Single Inboard Docking Advice

[Cracker Larry]

Skunked, in his picture he indicated that his boat backed to starboard. Not unusual, so did some of mine, although I agree that most inboards do back to port.

[skunkedagain]

Skunked, in his picture he indicated that his boat backed to starboard. Not unusual, so did some of mine, although I agree that most inboards do back to port.

I missed that. He would have to have a left-hand screw for that to happen. Perhaps he has to try backing again in a dead calm, with the rudder dead center. In fact he should try backing with the rudder hard left and hard right just to see how it works.

I used to fuel up my single-engine RH prop cruiser at a pull-in gas dock starboard side to. To leave, I would have to do a 180 to exit back to the Norwalk River and there wasn't much room in front of this dock. For some reason, the gas monkeys would always want to push my bow out, which would, of course make my stern hit the dock. "No," I'd tell them, "just give my midship a little shove" after which I'd set the rudder hard left, kick it into reverse, nice and slow, where it would, very nicely, just back to port all the way round, and then I could put it in forward gear and be on my way. Always flabbergasted people on the dock.

Edited June 27, 2010 by skunked_again

[hugo]

When I teach docking i just use a fender w/o line or sinker this way you will never foul your prop. Also think in terms of arcs, not Noah but broad circles.

[FishingAddictFla]

I approach the dock at exactly the speed at which I am willing to slam into it. (and, just in case, I aim for something cheap)

:D :2261_high: :1946_headbanging: lmao...thanks for the laugh!!!

[Chisox]

A little docking exercise...really teaches you to let her react...

http://www.spot.pcc.edu/~mtrigobo/docksim/index.html