Boat handling lessons

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by radiocontester

. I have experience with a 19' bowrider but nothing larger......I'll have to suck it up and take my time when docking at public docks...regardless of how may attempts it takes. :

This is the BEST way to learn .....Practice, practice, practice (and from different angles & conditions) .............. during weekdays try the Weirs Public docks (very Easily approachable) and for a little more challenge one of the side slips at Center Harbor. I would avoid Wolfeboro initially anytime of day.

I do not in any way mean to belittle your plight by saying this is exactly what we are currently doing trying to teach my 12 yr old granddaughter, who amazingly can handle the boat at plane with a good situational awareness & fully understands both the markers and GPS operation.... she just can't dock worth $#I!

My biggest advice to you in moving up from a 19 footer to a 28 footer is the (what I term) glide path ..... even at a slow speed, once you throw her into neutral - she will continue to "glide" quite a distance on you ...pure inertia from the size...... this is the first aspect you have to get use to or you'll continually be tapping into reverse and ultimately coming off course (to a dock). Think about the stopping distance of a Smart car versus a six wheeler and you'll get the idea.

If you happen to be in the MVYC area I would be happy to take you out in my 26' or ride along with you a few times. Nothing beats "Local" knowledge -- not even a chart!


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