How To Dock A Boat Correctly!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Learn tons of Tricks & Skills like this with Step-by-Step courses @ BornAgainBoating.com

[@mrmidnight32]

Best advice I was ever given about docking my boat. “Only go as fast as you’d want to hit it” Saved my hull a few times.

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Only approach a dock as fast as you're willing to hit is how I teach docking. I also teach the use of spring lines though.

[@dancheesman1752]

I use to work for a guy who use to slam us into the poly balls. I made fun of him calling it Pete’s Power Docking lessons 101.

[@Eluderatnight]

When you have a 4 blade prop on a small boat the 900rpm Idle is a little fast so You need to pop the throttle in reverse just shy of the dock

[@liamcoleman8244]

Being good at docking is such a flex

[@manfredlevin5638]

I bet all my money I am better than you

[@manfredlevin5638]

I bet all my money I am better than you

[@liamcoleman8244]

@@manfredlevin5638 ok

[@twistedjigco.548]

@@manfredlevin5638 flexin hard, lol my 6 yr old nephew is like that with everything.

[@Eluderatnight]

Anchoring solo on the sandbar late in the day when the only spot is in a rip current is the real flex.

[@devereux6055]

I’ve been boating for quite a few years this is by far the simplest explanation of boat handling. Docking is always the hardest part of boating. Go to any marina and watch, the difference between experienced and inexperienced boater. Your educational videos are priceless, thank you for all your hard work in providing use with your knowledge and experience.

[@Beachnative42]

Every boat owner needs to see this video! I worked for Sea Ray boats building 50 to 68 ft yachts and a new test captain was trying to back in a 58' er. There were about 10 people watching him and we could tell he was getting nervous. The dock supervisor made everyone go inside the dock house and watch thru the window and he was able to pull it right in. He had the talent but not the confidence that took a while to grow. The info in this terrific video is it builds awareness which leads to confidence, BRAVO !!!!

[@Eluderatnight]

Its a 1-2mil boat soo yea. Clinch factor.

[@vi811per]

Absolutely the best docking explanations on youtube. I've taught beginner boaters these very same techniques, but your explanations make it very simple to understand. From now on, I will be recommending any new boaters to watch this video. Not only is docking (and practicing over and over again in a quiet marina on a weekday) my main curriculum, I also focus on anchoring, beaching and safety while swimming around the vessel. If you can get confident docking over and over in different wind and current conditions, you're already ahead of the game. I also teach that even an experienced boater (over 25 years) will sometimes make a mistake, and it will usually be while everyone is at the dock watching, so don't get discouraged. Great video!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you so much!!

[@gregorylaughlin2556]

This guy is clear and confident. This is a message from Australia where I spend quite a bit of time with Marine Rescue which is the equivalent of the US Coast Guard. This is a really good video in my opinion.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Well thank you Sir!

[@Leg239]

I literally dock boats for a living and still learned something. Great video!

[@robertraft]

Me also, lol.

[@georgemulligan8958]

What could you have possibly learned?

[@sschwartz2509]

How bad at your job are you?

[@anthonystephens5183]

You guys are amazing!!! I have been studying various boating techniques and I'm in the process of buying my first boat!!! I thank GOD for all your help!!!

[@RobboHouTex]

Excellent vid. I'll be studying this carefully after I buy my boat. "Floating" the boat into place with motor inputs seems like good advice to remember.

[@vxnova1]

Going slow is the key, that and if you are about to hit something point the steering at it and then go in reverse,

[@vxnova1]

Practice as well. This video is great advice but no substitute for practice, spend the time and learn this at your own time will pay dividends when you are in a tight spot,

[@justjoeitable]

Practice is the only way it's never this calm by me I'm dealing with the 8 knot current and usually a whole bunch of wind. If you do anything slow you're in trouble and I'm talkin about inputs 2 the motors and the steering wheel. 30 years of practice I think I finally got it ;)

[@sdmc222]

