How to Get in and Out of Your Boat Slip Safely and Confidently

Learn yow to get in and out of your dock slip safely and confidently with Ray Fernandez of Bridge Marina. Ray demonstrates a variety of maneuvers that work in most conditions, including how to "bump" in and out of gear, the importance of using neutral gear, assessing wind conditions, using fenders and more.

[@bobbarnes4399]

Not good but excellent instructions. He always uses both port starboard left right as he speaking so it makes it much easier for most of us landlubbers to follow and also learned the lingo at the same time. He does a wonderful job of pointing out everything he’s doing and everything he’s thinking and everything he’s observing all the way through. Kudos to this guy

[@Bridgemarina]

Thank you for the kind support!

[@hoqiez]

Watched this video on my trip this month, first time I was ever able to pull into a single slip with a 24' pontoon. Thank you!

[@Bridgemarina]

Awesome! Happy to help - thank you for stopping by!

[@therosses5]

Several A Holes commenting. I've boated since I was 8 off and on for 50 years and steady the last 15 years. It's not always straight forward like driving a car. Wind, current, number of people, where they are sitting, prop direction, thrust, etc. all have an effect on the outcome. My only 2 cents is have a pole ready to push or pull to correct issues and if anyone else is along give them a pole and CLEAR instructions on what they can do to help well ahead of arriving. Great, short video.

[@southernsoulfamily9699]

Wow thank you so much for this!!

[@michiganengineer8621]

Only nit-pick I have is this. After you're _stopped_ in your slip in the position you want, don't shut _OFF_ your motor. Neutral definitely, but leave it running in case there's a sudden gust of wind or something else where you have to move the boat. After you have your first lines tied off, THEN shut off the engine.

[@TheMrLebaron]

Agree, I do the same thing. Tho I could probably get away with turning it off because the modern motors start up crazy fast. But I just leave it running until Im tied off

[@bleucobalt5728]

lvl 1 : easy conditions, but I suppose some people need ;) The demonstration is clear and should be instructive for rookies.

[@harharmahadev5715]

Like your video.

[@austinmuth]

Could you maybe do some more videos on extra windy conditions, or when something goes wrong what to do? Also, people in my marina back all the way out of their slip. Thoughts on that? We are pretty tight down here.

[@virginiatrailcameravideos]

Thanks for the video. We park our tritoon in a tight spot and I have had a tough go of it. You made it look so simple. I am turning and needing to correct to line it up when pulling back in. Will try this some more with your video in mind.

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks so much for the comment, we're glad to be of help!

[@Bierdaddy1]

Good, basic skills. Everyone starts from the beginning. Those pretending to have mad skills the first time out have more money than I do for repairs.

[@grey184jeff5]

I’m doing boat training for the Fire Dept the last week. It is very frustrating skill to learn especially not being a boater and new to me. Ugh.

[@coloneljessup5949]

hmmm, I'd like to see a docking version that isn't pieced together to show a trouble free a dock attempt... some shots showed it was not going as flawless as the video depicts.

[@TheMrLebaron]

Well theres editing because theres different camera angles. I had some trouble at first, but Ive NEVER had a problem docking my XP3 for a long time, even in windy days

[@jomyadd9123]

Super caption nice

[@jomyadd9123]

Which country this

[@canadaisruledbyclowns7188]

Leaving the dock... My boat is docked bow out. 40', twin engine. I am docked on port. I have a boat alongside me on my starboard side about 3 feet away. Wind is blowing at 7-10 kts port to starboard. My wife will be on the swim platform at the back with a pole. I do not have easy access to a way to push off anything with a pole as I'm up on the flybridge. My concern is as soon as we untie either bow or stern line we'll start drifting fast towards starboard. Path out is straight forward and then must immediately turn to port to exit and to avoid boats in front. So if you could tell me what to do with each engine and the wheel and the lines and my wife and have that to me within the next 7 hours when we depart at 8am that would be fantastic. LOL Seriously I know you won't answer that quickly but this is probably the trickiest conditions for leaving the dock I've had in the year plus I've owned the boat. Just a touch worried I might knick that $750,000 boat next to me. Thanks!

[@keithfaulkner1288]

What if you have a 15-20 kt wind?

[@VK9]

I start praying

[@keithfaulkner1288]

@@VK9 That doesn't work.

[@jomyadd9123]

U r from

[@dobermanpac1064]

ROFLMBO...I’ve been sailing since 1960 and I could write a book on idiots! 🤠

[@samm0110]

The explanation does not match the maneuvers...

[@mosq10]

Someone got to explain this to you then perhaps a boat is not your thing.

[@ericred3731]

So common sense driving. If people need this tutorial you shouldn’t be near water, roads, boats planes trains other people toasters ovens and so on....