Docking A Twin-Engine Boat: Tips And Tricks

Docking a boat with twin engines can be intimidating, especially for first-timers. However, it is actually easier than docking a single-engine boat. This is because twin engines allow you to oppose the engines, putting one into forward and the other into reverse, causing the boat to spin in place. Additionally, twin engines provide more propeller blade area, resulting in more bite on the water. By following a simple process and keeping some key tips in mind, anyone can successfully dock a boat with twin engines.

How to Dock a Boat with Twin Engines

Prepare for docking by deploying fenders and lines, and checking wind and current

Prepare for Docking

Before you begin the docking maneuver, it is crucial to deploy fenders and lines as necessary. Fenders, also known as bumpers, are essential for protecting your boat and the dock from damage during the docking process. Ensure that the fenders are properly placed and hanging over the side of the boat.

Lines, also known as dock lines or boat ropes, are used to secure the boat to the dock. Have them easily accessible and ready to use when you need to tie up quickly and efficiently. It is a good idea to pre-assign crew members to handle specific lines and communicate your plan to them before approaching the dock.

In addition to preparing the boat, it is vital to check the wind and current conditions. Assess the direction and speed of the wind, and take note of any nearby indicators, such as flags on flagpoles, tree tops, or other boats that can give you a sense of the wind's behaviour.

When it comes to current, look for visual clues such as floating items on the water's surface or dock lines drooping in the water. Remember that wind and current can significantly impact the docking process, so be mindful of their influence and try to position yourself upwind or up-current to gain more control.

Approaching the Dock

As you approach the dock, aim to maintain a slow speed. The cardinal rule of docking is never to approach the slip or wharf faster than you are willing to hit it. Keep in mind that docking can be challenging, especially when dealing with wind and current, so take your time and make the necessary preparations.

If possible, try to position your boat so that the bow is facing into the wind or current. This will give you more control, similar to how an airplane takes off and lands into the wind. Assess your surroundings, including boat traffic, potential blind spots, and any obstacles you may need to navigate around.

Final Preparations

Before making your final approach, ensure that your crew members are in their assigned positions and ready to assist with the docking lines. Communicate your plan and any potential challenges you may encounter. If possible, try to minimise the impact of the wind on your boat by lowering items that may catch the wind, such as Bimini tops, canvas walls, or sports towers.

Remember that docking a boat with twin engines offers the advantage of being able to place one engine in forward and the other in reverse, allowing for more effective turning. Keep in mind that the port engine in forward and the starboard engine in reverse will generally cause the boat to turn on its axis to starboard, while the opposite configuration will turn the boat to port.

Trim your engines up slightly to direct propwash under the boat

When docking a boat with twin engines, it is important to trim your engines up slightly to direct propwash under the boat. This is done by using the tilt-trim switch at the throttle. Propwash refers to the current generated by the turning propeller, which can either be "suction screw current" or "discharge current". When the propeller is turning in a direction that moves the boat forward, it creates a suction screw current, resulting in lower pressure on one side of the propeller blade than the other. On the other hand, when the propeller is turning in the opposite direction, it creates a discharge current, which moves away from the propeller in a more forceful and focused direction.

By trimming your engines up, you ensure that the propwash, or discharge current, goes under the boat where it has the greatest effect. If you do not do this, the propwash may only hit the transom, making the boat harder to manoeuvre. This is because the rudder, which is mounted at the back of the propeller, needs the current flowing across it to be able to steer the boat effectively. When the boat is not moving through the water, the rudder has little impact except as a large inefficient paddle. Therefore, by directing the propwash under the boat, you increase the current flowing across the rudder, giving you better control over the direction of the boat as you dock.

Trimming the engines up is especially important when docking a boat with twin engines, as it allows you to take advantage of the increased manoeuvrability that twin engines provide. With twin engines, you can oppose the engines, putting one into forward and the other into reverse, causing the boat to spin in place. This makes docking easier as you can make small adjustments to the position of the boat without having to move forward or backward. However, to make full use of this capability, you need to have control over the direction of the boat, which is why trimming the engines up to direct the propwash under the boat is crucial.

In summary, trimming your engines up slightly when docking a boat with twin engines is a key step that improves the effectiveness of your rudder and allows you to take full advantage of the manoeuvrability provided by twin engines.

