How To Dock Your Fishing Boat!

How to dock a boat like a boss!
Learn how to dock a boat with twin engines or yacht at the harbor the safe and correct way. Captain Dave Hansen teaches you how to use your throttle and how to manage both engines to dock safely.
Common questions for this video are:
The harbor I am demonstrating in is Dana Point Harbor.
The boat I am driving is a 65 foot Hatteras.
Yes I am a licensed Captain.
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Link to my website Your Saltwater Guide with 400+ Fishing Tutorials and full videos: www.yoursaltwaterguide.com
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[@roxborotomm]

Every boater should learn to dock without using thrusters for there will be that time when a thruster fails or you're commanding a different boat. Great Job Captain! 👍🏼

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks for sharing

[@declanthiele]

I've never captained a vessel in my life. And yet now, I can surely say I will be able to dock a boat 😂 In all seriousness, very cool, thank you for sharing your wisdom

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

You can do it!

[@declanthiele]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide you, sir, are an encouragement!

[@Ytj9957]

Seriously😂. I want to go out and put it to the test now. Gotta remember Slow is gold.

[@kevinscott8038]

Best video on twin screws yet! Old school docking with no thrusters...and only be concerned about your boat getting into its home. Nice work! New subscriber here.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks

[@davidyendoll5903]

Excellent thanks Captain ! Now I need to find someone daft enough to trust me with a 60 foot boat and a marina to wreck a few times .... I was making buttons just watching ! I used to be able to dock a dingy fairly well , but , I am impressed . Cheers . Now I shall watch some more of your videos . Subbing .

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

MY PLEASURE

[@mixanguyen3068]

This is one of the best and thoughtful advice (tourists). Thank you sir!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheAcceleratorMagazine]

Then you're doing great, the crowd is in awe, you're a star.... Then the wind picks up and your boat becomes a sail. Then crowd comes to your rescue.... Wearing those darn smirks. Ask me how i know. rick in Tennessee. A hundred years ago on a 65' houseboat.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes they do

[@adambadri6161]

That was so smooth and relaxing!! Great job captain

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank you very much

[@tonixxl]

Why does the cameraman say "relax" in the beginning of the video. The captain seems quite relaxed to me... Edit: you gotta love this guy. "nobody can be in our way!" Never seen a huge-boat-guy being so humble.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thanks that is because I know what I am doing

[@stevenadams200]

Grew up there! Graduated from Dana Hills, 1980. Small World!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

then u know me

[@dougcowie5983]

Nice, controlled skills and advice Captain Dave. Thanks for sharing.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@casasdenick]

Great video. Good old Dana Point. Grew up running around this marina. Learned to sail here, learned to surf just down the coast at Doheny, and have countless memories having breakfast at Proud Mary's with the family. Anyone remember when Kelpie used to be docked there? My uncle captained and raced her for quite a few years. Good times.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

YOU RAN DANA POINT? DO YOU KNOW DON HANSEN ?

[@casasdenick]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide autocorrect got me. “Grew up running around this marina.”

[@rcdubbin0184]

Auto 🖤

[@willrobinson7578]

Nicely done, Captain Dave 👍🏽

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thank. You very Much

[@hhiibbaalleerr]

one year later...are you still this good, or better? ;) I dont EVER think I could be this good on something that size! Well done...great instruction...thank-you!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank u

[@newenglandreellife]

You sir seem like a great captain 👨‍✈️ 🫡, definitely subscribing after watching this video!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank you

[@BjornTalks925]

Hey I love the attitude. I wish more people acted like this!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank u

[@luisochoa8023]

this is such a good video, thank you Captn

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonathanvillella1591]

That was a great explanation, perfect docking also

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Glad you liked it

[@jamesmccaughey5604]

Some good points. Nicely done. 😎

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks

[@puretruth6379]

This is a seasoned and professional capitan.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Yes sir Thank you very much

[@joemorrow7691]

Excellent Video 👍👍

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@danieltb92]

I wish everyone thought that way (nobodies in your way)

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

it would be nice,But I only care about the boat I am on when I am out there.

