Steering A Twin-Engine Boat: Docking Walkthrough

Docking a boat can be a stressful task, especially with an audience of other boaters. One of the most challenging boat-handling maneuvers is walking a twin-engine boat to the dock. This involves moving the boat sideways, a technique that requires practice to perfect. The basic principle is to turn the steering wheel away from the destination and place both engines in gear, with the engine closer to the destination in reverse and the other in forward. The challenge lies in managing the boat's momentum and making small adjustments to keep it lined up properly. It's important to go slow and be prepared to abort the docking attempt if needed.

Lock the wheel over in the opposite direction of the intended movement

Locking the wheel over in the opposite direction of the intended movement is a technique used to walk a twin-engine boat to the dock. This method can be effective, but it is important to note that it may not work for all boats and conditions. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for this technique:

• Turn the wheel hard over in the opposite direction of your intended movement. For example, if you want to walk your boat to starboard, turn the steering wheel to port.
• Place the engine closest to your intended movement in reverse and the other engine in forward. For instance, if you want to move to starboard, put your starboard engine in reverse and your port engine in forward.
• Adjust the power on both engines to get the boat moving. The stern will likely lead the boat towards the dock, so be prepared to ease the wheel slightly until the boat straightens out.
• Once the boat is parallel to the dock, turn the wheel hard over in the opposite direction again. This will help maintain control and prevent the bow from leading the boat's movement.
• Be cautious when performing this manoeuvre, as it can be challenging to correct if the boat starts moving too quickly or in the wrong direction. It is recommended to practice in an open area to gain experience and confidence.
• The effectiveness of this technique can vary depending on factors such as rudder size, prop size, wind, and current. It may not be powerful enough to overcome strong winds or currents, so it is generally easier to perform in calm conditions.
• This method works best when the propellers turn inboard towards the centreline of the vessel. With outboard-turning propellers, you can still achieve a walking effect, but it requires more skill and precision.
• Remember to always prioritise safety when docking your boat. If you encounter difficulties or unfavourable conditions, don't hesitate to abort the manoeuvre and try again.

Turn the steering wheel hard over, away from your destination

When docking a twin-engine boat, turning the steering wheel hard over away from your destination is a crucial step in the "walking" process. This technique allows you to move the boat sideways, helping you navigate into tight spaces at docks with multiple boats.

To understand this process, it's important to know about the asymmetric disc effect. This is the natural tendency of propellers to displace their centre of thrust relative to the direction in which they turn. When you turn the steering wheel hard over away from your destination, you are taking advantage of this effect to move the boat in the desired direction.

The specific steps for turning the steering wheel hard over depend on the direction you want to move the boat. Let's say your destination is off the starboard side. In that case, you would turn the steering wheel hard to port. This sets up the next steps: putting the starboard engine in reverse and the port engine in forward, and giving both engines enough power to get the boat moving.

As the boat starts to move, you'll need to make adjustments. Ease the wheel slightly until the boat begins to straighten out. Once it's parallel to the pier, turn the wheel hard away from the pier again. It's important to ensure that the bow doesn't lead the boat's walk.

This technique of turning the steering wheel hard over is a valuable skill for any twin-engine boat owner to master. It allows you to manoeuvre your boat with precision and confidence, even in crowded docks or challenging wind and current conditions.

Place both engines in gear; the engine closer to your destination in reverse

When docking a twin-engine boat, you can use the following technique to walk the boat to the dock without needing to rely on thrusters. Begin by turning your steering wheel hard over, away from your destination. Then, place both engines in gear; the engine closer to your destination in reverse, and the other in forward. For example, if the fuel dock is off to your starboard side and you want to move the boat to starboard, turn the steering wheel to port. Put your starboard engine in reverse and your port engine in forward. Give both engines enough power to start moving.

