Re: how can i make throwing and pulling in the anchor easier for my great girlfriend
She did say she would rather me just drive and her worry about the anchor and jumping out to tie up the boat at docks.
No one should ever jump out of a moving boat and tie the boat to a dock. Ever. Now that you GF is learning how to drive, it is time for you to learn how to dock the boat. No insult intended, but if anyone has to jump out at the dock, the driver is doing something wrong. This will takes lots of practice, but you will pick it up. I go out solo a bunch, sometimes with only with my 10-year old daughter, and at times with a boat full of people, so having someone jump out creates too much confusion and risk. Be prepared for docking in advance, let everyone know what you want them to do (easy with kids, I just tell them to remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop and the adults usually catch on).
I don't have the benefit of a bow thruster or twin engines, so have to dock with only one outboard. Pay attention to the wind and current first and anticipate what that is going to do. At a ramp or slip, I'll pick the side where a crosswind will help push me into place. As you are assessing where you are going to dock and before you approach, now is the time to have your crew make sure the dock lines and bumpers are on the correct side of your boat (assuming you don't have lines on every cleat and bumpers on both sides). I installed small stainless bimini brackets at the 4 locations where I need to secure bumpers, put clips on the bumpers, and have it all set up so the bumper lines are equal length. This leaves my cleats free for dock lines. My daughter knows how to cleat lines and clip on bumpers - she enjoys doing this as she is actively part of the boating process. If I'm solo, I make sure the bow and stern lines are together next to my driving position, so I am ready to go when it stops.
Aim for the middle of the ramp and slowly drift in. I bump the engine out of gear as I approach to take off some speed, turn the wheel and bump it back into gear briefly to adjust direction, and then back into neutral. The old adage is never approach a dock any faster than you want to crash into it. As I get closer, I will turn the wheel towards the dock and bump it into reverse to pull the stern in. Don't be afraid to abort your attempt if you get sideways - go around and try again.
For "parallel parking" I try to park into the wind (if parallel with the dock). Approach straight into the dock and aim just upwind of a cleat or piling. Have someone tie off the bow line with a few feet of slack, and then turn the wheel towards the dock and bump it into reverse briefly. Like magic, the bow will pivot and the stern will tuck in to the dock. Depending on the type of dock you might need to have a bumper at the pivot point. I did this perfectly over the weekend at a fuel dock with boats parked either side of me and the guy pumping fuel said "great job docking you boat".
Practice, practice, practice. On days with no boats at the ramp go back and dock a couple times. It gets easier with practice. Then teach your GF, looks like she is watching, maybe she'll pick it up without much help. Then you are free to kick back and enjoy.
