Docking A Boat: Inboard, Outboard Slip Techniques

Docking a boat can be a stressful experience for even the most seasoned boater. However, it's an important procedure to learn to ensure your boat stays safe and secure. While there are several ways to dock a boat, one of the most common practices is docking in a slip. This involves navigating your boat into the water space between piers or wharves, which can be challenging due to limited mobility and narrow confines. To successfully dock a boat in a slip, it's crucial to follow certain steps, including preparing dock lines and fenders, lining up your approach, judging wind, current, and water conditions, and manoeuvring at a slow speed.

Prepare dock lines and fenders

Preparing your dock lines and fenders is a crucial step in docking your boat safely. Docking lines, also known as mooring lines, are used to secure your boat to the dock. Fenders, on the other hand, are bumpers that protect your boat from colliding with the dock or other boats. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare your dock lines and fenders effectively:

• Before you begin your approach to the dock, ensure you have the right equipment. You will need docking lines, or mooring lines, which can be used as bow, stern, spring, or breast lines. For docking in a slip, you will typically use bow lines and stern lines. It is recommended to have at least two of each.
• Prepare your dock lines by attaching them to your boat's cleats. Cleats are small, T-shaped fixtures, usually made of steel or metal, that are used for securing lines. Make sure the lines are long enough to reach the dock and are easily accessible when you need to tie off.
• In addition to preparing the lines, ensure your fenders are in place and ready for use. Fenders will protect your boat from scratches or damage if you bump into the dock or other boats during the docking process. Position them along the sides of your boat that will be closest to the dock.
• Communicate with your companion: If you have a helper, clearly explain your intentions and actions. Let them know where the mooring lines and their eyes are located. Instruct them to pull the lines tight and not to worry if the lines fall into the water due to the boat's movement.
• Take your time and don't be afraid to start over: Docking a boat can be stressful, but remember that it's okay to stop and try again if you feel things aren't going as planned. Going slow and steady will reduce the risk of mistakes and accidents.

By following these instructions and staying calm, you will be well prepared to handle the docking lines and fenders when docking your boat in a slip.

Line up your approach

Before you start, make sure you have your lines ready and double-check that they are secured to the boat. You'll want to be able to throw or grab them as soon as you're close to the dock.

Position your boat so you can pull straight into the slip or alongside the dock. Do not try to come in from an angle.

If you are working with a companion, explain everything you're going to do, exactly as you will do it. Communication is key in this situation. Make sure they know where the mooring line is, as well as the eye of the line. Point to the spot that will be placed over the cleat on the boat and explain that you want the line pulled tight.

If you're alone, you can drop the eye of the line and move two or three feet from the pier, shifting your motor ahead slowly.

Slow down to bare steerageway. Go very slowly, but not so much that your boat will not react to the steering wheel.

Once you've slowed to the proper speed, move towards the pier at a 45-degree angle. If you are alone, eyeball it as you go. If you are with a companion, one of you should keep an eye on the situation, ensuring that a 45-degree angle is indeed being met.

When your boat is about one boat length from the pier, shift into neutral. If you are alone, turn your boat away from the pier once you have closed the gap to half a boat length. Shift your motor to neutral again. As the bow turns away from the pier at your 45-degree angle, centre your steering wheel and shift the motor into reverse—just enough that the boat is stopped.

Take it slow and steady

Taking it slow and steady is one of the most important things to remember when docking a boat. While docking a boat can be stressful, especially for newcomers, it doesn't have to be difficult. The key is to take your time and not be afraid to stop, pull back, and try again.

Before you even begin your approach to the dock, it's crucial to prepare your boat and yourself. Make sure your fenders are in place and your dock lines are ready on your bow and stern. It's also a good idea to communicate your intentions clearly to your companion, if you have one. Let them know where the mooring line and its eye are, and explain that you want the line pulled tight once it's placed over the cleat on the boat or the pier.

As you line up your approach, go slowly and steadily. Remember, you never want to pull into a dock faster than you'd be willing to hit it. It can be tempting to rush, especially with onlookers, but it's always better to take your time and avoid any mishaps. If you get off course, don't hesitate to back off and reset.

When you're about one boat length from the pier, shift into neutral. If you're alone, turn your boat away from the pier when you're about half a boat length away. Shift into neutral again, centre your steering wheel, and then shift into reverse to stop the boat. This move is called "shearing off," and it's important to do it just before the bow touches the pier.

