Let's talk skill...

[guy48065]

...because I'm lacking.
I just bought a used 18-foot Bayliner Capri with 4.3L I/O. It does FAST pretty well, SLOW isn't in its repertoire. Docking and loading on the trailer are a real challenge when it lurches every time it's put into gear.
Give me some tips.
Nearly all my boating has been on pontoons where SLOW is never a problem.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, what is your idle speed? should be 650 RPM in gear at idle.

 

[kd4pbs]

1) Never go any faster than whatever speed you're comfortable hitting something.
2) To go slower than idle, just pop it in then right back out of gear. Make sure the drive is pointed in the direction you want to go before you do this. A stiff crosswind or rough water can make this REAL fun.
For me, this is a major reason I'll never own another boat that uses dog clutches. Nothing is more annoying to me than the "clunk" of an Alpha or an outboard, unless it's a person who slowly puts it in gear so we can hear the dogs grind their way into engagement. The sound can be heard from hundreds of feet away when your ears are underwater! I'll take a V-drive or cone clutches any day!

 

[Captain Caveman]

As kd4pbs said, just nudge into and then out of gear. I usually feel my best when I silently coast into a dock, engine already off because it is coming in for a nice, slow landing.

Unless the winds are strong, you shouldn't need to put a small boat into reverse at the dock. That just means that you came in too hot.

 

[BWR1953]

As kd4pbs said, just nudge into and then out of gear. I usually feel my best when I silently coast into a dock, engine already off because it is coming in for a nice, slow landing.

Unless the winds are strong, you shouldn't need to put a small boat into reverse at the dock. That just means that you came in too hot.

Agreed.

And unless you missed wide.

 

[airshot]

As kd4pbs said, just nudge into and then out of gear. I usually feel my best when I silently coast into a dock, engine already off because it is coming in for a nice, slow landing.

Unless the winds are strong, you shouldn't need to put a small boat into reverse at the dock. That just means that you came in too hot.

Not all of us are privy to a nice wind free launch ramp. Most in my area create a wind battle every time. Having reverse is like having a brake pedal, use it wisely !

 

[Captain Caveman]

That's why I mentioned the wind. I've used that "brake pedal" as well for sure. However, most of the time I see that people drive their boats towards a dock too fast, then they over-correct with reverse, and of course they inevitably have the wheel turned the wrong way as well.

Even with a good wind, you can still coast in as long as you account for the wind. Then nudge the throttle briefly for any course corrections.

 

[redneck joe]

Unless the winds are strong, you shouldn't need to put a small boat into reverse at the dock. That just means that you came in too hohot.

Since I was a kid I nose in at an angle and reverse at opposite steering attitude to softly pull stern to dock, like parallel parking. Unless you have the whole dock to yourself can't just drive up and stop unless you are just dropping of the trailer backing person.

 

[redneck joe]

first, what is your idle speed? should be 650 RPM in gear at idle.

This is where to start and at your neutral throttle rips as well.

 

[guy48065]

I need to check the idle rpm with my digital timing light. The analog gauge has no resolution at idle. Could be 600, could be 800.
Sounds like low rpm, tho. Deep & throaty.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

It’s a light boat. Loading is gonna be an issue. Current, wind not withstanding. When loading get a feel for the drift BEFORE going for the trailer. Often times watch those that are loading before you.
Pay attention to the nose of the boat and go from there. The admiral does it very well. Years of practice she has. Also watching the boat ramp before launching helps get a feel for what’s gonna happen.
practice practice practice. You’ll get it

 

[BWR1953]

Captain Ron has some skills.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

Priceless BWR.

 

[airshot]

Since I was a kid I nose in at an angle and reverse at opposite steering attitude to softly pull stern to dock, like parallel parking. Unless you have the whole dock to yourself can't just drive up and stop unless you are just dropping of the trailer backing person.

I always try comming in at an angle rather than straight in. Much easier to plan for wind and current ! Doesn't t take much wind or current to make our light weight tinnes move alot....

 

[airshot]

It’s a light boat. Loading is gonna be an issue. Current, wind not withstanding. When loading get a feel for the drift BEFORE going for the trailer. Often times watch those that are loading before you.
Pay attention to the nose of the boat and go from there. The admiral does it very well. Years of practice she has. Also watching the boat ramp before launching helps get a feel for what’s gonna happen.
practice practice practice. You’ll get it

Also make sure the trailer is,setup to self center the boat. I have an all roller trailer with side guides, boat can't go on crooked !

 

[redneck joe]

Captain Ron has some skills.

I'm good, not that good...

 

[cyclops222]

I could dock that low, heavy boat in a hurricane.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I need to check the idle rpm with my digital timing light. The analog gauge has no resolution at idle. Could be 600, could be 800.
Sounds like low rpm, tho. Deep & throaty.

600 RPM is OK. 800 RPM is too high

 

[dingbat]

Can you dock better than a 5th grader….

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, unlike parking a car, a boat is subject to wind and current. so, figure out which is strongest and use it to help you. I will refer to the strongest as the boat's drift.

If the boat will drift into the dock, plan to come to a stop parallel to it and let the drift push you to the dock. leave the engine running in neutral.

If the boat will drift away from the dock, take her in dead slow, aiming for a point in the center of the dock, and the drift will cancel that and bring you alongside the dock.

If the drift is parallel with the dock and from the bow, steer to get the bow up to the dock, and tie the bow line to the dock. The drift will tend to push the boat to the dock. If the drift is from the stern, back her in or swing her stern in and cleat it down.

If the drift is large and away from the dock, stick the bow on the dock and tie the bow line. Now turn the prop of the motor toward the dock, and put her in reverse at idle, and let her pull herself to the dock.

That last technique also works when you mess up the approach or are boating by yourself. Just get one end of the boat tied to the dock and let the engine "walk it in".