Docking

[BOAT]

I had a drum once.

[K9Kampers]

I always go in nose first at a relatively shallow angle, as obstacles allow. At the last second, a sharp turn toward the dock with a simultaneous burst of reverse usually does it for me. It takes a bit of practise to get it right but I'm pretty good with the timing now. Too late on the reverse and you whack the nose, and too early you end up nicely parallel to the dock but too far off.

...as illustrated in this Docking Manuevers video with on-dock instructor calling the shots! (Youtube-need sound)

[Orkia]

Nice!

[Phil M]

Not sure about you guys, but this is pretty close to what I look like.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9qHdPhkSSNQ

So which of the two do you look like?

[arknoah]

When I dock, I generally back in. I find it much easier.

I stand forward of the pedestal, facing the stern, and then take hold of the wheel. This way, there is no confusion of left and right. I just drive the boat in.

When it comes to wind, while docking, I don't care how many classes one can take, docking an or an is difficult, and that's putting it mildly.

I'd be interested in seeing responses from board members about forward or reverse preferences in docking.

Ray

I also back in, and find it easier. Plus, I prefer to be able to see where I am going when I leave the slip. The original reason for backing in is that I didn't like trying to step off the finger pier onto the bow of the boat, and knew my family wouldn't like it much either. It also gives me better control as I use both the tiller (I have a Mac 25) and the outboard to enter the slip.