Throttling A Twin Engine Boat: The Ultimate Guide

Throttling a twin-engine boat is a complex process that requires practice and a good understanding of the vessel's mechanics. The twin-engine setup offers improved manoeuvrability compared to single-engine boats, especially during docking and tight turns. To throttle effectively, one must consider factors such as gear shifts, throttle control, propeller walk, and environmental conditions like wind and current. While some techniques involve using only the gear shifters and avoiding the throttle, other methods require delicate throttle adjustments for precise control. Additionally, understanding the impact of propeller walk and leveraging environmental factors like wind and current can aid in manoeuvring the boat. Overall, the process demands practice and familiarity with the boat's unique characteristics.

Docking a twin-engine boat

Understanding the Basics

Firstly, it's important to understand the factors that influence docking a twin-engine boat. The type of boat you have, whether it's a twin inboard, sterndrive, or outboard, will impact your approach. The positioning of the propellers and rudders differs between these types, affecting the boat's thrust and manoeuvrability.

Docking a Twin Inboard

When docking a twin inboard, it's crucial to avoid overloading your brain by trying to manage the wheel, shifts, and throttles simultaneously. In the heat of the moment, it's easy to forget to centre the wheel, which can ruin your docking attempt. Instead, consider docking without using the wheel. This gives you more control and allows you to focus on effectively managing the shifts and throttles.

Docking a Twin Sterndrive or Outboard

When docking a twin sterndrive or outboard, using the wheel in combination with both motors can result in a larger turning radius and faster advancement than ideal. A better approach is to use the wheel with only one motor. While this will enable you to turn in one direction effectively, turning in the opposite direction may prove challenging.

Neutral is Your Friend

When approaching the dock, always remember to never come in faster than you intend to hit it. Neutral is your ally in this situation. Check the direction of the wind and current, and use them to your advantage by drifting sideways into your berth. If you need to back in, use short bursts of reverse gear to align yourself with the dock.

Practise Makes Perfect

Transitioning from a single-engine to a twin-engine boat, or even upgrading to a larger twin-engine model, will require an adjustment period. The best advice is to practise, practise, practise. Start by trying out different techniques in an open area with no other boats around to avoid any mishaps. Get a feel for how your boat responds to various manoeuvres, and don't be afraid to make adjustments as you gain experience.

Advanced Techniques

Once you've mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced docking techniques. One such technique involves imagining bending the shifters of your twin-engine boat outward, then shifting the port shifter towards the port and the starboard shifter towards the starboard. This method allows you to turn the boat gently by keeping one shifter in neutral and moving the other in the desired direction.

Another advanced technique involves understanding and utilising "prop walk." This phenomenon occurs when the props turn outward in forward gear and inward in reverse, causing the stern to move in a specific direction. By adjusting the throttle and rudder position, you can harness prop walk to guide your boat during docking.

Using gear shifter movements to dock

Docking a twin-engine boat can be intimidating, especially for first-timers. Here's a detailed guide on using gear shifter movements to dock your boat safely and effectively:

Preparation and Approach:

• Before approaching the dock, deploy fenders and lines as necessary and be mindful of wind and current conditions.
• Slightly trim your engines up using the tilt-trim switch to ensure the propwash goes under the boat for better maneuverability.
• Approach the slip at a 90-degree angle and stop when the middle of your boat is aligned with the middle of the slip.
• Center your steering wheel, and from this point on, try to use only the engines for maneuvering and avoid touching the steering wheel.

Using Gear Shifters to Dock:

• To get the boat spinning, oppose the engines by shifting one into forward and the other into reverse. Remember, the bow will move in the direction of the throttle shifted into reverse.
• If you need to correct your alignment or adjust your position, use short bursts of forward or reverse gear on one side or the other.
• If you need to straighten out, place one gear in forward and the other in reverse. This technique can also be used to spin the boat within its own length.
• When backing into the slip, use neutral to reverse movements on one gear to control your speed and direction.
• If you need to adjust the bow's position, make light adjustments by shifting starboard reverse or port forward.

Additional Tips:

• Practice docking in an open area with no other boats around to gain confidence and a better understanding of your boat's handling characteristics.
• Always approach the dock at a speed that is comfortable and allows you to maintain control.
• Be mindful of prop walk, especially when placing engines in reverse. Counter-rotating props will affect the boat's movement, so ensure you understand their impact.
• If you encounter strong winds or currents, angle your boat at approximately 45 degrees to the dock and use more throttle to control your approach.
• When docking in tight spaces, keep your wheel turned hard to one side and use the opposite engine in reverse with minimal throttle to create a "crab walk" effect and nudge your boat into position.

Moving a twin-engine boat sideways

Understanding the Basics

Before attempting to move a twin-engine boat sideways, it is important to understand the basic mechanics of boat handling. The goal is to alternate between moving the bow and stern in small steps, creating a "crabbing motion" that gradually shifts the boat sideways. This technique is known as "walking" the boat and can be achieved through a combination of throttle control, rudder use, and leveraging the propeller's "prop walk" effect.

Twin-Engine Boat Controls

To move a twin-engine boat sideways, you will need to manipulate the throttles and rudders of both engines. The specific controls may vary depending on whether your boat has integrated shifters/throttles or separate shifters and throttles. Familiarize yourself with these controls before attempting any manoeuvres.

