Boat Docking Tips

When it comes to docking a boat it can often be harder than parallel parking a car. However, the procedure can be made easier by following a few simple tips and remembering a few important details. Follow the tips below in order to dock your boat securely and safely no matter where you are.

First you need to understand why it is difficult to handle a boat. The first reason for this is because it steers from the back or stern side of the boat. The bow direction is indirectly controlled by what you do with the rudder. This means that when you turn the
wheel to the left your boat will move to the right. Second when you are trying to stop a boat you can only reverse thrust, if you shut off the engine or put them into neutral they will do nothing to stop you.

The reason for this is because of the current and wind. There are two influential boating factors that you need to understand for proper docking. Not only do you need to be familiar with the effects of these two forces, but you also need to predict your boats response to these forces in order to safely dock your boat.

Proper and safe docking requires you to be prepared and complete several steps before you even attempt to dock. First you need to make sure all lines are properly secured and that all cargo is properly stored. Before docking make sure both your lines and bumpers are in there right places and that your passengers are prepared for docking.

Next you need to make sure you are prepared as the driver of the boat. You need to know which way the current is traveling since you should dock against the current if possible, this can help avoid floating into anything. Once you are parallel to your docking spot and facing the current you can ease the motor speed until it is a little over the speed of the current.
Steer towards your dock and watch out for objects in your way.

Once you are close enough to the dock, either you or someone else can jump off and secure the boat with the ropes. You always want to tie the bow rope first so you bow doesn't start to drift out in the water. If you don't want to jump to the dock you can always have someone currently on the dock do it for you, just toss him or her the ropes. Just make sure you properly tie the
boat. Doing these simple tips not only make it sound easy, but will also make the process easier for you when you need to do it.