Handling Twin Sterndrives

[mrz333]

I?m new to power boating. I recently had an opportunity to obtain a 28? express cruiser w/twin Volvo 4.3 GXi sterndrives at a great price. Not having previous experience I selected a Regal performance boat that cruises at 30mph and tops out at 50mph. This is a lot of boat for a newbe.

I?m getting the hang of handling and took all the USCGAux courses on Navigation, GPS, Radio, Local Knowledge, Seamanship etc. My problem is the most basic challenge of docking. I purchased some of the Dawson?s E-lessons to get the basic concept but I guess I?m just a boating dummy.

Can any of you experienced captains out there give me some good ideas on how I should go about learning this basic skill? Banging into docks can be an expensive way to learn that i/o?s seem to have a mind of their own.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Handling Twin Sterndrives

Can any of you experienced captains out there give me some good ideas on how I should go about learning this basic skill? Banging into docks can be an expensive way to learn that i/o?s seem to have a mind of their own.

Ayuh,... Go out to an open area,...
Toss over a couple bumpers, 'n anchors...
Then Practice gettin' Close, but Not hitting 'em...

 

[df909]

Re: Handling Twin Sterndrives

I'd also consider going out on a slow day, putting out a bunch of fenders, and practicing slowly creeping up to a dock. Having two drives I would think helpful as you can use them for steering and manuvering.

If you pick a slow day, you won't feel stressed about people watching you or that you're in someone's way. Using a ton of fenders is obvious... Be sure to pay attention to what the wind does when you're docking. Sometimes I go into nuetral several feet from the dock and the wind just carries me in gently & other times you have to time it perfectly. Also experiment with docking on the port & starboard side.

Good luck & have fun.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Handling Twin Sterndrives

also learn to love neutral..... When parking an automatic car you use the brakes to control speed. With ha boat you bump it in and out of gear for slow manuvering.

Example if you are idleing in with bow slightly towards dock on right and engine is in neutral, as you near the dock you first turn right and then engage reverse. Boat slows and stern moves right ..... this is the basic aproach to docking on the side..

Until you get the hang of it avoid wiindy days and always try to have a couple people with you to help.


One other thing... unless you are in bad weather you should never need more than idle to dock.... Gassing on it to save yourself can get real bad real fast.... A slight bump at 1 mph is way better than a full throttle ramming after a panic

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Handling Twin Sterndrives

with a dual boat there's no reason to turn the steering wheel in either direction as you approach the dock.

Have the drives straight.......use them to turn left or right.....and the most important thing is.....

if you can use the wind to your advantage do it. It's never easy to fight the wind, don't do it if you don't have to!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Handling Twin Sterndrives

Mrz333 - First things first...take that frown face off and put a smiley face on! Do you know how many people would love to be in your shoes?

I have a 374 with twin inboards and it handles easier than my 150 OB does!

If you have ever run a Bobcat before, it operates on the same principal. Turns in either a wide arc (one drive in gear and one in neutral) or it should also turn in it's own length (one drive in fwd, one in rev).

Someone mentioned that there should be no reason to touch the wheel while docking. Mostly, that's true, but when fighting a cross wind or current, turning the wheel will move the boat on an angle vs. an arc (i.e. wheel full right & stbd drive rev = boat moves back/right @ a 45 angle).

Always approach something at a speed that you are completely comfortable with when hitting it. Dead stop approx 10' from a dock & bump in/out of gear until you are where you want to be. I would rather have 100 people see reapproach a dock for a second or third attempt than to have 1 person see me hit it hard. Also, during winds or tides, use the bow or stern of the boat against the pylons to help you turn. They are designed for that.

Do you know anyone that can come out and show you some tricks? It will help.

Practice, practice, practice. It's easier that you think once you get the hang of it. And you'll look good doing it!