Need Some Docking Advice
 

My biggest problem and a new boater is still backing the Z280 into my slip. What is constantly happening is the bow is swinging to the right as I attempt to slowly glide into the slip and tie to the posts on the port side of the boat. This happens even on a calm day like this past Wednesday and the harbor is in a protected inlet with I believe no current. When I reach my slip after gliding a bit, I bump the gear into forward and and bring the boat 90 degrees to the starboard and then bump it in reverse a few times trying to approach the dock at a shallow angle. Still, no matter what I do, the bow swings away from the dock towards the opposite side of the slip. What am I doing wrong or need to do to solve this problem?

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

This is probably due to "prop walk". Single screw boats walk to one side more than the other when in reverse. Here is a link that explains it better. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prop_walk The only answer is to practice until you can anticipate the amount of walk your boat has... I even changed slips once to make it easier to dock...

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Your slip change or just change sides of the slip so I am tieing off on the starboard side rather than the port side might help. My assigned slip has me on that side but unfortunately they parked a very wide and expendsive boat on the port side of the slip so I don't have much room which is why I have parked where I am currently.

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

The prop walk is even more significant in sailboats. I struggled with the same issues on my 36 footer. What I did is take it on the lake where there were buoys or moorings and practiced backing into them-no damage!! The wind is also an issue, but again less with your boat than a sailboat, but it will catch the bow and move it around. To be honest I never did get very good at it and decided going in bow first was alot easier!! We only have an 18 footer, so I haven't had a problem with it, but we're never going into slips either.

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Sounds like you're trying to do most (or all) of the turn while in forward. Then you put it in reverse a couple times to back in. My suggestion is to try only 45 degrees of the turn in forward, then back it in. The momentum of the bow swinging around should continue while you're going in reverse into the slip. Z280Bob has a Bravo III, so I don't think prop walk would be much of an issue.

I know, sounds easier than it is. I'd like to see ANYONE back into a slip "perfectly" without twins or a bow thruster!!

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Hold my beer and watch this sh!t!:D

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

IndyKoch,
Tried your 45 degree approach suggestion and I was able to get in better with a little help from a boat captain that grabbed my bow line as I was coming in. And I did see someone with twin dtives and thrusters on a 35'+ Carver back in perfectly. For a few $hundred G's he should be able to park easier than I can with my humble craft!:rolleyes:

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Here is one common mistake....when you dock , often you have to change from forward gear to reverse. At the same time you have to turn your steering wheel. When getting closer to the dock, if you have to put your boat into reverse and turn the wheel, first, you shoud put it in neutral then do your wheel adjustment.

In a nut shell, everytime you change from reverse to forward or vice versa, put the boat in neutral and do your steering adjustment, then put it in forward or reverse. A lot of people don't know that. They will switch gears and try to steer while the boat is still in motion sending the vessel all over......Always make your steering adjustment while the boat is in neutral.

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Great point Snowaterdude! I've seen many people make that mistake.

While we're on the subject, here's another one - try to remember the source of propulsion AND steering are located at the very rear of the boat. I can't help but laugh when I see someone parallel to a dock just pull away while turning the wheel (almost like they're in a car pulling away from the curb), then the stern smacks into the dock, and skipper's looking around to see if anyone saw him/her - then they have a puzzled look of... "how did that happen?"

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Any advice on how to drive in and out of boat slip with out hitting the sides. I just got a slip this year and caint seem to drive in and out straight. I sit around and watch other ppl and they make i look so easy.

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Sometimes its just damm near impossible to slide into a slip without a little bumping. The Mariah's seem prone to wandering at slow speeds> One of the things that seemed to help that issue was the installation of the Smart Tabs.

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Over the years I've managed to learn the art of docking through nothing more than repetition and good advice from others. One of the best pieces of advice I could pass on is to never keep the boat in gear. A quick in/out of gear in the desired direction will make your boat react enough to get you closer to your target (the slip). The slower you enter/exit your slip the better. First of all, going slow gives you more time to react, requires less time to stop and causes less damange if/when you do hit something. Head down to your slip some time during an evening through the week (when there is no crowd of onlookers. Practice in and out of your slip...slowly. Keep in mind some key aspects of maneauvering your boat. 1). Sit in neutral before making your move into your slip. 2). Determine if there are any other factors that are going to alter your desired course (wind/current). 3). Remember that you don't have brakes must use opposing gear to stop. 4). Remember that you are steering from the rear and not from the front like we've all become accustom to with our vehicles and finally 5). Keep it slow. Into gear and right back out immediately. The slower the better.
Hope this helps.

Re: Need Some Docking Advice
 

Slow like a pro, not fast like an ass. :)