How To Dock In 4 Simple Steps | BoatUS 1168 74

Boat 11 years ago 589,614 views

Learn to bring your outboard- or sterndrive-powered boat along side a dock or bulkhead in four simple steps with BoatUS Magazine. For more information, visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Magazine. BoatUS is the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters with over half a million Members. We provide a diverse offering of services including marine insurance, on-the-water towing provided by TowBoatUS, the nation’s largest fleet, plus boat financing, graphics and lettering, representation for boaters on Capitol Hill, the award-winning BoatUS Magazine and much more. For over 50 years, BoatUS has made boating safer, more affordable and more accessible. Join BoatUS Today! https://www.boatus.com/BoatUSMembershipExpress/page0.aspx?programtype=MWSBUSJOIN&programtypecode=mwsjoin&promocode=HEWEBYT Connect with us: Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/BoatUS Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoatUS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boatus/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/+boatus/posts Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/boatus/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boatus

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Hermit Oldguy - 6 years ago

step 1, have a favourable wind.

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Ah, we wish it were always that easy!

plackCrack - 6 years ago

Nice!!

Dubious Jesse - 6 years ago

the lakes are always packed at the docks here in LA. I always have to reset 3-4 times. The waves/wind doesn't help.

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Common problem, for sure! Keep working on it, and you'll be a pro in no time.

Rhabdo B - 6 years ago

I did it! Only over gunned it once and lived to tell the tale.

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Woot! Woot! (Perhaps we should put a link to the gelcoat repair video at the end? ...) ;-)

Rhabdo B - 6 years ago

That’s so easy!
Fast forward to me swimming to the dock ladder as the boat does out of control circles with a huge chunk of dock on it.

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Ha! Hope that's not the case. Keep it slow, and you'll do fine.

Chuck Warren - 6 years ago

Good method for twin outboards or IOs, but what about twin inboards?

Zac Carrigan - 6 years ago

Great Video, good job!

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Thanks, Zac!

Simon Says - 6 years ago

https://youtu.be/aOS1-AZq8HQ

edgu71eg - 6 years ago

It's sad that there's noobs that need this video.

Every Yahoo oil field trash guy has a boat now where I live. I wish I could show them this and ettiquet training videos.

Bunch of bozos

edgu71eg - 6 years ago

BoatUS you're right

Thanks for the reminder

BoatUS - 6 years ago

We know it's frustrating, edgu71eg, but remember that everyone was a beginner at one time. That's why we produce these videos--to help folks learn to be better, safer, more confident boaters from the beginning.

10. comment for How To Dock In 4 Simple Steps | BoatUS

cfriskme - 6 years ago

You are awesome brother! I am new to boating and have a hard time parking my vessel on the dock.

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Thanks for the love! Check out the other docking vids we have on our channel, including backing into a slip with single and twin engines, and coming alongside a fuel dock. Hope these how-tos help you enjoy your boat more this year! (And don't forget to subscribe for notification when new videos are posted each week.)

Mahu Kahu - 6 years ago

Perfect

BoatUS - 6 years ago

Thanks, Mahu!

Pete Williams - 6 years ago

Good video, thanks for the info.

skyking 22 - 6 years ago

Yes

PRACERZ - 7 years ago

WELL DONE !

BoatUS - 7 years ago

Thanks for watching!

GrumpyOldMan - 7 years ago

Shouldn't Step 1 be "see where wind and current come from, and how strong they are"? this guys talks like he's parking a friggin' car.

Mr.CaliforniaGuy - 7 years ago

I didn't see any bumpers on his boat before docking. i don't call them fenders anymore.

Pete Williams - 6 years ago

Fenders 'fend off' so still a relevant name for the device that fends off from a dock

Tammy Hacker - 6 years ago

Mr.CaliforniaBob good deal,,cars have fenders

G Cap. - 7 years ago

good stuff

ebglock - 7 years ago

Approach dock at max speed you are willing to hit is a very good rule.

RoadKillzine - 7 years ago

I hired a boat this size in Italy on lake como, having never even driven one before, the rental guy just said off you go have a good time. When it came to parking it back in his spot on the jetty there was a moderate wind pushing along the jetty and i just couldn't jugde it, had to throw rope real early and get pulled in, the rental guy didn't look impressed when i chucked the rope at him. I assure you it isnt as easy as this guy makes it look!

donzi32 Boats - 6 years ago

It seems that's the case in a lot of the predicaments we end up in. Glad you made it in safe though...

20. comment for How To Dock In 4 Simple Steps | BoatUS

Matt Faddy - 7 years ago

Brilliant !!

Duke Of Hesse - 7 years ago

Great video. I have been doing as you explained, but the problem I always seem to have is that after I 'time the swing' then do the 'flourish' the bow keeps wanting to swing to starboard. Also, I often don't end up close enough to the dock, so I start back and forthing to get close.

donzi32 Boats - 6 years ago

You people are the best. Proud to be a member of Boat US.

