Docking tips

After this years Canal Fest, I've decided to make a video showing some easy ways to handle your boat. If you'd like to support our channel, click the link below to learn how to become a Patron. https://www.patreon.com/fitzsfixes

Docking tips sentiment_very_dissatisfied 38

Boat 7 years ago 69,334 views

After this years Canal Fest, I've decided to make a video showing some easy ways to handle your boat. If you'd like to support our channel, click the link below to learn how to become a Patron. https://www.patreon.com/fitzsfixes

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Most popular comments
for Docking tips

VK184
VK184 - 5 years ago
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to get all the camera set-ups.
Tom Lester
Tom Lester - 5 years ago
After 50 plus years without one, we decided we had to get a boat this summer! Your boating tutorial videos are the BEST, most educational videos I've seen yet! All I can say is Thank-You SOOO much! We may never meet but you are probably my newest, best friend! Kudos to You!
Mark Phillips
Mark Phillips - 5 years ago
Such a great detailed video! Especially for twin owners that can always use different techniques to make our water travels better. Thank you sir.
www.waterculture.com
Beau Sisul
Beau Sisul - 5 years ago
As others have said, I've watched a ton of these videos, and this is without a doubt the best I've seen. Great job, and thanks for all the information.
mfnjuke
mfnjuke - 5 years ago
Of all the searching I did as a prospective boater, this one is gold. I even downloaded it for offline use. Easily convinced me to buy a boat. I'm not even concerned about it being a houseboat either. Great vid, Fitz!!!
Carl Anglin
Carl Anglin - 5 years ago
You're good at handling your boat by yourself. The kayaks and paddle boards would worry me seeing all the traffic. How big is your boat? Hard to tell from the video. Very well done.
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 5 years ago
Carl Anglin thank you very much! The kayak's and paddle boards move when you hit them, lol. My boat is a Wellcraft Martinique. She's 33' long. Thanks for watching
Ian Hooper
Ian Hooper - 5 years ago
Excellent, helpful video. I'm a complete beginner and getting on a bit I'm just about to buy my first ever boat and this has been thoroughly informative. Well done.
Aidan McCoy
Aidan McCoy - 5 years ago
What type of boat do you have is it a well craft or cruisers
Aidan McCoy
Aidan McCoy - 5 years ago
Thanks for replying by the way your Wellcraft is really pretty
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 5 years ago
Aidan McCoy it's a Wellcraft Martinique
alanfox270
alanfox270 - 5 years ago
Thanks for your video I really enjoyed it. I have a 15ft Scout boat with an outboard and all of my experience to this point has just been from on water practice without really going anywhere or doing anything. Before I do any real boating I want to make sure I'm skilled and knowledgeable enough to not be "one of those guys". I think regardless of our boat size difference I'll be able to put to good use some of the things you were demonstrating so for that I am grateful.

10. comment for Docking tips

Zaeem Rossan
Zaeem Rossan - 5 years ago
Thats awesome
Betsy O
Betsy O - 5 years ago
This is an excellent video, Thank you so much for sharing. I hope I an take this knowledge and practise my docking and take the nervousness out of my approach ...The tricky part is in the WIND !!!! but hopefully with practise I will overcome. BTW, where are you boating out of, this looks like a very nice area??? Erie Canal??
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 5 years ago
Betsy O Thanks for watching. Yes, with practice I'm sure you'll do just fine. I have a bunch more docking videos you should take a look at. Yes, this video was taken in the Erie Canal. We boat out of the upper Niagara River. The canal is across the river from my marina
Jim Armstrong
Jim Armstrong - 5 years ago
As a novice boater, THANK YOU for making this! Found it while searching for docking vids and this is so much better than the "official" Power Squadron videos. Love your teaching style and learned a lot about responsible boating and staying in control of the vessel! Hope you make some more boat vids, I'm subscribed!
Shane Roper
Shane Roper - 5 years ago
Lengthy but informative. And that's what's important. Great video! You should have a boating school....unless you do already?
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 5 years ago
Shane Roper I don't have one, but thank you for the kind words.
nismo glider
nismo glider - 5 years ago
Very informative. Was a pleasure to watch. Thankyou from the UK.
dadams19111
dadams19111 - 5 years ago
Can you do one with a single engine? I have learned a lot!!!
dadams19111
dadams19111 - 5 years ago
Thank you for showing us newbys how it should be done.
T. Fridley
T. Fridley - 5 years ago
Very good video. Thanks for taking the time. I'll try out some of your tips this weekend on my CC 350 Catalina. Safe boating, amigo!
Torrey Voigt
Torrey Voigt - 5 years ago
Awesome video! Now I wish you'd make the exact same one, only with a single engine sterndrive. It seems so much easier having twins!
Denise Lynn
Denise Lynn - 5 years ago
They need to push for everyone take boating lessons & make everyone do a boat driver test every 3 yrs start handling out tickets...they would make a ton of money cause their a ton of people who don't know anything they should make everyone boaters & crew a boater safety course every season...once they crack down maybe people will stop doing unsafe things...but enjoy be safe thanks for sharing!

