Docking twin o/i in wind

[praetorian]

I'm new to twin engine boats (but I'm liking it!). Last weekend I had to dock the boat in the wind and I'm wondering if there was a way to use the twin engines to help things along. Here's the scenario:<br /><br />Slip faces north. Wind is coming from west (to east). I'm trying to back the boat in with the aft south. <br /><br />I ended up going past the slip facing west, having my wife grab the bow spring line, getting out as the aft got into the slip and keeping the bow from being pushed by the wind.<br /><br />What I'm wondering is if I could have used the twin engines in some way to compensate for the wind without having help from the dock.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Docking twin o/i in wind

The best way to get in in that senario is to back into the wind and use the drive opposite the slip to turn you in to the opening,possibly even tapping the other drive in fwd to help make the turn.Charlie

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Docking twin o/i in wind

I suggest getting the video/DVD "Handling your twin I/O" distributed by Bennett Marine Video. It is the best I've seen so far. It covers all kinds of scenarios.

 

[delta breeze]

Re: Docking twin o/i in wind

Charlie has good points,by putting one drive in fwd and the other in rev you can"spin the boat" in the direction you would like.Just reverse the process to go the other direction.I use the windward side in reverse and the leeward side fwd and use a walking technique to back the boat.It does help well me anyway if the throttle and transmission are on seperate controls.you can throttle up a little and work the drive to control the boat,on an I/O its hard to leave the steering alone though.good luck let us know how you are doing? The Delta Breeze

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Docking twin o/i in wind

Delta Breeze nailed one of my problems,I cant keep my hands off the darn steering wheel!!!!I have operated single engine boats for 30 years up to a 27 footer.I now own a twin i/o and I am still learning the advantages of twins,but my biggest obstacle is the steering wheel.I cant keep my hands off of it as hard as i try.When docking in reverse twins can make life very easy for you but as soon as you touch the wheel and the drives are not straight any more the whole system is screwed up.Charlie