[@TM-tw1py]

Well done sir!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks

[@Woemin]

I was just thinking about this! Even brought it up to a coworker so thank you very much for teaching me how to dock my boat! (I don’t own a boat) Seriously tho this was so informative and well taught that I couldn’t stop watching.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

You can do it!

[@mmfjhunt]

Cool video!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks!

[@joshuacarter7729]

I don't even own a boat but this is something I've always been curious about!! lol

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank u for watching

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Reference the paddle boards. You said stop the boat, I fully understand but the windage on that Hatteras must be immense. I find (ST34) when it goes below walking speed the windage takes over. Great instruction 👍🏻👍🏻

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks for the tips!

[@ernietetrault3403]

"Speed kills", As a former instructor, I always told people "When docking, never go any faster than you intend to hit anything"

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

always

[@BrawndoQC]

You still have to beat the current and wind. I used to back my 41-footer sailboat without trusters and single engine in my slip. I had to back at 2.5-3 knots minimum or I would enter in sideway and lose control. Always had side wind. Onece, my clutch failed and I hit the dock hard lol.

[@gelasio88]

great video

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks for the visit

[@johnhubbard6262]

Now if only my single-screw old Chris Craft would grow another motor, the only thing saving my dock from my docking skills is the port heat exchanger issue that is keeping me from running her. Excellent tutorial, thank you

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

That would be cool!

[@modsfishingadventures7677]

Nicely done

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thanks

[@adamlapitino6433]

Great video - best advise - sloooooooooow and easy

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

You bet!

[@kerrydrinkwater3823]

One hand on the controls (as you show, but don’t really mention) makes a huge difference. Keeps things happening slower.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes

[@nicolareims]

Great clip ...

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanbks

[@Charlie-dv7ev]

Old school pimpin!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes I am

[@dinorichetti]

Smoth operator 👍thanks for sharing 👍

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

No problem 👍

[@charleswinters7129]

I think this is sound advice as long as the wind is low. You don’t have a strong current or handling a bigger vessel in and out of locks. Some times you had to give it throttle just to not get pushed into concrete walls in locks. The current could be in circles and strong going in or out of a lock.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

ok kool

[@harigunawan8889]

I don't even have a boat and here I am 😂

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank u for watching

[@onespeedlite]

Absolutely amazing skills! I'm still having trouble parallel parking my car. 🤣🤣🤣

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

hahaha thank u

[@Anan-prtm]

THANKYOU SIR...

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

this is it

[@jato62]

Nice!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Ed3kidsconnelly]

Just brilliant

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

THANKS

[@Ed3kidsconnelly]

My dad had an old single engine IB Silverton and a short temper. Always fun getting back to the dock.

[@Gardis72]

Very nice job on that parallel docking maneuver. I'd like to see you back that boat into a slip between the pilings.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

ok when do u want me to come down

[@Gardis72]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide Well, I'm in CT on Long Island Sound but we had boats all my life. It would be interesting to see you dock a 65' vessel without thrusters into a slip. That's how most of the boats out here are positioned. Same as there it seems also. Very nice camera angles btw.

[@roxborotomm]

@@Gardis72 have you ever watched the fishing/crabbing boat challenges? Its a timed event where they need to pull in to dock, back out, and turn 180 and back into the same dock, with pilings on both sides.. very impressive to see, similar to this kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX-xqId5Z9Srqas

[@colterino]

Nicely done. Ha ha ha. No wind, twin screws. Cake. I’ve got a challenge for you. Doc a 25 foot pontoon, single Merck 60 in a 15 knot wind, four, aft, either beam. 😮😂❤

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

when and where

[@colterino]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide Twin Lakes. NE CT Salisbury. Summer. I generally stay in when the wind is blowing like that. But sometimes you get caught with your pants down. Good work. Sorry if I’m a little cheeky. I’m a sailor too. Cross the Atlantic twice. Trying to get 65 foot sailboat into 18 foot wide slips. Kudos to you. Great teaching video 👍😳🌟❤️

[@scubamystic8860]

Great video. How about a how to video with current pushing you away from the dock?