20. comment for Docking tips

Gybe1132
Gybe1132 - 5 years ago
Having seen people in difficulty it was kind of you to spend your own time making a video to help people.
Peter Vestergren
Peter Vestergren - 5 years ago
Excellent video! Nice and easy boathandling, very pedagogic and clear and some very good advice on the way. And constant check on wind drift. Good seamanship, Fitz! Just the tutorial I need having recently bought my first twin screw power yacht. After a life of sailing... ;) Big THANK'S!!!
Robert Ross
Robert Ross - 5 years ago
Had the same issue with my generator... hit and miss if it started or would keep running... after pissing around a week I figured it out..
Harry Pity
Harry Pity - 5 years ago
Brilliant thank you.
John Kaveski
John Kaveski - 5 years ago
you are lucky to have so much room to do that
Ayo Adediji
Ayo Adediji - 5 years ago
I'm a new boater with one year boating experience with a 33 feet boat. I have seen a lot of instructional videos both online and on dvd about operating a power boat; this is the best I have seen so far. I want to thank you for making this video for public consumption, particularly for new boaters like me. I have a covered slip and it is a little more difficult to get into, but your step by step leaving the slip and stopping in various situations including at the gas pump is just amazing. You are amazing! Your effort in spend time and energy to do this is highly appreciated. You are appreciated. Thank you.
Carol D'Eon
Carol D'Eon - 5 years ago
Ok that was great and perfectly understood. We have a single engine, aluminum slip with a slip mate, have to back in and there’s always a breeze portsde pushing us toward our slip. Your video definitely has been helpful. Thanks again.
Robert Stevens
Robert Stevens - 6 years ago
Very informative video. Great Job!
Jose Castillo Jr
Jose Castillo Jr - 6 years ago
Excellent video! Thanks!
Allan Lopes
Allan Lopes - 6 years ago
This is a fantastic instructional video. I just bought a boat just like yours, you have helped me a great deal. thank you.

