Around 100 million Americans go boating every year.
While so many people find themselves out on the water, most simply go as passengers. Many people think boat docking is easy, but that’s not the case.
It takes a level of skill that you can only get through training and practice. If you want to dock a boat safely, there are various things you need to be aware of.
For 5 key boat docking tips for beginners, keep reading.
1. Prepare for Wind and Currents
You should always take environmental factors into account, as they can affect your docking procedure. Observe flags to see which way the wind is blowing, watch the water for ripples, and keep an eye on buoys. You’ll be able to tell if there are strong currents, and you can take this into account to ensure you can dock safely.
2. Engine Control
You don’t want to come in too fast, so go easy on the throttle. Try to stay below 20 (x1000) rpm to keep the risk of damaging your boat to a minimum.
Boat fenders and buoys will help protect your boat when making contact with the dock. You can purchase boat buoys here.
3. Monitor Speed and Passenger Safety
If you’re not completely confident, you should practice your approach several times before doing it. Safety is the most important thing, so you don’t want to put anyone on your boat at risk.
Before you dock your boat, it can be a good idea to ask your passengers to sit down and suggest that they listen to your commands throughout the procedure. One very important rule is that you should never put a body part between the boat and the dock.
4. Toss the Right Line
Make sure you know what you’re doing with your dock lines. People often use a bow line when docking, but this should only really be used for docking support or if your boat needs to be towed.
A spring line is more suitable, as it will reduce forward/backward movement. This will help prevent your boat from banging against the dock once it’s tied to the dock cleats. It will also help you get in closer if the current or wind pushes your boat further from the dock.
5. Come Alongside the Dock
When you’re on approach, the speed of your boat isn’t the only consideration. You also need to think about the angle.
This will depend on various factors, such as the wind, current, and the dock’s positioning. You will typically want to come in at a 30-degree angle to ensure you’re in a good position for docking.
Proper Boat Docking
It’s important to understand that, while boat docking may look easy, it’s far from it, and if you try to do it without proper preparation, you could cause serious damage or physical injury. It’s important to have the proper training, as well as the necessary equipment to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
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