Docking twin engine (no docking mode). Use 1 engine or 2?

[Apec]

Title says it all. For my experienced new friends out there, do you use 1 or 2 engines when docking/unhitching/hitching twin engine Seadoo boat with no docking mode.
Boat in question: Challenger 200 510

thanks

 

[FlyboyX]

docking mode? seriously? are you going to tell us you go to a beer-drinking contest wearing only pink women's underwear?

i would use 2 engines as i would suppose everyone who might respond to your thread would probably also advise. one engine would provide asymmetric thrust. how would that help you? when i dock, i just cycle the forward/reverse lever back and forth to attain a low speed i am comfortable with. i also use differential thrust to swing the boat around as i need to in a crosswind or stiff current.

didn't you already ask this question? i feel like it is a good idea to buy a boat commensurate with your level of experience. several years ago, there was a football player named thruman munson. he died in citationjet crash while trying to practice landings for his private pilot license. normal people with common sense start out in a single engine cessna instead of a high performance jet. there is a lesson to be learned here. your 510hp boat can kill you and your loved ones..

 

[FlyboyX]

go out in the middle of the lake on a calm day. toss one of your life preservers into the water and practice docking against it. you will look silly af, but at least you wont damage your boat by running into something that wont move out of your way.

 

[LionOnABeach]

go out in the middle of the lake on a calm day. toss one of your life preservers into the water and practice docking against it. you will look silly af, but at least you wont damage your boat by running into something that wont move out of your way.

I did this, but in a quiet cove. I only have one engine but I do the same thing, just moving the F/R back and forth. I’m not good enough yet to just fly in and put it right on the dock like some experts, but I’m no slouch and I’m in control and don’t hit anything. Usually my wife or kids jump out and hold it while back the trailer in. I jump in the boat and they throw the lines in and I do the same thing again, back and forth with the F/R to get on trailer, goose the throttle just a touch to get up on bunks, kill it, winch it and go. Practice, practice, practice and try to go launch at a time when there’s no one else around and it’s not busy so you don’t feel any pressure to hurry up.

 

[DooGuy]

2 engines, not as easy with 1. Like others say go out and practice with a buoy or similar in low/no traffic area. At some point it’ll click and you’ll turn heads all the time at the docks. I have an 07 without docking mode and I have zero issues. Just wait till you learn how to crab walk it sideways and parallel park it. Practice as many times as it takes. Expect to move the sticks a lot but after a bit muscle memory locks in.

 

[JPass]

+1 on using both. It can be done with one, but much more control with both.

 

[Apec]

Thanks guys