Docking Practice

[74Baja]

Does anyone know of any ways to practice docking? either on the water or out of the water, and preferably without risking the paintjob on my boat that much. thanks.<br />ps- i looked at the post (i think ezloader) that had the internet games for docking on it. i cant find it though.

 

[arks]

Re: Docking Practice

On the water:<br />Find a secluded, calm area where there is no other boat traffic, then place a series of bouys close together in a straight line to simulate a dock or bulkhead. You can practice "docking" without fear of doing any damage to your boat, the dock or your dignity.<br />If you want to practice backing into a slip, re-arrange the bouys to the same size and shape as yours.<br /><br />Bouys can be simple- empty milk jugs tied to a line and some sort of weight for an anchor. Easy.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Docking Practice

Heres the Easycruise Game .

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Docking Practice

Originally posted by arks:<br /> On the water:<br />Find a secluded, calm area where there is no other boat traffic, then place a series of bouys close together in a straight line to simulate a dock or bulkhead. You can practice "docking" without fear of doing any damage to your boat, the dock or your dignity.<br />If you want to practice backing into a slip, re-arrange the bouys to the same size and shape as yours.<br /><br />Bouys can be simple- empty milk jugs tied to a line and some sort of weight for an anchor. Easy.

Just dont run over them and get all those lines twisted in the prop.

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: Docking Practice

Good Thing I'm not piloting one of those for real! I dock that thing about as good as I dock my boat!!! I wonder if getting proficient at this game will really help with docking skills!! The same thing that happens to me at the dock from the wind is happening to me in this game!!

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Docking Practice

Use somebody else's boat!<br /><br />More seriously....practice maneuvering around a "No wake" buoy. If you bump it, no harm done. They're larger and easier to see than hommemade markers, and they usually placed in such a way that you won't be able to suck the string into your prop as you might with cheap homemade ones.

 

[Surffx]

Re: Docking Practice

sport boat docking practice <br /><br />Here's the other practice simulator.

 

[gatorboaterUF]

Re: Docking Practice

the controls on that game have way to much lag its much easyer in real life. my boat got a few new scraches on it this weekend my buddy had to circle while i got the trailer and i swear he could not get it lined up and on the trailer to save his life. he finaly docked it and we switched so i could drive it on, got it on first try.

 

[phantoms]

Re: Docking Practice

Practice and take it S-L-O-W! Idle speed only and bumping in and out of neutral to make it even slower if needed. Dock against the current. If you go with the current you are only fighting yourself. If you need to know which way to go, pop it in neutral and wait. Which ever way the current or wind is pushing you, approach the dock heading the other way. As long as you take it very slow, mishaps won't cause you mayham.

 

[QC]

Re: Docking Practice

phantoms is right. Sloooooowwwww. Even when you think you are going too slow, go slower . . . More neutral than gear, especially with a light boat. Just "bump" into gear and be patient for the reaction. Also, turn the wheel before you put her into gear for any direction changes. If you put it into gear before turning the wheel then by the time you straighten her out, it's too late.<br /><br />Also, if you are on a lake, treat wind like current and sit and take notice before you decide on your strategy for that boat/day. Again, repeating what phantoms says . . .

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Docking Practice

I would like to know what type of boat is being discussed, and what propulsion it has.<br /><br />'Slow and easy' is a relative description, some boats loose steering control when travelling to slow. Wind and tide can easily overcome a tub that is not travelling fast enough. I'm not saying that you need to ram the jetty at warp 9, but learning to use the wind, tide and enertia of the weight of the boat travelling at a reasonable clip can make docking very easy - but it takes practice, and lots of it.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[jlinder]

Re: Docking Practice

Think of how airplanes land. They line up miles out and take a long time.<br /><br />Come in real slow (S-L-O-W) and try letting the boat drift in neutral for the last 5 seconds or so. If you do it right you should just kiss the dock.