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Great suggestion!

[@nickshaw6289]

Come to Maui do it in 40kn wind and tell me i dont need throttle!! Just kidding Cap; great instruction and like you said being calm and slow is key!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Maybe one day! THANK U

[@rcdubbin0184]

In some bays wind is always strong.. Around Velebit, and zlatni Rat, island of Brac :)

[@ChristopherRyan603]

Love the vibe. Great video!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@darkskater107]

Slow goes bump, Fast goes crash. Words I was always told learning how to dock boats.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes sir

[@rcdubbin0184]

For sure BOOM Where water Portugal Psy Corp🖤🙏

[@kwinsley1]

I do the same thing 😊

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

sweet

[@roger9453]

Great video, Dave! I have the same Glendinning controls in our Bertram. Are your throttle/trans responses instant, or does there seem to be a second or two delay? Spent the last 10 yrs with cable controlled throttles/trans, so the electronics have been a learning curve.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

There is a small delay maybe a sEcond. That gets a lot of people in trouble

[@sterilesteve5565]

all diesel engines have that about a second delay

[@roger9453]

@@sterilesteve5565 It's actually not the engines but the trans pump.

[@sterilesteve5565]

@@roger9453 probably true idk more than that all diesels have delay

[@rcdubbin0184]

Should be. Cuz AC ur thingy Cap 🏴‍☠️

[@ShawnAbela]

Easy peasy

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes it is

[@aerodicus]

Same as I was taught, and my Captain said “Don’t lay one finger on that steering wheel!”

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

YES YES

[@SuperCreativeLemon]

Some boats need throttle. For instance our 33 cruisers has almost half the prop In a pocket with little props for its size so in Any kind of wind, just in gear idle youre not going anywhere. Sometimes big Diesel boats with massive props are easier to manover. Also sometimes it pays to drive twin outboard boats (sometimes i/o) with the steering wheel due to the small props and motor brackets, it will just cavitate

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

ok

[@rcdubbin0184]

Catamaran for us dumb fcks xD

[@timothyboone5003]

Fine job docking. But questionable terminology. There is a reason Port and Starboard are used and considered standard terminology. With Port and Starboard there can be no confusion. Right and Left are prospective, often determined by the subject’s view. Also there is a major difference between a twin engine outboard boat and a twin screw inboard. The outboard requires no speed to create steerage. They are directional thrust. This is a major difference between the two. I can agree that docking either are similar in concept but it’s stretching the idea because of this difference.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Glad you were able to Share

[@brick8234]

That’s right Capt. Speed Kills and Momentum Destroys

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Absolutely. Thanks so much for watching.

[@yannthree]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide slow is pro

[@ianmcculloch383]

Great video but the t head is the easiest dock to land at. I wanna see you pull into a narrow slip with current

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Noted!

[@unholysupertramp]

The most Team America video i've seen today

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks

[@seasickcaptain5249]

gas engines you have to use throttle sometimes, atleast with my boat i need to use a little bit of throttle to make her turn.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Well the your props are to small.

[@billpeters3237]

Great video but what do you do when it's windy

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

we bring in a real Captain

[@billpeters3237]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide well where I dock it's a river with Highwinds and I am at the end of the dock it's very difficult I was looking for pointers I'm sure you're kidding?

[@simonasfaw9450]

Found the full video from the short 👏🏼

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@abrahamshell9594]

Since when did a 65’ hatteras become a “very small boat”? 😂 is it just normal to have such a big boat?

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Nope

[@dane-my1qo]

That was very nice but u didn't mention counterriotation

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

no I only talk about what I am doing

[@tucko11]

I first practiced docking a boat on the GTA video game lol 😂

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

kool

[@rcdubbin0184]

I killed them and stole the Boat

[@sterilesteve5565]

very small boat, only a 65 footer. i drive a 24 foot :)

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Nothing wrong with a 24 footer. I don't own the 65'. My skiff is a 22 footer.