The stern will probably lead the rest of the boat toward the pier. Ease your wheel slightly until the boat begins to straighten out. Once it's parallel to the pier, turn your wheel hard away from the pier once more. Do not allow the bow to lead your boat’s walk.

This technique relies on the asymmetric disc effect, which is the tendency of a boat's propellers to displace their center of thrust relative to the direction in which they turn. In this case, with one engine in forward gear and the other in reverse, both propellers turn in the same direction, pushing the boat in that direction.

Adjust rudder and shift/throttle controls as needed to move away from the dock

Adjusting the rudder and shift/throttle controls is an important aspect of walking a twin-engine boat to the dock. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master this technique:

Understanding the Basics

Before attempting any manoeuvre, it is crucial to understand the basic principles of twin-engine boat control. The first fact to grasp is that any twin-engine boat is capable of very precise control. Secondly, adverse conditions like wind and tides can be turned to your advantage with proper technique.

Practising Throttle and Shifter Control

Find a calm day and a suitable practice area, such as a gas dock at the end of a T-dock, to familiarise yourself with throttle and shifter control. Start by putting one engine in forward and the other in reverse to observe how the boat pivots on its axis. Experiment with different throttle speeds and note how the boat's turning motion changes.

Advanced Throttle and Shifter Techniques

Now, let's move on to more advanced techniques. With both engines idling, try increasing the throttle on one engine while keeping the other at a constant speed. Observe how this affects the turning radius and speed. Repeat this experiment by increasing the throttle on the engine in reverse while decreasing it on the engine in forward. This will help you understand how to control the boat's movement during docking.

Steering Without the Wheel

Another crucial skill is learning to steer the boat without touching the wheel. At idle speed, practice making sharp 90-degree turns using only the shifters. To do this, shift the engine on the side you want to turn into reverse. Control the turn radius by adjusting the throttle on that engine. Repeat this exercise until you can steer the boat around a square course smoothly.

Fine-Tuning Your Skills

Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to fine-tune your skills. Practice moving the boat forward and stopping at specific intervals, almost like dancing a foxtrot. Find an imaginary spot on the water and work on holding the boat steady relative to that spot. Then, try making axial 90-degree turns and holding your position again.

Applying Your Skills to Docking

Now that you've honed your control over the boat, it's time to apply these skills to docking. Approach a T-dock head-in or perpendicular, and ease the bow within 10 feet of the dock. Use the control techniques you've practised to pivot the boat into the dock. Remember to keep your engines at dead idle for slow and controlled movements.

Using a Piling as a Pivot Point

If you're dealing with strong winds or tides, consider using a piling as a pivot point. Angle your approach and gently push the bow or stern against a piling, depending on which end of the boat you want to dock. Then, use the piling as a push-point to pivot the boat into the dock by adjusting the throttle and shifters.

Backing into a Slip

Backing into a slip is the most challenging manoeuvre. If possible, use a piling to pivot the boat into the slip. Otherwise, approach the slip slowly and observe how wind and tide affect your boat. Make adjustments as needed to compensate for these elements and guide the boat into the slip smoothly.

Remember, practice makes perfect. By dedicating time to master these techniques, you'll gain the confidence to walk your twin-engine boat to the dock with ease and impress your fellow boaters!

Use short, controlled bursts of power as you approach the dock

As you approach the dock, it's important to remember that docking a boat can be a stressful experience, especially with an audience of other boaters. You should use short, controlled bursts of power to manoeuvre into the berth or slip. This is much safer than using too much power, which can lead to significant fiberglass damage.

When using twin engines, you have much more control as you can put one engine in forward and the other in reverse, allowing you to pivot the boat effectively. This is a useful technique to practice in a calm, open area, as it can be tricky to master.

If you are approaching a bulkhead or fuel dock, you can use alternating power between the port and starboard engines to "walk" your boat sideways. This technique requires some practice to perfect.

Remember to always keep safety in mind. Ensure your crew knows how to assist and how to avoid injury.

Frequently asked questions