Another quality vid. As a lifelong boater and now yacht pilot there is one point to add. Spring line: first one on at the dock or slip, and last one off! It is amazing how many boaters dont get this and will have a crew member throwing a bow line at a willing helper at the slip or gas dock. Only to find the current and/or wind push the stern away from the landing! As soon as you get to the dock make fast that spring line, (middle area of ur vessel), first and keep the bow or stern from drifting. Especially if you dont have a deckhand on board. Ive docked my 40+ foot yacht solo many times. (Although I wouldn't recommend it lol)

[@thehappytexan]

Very good instructions! I had to teach myself how to drive my old mans bass boat. Then I got married and we bought a v drive wake boat. Completely different! Accept using the wind. It takes time and patience to master a boat that backs to the right under light throttle no matter what the rudder position is. You can back it straight and even left, but it takes a little speed.

[@carstenhansen5757]

Seeing it from above, while seeing it from inside, was a REALLY good idea.

[@williamreymond2669]

12:45] That is it a correct half-wrap cleat hitch, which is fine for most short term applications. For longer term docking where wind and current can be more forceful you want to put a full wrap around the cleat and hitch it the same way. A full-wrap cleat hitch looks precisely the same way except that the bitter end of the line will face the opposite way. A full-wrap cleat hitch will probably need a swift jerk to get it off - that is normal. When docking and the cleat you are tying off is too large for the diameter of line you are using you may need to put several wraps around the cleat before hitching it off to generate enough friction to keep the knot from slipping. The old rule of thumb is one inch of cleat length for every 1/16in of line diameter. Got a 3/8 in line and a 10in cleat? You are going want wrap that puppy a couple of times - around the base - not around the horns. Don't make a mongosso.

[@erniewallace7687]

Probably the best boat docking video out there for a noob. I've watched it 20 times easily!

[@Mr51Caveman]

I worked Fighter aircraft for 24 years. I could put one of them pretty much anywhere. Today I put my new 23 ft Hurricane deck boat on the trailer for the 1st time ever! The winds were kicking and it kept pushing me sideways. Still the folks I was with (and had a lot of boating experience) thought I did a pretty good job. It was scary! But it took about 5 minutes and I was on the trailer. Thanks for the tips.

[@peterbourque5534]

Great video. The only thing I would add for multi-engine boats is to leave the drives straight and no need to touch the wheel.

[@treydrier3169]

Yes

[@dancheesman1752]

That wheel and jog stick are there for a reason. I agree a lot of situations, especially in southern waters the wheel may not need to be touched. But as you head up the East Coast more and tides 6’ and greater tides, there are areas where that technique isn’t going to be the most efficient. Depends on boat size also.

[@peterbourque5534]

@@dancheesman1752 I actually live and boat up the east coast in the Bay of Fundy which has the highest tides in the world (40') and thus strong currents. 99% of the time don't touch the wheel. If you get to the point where you need to use the wheel then you're definitely in an advanced situation.

[@ericdavi1231]

Everyone always wants their turn to drive the boat until we start getting close to the dock!

[@williamgray4416]

And you are so right.

[@skipper1350]

I don't care for wind speed too much, except for when I'm docking? I tell my wife, kids its time to go when it is not yet windy, though, when I am back at the marina and its picking up then they appreciate.

[@fantastic4ofus]

LOL. So true! Had that happen to me. When we were close to the dock, my friend said, "I'm done can you take over?" I won't lie, it felt good when he asked.

[@treydrier3169]

And as the boat owner you wouldn't want an amateur docking your boat.

[@KevinSmith-dq9tz]

😂😂 Fact !

[@ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

Everybody who has piloted a boat has a couple of situations they aren't exactly proud of. If they don't, they are lying.

[@terravarious]

It's not on KZbin Therefore it Never happened... too fast, didn't read the chart, didn't explain everything to my first timer crew member, didn't make sure the rental boat was fully functional, went out in a boat that had unsolved issues. That last one more than once... ugh.

[@squarebaygaming4992]

I have driven my 6.95m Merry Fisher for 21 hours and can write a book about it. Though I’m learning fast 😂

[@ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

@@squarebaygaming4992 a few bumps and scratches doesn't matter. It's experience markers :D

[@REDWhiteblue-uh1zp]

Just last week. Thank God my wife has been working with me for 30 years. She muscled the old pilot house into her slip.