[@cincyrecycle7077]

3:42....left one goes in reverse, right one goes forward bow goes right???...am I wrong in believing bow goes "Left" instead???

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

so glad u took the time to watch

[@cincyrecycle7077]

Should have added.....best vid on docking....slow, polite, informative...just subscribed @@YourSaltwaterGuide

[@no1luhrs]

Drive as fast as you like to hit the dock... I have four sticks, and keep my right hand in my pocket lol

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Good tip!

[@rcdubbin0184]

🏴‍☠️☯️🤫

[@rp24hours]

Rule #1 of docking: never approach anything faster than you'd be willing to hit it. Slow and steady.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Thanks for Watching!

[@BrawndoQC]

You still have to beat the current and wind. I used to back my 41-footer sailboat without trusters and single engine in my slip. I had to back at 2.5-3 knots minimum or I would enter in sideway and lose control.

[@stevepawlick2051]

Do I need a captins license to power a boat over 64 ft?

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

nope

[@stephendiamond9893]

No room for error. To me that looks like way above my head.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes it is

[@markdiloreto9042]

and then there is wind...and current...look at the flag direction when entering the marina

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes

[@sirelpresidente3943]

Slow is Pro

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes it is

[@hoosierpete]

Go slow and stay calm, if you start getting a little anxious slow the boat down a little and take a breath.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Yes sir

[@darshanpatel9279]

Can you come to the US east coast and give the same advice (give way to kayaks, paddle boards, sailboats, don’t honk etc.) to the power boaters around here? Btw, your crow nest seems higher than some of those sailboats’ masts! 😜

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

Sure

[@rcdubbin0184]

🖤😉

[@clementgoetke2385]

what if its not a fishing boat?

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

am not going

[@Handz0r]

And when the wind blows?

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

that is when the good captain comes

[@rcdubbin0184]

Almost never

[@Elfyan43]

I hope i can buy a boat for fishing. Even inflatable boat with 10 hp engine on it.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes u can

[@Elfyan43]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide thanks

[@pillar350]

Step one get a yacht

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes yes

[@russoley8995]

No wind ,no current , t dock.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

VERY SMART

[@shank1013]

Pro tip: 'speed' kills...

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thanks

[@garrenhightower2737]

check out my 7 year old daughter docking like a Boss captain

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

OK WHERE

[@garrenhightower2737]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide on my channel .. and I got a video when my son was 9 docking.. they are going to be docking like you soon

[@rcdubbin0184]

Yes, boss.. We will:) 1312

[@rcdubbin0184]

Just stay alive and in touch :)

[@tekksavvy2242]

!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thank u

[@stevescoville8465]

Remember…NEVER EVER!!!

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

thanks

[@michaelpowell9164]

You do a great job slipping your boat but, you're killing the transmissions.....

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOT TRANSMISSIIONS

[@michaelpowell9164]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide Oh jeeze, are you sure? I might not be a 14yo keyboard warrior, and just because you captain a boat doesn't mean you know anything about how it works. I'd say watching you half shifting and flipping the gear lever in and out of gear 2 times a second means you haven't a clue either! Depending on what transmissions in that boat, (I'll guess hydraulic) you shifting so fast isn't actually engaging the transmissions. There isn't enough time to build up hydraulic pressure to actually shift it into gear. So that means any thrust you get from the prop is clutch slip. But it's your boat and transmissions. I would point out to your viewers, don't do what you do. It's not necessary.

[@michaelpowell9164]

@@YourSaltwaterGuide After reading some of the comments I understand why a subtle comment destroyed you. All the folks here impressed you docked a 65ft boat in calm conditions, no wind, no current and on a "T" head. lolololol WOW Captain how did you make it look so effortless? Is that better. hahahahahah

[@nickb5914]

Slow slow slow. So many people get nervous when others watching and over do it. If takes an extra 30 seconds to coast to the dock so what. Nobody notices that. What theh do notice is you gunning it and getting yourself into trouble.

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

THANKS

[@1320fastback]

Slow is Pro

[@YourSaltwaterGuide]

yes it is