If you're with a companion, they can drop the eye of the line over the cleat at this point. If you're alone, move a couple of feet from the pier and shift your motor ahead slowly, then drop the eye of the line. From here, you can tie off to the cleat on the bow of your boat, or drop the eye of the bow line over a cleat on the pier and tie off the line to a cleat on the deck.

Remember, docking a boat is a skill that takes practice. Don't be discouraged if you don't get it right the first time. With patience and persistence, you'll eventually master the art of docking your boat slowly and steadily.

Compensate for wind and current

Docking a boat can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with challenging conditions like strong currents and gusty winds. Here are some detailed tips to help you compensate for wind and current while docking a boat in a slip with an inboard outboard engine:

Assess the Conditions:

Before you even start your docking approach, take a moment to observe and understand the wind and current conditions. Look for clues such as flapping flags or banners to gauge wind speed and direction. To determine the current's strength and direction, look for indicators like loose lines in the water, water movement against pilings, or floating debris such as leaves or sticks. This assessment will help you make informed decisions during the docking manoeuvre.

Plan Ahead:

Once you have identified the wind and current conditions, it's important to plan accordingly. Every boat will be affected differently by these factors, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to maintain control and make adjustments as needed. Remember to keep the boat's forward pivot point along the centreline of the slip. You may need to add extra power while turning the wheel to counter the effects of wind and current.

Adjust Throttle and Steering:

When dealing with wind and current, you may need to make adjustments to your throttle and steering inputs. Apply additional power, especially when operating in reverse, as thrust is reduced compared to forward motion. Use small, controlled bursts of power to change direction without adding significant forward or reverse motion. Remember that higher boat profiles are more affected by wind, so take that into account when adjusting your throttle.

Approach with Caution:

Always approach the dock slowly and carefully. Never approach a dock faster than you would be willing to hit it. Wind and current can influence your boat's speed and direction, so take your time and make smooth, deliberate adjustments. If you find yourself off course, don't attempt a last-minute correction; instead, back off and reset your approach. Practice makes perfect, so the more you familiarise yourself with your boat's handling characteristics in various conditions, the better you'll become at compensating for wind and current.

Use Wind and Current to Your Advantage:

Whenever possible, try to dock into the wind and/or current. This gives you more directional control at slower speeds. If the wind and current are parallel to the dock, you can use forward throttle to hold your position and then "walk" your boat sideways towards the dock with small steering adjustments. Conversely, docking with the wind and current can be more challenging, as you need to be moving to maintain steering control. In such cases, consider docking in reverse or approaching from the downwind side of the dock.

Tie off your boat

Once you've safely arrived in a slip or alongside a dock, you'll need to tie off your boat. This is a critical step in docking your boat, as it ensures your boat stays safe and put.

Before you begin, it's important to have the right equipment. You'll need docking lines, also known as mooring lines, and fenders, sometimes called "bumpers". It's also important to know the different types of knots you can use to secure your lines: the cleat hitch, the clove hitch, and the bowline knot. The cleat hitch is the most used knot when docking a boat, so be sure to master it.

When tying off your boat, you'll usually be docking in a slip or alongside a dock. If you're docking in a slip, you'll secure your vessel by tying off on both sides of the dock. If you're docking alongside a dock, you'll only need to tie off on one side of the boat (the one facing the dock).

When docking in a slip, it's recommended to have two bow lines and two stern lines tied onto both sides of the slip, with the stern lines crossed. If you're docking alongside a dock, you can tie off your boat onto cleats, posts, or pilings using your docking lines. Cleats are small, T-shaped equipment usually made of steel or metal attached to the dock. Your boat also has cleats that you'll use to attach your docking lines. Pilings, on the other hand, are large wooden posts that you would commonly find on a pier or positioned along the dock. It's generally easier to tie off your boat to the dock using cleats rather than pilings.

Remember to always go slow when docking your boat. Going too fast can lead to mistakes and accidents. It's also important to be aware of the wind and current, as these can impact your docking procedure. If the wind is blowing towards the pier, you can use it to your advantage and allow it to blow you into place once you're alongside the pier.

If you're docking with a companion, communicate clearly with them throughout the process. Let them know where the mooring line and its eye are, and explain that you want the line pulled tight.

Frequently asked questions