Boating Techniques

This article will cover docking of a Twin Engine Cabin Cruiser, with Gasoline or diesel engine power. I have always contended that using bow or stern thrusters are great, but you should never depend solely upon their trusting ability to always work. The pilot or Captain of the boat will depend on bow or stern thrusters and before you know it, a circuit breaker has been blown and they are no longer useful, when the need is there.

It is always wise to be capable of using your ability and the use of both engines to complete the job of docking your boat stern first. It is always nice to have your boat in a position to leave the dock bow first. Many owners will state that they like their ship to be docked bow first, usually that is because they have not acquired the ability or confidence to dock their boat stern first.

I will attempt to explain docking your boat in an area where there is a rather fast current, such as what you might find in the Inter Costal Waterways in Florida. Lets assume that you are traveling in the vicinity of your dock space. The first thing to do is assess which way the current if traveling and which direction the winds are coming from. You may look ashore and see a flag mounted somewhere and by its direction you know which way the winds are coming from. Also you may look at other boats that are already docked, you will notice that they are closer to the pilings on one side compared to the opposite. This will usually indicate which direction the current is traveling and you should adjust your docking situation accordingly. Always attempt to back into the wind.

I usually allow myself to go with the current, that is I travel bow first with the current, always backing into the current, by this time I have set up my engines at either an idling rpm’s or maybe just above idling rpm’s’, now I am approaching my dock space, then I put both engines in reverse to stop my progression. Usually I have gone just a very short distance beyond my slip and then I put both engines back in neutral most immediately place the port engine in reverse, leaving the starboard engine still in neutral, this will make the ship start backing up at an angle to slide into the slip. You will notice that you are not backing up straight, but on a slight angle and as you find the stern slowly approaching the slip, then put the starboard engine in forward, this will allow the bow of the boat to swing somewhat around and giving you the impression that you are now able to back right into you slip. Remember it is a feel that you must develop, and as you are backing up towards your slip, there are times that you should put both engines in neutral to assess your travel and sometimes make a change in either engine.

These above instructions are presented as if the current was from the North and you were backing into the current. If the current were from the South, then you would change your settings on the engines to use the Starboard engine to pull you back into the slip.

Points to remember, winds and directions, current and directions, set your rpm’s accordingly, there are times when the winds and current are strong, you may have to increase your rpm’s accordly.

By: Kenneth D. Wells

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

582boat@cappysnauticals.com