Docking a 40 foot powerboat

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

On the throttle thing. Maybe it's just me but I always had to add quite a bit of reverse throttle when I was trying to pivot the boat. Seems a backwards turning prop is way more inefficient requiring quite a bit more RPM to generate the same thrust as the one in forward and at idle.

It's all relative, of course... but I have 900 hp to play with

So ONE second (or less) in gear -- in calm conditions -- is enough to kick the stern of the boat about a foot or so in one direction or other.

PO's target 40' powerboat may be similar... or if with gas engines, TWO seconds in gear might be necessary. No throttle, in calm conditions... and this after coming to an almost complete stop, only barely moving.

-Chris

[wingless]

Originally Posted by atoll

here are a few manoeuvering tips

They should send me a royalty each time that movie is viewed, because the ideas for that clip must have come from watching me drive my boat.

[GPSocal]

Cut and paste Capt. Alex's Rule of Thumb at your helm station. Make sure your rudders are in neutral position, then control the boats movement with the shift levers. Throttle down as slow as you can, then try to go slower. Momentum and inertia can work for or against you.
Practice with all your fenders deployed until you gain more confidence. I have lined my slip with old fenders which has saved lots of gelcoat. The wind and tide will always make the docking process challenging but with practice you will be fine.

[charlesosgood]

Originally Posted by felipelombello

Hey guys,
I own a scout 225 dorado. I was thinking of possibly chartering a boat around 40 feet without a captain. I am pretty confident in my abilities to handle larger boats away from the dock, and have done so before, but I have never docked a large boat with twin engines. I would appreciate it if those of you who have transitioned to bigger boats from small boats tell me what it's like, what to expect, and lastly, how long did it take you to learn?

Many 40 footers have a bow thruster. Makes it much easier to control the bow. I have a 40 foot single (former sailor) and the thruster is a great "cheat".

[zeehag]

dang. now i have bullet proof amphibious submersible seadoo envy......now if it could only fly....

[beachbum29]

Originally Posted by Capt.Alex

Rule of thumb... Don't approach a fixed object any faster than you are willing to hit. Stuff happens, though rarely, like an engine stalls, shift cable fails, etc.

Amen!