Coming into a marina filled with people without knowing exactly how to maneuver your single engine boat can be one of life’s least pleasant experiences. You feel like everyone is watching you while you attempt to dock your boat, and they probably are.
Vessels with two boat props are easier to handle, because you can reverse one propeller while putting the second in forward, thereby maneuvering around the most difficult obstacles. But docking a single engine boat does not have to be difficult. Why are so many boaters intimidated by it?
Docking a single engine boat could seem more of a problem because of its simplicity; it has one boat prop and it moves the boat forward and reverse. The problem is compounded by the perception among boaters that a boat with a single boat propeller is more difficult to handle. Without the tips you will get from reading this article, you may be driving your boat by instinct, and steer into the dock at an angle, then swing your helm over at the last second, and hope that you don’t collide with the dock or end up too far away and have to try again. That maneuver can be intimidating if the slip you’re aiming for is narrow and you have boats on either side of where you are trying to put your boat.
In forward and reverse the boat prop makes the stern move first when maneuvering. Power boats steer like cars. You turn the wheel left and the bow turns left. But the bow only looks like it’s doing the turning; it’s not, the stern is in charge. The bow is moving because it’s being pushed that way by the propeller—on the stern, pushing the water against the rudder, and the stern moves first. Just use the throttle at the lowest speed or very, very low speed. You will find out why next.
Pull your boat parallel to and a few feet from the dock. Parallel, not angled into it. Then put your helm all the way away from the dock. If the dock is to starboard turn the wheel to port, and vice versa for a portside approach. Now, put the gear shifter in forward for just a jew seconds and then put it in neutral. Then immediately put it in reverse for just a few seconds then put it in neutral again. Repeat this simple maneuver until you gently move the boat right next to the dock. You will notice an amazing thing. The boat appears to be pushed at the dock by some invisible hand. The short shifts of forward and reverse make for a smooth approach
Windy conditions can make docking more difficult but just use common sense and adjust you maneuvering to the conditions. If you still cannot get your boat to the dock ask for help if someone is close by.
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