[@kenjido69]

Today was my first day launching and trailering out. I went late, so it would be slower lol. But this particular ramp is a skinny one with one dock and rocks right on the side. Ugh so stressful, I drive most of the day with my business and drive flawlessly. But I had like 3 failed attempts and even hit my prop on the rock, my engine cut off. Hope nothing serious happened. But eventually gave up, tied a rope to my winch hook and pulled it on the trailer haha. To top it off I pulled the boat on my transom support rod. 1 boat and a sinking jetski came and I gave up and strapped the boat and rode home like that lol. Luckily I jacked the boat up at home and hammered it straight haha. That's why I'm here.....

[@flyingmedic]

This is a an excellent educating video for anyone who has or will have the responsibility to dock a boat. You might be on a $10,000 boat docking right next to a $10,000,000 boat. One can never think they are good enough. Thank you. Paul

[@pergunnarvikmjlhus3597]

Exactly. Docking a big boat will humble even the proudest person. Huge respect to Captains who are able to dock a superyacht in crowded marinas for example.

[@bluerider7922]

To Owen Wilsey: No question that you understand the physics of docking, and I so much admire you for that. Just keep learning from new situations that confront you and quietly get better and better. You will no doubt be highly respected for your ability even though compliments may not come often. But those who do not compliment are embarassed because they can't do what YOU can do. "In all cases of doubt or uncertainty, take the safe course and run no risks" was advice given by one of my best friends (now deceased) over 40 years ago and still holds true today. Godd luck, young man.

[@twistedjigco.548]

I need to practice more somewhere, I don’t mind asking for help knowing in the end it’s gonna make me better. Docking with a bigger boat and motor is a whole new type of anxiety lol. Especially having a tiller jet drive, even in neutral it pushes forward.

[@dutchglobetrotter4513]

There is a lot of good information in this video! I part-time crew on a sailing yacht and one of my tasks is to helm the rib. Once you mastered docking to a moving vessel, a solid dock is easy.

[@ciudadgilera]

I have a 28f CC single engine that resenttly purchased am still learning how to dock and like you say practice and practice I also drive big truck and like you said learning to dock requires lots of practice the concept is the same. Thank you for the great lesson.

[@Ingeanous]

Both power or sail (with more keel), backing in drastically changes the pivot point of the boat making backing in a more controlled process. Almost like going from real wheel drive to front wheel drive. If you understand prop walk... even better!

[@user-cb6pe4pe5k]

Thank you so much for the video. My wife and I just bought a boat and we were so stress out because we didn’t know how to dock properly. I’m glad that you posted this video 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@peterdraughn7743]

These videos have help me and my dad on our own boats. Thank you and keep it up.

[@royalnavyyachtmaster]

I teach docking and un-docking in person, on YOUR boat. Great video. Always learn something new.

[@youdonthavetoreadthispost.5850]

Know your boat - know the wind - know the tide - thrust is steering - back to port and kick to starboard if you can. You can back around a dock pole with one wrap to a cleated stern line.

[@thomasjoyce6020]

You are correct about just about everything you say but as a boat mechanic I know from experience every boat handles differently whether it be a 23 chapparal to a 35 donzi to a 48 sea ray sundancer

[@briantreco2371]

wowwwwwwww bro best docking video on youtube i endorse this video lol....... ive bin a captain for about 10 years driving boats from 17ft to 130 ft steel monsters no matter the size same rules apply great video !!!!!!

[@LBS4]

Great tips here, thank you - I’ve had boats since I was a kid & still learned a couple things, appreciate it!

[@greatlakescruiser5720]

Great vid! It would pay to remark on the fact that boats steer from the rear and move by swinging the stern, not directing the bow.

[@tajik.yassin5203]

Excellent video, I’m in the process of studying for my captains license. I grew up with boats back up in the Midwest. My uncles were fishermen plus I’m a water person since childhood. This is very good instructions and the top view with the drone was great 👍. Thank you for sharing your expertise on docking.

