slip question

[bassnbucks]

First post. First saltwater boat. Sea Hunt 232 Ultra,boat should be ready mid-april. We will be keeping it at Shark river yacht club. Any tips on how to back into the slip, as I have never done this before. The current moves fast thru the area.

[Gerry Zagorski]

First of all, if possible, it's way easier to pull bow into a slip. Backing up with a single engine is tricky.

It will take some practice but you will get used to it and when it comes to manuvering in tight spaces less is more.

Best advice I can give you is not to try and back in all in one move. Approach the slip, make some slight adjustments to get lined up by turning the engine and bumping it in and out of gear forward and reverse.

[Gerry Zagorski]

An article to read http://www.boatdocking.com/other/SternTo.html

I have a single engine I/O in my boat so it handles much like your single outboard. I'm way back in the marina and there is practically no current at all, which makes docking my boat stern to fairly easy, except when there is wind.

Having said this, most people with single outboards dock bow in since it's much easier to manuver going forward than it is in reverse. The other thing to consider is if you leave your outboard trimmed up and out of the water when not in use, your boat will probably be too far from the bulkhead to be able to get on and off . That is unless you are on a floating dock with finger peers between the boats in which case you can board from the side.

Lots a variables here so let us know if you are on a fixed or floating dock with finger peers or not.

[hammer4reel]

Current def rips in the river, but the wind there really is what makes docking harder as the bow will slide easy when the wind catches you.
found having a guy or two standing in the bow can slow that down and allow you to adjust easier.
First few times you should try and do it closer to slack tide until you get used to how you need to bump it in and out of reverse to shift your boat straight. then back in slow

[bassnbucks]

floating dock, no finger piers.

[Gerry Zagorski]

As I mentioned before the problem with a stern tie with outboards, is when the outboard is tilted up when not in use. You have to allow for that extra clearence which means you will be further away from the bulkhead making it harder to board. With fixed docks, depending on the tide, the distance from the stern to the dock varies based on the tidal stage.

With a floating dock that is somewhat minimized since it does allow you to tie your boat much tighter in the slip because you don't have tie it to allow for tide swings. This assumes you have riding irons on the fixed pillings as well. Riding irons have a ring on them, which allows your lines and boat to ride up and down with the tides along with the floating dock. Some marinas put tires or floats around the pilling which you tie your lines to serve the same purpose. YOu can also purchase these if your marina does not have them.

With your engine up, tie the boat into the slip and see if you can get on and on and off comfortably from the stern. If not, you can make a plank that leads from the floating dock to the stern/swim platform if you have one. If that does not work out, you may be forced to have to tie bow in.

One caution... If the current rips in your area like Dan mentioned above, you just might want to tie bow in to make it easier and safer to get your boat into the slip. Once you get used to handling her in tight quarters try backing into the slip a few times and if you master it, then a stern tie is usually much more convienient for boarding.

One thing is for sure and as mentioned in a prior post, less is more when docking in tight spaces with a single engine. It takes a lot of small adjustments to get yourself lined up propertly, especially in reverse and with a strong current.

I'm sure you will figure out which makes most sense for your particular boat and dock combined with variables like your docking skills and the current.

One other thing to do is be observant. Take a look in your marina and see how other boats are tied. If all boats with single outboards are tied bow in there is probably a good reason for it

[bassnbucks]

thanks guys, great advise.

[Tuna Tales]

Suggestions...

1. Practice during the week...and before the season really gets going.
2. Practice with two other people on your boat - in case you get close to another boat, dock etc.
3. I would not advise docking bow first - you have a good chance of someone smashing into your outboard motor.
4. During Full moon and New moon the current rips pretty hard...try and dock at the top or bottom of the tides (less current) until you get used to it.
5. The tide runs the hardest at New moon and 4 days after.
6. With a west wind, New moon and mid-outgoing tide; the current will be real strong.
7. Go slow - in case you hit something it will not be that bad.
8. Always keep the bow INTO the current...do not get caught sideways...
9. Go bow up (into the current) as much as possible...you will have better control and you can "walk" the boat into your slip.
10. PM with any other questions.

Thx

Joe T.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great advice Joey!

Luckily for me my first slip was way back up in Morgan Creek with out very much current. Still played bumper boats on a regular basis until I got the hang of it.

It's tough with a single engine boat and when you add current into the mix, expecially a cross current it can get very interesting.

Like you said, having mutiple people on board when first starting out is an absolute must and taking your time and going slow is the best way to minimize damage.

A good long boat pole helps too.

[bassnbucks]

Thanks again guys, I will be buying a loooooong boat pole.
I will def have help, and will practice away from any docks or boats.