with some speed and simply power in and settle with a reverse maneuver for the back end. Just my quick $.02

Elizabeth · 05-04-2014, 07:00 PM

Thank you all for your great advice, moral support and offers for lessons.

Last year we practiced and practiced. My concern is that we’re practicing the wrong technique. jrc captured my concern in the following post:
Irwin gave me an hour with one of their captains when I bought my boats, I learned
that pretty much everything I knew was wrong. Sorry Dad!

My husband and I have read these posts and picked up all sorts of good ideas. We’re going to try a few more weeks of practice on our own. If we don’t improve greatly within the few weeks, we will be looking to get a few “in person” lessons. Once again, thank you all for your responses.

04-21-2014, 01:44 PM	#1
Shreddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 513 Thanks: 181 Thanked 222 Times in 116 Posts	I feel very comfortable docking a boat in most conditions. Obviously, wind and tightness will severely diminish anyone's confidence. Two years ago, I taught my sister how to dock the boat. We pulled about 100 feet outside of Suissevale marina in the open area, I grabbed a frisbee I had on board and threw it into the water, and then I made her simulate docking up to the frisbee so I could lean over and pick it up. We did this for at least a half hour, until she was comfortable, and then I let her bring it back into the marina and dock it with no issue. As everyone has preached...practice builds confidence, however, nobody is invincible when it comes to the art of docking and there will always be a time where things do not go according to plan. We've all been there. The biggest point I stressed to her was that you need propulsion to steer the boat...HOWEVER, NOT A LOT. As such, since boats do not have brakes (go figure), when I dock I generally go extremely slow so I am in control. I primarily float in neutral and when I need to steer I shift to gear for a little direction and then back to neutral. When I'm docking, I may shift from neutral to gear 10+ times to control my speed and direction. This is my personal preference when conditions aren't too variable. Other times, if windy and I need full control I stay in gear with some speed and simply power in and settle with a reverse maneuver for the back end. Just my quick $.02 __________________ Last edited by Shreddy; 04-23-2014 at 09:04 AM. Reason: Threw not through

05-04-2014, 07:00 PM	#2
Elizabeth Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 5 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you for all the great ideas. I appreciate your responses. Thank you all for your great advice, moral support and offers for lessons. Last year we practiced and practiced. My concern is that we’re practicing the wrong technique. jrc captured my concern in the following post: Irwin gave me an hour with one of their captains when I bought my boats, I learned that pretty much everything I knew was wrong. Sorry Dad! My husband and I have read these posts and picked up all sorts of good ideas. We’re going to try a few more weeks of practice on our own. If we don’t improve greatly within the few weeks, we will be looking to get a few “in person” lessons. Once again, thank you all for your responses.

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