[@stephenkir7839]

Ah just bought a new single engine boat .I have been looking for a video like this thanx .The technique make so much sense.It is something you have to practice. I feel not so intimidated now nowing these tips.🙂😅

[@codyyork777]

Any advice for docking in the Missouri River's 5ish mph current, in a 20 mph wind, with a thunderstorm rolling in, and your wife yelling at you? Asking for a friend. Lol. Great video!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Lol sounds like normal operating conditions for a captain lol

[@rickc303]

Leave the noise box at home and take girlfriend instead 😂

[@meals24u]

Baaaahahahaha that comment made my day

[@tcoll1233]

Rick C A man that’s been around and learned a thing or two 👍🏻😂

[@NIGHTMARERICA]

Yup push her off lol. I love boating the Missouri but my passengers know if they speak while I am docking you WILL be smacked outta the boat.

[@carlpourciaux3734]

So I've had to do this with a 270' CG Cutter in Manhattan NY AND a 320' OSV breadth was 66 ft, while the slip breadth was 75 depth astern was 220' Takes more than an hour of practice hahaha

[@CaptainBoomies]

Can we be best friends!?! This was a perfect docking video! Everyone should be in love with neutral when they approach a dock!

[@patrickhampton5531]

thanks for that video i have a 32ft carver for season and now i know how to tie the rope properly.

[@Sommers234]

Sailor here but once in awhile I get aboard power and this information has been invaluable

[@BooksxRonin]

Good video, thanks for the time spent on making it. I live in the PNW and I can't seem to find any video talking about the do's and don'ts of fishing rivers from boats; how to pass, when to pass, how to maneuver blind corners and launching from dockless boat ramps. I realize this may be out of your comfort zone, but thought I'd post it anyhow. Thanks again.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you for the suggestion! Yeah, not really in our scope but maybe we'll eventually do something like this

[@yourmomsdildo3938]

Thanks for this. Upgrading from a 12" john boat to a 34' Cabin crusier living on lake erie.

[@hornybushman987]

I absolutely like your Chanel and videos. Great job bro. I am owner of the Marex 5.0 V8 300 BHp Speed boat, and I know how I am always afraid when comes to Docking.

[@stevede77]

Awesome vid man! I wish more people would take the time to learn driving a boat, it doesn’t just go forward 😜

[@chrishackett554]

Very good video! And love the fact you show a correct cleat hitch. Rules I always live by 1) Never fight Mother Nature, use Mother Nature to your advantage when possible and 2) never go faster than you can afford to pay the damage. Lol

[@andrewfyakim525]

All very well said!... Key point, you should be in neutral more than most folks understand...

[@centralcitytruckinginc.3315]

Hi guys! We're buying a beneteau Antares 23 this week. We've learned so much already here, and look forward to many more videos...

[@BornAgainBoating]

Awesome! Congrats and thank you!

[@TheEternalTimeTravel]

Wow. Just discovering this channel now. I still have so much to learn, I just wish I found you earlier.

[@patandedwardsreviews398]

Nice video. you might want to explain to people that twin outboards and I/O’s that are close Together don’t maneuver as well as inboard engines with shafts that are typically farther apart.

[@markfrankl6589]

Great video and advise on how to dock. I will use your suggestion and practice docking using your techniques that you demonstrated.

[@EmilioBaldi]

Great video and great advice! It is good practice, at least with sterndrives, to wait a moment in neutral between gear changes, so as not to stress the transmission.

[@alexg9582]

Form my docking experience one of the biggest things is only go as fast as you want to hit the dock or another boat

[@gerardvandijk2917]

Interesting video this week. Something else than fixing boats but still interesting and educational

[@therosses5]

My worst nightmare isn't the wind. It's my small grandchildren moving around like ants as the bow enters the slip. :-)

[@babyboom6574]

I make them sit down while docking, nothing more distracting than 4 year olds moving about.

[@nmillard]

If it's exciting then it's going too fast - best advice on habour techniques I've received.