30. comment for Docking tips

rolandpeters1
rolandpeters1 - 6 years ago
Very instructive, thank you for passing your knowledge , best regards Mark, Cromer Norfolk U.K
NANCY KADZO ZIRO
NANCY KADZO ZIRO - 6 years ago
So educative.... Thank you
Bob Krumm
Bob Krumm - 6 years ago
Best docking video I've come across on You Tube! This will be our first season with a 370EC and my first season with twin in-boards; using the winter boating hiatus (on Lake Erie/Catawba Island area) to expand my boating knowledge, This was a great way to start! Looking forward to reviewing more of your videos!
Derek Perkins
Derek Perkins - 6 years ago
hey , i loved every one of the tips you gave because i'm probably fixing to get one in a few months, i have driven two house boats and some small ones
Rodolfo Benza
Rodolfo Benza - 6 years ago
Great video Thanks
Screwdriversteve1
Screwdriversteve1 - 6 years ago
I had a twin screw 36 foot trawler for the last 12 years. Now I am in a 54 foot single engine tug and a very tight slip. I have to back down the isle and kick the stern into my slip. Nice work! it a pleasure to see a good boat handler! We need more of you in Vancouver BC! no more bumper boats!
Great Music Good feel
Great Music Good feel - 6 years ago
Thank you from Canada . Great help from start to finish .
Kevin Aylward
Kevin Aylward - 6 years ago
Nice of you to make a public service video for the novices. I'm sure most of them have only had the example of the delivery day instructions. This will help people refresh what they were told by their agent who delivered their boats.
T Long
T Long - 6 years ago
Just bought a 32 ' twin screw. I've had small 18-21' single engine boats for years. It's been at least ten years since I've been on the water wanting to always get back. Now having a bigger boat with twins and the years passing by, this video has helped tremulously. Now the only real way to learn is to go out and do it. My Thanks to you sir for making my journey back with tips I fully intend to use.
Capt. Quartz
Capt. Quartz - 6 years ago
its help a lot .. thanks man
Flight Sim Joe
Flight Sim Joe - 6 years ago
Damn! Aren't I lucky my boat is only 14'! And where I live we don't have those kinds of docking setups except for the commercial fishing centers for the 50' off shore fishing boats. Most locals have boats <25' mostly single engines. Everybody has their own dock. Great video that I will always remember just for that one day when I'm in a tricky situation with my dad's 27' Carver! You showed some true skill
Diamond Fred
Diamond Fred - 6 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to make this great video.. you make it look so easy. iv been struggling to get my boat backed into my slip that I don't even take it out anymore.. 30 foot sundancer, every time I try spin it I end up one or two slips past mine. always windy.. and the boats longer then the channel is wide. bang n to other boats all the time..
Phil Falsetti
Phil Falsetti - 6 years ago
This is by far the best basic instructional video out there! I just got into boating, and almost INSTANTLY moved from a single I/O (Bayliner 2452) to an inboard dual screw (SeaRay 310 Express) and what an improvement on handling that switch made! I now have your setup, and I'll die with it, it's that much better! Your video covers basic boating philosophy, as well as how to handle the gear and throttle mix to make turns and maneuver (very important for windy or currenty days when idle power isn't enough to "gear it," but what novice knows that, believe it or not)! It was so clear! Also, you effectively covered how to pull up to a gas stations and canal docks.... And I could hear the wind whistling in your video, which added to the instruction. Nice to learn that I could back up from the gas dock and try it again without getting nervous...like I was doing everything wrong! Just a lot of info here, Fitz! We're in same neck of the Niagara River, and I appreciate you taking the time to put this together. Really the best video on the net on this kind of thing! Really! I'm going to watch it a number of times to sink it all in!--Phil
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
Phillip Falsetti thank you so much for the kind words!
Bill Farries
Bill Farries - 6 years ago
Your boat Fitz looks like a Sealine S34 in the U.K. .
Have you heard this before?
Great video, thanks.Bilcotwo
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
Bill Farries yes I have. Not too many of them around here though. Because they're European built boats, the electrical needs to be converted to work here. I've only seen 1 or 2 around here.
cubmixit
cubmixit - 6 years ago
Great video! This helps a lot and awesome job of explaining! Thank you!
Andy Romero
Andy Romero - 6 years ago
Great job and nice presentation thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Mr Robot
Mr Robot - 6 years ago
I'm only 1/2 way through this video but I had to stop to write this comment. This video is brilliant and it's brilliantly done. You come off very calm, cool and collected and "matter-of-fact" which is something that many don't do. I really appreciate this video and the tips you show. This video is FILLED with amazing pointers and little "gotchas" that normally would be full on panic moments for others. The part where you were docking for gas is a great example. I saw you coming in and with that wind, I started to get sweaty palms and in my head I thought "Oh you need to be parallel" but I was wrong! Great advice about going straight in and back out if it doesn't "feel" right.

Please make more videos. I really enjoyed this one and added it to my favorites. Like other users said: This is a go-to video for sure and I will watch it many times to refresh my mind. THANK YOU!
Mike Sumner
Mike Sumner - 6 years ago
We just sold our runabout and bought our first "big boat." This video helps tremendously. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I'm much less nervous and ready to go practice what you've taught.
steadytube
steadytube - 6 years ago
great video!!!
Brandon Van Der Heide
Brandon Van Der Heide - 6 years ago
By far one of the best videos for learning to handle a twin-screw. Watching this several times! Nicely done.

