Docking Tips and Tricks...

[Woman2Blame]

Having been a prop boat owner for some years now, and just recently having bought a 07 Challenger, I am finding docking it in tight marina's to be a challenge ... and that may be an understatement.

What tips and tricks do you guys do to get your boats in and out of tight spots at slow speeds and still have steering control? I have been somewhat successful at using forward and reverse to toggle around a bit, but I'm sure there is a better way!

 

[Sikiguya]

Practice, practice, practice. Never had a prop boat so I can't compare. However, someone once advised me to throw a floatable and then park to it as practice. :cheers:

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah lots of practice. Dont get rushed or let othe people rush you. Take your time. You will get the hang of it, just takes time.

 

[Scott0321]

Feather the throttles

I've got twin engines and I find it easier going in and out of reverse and forward.

My first boat as well and you can't let all the other experts make you feel rushed. It's just like launching it. I never let those "experts" rush me either. If they wanted to get in first my opinion is always they should have got there first. My money spends just like theirs.

I'm up in Michigan and paln on launching in the AM. My first thing will be find some flat water and make sure I didn't forget to drive it.

 

[Sako7STW]

The first day I took mine out it was a disaster, sorta. I had heck getting it off the trailer because reverse was opposite of what I was used to so I hung the boat up on the trailer, scratched the crap out of the bottom of my boat. Loading it went ok accept didn't have trailer in water far enough.

Did much better the second day. Now when I back it I think of it like I am backing a trailer. I also found that neutral is more in reverse than in neutral. Just take it slow and easy. I just let her idle in and out, nothing more.I am also buying some side guide boards for my trailer. Help a lot in the wind.

 

[rotinaj]

When driving at low speed easy does it on the steering. If you are hitting the bum stops trying to manuver you are doing way too much steering. Around the marina I spend more time in Neutral than Forward. I use the F setting very gently.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wezz]

I agree in the marina i use neutral alot, it takes alot of pratice, reverse is opposite of you prop boat. Dont let anyone rush you at the ramp

 

[Jimimad]

:agree:
Novice boat owner here too. Ive found that " toggling" from neutral to forward works best for me. Taking my time and agreeing with all these other guys , dont let the "flat-hat mouth breathers" rush you. No point in getting excited.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Scott0321...where abouts are you in Michigan? There are several of us, Standish, White Lake township, etc.

 

[Sink]

I know this is old but... I took my boat out in the lake away from EVERYONE and got the hang of maneuvering the boat. With the twin engines it will actually spin on a dime in either direction by using the left or right throttle only. You have to take it slow by the dock but you could put these things in anywhere they fit! You can move them sideways by going from forward to reverse and using only one engine. Just take it out and play with it away from everyone. Also, a good time is a morning during the week. Around here anyway, there is no one at the lake most days. The prop guys have nothing on us. Just a learning curve.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Sink....I hope you didn't name your boat that. .......LOL

 

[Sink]

Nope.. I named it after a Greek God and a planet.... Titan Uranus! Kinda like bend over

 

[Stevego]

LOL... thanks for the laugh guys!

Getting back to the subject I have found that coming in in Neutral and playing the throttle (always in neutral) will bring you in slowly and offer more control.

 

[Sink]

My boat goes nowhere in neutral. Must be an adjustment or something.

 

[Stevego]

I thiught mine went no-where in neutral also. Then the other day taking off from the dock I forgot to put in forward and lightly pushed the throttle, the boat moved forward slowly and the nose stayed down. I tried it on the way back in as it was my first time docking alone and it worked out very well as I could inch in slowly.

 

[Sink]

Mine doesn't go anywhere when in neutral. Just sits there and churns the water. I have noticed that I can get some adjustment of the gate by pushing it slightly forward or backward while in neutral... might be the way to do it although I have had no trouble with docking or putting "TITAN" on the trailer.

 

[100guard]

In my hunt for new throttle cables., the shop told me that when I have the new ones made, to have them do away with the neutral docking cable portions.

Think of a Y. Apparently the other part of the Y connects to the steering, and so when you turn the wheel all the way it lightly throttles the engines. I didn't know that at all. I don't understand why they said have the shop make a cable without that extra Y cable (*cuz you never use it*). I don't know about him, but I'm still learning and could use with something like that. Would save constantly shifting in/out of gear?? I never tried it yet to know for sure how it works., jet pump went on me LOL. It's being rebuilt shortly...unless I find a good new one for the same price approx.

 

[1fast04neon]

i did the opposite. i have a challenger got the hang of that after a while. Just bought a bayliner to go out with more people and totally looked like a fool at the launch. especially since everyone knows my bright blue truck and see me at the river everyday. just take it slow and use alot of neutral in the marina like everyone's saying.on an open dock i find it easier to come in a little fast throw it in reverse and let ur wake push u into the dock.. hope this helps. If you have any tips on prop boat docking fill me in lol,

 

[TEDUP]

I have found that either going forward or reverse that your bow will go the same way as your steering wheel. This is not like a prop boat and takes pratice. Once i realized the trick it made it much easier.