[@MIUBHI007]

Great video. I've never had an issue with docking my boat (single engine speed boat) but it's always good to get someone else's perspective on things to possibly give you a better way to doing it. Love the channel, keep it up! #TYCollinite

[@ryanfish8560]

Now you can pull up to the dock like a boss

[@ArthurDeKeersmaeker]

I challenge you to do it with a ski nautique boat. So propeller and rudder under the boat. It is much easier with an outer motor than with an inner motor. The rudder on an internal engine boat has no effect if you slowly reverse. The propeller pulls the back of the boat to one side. that side depends on which direction the propeller is turning. If you don't know in which direction the rear of the boat will be pulled when you reverse, it is impossible to reverse into a dock. The turning momentum and the direction the propeller pulls you as you back up, is both your enemy and your friend. you have to counteract the turning momentum with the propeller. (i have expirience with both inside and outside motor) I also docked a 2 ton ski nautique boat with 400hp parallel with a zodiac with 250w electric motor. (5 meter rope from the back of the 250w zodiac to the nose of the big boat). So I had to see that I was sailing at a 45° angle to the dock with enough momentum. turn the zodiac 315° just 3m before the dock. I then sailed in the other direction next to the big boat, with giving everything the electric motor got of power. so that the momentum of the large boat was counteracted so that the rear of the boat turned/swung and slowed the boat down and then gently paralleled the boat against the dock. And meanwhile I had to see that the zodaic I was sailing in was also docked at the dock. so I could jump out of the zodaic to grab the big boat and secure it with rope

[@timothysullysullivan2571]

I suppose what gets most people in trouble is that both the wind and the current aren't readily visible. They are going by what they see, without visualizing and factoring in those two forces. And as you point out so well- they are the keys to docking success.

[@kranson8514]

What everyone else said, very easy to understand explanation bud 👏👍👍

[@egresk1]

I want to take the throttle levers off so bad, sandblast them and powder-coat them. I can't even watch I have such OCD.

[@leftyk1968]

Everyone of your videos shows me how I have to replace or repair. This week i noticed that my single control and steering wheel DO NOT move smoothly like in your video. Urgggg i didnt know it was that bad remember its my first boat. But now i have to replace or repair... mo money mo miney mo money

[@terravarious]

B.O.A.T. Bring Out Another Thousand.

[@TheDoug9901]

Docking for an hour you would have 20 people watching wanting to help

[@carlpourciaux3734]

Truth

[@siliconghost]

Lol, I was thinking this same thing

[@mikeyoung6347]

Demonstrate "The Capt. Ron Docking procedure"! I've only done it few times... without damage, and I can never get that cloud of diesel exhaust right.

[@charliehome9198]

Can you please make a video about anchoring at the sandbar with drunk fools in the way that refuses to move or help and with at-least three different anchoring scenarios?

[@ilovemusic-lp7zw]

My experience in boating. It's not a car on asphalt, wind and waves hate you! Have a boating buddy that knows how to use docking sticks and rope to moor as you throttle strategically.

[@capncrunchwhistle5553]

I dock at one of the Great Lakes and have never seen water this calm, or lack of winds. I always have bumpers out and a passenger ready with a gaff.

[@seikibrian8641]

*Business Client* " I always have bumpers out..." *Fenders.* ;-)

[@seikibrian8641]

@b1itsjustme "It's really just what they call things wherever you live." But Capn Cruchwhistle lives in America, and no one but a landlubber would call fenders "bumpers" here.

[@kekq3525]

im only 4 mins in and had to pause to subscribe and thank you! Now back to the video.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Awesome! Thank you ;)

[@chr70]

Nice manouevers, but docking astern in windy condition with a fixed propeller and rudder is a bit more difficult than docking in with an outboard motor. Especially when the boat is a bit bigger, and it is not possible to get the lines ashore immediately due to the height of the freeboard.

[@hellodarren]

Thanks for the amazing advice, you've got a new sub!

[@rickc303]

Excellent video, but more throttle needed in reverse at docking speed/maneuvers has less to do with hull design and more to do with propeller efficiency drastically reduced when spinning backwards

[@robertraft]

I dont know anything, but i am learning.

