Docking a Boat

There are many possible adventures you can explore with your boat. Hunt for the best ice cream on the bay. Tow your kiddos as they attempt to water ski or wakeboard. Cruise along at a leisurely pace as you soak up the serene views. Whatever adventures you choose, they all end the same way - you'll eventually need to dock your boat either at home or at a marina. 

Plenty of new boat owners feel nervous at the thought of docking. They have to take their expensive vessel, approach a solid structure with jagged corners, fight the wind, and hope they escape without any damage or scratches to their boat. Put your mind at ease and know that the process is easier than you might think. It's just like any other skill - all you need is the steps and time to practice. We created the following beginner's guide to help you through the process. For all your boating needs, visit Hampton Watercraft and Marine. We proudly serve those in East Long Island, New York.

Approaching the Dock

As you head towards the marina or dock, you'll want to first ensure the area is clear of obstacles. For example, check that there are no stray lines that can get caught in your propeller. It's the same as parking a car. You wouldn't zip towards a parking spot without scanning the area first for pedestrians, potholes, animals, etc. With a boat, you still need to scan the area first. Once you've confirmed the coast is clear, you can head towards the dock.

Keep in mind that small adjustments of the wheel will end up causing big adjustments to your boat. The stern will move first and control how the direction your boat goes. Even a small tweak of your rudder will result in large changes, so make sure you don't overshoot the corrections.

The Ideal Speed

You are aiming for a sweet spot. Going too fast is a recipe for a crash. You may not be able to make the proper corrections in time and end up hitting the marina. But going too slow is an issue too (as it can leave you floating far away from where you hope to be).

Use this as a guide: only head towards the dock at a speed that you are comfortable hitting it at. Engage in your boat's lowest setting combined with small bursts of power.

Wind

In the perfect world, of course, there would be no wind interfering with your process. But that's not the world we live in. Odds are, there will be plenty of blustering wind as you try docking. If it blows towards the dock, you'll want to approach the dock in a parallel way (as close to the pier as you can get). Allow the wind to guide you to the spot.

If the wind is pushing away from the dock, you'll need to cut at a sharper angle to cut through it (maybe even a 30-degree angle). Get enough momentum to fight the wind and park your boat.

We hope you found our guide helpful! For all your boating needs, visit Hampton Watercraft and Marine. Check out our range of new and used boats for sale. Our financing options help you get your dream vessel home sooner. We also offer winter storage that'll keep your boat safe and secure. If your ship isn't running like it used to, bring it on in. We operate a parts replacement option that can help fix your issues. We proudly serve those in East Long Island, Hampton Bays, and Eastport, New York.