When preparing to dock, what is the safest way to stop the forward motion of your boat? just wondering
2007-07-01 06:39:23 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
1. Go in slowly
2. Use reverse when needed but don't over do it because you may have to start over.
3. Try to get somthing to soften the blow like an old trailor tire to put inbetween the dock and boat.
4. Also if there is a strong side current make sure to take that into consideration.
2007-07-01 13:53:09 · answer #1 · answered by Heidi Anne 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Approach as slowly as you can while still keeping control
Rig ample fenders
Be sure your docks lines are rigged and ready to go
Approach into wind/current, if it's possible (it rarely is :-)
Use reverse thrust, early, and gently... don't wait until the last second and bang it into full astern. You'll just create a lot of wash, upset the neighbours and look very,very silly if the engine chooses that moment to stall on you - or the throttle lever comes off in your hand.
If you are adventurous or foolhardy enough to dock under sail - ALWAYS approach with head to wind and tide, even if you have to go in backwards (Yes, it's perfectly possible to reverse a sailing vessel - not easy, but possible:-) Use very light sail, be sure you have dockside crew ready to secure your lines and deck crew ready to dump your sails in time.
Those last few seconds, when you wait to see if you judged it right, are what will make or break your reputation as a boatmaster :-)
In a perfect world, you will give the wheel that last turn, order the sails spilled, then stroll to the rail, step off onto the dock which has just appeared under your foot, and casually tidy up a line or two, while everyone else in the marina hates you...
2007-07-05 05:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by IanP 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When docking you boat, final approach should be made as slowly as the prevailing conditions permit; just enough umph to overcome wind, current, etc. I like to put the boat in neutral well before final approach to see what the actual effect of the conditions is on the boat so that I can compensate when the time comes. I'll have my steering compensation sorted out and will only need a minimal amount of reverse to stop the boat. The amount of power you will need will vary on the type and size of boat you have.
2007-07-04 09:32:29 · answer #3 · answered by Larry M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Running your engines in reverse should do it. Try and use nature, like current and wind to help slow you down if it's working in the right direction.
Approaching slowly parallel to the dock and throwing a dock line on the bitts should bring it to a full stop.
2007-07-01 07:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by tom 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Use reverse, not always available or good if speed is too high, but is used by large vessels.
Aim against the current as well (if possible) or add drag to the boat.
2007-07-01 06:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually captains doing a reverse.
2007-07-01 22:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by Damon_ru 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
head into the current
2007-07-01 06:43:44 · answer #7 · answered by Caretaker 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