 

[watered down]

Re: Docking Practice

Here is something I learned from a guy docking his expensive bass boat. He came in at about a 45 degree angle and just before the bow touched the dock he turned the wheel toward the dock and hit reverse. This stopped forward mo and pulled the stern right to the dock. He made it look easy. <br /><br />I practiced it on our floating toilets on the lake...yup, we got ummm. It is a floating outhouse that has nice bumpers all around. Great for practicing docking with no one around.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Docking Practice

To start with buy some fenders. Buy bigger ones than you think you need as I do not know of anyone that bought a smaller set when they bought their second set. I suggest getting 3. A big one for the bow. The stern and mid ship can be smaller. This will protect your hull when you contact the dock. If the docks were all brand new with cushions all the way around you would not need them, but half the docks the cushions have been knocked off but the screws that held them on are still there sticking out.<br /><br />Good preplaning is key to good docking. First must under stand the affects of wind and current on your boat. Many times you do not have a choice which side or direction to approch the dock from.<br /><br />On a day with no wind or current then SLOW is the key. Just drive in at a slight angle to the dock take motor out of gear early and glide in. If necessary hit reverse to stop the boat as you get to the dock.<br /><br />When dealing with strong winds and current moving your boat away from the dock then you need to have a good boat hook to grab the dock. Each person of your crew need to understand exactly what their Job is. You need a bow line and a stern line. In strong winds or current then slow speeds will not give your enough control of the boat. These are the days when you can tell the Pro's and the Beginers.<br /><br />So first practice day go when condition are good. Out here I would suggest a lake that has a floating restroom. These are usually in a protected area not in shallow water and you can approch from all directions. This allow your to practice with wind blowing off the dock or can go to the other side and practice with wind blowing onto the dock. Also into the wind and with the wind. Docks usually never busy so can spend as much time as you like.<br /><br />Take the 13 week class from the Coast Guard Aux. "Boating Skills and SeaManShip" They do a good job on docking and getting underway. They will explain how to use spring lines and prop wash to aid in docking. The shorter class not near as good.<br /><br />Then just Plan and Practice.

 

[QC]

Re: Docking Practice

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> I would like to know what type of boat is being discussed, and what propulsion it has.<br /><br />'Slow and easy' is a relative description, some boats loose steering control when travelling to slow. Wind and tide can easily overcome a tub that is not travelling fast enough. I'm not saying that you need to ram the jetty at warp 9, but learning to use the wind, tide and enertia of the weight of the boat travelling at a reasonable clip can make docking very easy - but it takes practice, and lots of it.<br /><br />Aldo

I totally agree. Like you, I have operated some houseboats and you are dead right. In a stiff wind they may need to be manhandled or you are done.<br /><br />Depending on wind, smaller boats handle very different simply with the bimini up or down . . . Lots to know and learn.<br /><br />watered down, that trick is a good one for coming alongside a dock as opposed to into a slip, but the principle can work in a variety of situations.

 

[swist]

Re: Docking Practice

I agree with boatist - artificial aids like buoys can help you with your gross piloting skills, but there is nothing like a practicing at a real dock - just pad the hell out of it with foam or whatever you can find and/or as someone suggested do the same with your boat with fenders.<br /><br />Try it in various wind and sea conditions - it makes an amazing difference. Sometime you may be forced to dock upwind and upcurrent - there is a challenge if the conditions are bad enough!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Docking Practice

My Dad sent me out in our bay as a kid to learn how to dock. He gave me a 16-foot 2x12 plank to serve as a "dock" and told me to have at it. With the plank floating free I was able to come up to it from any angle and from either side. Floating freely, it would easily give if I came up to aggressively, and it floated plenty high enough in the water to avoid the lower unit and prop if I really messed up. Floating freely, it will move around a bit and give you a variety of docking conditions in regards to wind, current, angles of attack, etc.<br />It worked beautifully, as I learned to dock an outboard and our inboard this way. To this day, I can put pretty much any boat I drive right where I want it, frontwards, backwards, with the wind, against the wind, etc. <br />- Scott

 

[QC]

Re: Docking Practice

Great idea Chinewalker!!!!<br /><br />I was also want to note that reverse is often the best way to deal with tight docking conditions. Practice that a lot. There are many slips that due to the available cleats and how they match up with your boat, should be entered in reverse.

 

[scotttu]

Re: Docking Practice

I just did it, put the fenders on about 50 yards out and came in.....<br />Practiced that a bunch when I first got my boat, ended up parking in a strong strong current one day at the Navy base, good thing too, had to go 1/4 throttle just to park.....or so it seemed....<br /><br />Just put your fenders on and watch your current - that's my opinion (It's free so don't sue me if you goof up! I've had to back out lots and re-approach)

 

[magster65]

Re: Docking Practice

There's 3 golden rules to a perfect docking... problem is that nobody knows what they are.