Boat handling lessons

[paintitredinHC]

My brother who is in the marine industry had a great suggestion for new boaters. Go to your local grocery store and practice by pushing a shopping cart around backwards. Meaning, push with the wheels that turn in the rear. This is exactly how a boat handles. Remember, boats do not handle like cars (i.e. point and shoot).... they steer from the rear. I see a lot of boaters drive like they are in their car and it usually doesn't pan out very well.

When docking in an I/O (Inboard/Outboard), which is what you most likely have on your Four Winns, approach the dock at a 45 degree angle while in gear. About 10 feet away from the dock with the boat still in gear, turn away from the dock for just a second. Put the boat in neutral to scrub some speed. Then turn the wheel again towards the dock and shift into reverse. This last action will pull the stern of the boat towards the dock.

As mentioned in a previous post, a direct drive or v-drive will handle much differently than I described above. You will also have to factor in other boats and wind into your attack angle and speed. Confidence is key. Good luck!

[radiocontester]

Originally Posted by paintitredinHC

My brother who is in the marine industry had a great suggestion for new boaters. Go to your local grocery store and practice by pushing a shopping cart around backwards. Meaning, push with the wheels that turn in the rear. This is exactly how a boat handles. Remember, boats do not handle like cars (i.e. point and shoot).... they steer from the rear. I see a lot of boaters drive like they are in their car and it usually doesn't pan out very well.

When docking in an I/O (Inboard/Outboard), which is what you most likely have on your Four Winns, approach the dock at a 45 degree angle while in gear. About 10 feet away from the dock with the boat still in gear, turn away from the dock for just a second. Put the boat in neutral to scrub some speed. Then turn the wheel again towards the dock and shift into reverse. This last action will pull the stern of the boat towards the dock.

As mentioned in a previous post, a direct drive or v-drive will handle much differently than I described above. You will also have to factor in other boats and wind into your attack angle and speed. Confidence is key. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip!!

[Shreddy]

My sister wanted to learn how to drive the boat...that's easy. Docking is a bit more of an art. Took her out in front of the marina and threw a Frisbee I had out into the water. I told her I wanted to be able to pick it up off the side of the boat (equivalent to docking). Every is different when it comes to docking. Many will tell you to just cruise in at a 45* angle and then hit reverse and spin the wheel to get the ass-end into the dock. It works, but to me it's not ideal. I come in almost as slow as possible, gliding in neutral. If I need speed or to steer the boat at all I shift into gear and then immediately back to neutral. The quick impulse is enough to control the boat and steer it coming in very slow and through tight situations. I probably go back and forth from neutral to gear and back anywhere from 5-15 times (guessing) when I'm docking.

I'm sure people won't care for this technique, or I'll find out it's doing something bad to my boat, but I've never had in issue in the past 15 years doing it this way. Good luck...practice makes perfect.

[DBreskin]

Never approach a dock faster than you're willing to hit it.

[Rich]

And these tips, as good as they are, all change in a hurry when there is any wind!

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Rich

And these tips, as good as they are, all change in a hurry when there is any wind!

or three foot rollers !!



.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

My sister wanted to learn how to drive the boat...that's easy. Docking is a bit more of an art. Took her out in front of the marina and threw a Frisbee I had out into the water. I told her I wanted to be able to pick it up off the side of the boat (equivalent to docking). Every is different when it comes to docking. Many will tell you to just cruise in at a 45* angle and then hit reverse and spin the wheel to get the ass-end into the dock. It works, but to me it's not ideal. I come in almost as slow as possible, gliding in neutral. If I need speed or to steer the boat at all I shift into gear and then immediately back to neutral. The quick impulse is enough to control the boat and steer it coming in very slow and through tight situations. I probably go back and forth from neutral to gear and back anywhere from 5-15 times (guessing) when I'm docking.

I'm sure people won't care for this technique, or I'll find out it's doing something bad to my boat, but I've never had in issue in the past 15 years doing it this way. Good luck...practice makes perfect.

Two posts here echo Boating magazines philosophy. One, don't come in any faster than you want to hit the dock. Two, as part of that, short bursts of the throttle, either in forward or reverse rather than coming in fast.

Judging the effect of wind and current can add into the mix, but going slow can help to minimize, and take advantage, of these conditions.

Now, if I could just practice what I preach.

[znh]

http://www.communityboating.org/programs/powerboating/

http://www.boatwise.com/schedules/schedules_rec.pl

http://www.lakelifelessons.com/

Also contact the NHMP and see if they can recommend anyone or any program for on water help. I know there are other people and programs out there that will do this...