[@joshuasancho579]

I hate docking to the pint my boating experience is beee. Reduce by the fact I don’t want to deal parking. Thank you for the Video

[@aliced1869]

The advice given at 2'30" Pulling into a Slip" is disputable. Especially with a sailboat, the opposite advice is to be recommended, since the wind is going to get your bow drift leeward.

[@patrickko1447]

thanks for the instructive tutorial

[@BornAgainBoating]

You are welcome!

[@JohnBobRoger]

Of course if docking " bow in" you wanna be "into the wind" just like landing an aircraft ..never downwind (with the wind) when bow in going forward!

[@robertraft]

Come in alongside the bow right? Into the wind?

[@robertraft]

We dont slip, we moor.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Robert raft: I do it for a living... I teach how to park! People are less intimidated by phraseology and pedants. As long as they are safe and no danger to themselves or others then that is a success no matter what you call it...

[@JPerry-jw9ik]

I gotta see a video of this quality with a sailboat. :) Excellent video

[@User-V92]

best video i've ever seen. I learned a lots from this. thank you.

[@moosenbeans903]

Thank you for clean clear instructions

[@BornAgainBoating]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wyattcannon9865]

I love the thing in the other video "Green green nice and clean Blue bluerun on through Brown brown run aground White white you just might"

[@owenwilsey7896]

I’ll be docking in the calmest conditions on a lake with my family on board and have a million back seat drivers. I’m only 15 but probably drive better than the rest of my family lol but they all have some opinion 🤣

[@WonderingAimlessly]

The Captain is the only one that matters....and whoever paid for the boat 😉

[@bahenbihen]

I fucking hate that. I'm a skipper and I hate when the guests keep shouting out comments like "dO yOu sEe tHaT bOaT?!?" - yes madam thats a 50 foot ketch im not fucking blind and we aint even on a collision course

[@Kineticsdavid]

Practical and very useful for me, much appreciated

[@starrstewart7083]

I did it too. This is what I used Woodprix designs for

[@bosarge22]

Having a single engine catamaran I have learned that its tendencies docking are a little different than a mono hull. A twin engine cat turns better than a mono hull, a single engine cat is the hardest of all. Any videos of single engine cat docking? Thanks

[@kristian8744]

0:15 i thought the guy on the right was lifting the motor🤣🤣😂😂😅😅😁💪

[@nobody46820]

Very educational! Let's see you do that with a sailboat?!?!

[@johnnyr3903]

#TYCollinite, Great docking info. I've run into my share of docks and walls before I got it right....

[@tripletale]

I like the maintenance videos best, but this vid was great. All you have to do is watch people at the docks and boat ramps to know why. Maybe you can do one about docking pontoons in the future. Now they can be a challenge on windy days! #TYCollinite

[@terabyte1695]

Great video, can i add the power of your engine/s can make a difference, i have had boats with a long delay between going astern and then forward , but on the flip i have had boats where you can stop and start very quickly as the prop/s bite the water.

[@davidd8435]

Thanks, it’s like parking in Brooklyn New York,#TYCollinite

[@IOMFishing]

Single engine outboard + high cabin. One of the first things I bought was a telescopic boat hook. Not often it's needed but better to have it and not need it than the other way around :) #TYCollinite

[@RHLL]

Amazing! Ty for this kind of content! Good job!😎

[@Fireship1]

Great video. Hardest part of boating is docking. Easiest part of boating is drinking beer!

[@DanielSuran]

I love your videos! Very interesting. Every time. Greetings from Sweden. PS. I would really appreciate if you could make a video about timing belt change. Preferably on a Yamaha but I guess the procedure is almost the same on the most outboards..

[@_noname617]

here in the north east we rarely have flat waters - fender bumpers for the win! #tycollinite

[@davidthompson6099]

Ought to do some sailboats with horrendous prop walk.

[@BornAgainBoating]

I've been thinking of some sailboat ideas to do :) Well see what happens with time :)

[@michellafond3808]

Ce document vidéo est très bien fait!

[@sav5589]

Great vid, perfect advice!

[@chrisutley6756]

Like a BOSS! Excellent video

[@chadsmith8779]

I do Airboat tours. Take everything in this video and throw it out the window!! LOL!! Airboats are way different!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Lol those flat bottoms!