Docking alone
 

Hi
How do you manage docking when boating alone for example in 35-42" boat?Do you boat alone often?

I get the lines on the cleats and fenders out before I come into the Marina.
Taking it slower than normal approaching the dock.
Using gear shifters to steer boat
Also using any wind to my advantage.

alone?



u mean people boat without a boatload of bikini clad dock helpers?

Practice... Planning & Patience....

Even when I have people on board I prefer they just sit there and stay out of my way. I would rather do it all myself then to explain to some how to do it my way.
Same with launching, I won't let anyone help me.
I find that I have to throw less people overboard this way:angry-smiley-038:

That was Clays statement not yours to make!!!! :evilb::evilb:

I stop off the dock and get all my fenders attached, lines set up and then just drive in and jump out. Not hard unless there is windage or current that you are dealing with.

Quality is better then quantity

is thats why your right arm / hand is so much bigger than your left?

Carefully, slowly and with patience. Even with people with me, I do all the docking chit myself. Like JB4 Most helpers are just in the way. I tell some one to hold the boat, watch the bumpers, make sure the boat do not bump the dock... etc. I rely on some one,, I turn,, next thing I see the dudete is on the cellphone and the boat is hitting the dock. GGRRRRr

I let the groupie chicks who always line the dock when I come in help....:evilb:

Buy a JetDock :D Otherwise It's all experience. YOU MUST be prepared when docking alone, wherever you're docking. Get everything ready, inch your way and let it just kinda sit and drift using steering and shifter. Just got to listen to how the boat is carrying you and guide it in smoothly.

(quote) >>> "Just got to listen to how the babe is carrying you and guide it in smoothly."

Hmmmmm .. good advice. I have to try that one. :evilb:

How to dock a Gladiator by yourself with no rubrail? Very carefully!!


P.S. Like Philly told me. "You have to be like a boy scout and be prepared."

I put a pop up cleat next to the helm. Allows me to throw a loop around something on the dock. Takes all the stress out of docking with or without a crew.

Used to do it all the time in my 30' Spectre...just hang all the fenders and lines, come in slowly, and practice on off days if you're not used to your boat. People that come in hot and then do the panic throw the boat in reverse, forward, and then jump on the dock to get things under control just blow me away.

Last Summer I put my buddy's 38' Donzi ZX on the dock in Newport Harbor with one engine and no power steering. Rolled up on one, put it on the dock, shut the engine off, and casually stepped up onto the dock and tied it up. This was in Back Bay, where there is a cafe full of people overlooking the water, and lots of boats getting in and out of the water. I was cracking up after tying the boat up, to look and see 4 guys struggling with some pulley and line contraption to get the boat off the trailer and onto the dock....

It's really not rocket science. The best advice is to practice, practice, practice, preferably on an off day where you boat. Don't always take the easy side if there is a wind or current, because chances are there will be a time that you're going to be unable to get the spot you want at the dock.

Like you said Dreamer, I am just hoping he did not misspell the title to the thread, was it an "I" or an "O". LOL J/K Like everyone said here, even with people in the boat with you, I always laugh when people come into the docks unprepared, hanging fenders after they bang their boat off the sides of the dock. Always have fenders out, ropes tied and ready to toss to someone or jump and cleat off. Hammer

Good idea to have all the lines on the cleats already, but that's a no brainer. It might help if you have a long enough line to tie to your bow cleat and run all the way back you the cockpit. This way you can get out on the dock with a line tied to the bow and the stern (it also helps if someone comes you your aid, you can throw the bow line to them).

Also, if there is any sort of tide moving in and out, always come in against the flow of water, never with it!!

I Have 3 Daugthers And My Wife. So Basicly I Am Alone When Docking :D

You can dock it yourself perfectly with an
incredible amount of grace. But that will only
happen when no one is around to see you do it.

I guarantee that if even one person is watching,
you will botch it big time.

I know, this is the story of my life.

Pesky Varmint
35 Nordic

I'm with you on that one.........Its taken 10 yrs to get my wife bow.....Finally....:cool-smiley-027:

One more thought.
Come to the docks slow. Drop of anchor about 20'-30', have a long rope, swim to the docks, pull boat in..:D
Just kidding..

but !!

You think this is funny? I actualy done this once when my motor died..

That is so true. :angry-smiley-038:
A few months ago I was docking in NPR, right next to the Casino shuttle boat ready to leave. Hundreds of people looking. I been docking for about 30+ years. This time.. I couldn't get to the dock right to save my life. I was ready to go uder water, and hide. Many knows the boat at that dock.
What an embaresing moment. GGGRRRR
Worse,, I had helpers,.. I would be better off alone..

