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Re: twin engine docking tips?
Originally Posted by MOP
I taught boat handling for 6 years included in the mix were some nasty powered ones, most I/O's tend to have the engines set to close for good up close maneuvering and are usually far better off docking on one engine. Try one engine docking and you will see little to no difference using either engine, the plus is you will get into less trouble as things happen in a more manageable fashion. I/O boats will always go in the direction the drive is turned steering works better then shifting. For one reason or another most boats have one engine that never dies and one that can be finicky, I always told my clients do your docking with the finicky one, if it craps out there is -0- panic simply grab the reliable ones shifter and finish docking. Using that practice has stood well by many of my customers over the years, try it many will find it may make your life easier.
Phil Let the combined effect of the wind and current act as one screw, and use one side of the boat to counter that force= the ability to go zero to one-half mile an hour around the dock. Using the trannies/screws for manuevering works great with fat cruisers with widely spaced screws far inboard of the transom. But not for small I/Os. I have a 26 footer with twin I/Os and I dock on one side. |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
Originally Posted by CBR
I am still trying to get fast drift stern docking right after a lifetime of doing it. Always helps to have someone on their boat with their feet out to keep you from swinging sideways into their boat. <gg>
Also, Boating mag has an article about a docking tournamnet in MD with some great tips as well. |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
Are boats with drives/props set to turn in vs out when going forward more difficult to back up ?
I have a very difficult time backing my boat with this set-up. ed |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
I would't shut one engine off. If you can't dock it with the sticks and you have to dock it like a single, at least keep it running. Only one engine with a power steering pump.
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Re: twin engine docking tips?
Originally Posted by fund razor
Using the trannies/screws for manuevering works great with fat cruisers with widely spaced screws far inboard of the transom.
But not for small I/Os. I have a 26 footer with twin I/Os and I dock on one side. Practice!!!! |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
First of all... a 36 Apache is NOT a small I/O.
If you learned on cruisers you know that a boat with I/Os just can't leave a seawall sideways like a cruiser with twin IBs and rudders. There is a fundamental difference between having the props under the boat and spread versus a couple feet behind and 18 inches apart. Plain and simple. There are moves that I can make with inboards that I can't possibly make with I/Os. But I'll keep practicing jeff. |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
I explain our situation, not everyones. But it can be done relatively easy with a 36 foot fast boat with I/O . I wouldn't dare try it with one drive only.
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Re: twin engine docking tips?
Originally Posted by Interceptor
Are boats with drives/props set to turn in vs out when going forward more difficult to back up ?
I have a very difficult time backing my boat with this set-up. ed has handled poorly around the dock. The difference appears to be whichever one is in reverse, it doesn't seem to have much "pull". The only thing I can factor to this is that the water off the props ( on the keel side of the drives) are being thrown upward, and hitting the V portion of the transom, reducing total reverse thrust of that prop. |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
Originally Posted by Fountain38SC
I think there is only 1 really good rule of thumb.
DO NOT APPROACH THE DOCK FASTER THEN YOU WANT TO HIT IT! :eek: :eek: Rule two below. Don't hit anything any harder than you are than you are willing to pay for! :drink: |
Re: twin engine docking tips?
I read a small piece on docking and the author said to imagine yourself standing in the middle of an X. If you do this, you will always know which drive to engage to move the boat the correct way. This is very similar to sydways info above and it works for me.
Netural is your friend. I don't know how many times I've said this to my wife as she's learning to drive as well. |
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