Hi fellow Sea Doo ownsers. Just purchased a new/unused 2008 180 and am trying to get used to slow speed driving/steering, especially trying to dock the boat in a tight space. What is the best way to remain stable and straight and then turn when needed at slow docking speeds. Use of "N", "R" and "F" in any combination that allows control? Any hints of help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
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Help! Driving a Jet Boat.
- Thread starter MikeCuda
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Craigmri
New Member
Mike, as you probably have already figured out, Jet boats are a learned skill to control at slow speeds. Reverse is the hardest to get used to because the function is sort of counter intuitive. When operating in reverse just remember whichever way you want the bow to go is the way you steer. Bow right-steer right, Bow left-steer left.
Practice will make you proficient when around the docks. Experiment with shifter positions between F and N and N and R. Once mastered, you will find yourself putting your boat in places a stern drive boat could never manage.
With all this said, I will admit the Single jet Challenger is less maneuverable at slow speeds then the twin jet boats.
Craig
Practice will make you proficient when around the docks. Experiment with shifter positions between F and N and N and R. Once mastered, you will find yourself putting your boat in places a stern drive boat could never manage.
With all this said, I will admit the Single jet Challenger is less maneuverable at slow speeds then the twin jet boats.
Craig
Bdt1967
New Member
When I am putting mine into the dock I always get as close as I can idling in forward, when I get close I hit reverse and bump the throttle up to slow myself down, at first its difficult to figure out, but there is no question that once you figure it out, you can have more control than with sterndrives.
Thunderkat13
New Member
Why did seadoo do away with the "Control Steering"
I love this feature on my 2000 Speedster...
"Control Steering" automatically kicks in 1200 extra rpm with the wheel hard over at slow speeds to make docking easier.
I love this feature on my 2000 Speedster...
"Control Steering" automatically kicks in 1200 extra rpm with the wheel hard over at slow speeds to make docking easier.
tarheelracer
New Member
Point your bow 45 degrees into where you intend to dock. Idle in forward, just prior to docking go reverse idle, kill the motor and grab the dock.
screwball
New Member
Jet boats steer 'funny', Seadoo jet boats steer 'r e a l l y funny'. As someone already mentioned, find a cove, or the middle of the lake or river and practice, practice, practice.
If all else fails, get an expandable boat hook. Will give you an additional 10' reach at the dock
Good Luck, it gets better with experience.
Oh, with a jetl... STAY AWAY FROM SHALLOW WATER!
If all else fails, get an expandable boat hook. Will give you an additional 10' reach at the dock
Good Luck, it gets better with experience.
Oh, with a jetl... STAY AWAY FROM SHALLOW WATER!
phough5757
New Member
Love My Speedster.
I'm going boating one day. I show up at ramps and there's a Bass turney
going on - wait in line - float the boat - Wife waits while I park.
When i get to the boat - We jump in shove off and drift about six feet from the dock - fire a motor (starboard) cut the wheel to the left and go to forward
and she turns in the space of the boat 180 degrees and fire the Port.
Off We go through maybe a dozen Bass boats and they'er looking at Us
"I hope" with envy. Most of Them have to back out of the traffic.
I haven't had Mine long but I've learned a few tricks. You'll learn them to.
Good luck!
I'm going boating one day. I show up at ramps and there's a Bass turney
going on - wait in line - float the boat - Wife waits while I park.
When i get to the boat - We jump in shove off and drift about six feet from the dock - fire a motor (starboard) cut the wheel to the left and go to forward
and she turns in the space of the boat 180 degrees and fire the Port.
Off We go through maybe a dozen Bass boats and they'er looking at Us
"I hope" with envy. Most of Them have to back out of the traffic.
I haven't had Mine long but I've learned a few tricks. You'll learn them to.
Good luck!
JThomasLambert
New Member
With my 08 180 I never use F for docking anymore (too many crunches!)--F is just too fast and doesn't give you enough steering control. Now I only use N (since it creeps forward anyways) and R. I find N gives me much more steering control than F at low speeds and it's far easier to just toggle between N and R while coming in. In fact, you can "hover" the boat really nicely between N and R and that gives you enough time to make sure you're lined up well.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Great thread,
By far my favorite maneuver is spinning in reverse.
The other poster that said the bow goes the way you steer, that was really helpful. I am still getting used to that. I just got my boat a year ago and have only used it about 20 times since then. I always am ready in reverse for it to turn the opposite I expect.
Coming up to the dock I use Neutral and approach at 90 degrees, then turn to 45 degrees as I get close, then I turn real sharp at the last moment away from the dock and then kill it and drift up the last couple feet.
Between Neutral and Reverse is a spot that is almost "nuetral" The impeller is always spinning when the engine is running and there is no clutch. That takes some getting used to.
Another thing that is hard to get used to; the tower is like a sail on my boat, at slow speeds in narrow channels it is hard to stay on track, if you stop paying attention you end up turning sideways real fast unless you goose it a bit to straighten up.
Most of this was covered by other posters, but I had to chime in.
KH
By far my favorite maneuver is spinning in reverse.
The other poster that said the bow goes the way you steer, that was really helpful. I am still getting used to that. I just got my boat a year ago and have only used it about 20 times since then. I always am ready in reverse for it to turn the opposite I expect.
Coming up to the dock I use Neutral and approach at 90 degrees, then turn to 45 degrees as I get close, then I turn real sharp at the last moment away from the dock and then kill it and drift up the last couple feet.
Between Neutral and Reverse is a spot that is almost "nuetral" The impeller is always spinning when the engine is running and there is no clutch. That takes some getting used to.
Another thing that is hard to get used to; the tower is like a sail on my boat, at slow speeds in narrow channels it is hard to stay on track, if you stop paying attention you end up turning sideways real fast unless you goose it a bit to straighten up.
Most of this was covered by other posters, but I had to chime in.
KH
Widedomain
New Member
Widedomain
New Member
Craigmri
New Member
Nice!!!!
Damn that guy is good! Every time I dock my boat I try to improve and get smoother. Doubt i'll ever get that proficient however.
Craig
Damn that guy is good! Every time I dock my boat I try to improve and get smoother. Doubt i'll ever get that proficient however.
Craig
Best way for me to turn while in reverse is to do it the same way as when I tow. Place your hand on the bottom of the wheel. Then when you turn the way you want to go it will actually be backwards (and correct). As long as you remember to put you hand on the bottom of the wheel in rev you'll never mess up. HTH.
Steering advice
Great thread.
I quit using forward as well. I toggle between reverse and neutral and never go beyond idle. I gave up on tryin to use forward when approaching the dock. I couldn't stand hearing the crunch and my wife say uh-oh. It's just fast when your trying to squeeze it in. Thank God for rub rails !!I still can't figure out reverse. Like everyone has suggested it takes practice.
Great thread.
I quit using forward as well. I toggle between reverse and neutral and never go beyond idle. I gave up on tryin to use forward when approaching the dock. I couldn't stand hearing the crunch and my wife say uh-oh. It's just fast when your trying to squeeze it in. Thank God for rub rails !!I still can't figure out reverse. Like everyone has suggested it takes practice.
for the best lesson on docking a boat, watch the movie "Captain Ron".
I highly recommend it!
Cap'n Ron. . .
Most of the new Doos are twin 4-Tecs, and the idle speed is 1800 RPM on a 4-Tec. Plenty of RPM and response at idle. The last thing you want is more RPM. So instead you feather the FNR around neutral to get just the thrust you need. No need for the control steering (CSS) anymore, although I agree it was a nice feature on the older boats.
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