Techniques for Moving Sideways

The exact technique for moving a twin-engine boat sideways will depend on the type of boat you have (sterndrive vs. shaftdrive) and the configuration of your propellers and rudders. Here are some general guidelines:

• Sterndrive Boat: If your boat is moored starboard side-to, apply full starboard helm, then briefly click ahead on the port engine to push the bow towards the dock. This will lift the stern away from the dock. Straighten the helm and apply a click of astern on the port engine to lift the bow off without pushing the stern back in. Repeat this process as needed to move sideways.
• Shaftdrive Boat: The technique for shaftdrive boats is similar to sterndrive boats, but the response to helm and throttle inputs may vary. Some shaftdrive boats respond better to the use of the helm, while others rely more on engine controls. Practice in an open area to understand how your boat handles.
• Leveraging Prop Walk: The "prop walk" effect occurs when one engine is in forward and the other in reverse, causing the boat to pivot. To move sideways, you can use this pivoting motion in combination with rudder control. For example, to move to port, put the port engine in forward and the starboard engine in reverse. This will create a pivoting motion towards starboard. Now, apply a left rudder to counteract this motion and force the stern to port. Adjust the throttle and rudder settings as needed to maintain the sideways movement.
• Using Bow Thrusters: If your boat is equipped with bow thrusters, they can be a great help in moving sideways. Remember that the stern will move in the opposite direction when using the bow thrusters. For example, when docked starboard side-to, using a burst of bow thruster to port will move the stern to starboard. Adjust the engine controls accordingly to move the bow and stern as needed.
• Combining Techniques: With practice, you can combine engine controls and bow thrusters to walk the boat sideways. Most twin-engine boats will turn on the spot with one engine ahead and one astern. By thrusting against the ahead engine, you can move the boat sideways with minimal forward or backward motion.

Practice and Precautions

Docking in crowded areas

Docking a twin-engine boat in a crowded area can be a stressful experience, but with practice, it can be done smoothly and confidently. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master this skill:

Practice Makes Perfect

Before attempting to dock in a crowded area, it is essential to dedicate time to practising your boat-handling skills. Find a quiet time and place to familiarise yourself with the controls and how your boat responds. Practise basic docking techniques, such as approaching a T-dock head-on, and experiment with different throttle and shifter combinations to understand how they affect the boat's movement.

Stay Calm and Avoid Hasty Actions

When docking in a crowded area, staying calm is crucial. Avoid the urge to make hasty control adjustments out of panic. Instead, focus on developing precise control of your boat by practising and gaining experience. Be aware that moving too slowly can cause you to lose control as the wind or tide catches your boat. Similarly, moving too fast can lead to overreactions.

Understand Basic Twin-Engine Control Principles

Know that any twin-engine boat is capable of very precise control. Understand that adverse conditions, such as wind and tides, can be turned to your advantage. Learn how to use your throttles and shifters effectively. For example, putting one engine in forward and the other in reverse will cause the boat to pivot on its axis. Adjusting the throttle on one engine will also impact the turning radius and speed.

Hands Off the Wheel!

When docking, remember that idle speed handling is accomplished with the shifters and throttles, not the steering wheel. Rudders are of little to no help at slow speeds because they require water flow to be effective, just like an aircraft wing needs airflow. So, focus on mastering the use of throttles and shifters to control your boat during docking manoeuvres.

Approach Techniques

When approaching a crowded dock, there are a few techniques you can use:

• The drive-in approach: This is useful when you have ample space. Instead of steering the boat directly into the dock, ease the bow into position and then use your engine controls to swing the stern flush against the dock.
• The head-in approach: This technique uses a piling as a pivot point. Approach the dock head-on and put the bow within 10 feet of it. Then, use the pivoting technique to rotate the boat into the dock by pushing against and rotating off the piling.
• Backing into a slip: This is the most challenging docking manoeuvre. You can either back straight into the slip, which requires no wind or tide, or pivot the boat around a piling. The pivoting technique is easier and involves making contact with the outer piling and then warping the boat around using your throttle and shifter controls.

Use Wind and Tide to Your Advantage

Always be mindful of wind and tide conditions when docking. Whenever possible, dock into the wind or tide. On face piers, the current usually runs parallel to the dock, so you can use it to your advantage. Practice holding your boat in one spot against the current to develop this skill. Learn to judge wind direction and current speeds to make more informed docking decisions.

Final Tips

• Plan ahead: Before approaching the dock, have a clear plan and communicate it to your crew.
• Use bursts of throttle: Apply short bursts of throttle rather than constant pressure to manoeuvre the boat without building up too much momentum.
• Embrace prop torque: Understand how your propeller's torque affects the boat's movement. For example, a right-hand propeller will kick the transom to starboard in forward gear and to port in reverse.
• Keep a low profile: Reduce your boat's windage by lowering any raised structures, such as a Bimini top, to minimise the impact of wind during docking.
• Don't be afraid to abort: If your docking approach isn't going well, don't force it. Circle back and try again.

Remember, practice makes perfect. With dedication and a systematic approach, you'll soon be docking your twin-engine boat in crowded areas with ease and confidence.

How to turn sharply with a twin-engine boat

To turn sharply with a twin-engine boat, there are a few methods you can try. One way is to use the boat's throttles and shifters as if they were a steering wheel. Turning to port, for example, means putting the port drive in reverse and the starboard drive in forward. This method allows for quick swings and turns.

Another way to turn sharply is to put one engine in forward and the other in reverse, which will spin the boat within its own length. This technique is especially useful when docking in tight spaces.

Additionally, you can try the "crab walk" method. This involves turning the wheel hard to one side, then putting the engine on the opposite side in forward and the other in reverse. This will create a sideways "crab walk" motion, which is useful for tucking in the bow when docking.

When making sharp turns, always be mindful of the wind, current, and other boats around you. Go slowly and use neutral to drift sideways when necessary. Remember that practice makes perfect, so get out on the water and experiment with these techniques to improve your twin-engine boat handling skills.

Frequently asked questions