But seriously, what ever happens.. never gat frustrated or angry, that's when you make bad mistakes and hurt boat, you or some one else. KEEP YOUR COOL.

Miss Michigan is the only one that never complains.

That is just what I mean.I have occassionally wife and two small kids with me,so I am alone also then.I want to manage by myself.

The other must have for docking alone is a telescoping boat hook. With 3' to 8' reach it can easily save the day.

Can either be used to hold position on a tall dock or place a line on a bollard or cleat.

Yep! It's not hard to load the boat with a bunch of 4's & 5's! :D

Practice your rodeo skills and learn to lasso.

Rule #1: Never approach a dock faster that you can afford to hit it.

Rule #2: Fenders at least 1 inch in diameter for every 4 feet of boat length. (Yes - I have 10" diameter fenders.)

Rule #3: L-O-N-G docklines; at least 90% of the length of your boat. ...and a good throwing arm.

Rule #4: See Rule #1. Neutral is your best friend.

Sounds kinda like me...it's usually me and my wife..this summer it will be me, my wife and our newborn daughter... :hitfan:

Docking is part of owning a boat and something every owner should take the time to learn how to do properly. Our boats are loud enough, we don't need to draw more attention by not knowing how to dock... It amazes me how many people don't know how to drive, it's mind boggling... I usually tell my passengers to hang tight, keep all apendages in the boat and don't do anything, "I got this." ;)

No offense but when I see a guy pulling in with the boat hook I run for my life!!! :grinser010:

Best advice i was given - go as fast as you want to hit the dock.

1. use the wind to your advantage
2. Dont be afraid to retry if you get all out of shape in relation to the dock
3. Get all of the lines and bumpers out prior to docking. Its just easier.
4. Practice on a calm day so you can get used to how the boat reacts in reverse etc

C'mon now, I consider it a warning device when I see a big boat with baby fenders... Stay clear of that boat at all costs. :D :D :D

these are words to live by, even if you have help

HA HA! Even with a boatload of bikini-clad Claymates, I usually dock the Cig by myself. :p

Like everyone said...

1) Go slow! :eek:
2) Keep the steering wheel in the "straight ahead" position and use the gear shifter to guide the boat.
3) BACK INTO THE SLIP! The pros always back in. You will notice that the shore cleats are positioned for backing into the slip. Newby's "drive" in. :rolleyes:
4) Attach your fenders and long docklines BEFORE you enter the slip.
5) Stay at the helm as long as possible! If there is a problem, it is much easier to use the engine and props to get you out of trouble.
6) Make sure the the boat has stopped it's backward motion, and grab both the forward and aft docklines and jump onto the dock.
7) Tie off the rear cleat tight first. Tie off the forward cleat second.
8) Then get back into the boat and shutdown the engines.
9) And finally... use patience and practice, practice, practice.

I love it when I pull into Carlos'n Charlie's to pick up my crew. I back in the Cig like it's nothing. Sometimes the people in the bar cheer and clap! :D

They're not clapping for your docking skills Clay. :evilb: :D

DOH! You're right! :p

I want to go to Carlos'n Charile's

Like everyone said...

1) Go slow! :eek:
2) Keep the steering wheel in the "straight ahead" position and use the gear shifter to guide the boat.
3) BACK INTO THE SLIP! The pros always back in. You will notice that the shore cleats are positioned for backing into the slip. Newby's "drive" in. :rolleyes:
4) Attach your fenders and long docklines BEFORE you enter the slip.
5) Stay at the helm as long as possible! If there is a problem, it is much easier to use the engine and props to get you out of trouble.
6) Make sure the the boat has stopped it's backward motion, and grab both the forward and aft docklines and jump onto the dock.
7) Tie off the rear cleat tight first. Tie off the forward cleat second.
8) Then get back into the boat and shutdown the engines.
9) And finally... use patience and practice, practice, practice.

I love it when I pull into Carlos'n Charlie's to pick up my crew. I back in the Cig like it's nothing. Sometimes the people in the bar cheer and clap! :D[/QUOTE]


Damn !! Docks or slips?? I though he wanted to dock to get on his trailer.. Hmm.
I have yet to back up to my trailer at the DOCK.... :cool-smiley-011:
Peace.. Clay :ernaehrung004:

In the Mercedes boat I have crash boxes. Normally what I do is crash into the dock run to the bow as fast as i can before I bounce off and jump on the dock. Then I tie it up and call my paint guy. If you ever wondered why they call them crash boxes, just watch my docking technique on that boat and you will understand!