Docking a Boat

While docking a boat is not always an easy task, it shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your summer on the water. Once you’ve learned the proper techniques, you’ll feel confident that you can dock your boat without a problem. If you’re a new boat owner, then you are likely just beginning to learn about all these responsibilities. All you need is a few useful tips and some solid practice. After this, you’ll be on your way to docking your boat like a pro!

At L&M Marine, we know this might seem like a lot to take in. We’ve done half the work for you and prepared the guide below to get you started. If you’re interested in learning more or need some help with parts or service, visit us at our dealership in Stapleton, Alabama near Mobile and Theodore, as well as Pensacola, Florida! We also proudly serve boaters in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Pulling in

After a long day on the water, you’ll need to save some of your energy and focus for docking your boat. You can start by assessing the area you’ll be pulling into. The spot located near the dock where you’ll park your boat is called the slip. Once you have located the slip, make sure to scan the area prior to pulling in. What might you be looking for? Specifically, you’ll want to see if there’s any debris in the water that might make your docking process difficult, such as stray lines that can get caught in the propeller.

It may seem pretty simple but if there are obstacles when pulling in, you’re going to need to be in the right mindset to handle the situation. Your stern moves first, so you will be using it to direct and maneuver the boat. Depending on the type of boat you have, this is going to be especially important because any little change in the rudder can make a huge difference.

Speed

You’ll also need to take speed into careful consideration when docking your boat. You need to find just the right balance because too fast can be dangerous and too slow leaves you floating far away from the dock. In order to find the happy medium, you can follow a couple of our tips.

Don’t head into the dock at a pace that’s faster than you’re willing to hit it. Of course, little bumps can happen from time to time but if you come in much too fast, it can cause serious damage to both your boat and the dock. Consider staying in the lowest speed setting and using small bursts of power instead of going with full speed ahead and crossing your fingers that it’s not too fast for docking. Think of docking your boat like guided floating.

Wind

Many factors affect how you dock, and the biggest one is usually wind. You may not be on a sailboat but wind can still have an effect on your docking process. If the wind is blowing in the direction of the dock, then you can allow it to do most of the work. You’ll want to pull in as parallel and as close to the pier as you can. At this point, all that’s left to do is simply let the gusts of wind do the work.

If the wind happens to be blowing away from the dock, then you will need to create a more severe angle with your boat in an effort to cut through some of the gusts. You may even want to consider a 20 to 30-degree angle when docking. In this case, you should rely on momentum more than wind. Be prepared to tie off as soon as you get close enough to the dock.

By now, you should be ready to start docking. If you still feel like you need a little guidance, you can stop by L&M Marine in Stapleton, Alabama near Mobile and Theodore, as well as Pensacola, Florida! We also proudly serve boaters in Biloxi, Mississippi.