Steering A House Boat With Dual Engines

Houseboats usually have two engines, each of which needs to be started independently. The port side engine is started first, followed by the starboard engine. While driving a houseboat, it's important to remember that the boat's thrust comes from the rear, and the captain controls the stern, not the front, unlike a car. When docking a houseboat with twin engines, it is possible to do so without touching the steering wheel, using only the throttles. Approaching the dock at a slight angle and kicking the stern over to the dock using the engines can help ensure a smooth docking.

Docking a houseboat with twin engines

Prepare for Docking

Before approaching the dock, there are a few key preparations to make. First, check for wind and current conditions, as these factors can impact your docking manoeuvre. Deploy the necessary fenders and lines, and be sure to do this ahead of time to avoid last-minute scrambling.

Trim Your Engines

To ensure optimal control, trim your engines slightly upwards using the tilt-trim switch at the throttle. This will direct the propwash under the boat, maximising its effect. If you skip this step, the propwash may hit the transom, making it harder to manoeuvre the boat.

Approach the Slip

As you approach the slip, maintain a 90-degree angle. When the middle of your boat is aligned with the middle of the slip, stop and centre your steering wheel. From this point on, it's best to control the boat's movement by manipulating the engines rather than the steering wheel.

Oppose the Engines

To turn the boat, oppose the engines by shifting one into forward and the other into reverse. This will cause the boat to spin. Remember, the bow will move in the direction of the throttle shifted into reverse. For example, shifting the starboard throttle into forward and the port throttle into reverse will spin the bow to port.

Adjust and Manoeuvre

In an ideal scenario, with no wind or current, you can spin the boat until it's parallel with the finger pier. Then, simply shift both engines into reverse idle and back up into the slip. However, you may encounter space constraints that prevent you from completing the spin. In such cases, after initiating the turn, you can remove the forward throttle from gear to stop forward movement. This will cause the boat to continue spinning while also backing up, allowing you to get closer to the slip. Remember to adjust the throttles to balance spinning and backing up as needed.

Final Adjustments

As you back into the slip, you can briefly reverse both throttles to stop any remaining spinning motion. Make any final adjustments as needed to ensure the boat comes to rest in the desired position within the slip.

Practice and Adapt

Docking a twin-engine houseboat requires practice and a good understanding of your boat's unique characteristics. Each boat handles slightly differently, so it's essential to familiarise yourself with your vessel through open-water exercises. Additionally, be prepared to adapt your approach based on environmental conditions, such as wind and current, which can impact your docking experience.

Using the wind and current to your advantage

When driving a houseboat, you can use the wind and current to your advantage to maintain control of the vessel. Before docking or loading your boat on a trailer, always observe how your boat drifts for a minute or two. This will give you a better understanding of how the wind and current are affecting your boat.

Docking in Windy Conditions

When docking in windy conditions, it is important to communicate with your passengers and crew about your plan of attack. You should also practice docking in calm conditions to prepare for more challenging maneuvers. When docking into the wind, you can use a spinning motion to skid and slide the vessel into its slip.

Docking in Strong Currents

When docking in a strong current, be cautious of lines that hang from piers or pilings and then disappear into the water. These lines may be drawn out across your path, and if your boat's propeller becomes entangled, you could lose control.

Positioning Your Boat

To make the most of the wind and current, position your boat up-current or up-wind of where you would normally want it. This way, you can let the wind and current push you into the proper position as you apply power to complete your maneuver.

Maintaining Control

Practicing in Safe Conditions

Before attempting to dock in challenging conditions, it is crucial to practice in a safe, open area away from other boats and boaters. This will allow you to gain confidence and understand how your boat reacts to different forces.

How to prepare for docking

Docking a houseboat can be a stressful experience, but with the right preparation, you can make it a smooth and safe process. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare for docking your houseboat with twin engines:

Understand the Basics of Docking

Firstly, it's important to understand that docking a boat is very different from driving a car. Forget what you know about controlling a vehicle on land. Visualize that your houseboat sits on a slippery fluid surface, and remember that it's challenging to keep the boat completely still in one spot. An experienced captain knows how to use the boat's momentum, wind, and current to their advantage.

Know Your Boat

Houseboats come in various styles, from pontoons to catamarans, and each has its unique handling characteristics. Additionally, consider the engine and drive combinations. Your houseboat may have single or dual engines, which can be outboards, sterndrives, or inboards. Understanding your boat's specific setup is crucial for effective docking.

Prepare for the Docking Maneuver

Before approaching the dock, ensure you have deployed fenders and lines as necessary. Check for wind and current conditions so that you can anticipate their effects on your boat. This preparation will help you avoid surprises and make any necessary adjustments during the docking process.

Learn from the Experts

Consider investing in resources that offer detailed instructions and tips for docking your specific type of houseboat. For example, Doug and Brenda's Docking e-Lessons provide simple techniques to help you master the art of docking and undocking any boat, including those with twin engines.

Practice and Gain Experience

Docking a houseboat becomes easier with practice and experience. If you're new to docking, don't be afraid to seek guidance from experienced boaters or consider taking on-water training courses. Remember, even the most seasoned mariners had to start somewhere, so don't be discouraged by initial challenges.

By following these preparatory steps and staying calm during the process, you'll be well on your way to confidently docking your houseboat with twin engines.

The importance of trimming your engines

Trimming your engines is one of the most effective ways to improve your boat's overall performance. By adjusting the trim, you can optimise speed, comfort, and fuel efficiency. The trim affects the running angle of the boat in the water, the depth of the propeller, the general water flow, and where on the hull the water hits.

The trim should be adjusted according to the water state and weight of the vessel. For example, in choppy water, trimming down can position the hull to slice through the water, allowing for a smoother ride. On the other hand, if you're worried about taking on water over the bow, you can trim up slightly to position the bow higher into oncoming waves, as long as you stay on a plane.

Trimming is especially important when operating a twin-engine boat on a single engine. In this case, you'll need to tilt the non-operable motor up to eliminate as much drag as possible. At the same time, trim the running outboard down to enhance its ability to lift the stern and keep the boat on a plane.

Trimming your engines is a skill that takes time to master. Experienced boaters make tiny adjustments automatically as they move through the water. To get started, remember to distribute weight evenly and use power trim and trim tabs together to achieve optimum performance.

How to spin the boat in a circle

To spin your houseboat in a circle, you'll need to use a combination of engine and wheel control. It is important to note that the process of spinning a boat in a circle is sometimes referred to as the "Circle of Death", as it can be extremely dangerous and has resulted in serious injuries and deaths.

Firstly, prepare for the manoeuvre by deploying fenders and lines, and checking for wind and current. Next, trim your engines up slightly using the tilt-trim switch at the throttle, so the propwash goes under the boat. As you approach the slip, stop when the middle of the boat is even with the middle of the slip, and centre your steering wheel. Now, it's time to begin spinning. Shift one engine into forward and the other into reverse, and the boat will begin to spin. The bow will move in the direction of the throttle shifted into reverse, so if you want the bow to spin to port, shift the starboard throttle into forward and the port throttle into reverse.

To avoid the "Circle of Death", never let go of the steering wheel or handle until the boat has completely stopped moving.

Frequently asked questions