Stop with the boat's middle aligned with the slip's middle, then centre your steering wheel

When docking a boat with twin engines, it's important to remember that you have the ability to oppose the engines, putting one into forward and the other into reverse, which will cause the boat to spin in place. This can be extremely useful when trying to align your boat with the slip.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

• Prepare for the docking manoeuvre: Deploy fenders and lines as necessary before approaching the slip. Also, check for wind and current conditions to ensure they don't catch you by surprise.
• Trim your engines: Slightly trim up your engines using the tilt-trim switch at the throttle. This ensures that the propwash goes under the boat, making it easier to manoeuvre. If you skip this step, the propwash may hit the transom, making the boat harder to handle.
• Approach the slip: As you approach the slip, maintain a 90-degree angle. Once the middle of your boat is even with the middle of the slip, it's time to stop and centre your steering wheel.
• Centre your steering wheel and oppose the engines: At this point, you've reached a crucial stage. Stop the boat with the middle of the boat aligned with the middle of the slip. Centre your steering wheel, and now you're ready to turn the boat by opposing the engines. Shift one engine into forward and the other into reverse. It's best to avoid touching the steering wheel during this step, relying solely on the engines for manoeuvring.
• Spin the boat: By opposing the engines, you can now get the boat spinning. Remember, the bow will move in the direction of the throttle you shift into reverse. For example, if you shift the starboard throttle into forward and the port throttle into reverse, the bow will spin to port.
• Adjust and manoeuvre: Depending on factors like wind, current, and space constraints, you might need to continue manoeuvring the boat as you back into the slip. If you can't spin the boat completely due to space limitations, you can take the forward throttle out of gear to remove forward thrust. This will cause the boat to start backing up as it continues to spin, allowing you to get closer to the slip. Remember to adjust your thrust and gear settings to find the right balance between backing up and spinning.

By following these steps, you'll be able to dock your twin-engine boat confidently and efficiently, ensuring a smooth and safe arrival at your destination.

Oppose the engines to get the boat spinning

Opposing the engines is a great way to get a twin-engine boat spinning and, ultimately, docked. It may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.

Firstly, prepare for the docking manoeuvre by deploying fenders and lines, and checking for wind and current. You don't want to be surprised by any external factors while performing the docking procedure. Next, trim your engines up slightly using the tilt-trim switch at the throttle. This ensures the propwash goes under the boat, making it easier to manoeuvre.

Now, approach the slip at a 90-degree angle. When the middle of your boat is even with the middle of the slip, stop and centre your steering wheel. From here, it's easiest to turn the boat by opposing the engines. Shift one engine into forward and the other into reverse. It is best not to touch the steering wheel and use only the engines for manoeuvring.

Now you're ready to get the boat spinning. Remember, the bow will move in the direction of the throttle you shift into reverse. So, if you want the bow to spin to port, shift the starboard throttle into forward and the port throttle into reverse. Conversely, if you want the bow to spin to starboard, shift the port throttle into forward and the starboard throttle into reverse.

By opposing the engines in this way, you can get the boat spinning and, with practice, easily dock your twin-engine boat.

Shift both engines into reverse idle and back up

Shifting both engines into reverse idle and backing up is the final step in docking a boat with twin engines. This is the ideal scenario, but it rarely occurs due to space constraints. In a perfect world, you would have no wind or current, and plenty of room to manoeuvre. In this case, you can simply shift both engines into reverse idle and back up, and the boat will go straight into the slip.

However, if there is not enough space to complete the turn, you will need to adjust your approach. One method is to take the forward throttle out of gear after the boat begins to turn. This will stop all forward thrust, and the boat will begin to back up as it continues to spin. You can then get the boat very close to the slip, or even partially into it, giving you more room to swing the bow around.

Remember that when you remove the forward throttle, the rate at which the boat is spinning will decrease. To find a balance between backing up and spinning, you will need to shift in and out of gear. As the boat moves into the slip, you can reverse both throttles briefly to stop all spinning motion, and then back slowly into the slip.

If the bow is too far off at this point, you can make a light adjustment by shifting starboard reverse and port forward, or vice versa, to bring the boat alongside.

Frequently asked questions