BoatUS - 7 years ago

Hi Duke - Each boat is slightly different as far as where it pivots, but I’d say if you are consistently ending up off the dock, you either need to approach at a steeper angle to carry more momentum toward the dock, or swing the wheel a heartbeat later. Keep playing with it, and you’ll find the right recipe for your boat.

Samuel Romans - 7 years ago

Hey man you got to figure out something with your mics, are you recording with 2 mics or something? got to record in stereo or something, all your videos only give volume for one speaker, So with headphones in I get only one ear working correctly

Mike - 7 years ago

That was pretty sweet...

Jason Taylor - 7 years ago

great vid mate.good job

Jmichael Isbell - 7 years ago

In my opinion, the single most important thing you said was to never go faster than can be managed if you hit something. I would add, "kill the macho gene", and take it that slow, never trying to prove anything. You can make tons of mistakes and get away with it if you go SLOW. But I want to add one more thing, if the winds are strong and/or you are trying to thread the needed between two boats, already docked, here is my tip: approach not side to side with the dock, but come straight in between those two boats, 90 degrees to the dock, and have your companion (if you have one--I always do and never boat alone) be ready with a tie. As you just kiss that dock with the nose of your boat, the crewman steps onto the dock, holding a line that connects to the bow of the boat. As the boat begins to move via wind and/or current in one direction or the other, the dockman can walk opposite the wind current and pull the boat to a position such that the boat will clear the boats forward and aft. I do realize if this is a larger craft, you may not have the strength to pull it along: I am a small boater and am talking about a small boat. But I contend that even if you have a large craft and are using the engines and thrusters, having a man on the dock with the line in his hands can help, for one thing as you "get it right" the crewman can pin it quickly to a cleat and stop in its tracks any further unwanted movement. Think of this as the opposite of spring lining, the method that uses ties as a pivot to put the boats bow or stern away from the dock--this helps guide it in.

Aaron Wilde - 6 years ago

Stern line is preferable to bow line, unless you are perhaps using the outboard to hold the back in (the single handed method) against a bow line. But personally, I don't like to point my propellor at the dock unless I have to. With the stern line you can do anything with the boat (because it's at a corner), whereas with the bow line the whole rest of the boat can swing away from you and you've no way of stopping it. Next thing you know the side of your boat is drifting towards things you don't want it to.

BoatUS - 7 years ago

Thanks for the suggestion!

sweet one loves - 7 years ago

so smooth. I am learning now about boating. thank you

BoatUS - 7 years ago

You're welcome! Glad this video was helpful. Here's some helpful "new to boating" articles you can check out: http://www.boatus.com/newtoboating/

Spank MaMonkey - 8 years ago

This what the macho idiots in Florida need to watch.

Icutmetal - 6 years ago

Spank MaMonkey It isn’t just Florida.

The E.C.O. Channel - 8 years ago

That was awesome! Thanks for showing this!

Luca Mariani - 8 years ago

Con 2 motori son buoni tutti.....fallo con una barca a vela da 10 mt

30. comment for How To Dock In 4 Simple Steps | BoatUS

notatechie - 9 years ago

That is not how Captain Ron does it.

redmrl - 6 years ago

love that movie. We named our boat Albondiga.

RIVARD LAWN & LANDSCAPE SERVICE - 9 years ago

Wow no buoys on

Icutmetal - 6 years ago

RIVARD LAWNCARE 209 & JCR VIDS Why would there be buoys ON a boat??

highvelocity123 - 9 years ago

The best part of the video was the fact that he had a line ready. Too many times I see a novice captain pull up, and do a nice job, then everyone rushes around looking for a line and bumpers...by that time the captain has to pull out again because no one was ready.

Chuck Dilmore - 9 years ago

Sweet - good job. Great camera angles!

Mike Stone - 10 years ago

Nice job

snook slayers - 10 years ago

what type of boat is that

ultangler1 - 10 years ago

Well done.

Ray G - 10 years ago

I think this is basically really good advice, but why would you come in with the wind if you have a choice? If the wind is actually blowing you on the dock, as it is in the video, the advice stands, but I think you should have included the advice to always try to come in against the wind if it is blowing parallel to the dock so you have more control. Time and time again I see boats coming to our dock with the prevailing wind. If they put the bow into the wind as they make the turn you suggest, they would have more control and less panic.

highvelocity123 - 9 years ago

Ray, I know what your saying, I see that a lot. For someone who knows their boat, I would suggest keeping the wind at your stern, neutral is your friend, then tap the brakes and kick the back end in. Then if by any chance someone has a line ready-~~LOL-~~ they'll be ok..