Boat handling classes
- Thread starter king5899
- Start date
King, if you can't find another good boater to come in with to get some training, try this...
Watch a few boaters come in. Keep a sharp eye on the throttle handling & wheel handling (if 1 screw). You can learn a lot just by watching other experienced boaters. It's not brain surgery and with good prep becomes a lot of fun. Tough docking is when you can really show off
Watch a few boaters come in. Keep a sharp eye on the throttle handling & wheel handling (if 1 screw). You can learn a lot just by watching other experienced boaters. It's not brain surgery and with good prep becomes a lot of fun. Tough docking is when you can really show off
I agree Mike. Seems Stony Point has several marinas where people actually use their boat. Parts of G dock in SPBM come to mind as well.
He could go to blue dock at Haverstraw and watch Leigh and Harvey wrestle for position to help the one guy that does go out. My moneys on Leigh!
He could go to blue dock at Haverstraw and watch Leigh and Harvey wrestle for position to help the one guy that does go out. My moneys on Leigh!
"Personally, the more people I see on the dock as I come in the happier I am!"
I'll be honest, I'm the exact opposite. I'm happiest if NO ONE'S there. Unless I lose an engine or something. People always weigh down the dock, grab the boat in the wrong place, put the wrong lines on the cleats, etc. If its just me and my wife, or Hell even me and my 8 year old Jonathan, I can simply keep the boat under control, pull into the slip, and she/he simply has to step off onto the dock with line in hand. I'm not too proud to say "screw it" and go around for a missed approach should I be making a mistake somewhere. IMHO if the captain is doing his job, at least on my particular boat the way it handles with its particular powertrain, all the crew should have to do is stand there, or gently fend off if we're a little too close at some point. But no grabbing a hold of things or trying to stop the boat or whatever, which is what I see some people do when they bring a boat in. The guy at the helm should be in complete control under most circumstances...
Just MHO...
I'll be honest, I'm the exact opposite. I'm happiest if NO ONE'S there. Unless I lose an engine or something. People always weigh down the dock, grab the boat in the wrong place, put the wrong lines on the cleats, etc. If its just me and my wife, or Hell even me and my 8 year old Jonathan, I can simply keep the boat under control, pull into the slip, and she/he simply has to step off onto the dock with line in hand. I'm not too proud to say "screw it" and go around for a missed approach should I be making a mistake somewhere. IMHO if the captain is doing his job, at least on my particular boat the way it handles with its particular powertrain, all the crew should have to do is stand there, or gently fend off if we're a little too close at some point. But no grabbing a hold of things or trying to stop the boat or whatever, which is what I see some people do when they bring a boat in. The guy at the helm should be in complete control under most circumstances...
Just MHO...
Well, I usually like an extra hand. I didn't like the time my friend showed up with his wife and she proceeded to shine the flashlight at me and the boat...nope, didn't like that. But, since it only happened once, I let it slide.
Or two weeks ago when taking the boat out. My friend accompanied me as I drove into the slings. I gave him the boat hook which he...dropped. Of course it fell between a sling and the boat. So, we had to fish that out first or risk some serious gel coat damage...."thanks for the help Steve" is all I said. I should have known, this guy once COMPLETELY untied the boat BEFORE I had the second engine started and it was windy. I ended up wrestling with one engine while trying to start the second.
Or two weeks ago when taking the boat out. My friend accompanied me as I drove into the slings. I gave him the boat hook which he...dropped. Of course it fell between a sling and the boat. So, we had to fish that out first or risk some serious gel coat damage...."thanks for the help Steve" is all I said. I should have known, this guy once COMPLETELY untied the boat BEFORE I had the second engine started and it was windy. I ended up wrestling with one engine while trying to start the second.
Pete, you're taking that too literal. Of course we can handle the boat ourself but having knowledgeable dock mates that can lend a hand is worth it's weight in gold. Especially on extra windy days. Never be too proud to accept a helping hand.
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I'll take help even on calm days
I don't believe in drinking why docking my boat. I have way to much invested in the boat to risk damage to my vessel or someone else's. I am always concerned about the safety of my passengers as well as others that may be around. Drinking while docking is just insane.....
That's why I always put my drink down while docking!
That's why I always put my drink down while docking!
I have a winter project to install more beverage holders. I should write to Sea Ray explaining this deficiency. I am hoping newer models come properly equipped. It should be part of the "Coast Guard Package", so when the CG comes along side you have ample locations to place your beverage. (JK - no drinks for me while underway)
MJK
MJK