50. comment for Docking tips

Keepit Fair
Keepit Fair - 6 years ago
I know this video was done a year go, but WOW buddy...You can be an instructor hands down. You taught so much in your video that anyone with half a clue is now saying I can do it! I really do appreciate your calm and smooth way of teaching, yet being so humble while doing so. I liked and subscribed based on just this video. I look forward to watching your other videos, and your future videos to come. Be safe, and God Bless brother!
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
Keepit Fair wow! Thank yoiu for the kind words. It means a lot. I always figured I just blather on and no one really understands what I'm talking about. It's great comments like yours that drive me. I haven't posted a biar vid in quite a while. But now I'm motivated to make some. Cheers, friend!
Patrik Wuyts
Patrik Wuyts - 6 years ago
Great video, really enjoyed it, really instructive, and how calmly, confidently, the manouvres were translated, I hope he will make a lot of effort, think if you have the pleasure of having the man to practice that you may Say thank you teacher super !!!!
Christian Eidsmoe
Christian Eidsmoe - 6 years ago
run those fuckers over
donny0007
donny0007 - 6 years ago
Great video! By far best on YouTube!! Currently in the market for a twin screw!! Off to watch more of your videos!
Canadian Daytrader
Canadian Daytrader - 6 years ago
Nice.. Just went from single to double
james porter
james porter - 6 years ago
Nice job on the video!
Andy Geltman
Andy Geltman - 6 years ago
I've been searching for a video like this. Just bought my first cruiser and I appreciate the great info this video provides. Thanks for taking the time and beautiful boat!
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
Andy Geltman thank you!
Daniel Miller
Daniel Miller - 6 years ago
Fantastic video, very informative and simply put! Would love to watch many more please! Good job!
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
Daniel Miller thank you! I'm trying to make more. work has been busy this year. haven't been doing a ton of boating.
Cindy Klenk
Cindy Klenk - 6 years ago
I can't tell you how valuable your video is - I just really want to thank you..... I have a Wellcraft (Dancers Dream) very similar to yours.... I have been docking going back and forth not to neutral but fwd through neutral to reverse or vice versa - the person who taught me handling was doing that.... but I always wondered if that was correct, as the transmissions really didn't seem to like it. I WILL remember "neutral is your friend" that really makes sense. I need to keep practicing...... I have a port engine that want to run hot at idle - my boat mechanic seems to have tried everything... so it makes it harder to dock and handle as I'm constantly worried about that port engine.... at idle if the water is warm it will actually trigger the overheat horn.... which is terrible on your concentration, when maneuvering. Thanks again.... I am putting a star by this video.....
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
Cindy Klenk thank you for the kind words. I'm glad my video helped you. let me ask you, is your boat closed cooled or raw water cooled? what I mean is does it use antifreeze?
Nice Classic Boat
Nice Classic Boat - 6 years ago
Thanks for sharing this video! :-) Very helpful!!
david mauricio
david mauricio - 6 years ago
Great video. It is very helpful.
Joe Coxon
Joe Coxon - 6 years ago
Great video. Just bought a 330 sundancer and this was an awesome video on to handle the most nerve wracking part of boating for me.
Lenard Polus
Lenard Polus - 7 years ago
I just purchased a Byliner 305 Ciera 2005. I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from this vid. Much appreciated and hope to see from you real soon.
Lenny
hflbadfrog
hflbadfrog - 7 years ago
2 million docking vids on YouTube and this is the best. Good job! Watching these is my equivalent of practicing over the winter.
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 6 years ago
hflbadfrog hey, thanks for the kind words!
Gregory Wisz
Gregory Wisz - 7 years ago
thanks mate. As Im in middle of moving my sea life from sailboat to motor boat your video helped me to make some important decisions which boat to choose. appreciate it . greg
Velvethamma
Velvethamma - 7 years ago
You handle your boat very well sir! I agree with your tips and procedures for docking with twin inboards. Does your boat have prop pockets because it seems very responsive to small shift inputs. My 30 Searay is much less responsive and frequently requires a little additional throttle to get the job done. Really enjoy these types of vids!
Fitz's Fixes
Fitz's Fixes - 7 years ago
Thank you! No prop pockets. It also has 4 blade props. So they are very responsive. Big blocks help too
Brad Forsyth
Brad Forsyth - 7 years ago
Great video and lots of helpful info !
Iron Golem
Iron Golem - 7 years ago
Enjoyed the whole vid. I learned things. Thanks.
Iron Golem
Iron Golem - 7 years ago
"Docking tips" OMG. The interwebs has ruined me. I can not help but laugh. Innocent title; ruined brain.

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