Trojan Boat Forum

Hi all,

Yesterday was a great day for me and wife. I have had our F25 since July, this year. But have only taken it out twice in that time, and had to have one of our boys with us for fear I couldn't handle her especially getting back into the slip.

We got a bigger slip about a week ago, 30' and 12 ft wide. Yesterday me and the wife took the boat out on our own. I figure, it's now or never.

I made a couple of mistakes, one being, I forgot to unplug the shore power cable. I thought I ripped all out. I did manage to stop the boat and get it unhooked and to my surprise it was OK.

When returning to the slip, I tried to stay calm, and got back into slip, but gave it to much gas when I put it in reverse to stop it from hitting the front of the slip. I think I came in a little to fast, but had throttle all the way back. But all in all, it went OK. I'm sure I'll do better the next time.

If I had been watching myself from afar, I'm sure it would have looked funny and got a big laugh out of it.

Hope you all have a great day.

Larry

Good for you Larry. It will all come in time. Before you know it you will not even think twice about what you do as it will become natural.

Larry,
When I was starting boating I found it helpful to read hints also... back then I had to go to hardcover now we have the Internet to help us along.
Sounds like you were making the mistake of using power for too long.... I remind myself that unlike a car where we power it all the way into a parking spot, a boat is best pointed given some power and then coast towards the spot giving small bursts of power as needed to adjust its position.
Here is an article that may help you see what I am talking about.

http://www.ehow.com/how_12604_dock-single-screw.html

We all have screwed up docking ( and leaving )( still do at times) people forget about power cords and spring lines all the time .

when no one is around you will dock it perfect when there is a crowd thats when things go wrong . and there will be lots of folks to tell you that you screwed up (you think we are bad )

just take it slow coming in to the dock bump it in and out of gear if needed . some told me never come in to the dock faster then you can afford to hit it .very good idea.

Hi Larry,
Glad to hear that you and your wife had a great time. Docking a single screw inboard boat can at times be difficult, but once you figure it out it works pretty well. Depending on the rotation of your engine, when you engage reverse your boat will either back to port or starboard. For example my boat backs to starboard and lucky for me my slip finger is on my starboard side and an end slip. I will approach my finger at a 45 degree angle, when my bow is a couple of feet from the finger, I engage reverse and it pulls the stern alongside, I can then step off the boat and tie up. Pay particular attention to the wind and current and try to use them to your advantage.

When I was learning how to maneuver the boat, I would go out into the river where I couldn't hit anything, drop a fender in the water and use it as my "slip" and try different approaches and learn how the boat reacted to various inputs.

Some other single screw tid bits. Again depending on the rotation of the engine you'll notice that the boat will turn better in one direction than the other. Making a turn to port I can pretty much turn the boat in it's own length, it takes a little work but can be done. Basically I turn the wheel counter clockwise to stop, engage forward gear and before you make any forward progress put the boat in neutral (this will kick the stern and start your turn), then turn the wheel clockise to stop, engage reverse, and before you make sternway shift to neutral (this will continue your turn) turn the wheel counter clockwise to stop, engage forward gear, shift to neutral before making headway, then wheel back clockwise to stop and engage reverse. Then continue the procedure till you complete your turn. (This is good to learn if you ever have to turn in tight quarters). If your boat backs to port, then you would complete this procedure in reverse.

Now on a Starboard turn, the radius of the turn is almost twice the distance. Therefore when I enter a marina I try to set myself up where any turns I have to make are port. Once you figure this out, it will help quite a bit.

Don't be afraid to practice... I'll still practice a bit at the start of each season to regain the feel, and like Paul said don't go any faster than you'd want to hit something. Also, if you are going to hit something make sure you or your guests keep their hands above the rubrail, I've seen people get their hands crushed between rub rails trying to fend off their boat.

Here's a good book I bought a long time ago when I first started, teaches you some good things.
http://boatdiesel.com/Store/item-detail.cfm?ID=Books-31

Hope it helps,
Matt

Larry .... nothing like a good day aboard your boat. Docking will get easier with each outing. Take care ....

the more you do it the better you are, and just when you think you got it down, that boat will bite you in the a$-. We all use the rub rail, that"s why it's there ( right ? ) And I've bought 2 water hoses this year ( don't ask )

Thanks for all the comments and tips, they are great. It's going to be a long, long winter for us, even thought we may have some decent days along the way.
Thhanks again.

Larry

as said above slow is just fine

to be honest, when i first got this f32, i was a nervous wreck the first few times i docked. coming up from a single screw 27 footer, this thing was both a joy and a major worry to dock the first few times. really nice having twin screws...but the size was a little scary. once ya get it though...it's a snap.

with that said though...i can do it easily enough now, even in wind. BUT, i'm always cautious and even nervous, if you will, when docking. you never know what could go wrong or happen in that moment when you least expect or need it to.

anyhoo...prost!

Larry, when I first got my f26 I was a little intimidated. In fact I was more than a little hesitant to take her out, especially what I perceived to be more challenging launch sites. I practiced at a few docks and boat ramps, approaching the dock ten to fifteen times or more, until I became more familiar with how my boat handles. I also got a book, "Boat Docking-Close Quarters Maneuvering for Small Craft" by Charles T. Low. It is a great read and helped me understand how to maneuver using the boats yaw, thrust, steerage astern and pivoting and wailking. It was only about 12.95 on amazon.com. Oh and even experienced boaters have bad dockings now and again, the trick is to act like you meant to do that!!

Thanks Tuck, always helps to know I'm haven't been the only one. Foofer B, I also just ordered the book you suggested from Amazon.
Thanks, Larry

My book of choice was Idiot's guide to boating. It fit and the time. And some times it still does. (Beat u guys to the punch line )

Yep....we all have "one of those days" from time to time

Larry:
When I bought our first boat, a 19 ft Bayliner, I couldn't spell "baot" much less drive one. The guy I bought it from said to me "Remember, you can never go too slow". The longer I boat the truer that statement is.
When we moved up to a 25' I sat at the wheel and looked ahead to the bow and said to myself, "I'll never be able to.........."
One of the best lessons I have ever had was one year we went on the locks. I certainly learned a whole more about my boat and myself.
Two years ago we moved up again to our present boat and I was sitting at the helm thinking that the bow was in a different post code, saying to myself "I'll never be able to............ "
Two things you can do are, read whatever you can and watch the others. You'll probably see the ones in trouble are generally going to fast.
Remember, you can never go too slow.
Enjoy