Mastering The Art Of Twin Screw Dock Departure

Pulling away from the dock with a twin-screw boat is a manoeuvre that requires practice and confidence. It can be intimidating, especially for those new to boating, but with the right techniques, it becomes easier. The key is to understand the basic principles of twin-engine control and develop absolute control of the boat. This involves practising with the throttles and shifters to pivot the boat and make sharp turns. When pulling away from the dock, it is important to stay calm and not engage in hasty control actions. By taking the time to learn and practice, boaters can avoid the embarrassment of crashing into another boat or the dock itself, which often occurs when people try to manoeuvre too slowly or too fast.

Prepare for docking ahead of time by deploying fenders and lines

Docking a boat can be a stressful experience, especially for those new to boating. However, with preparation and the right techniques, it can be a smooth and safe process. One crucial aspect of docking is preparing your fenders and dock lines in advance. Here's a detailed guide on how to do just that:

Prepare for Docking by Deploying Fenders and Lines:

Before you even approach the dock, it's essential to have your fenders and dock lines ready. Fenders, also known as "bumpers," play a critical role in protecting your boat and the dock from potential damage during the docking process. They act as a cushion between your boat and any surfaces it may come into contact with. When deploying fenders, consider the height at which you hang them, ensuring they are neither too high nor too low. The ideal height is just above the waterline for floating docks. It's recommended to have two to four fenders per side, depending on the length of your boat.

Dock lines, also known as mooring lines, are used to secure your boat to the dock. They come in different types: bow lines, stern lines, spring lines, and breast lines. In most cases, you'll primarily use bow and stern lines. When preparing your dock lines, it's essential to know how to tie proper knots. The bowline knot is ideal for tying a line to a fender, creating a strong and reliable loop. For tying the fender line to your boat, the clove hitch is a good choice, allowing for last-minute adjustments.

When preparing for docking, it's also crucial to consider the wind and water conditions, as these factors can impact your boat's movement. By deploying your fenders and dock lines in advance and being mindful of the surroundings, you can approach the dock with confidence and control.

Additional Tips for Successful Docking:

• Keep your docking lines and fenders ready on both sides of your boat to prevent any unwanted contact with the dock.
• Always approach the dock slowly and carefully. Rushing can lead to mistakes and potential damage.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including other boats, wind speed and direction, and current conditions.
• If you're docking in a slip, position your boat to back in, centering your wheel before starting to reverse.
• Once docked, apply a small burst of forward power to stop your reverse momentum, and then tie off your lines.

By following these instructions and staying calm, you can successfully dock your boat, ensuring the safety of your vessel and those around you.

Trim engines slightly to ensure propwash goes under the boat

Trimming your engines is one of the most effective ways to improve your boat's overall performance. It can help you maintain control of your boat, improving safety during your time on the water.

Trimming your engines involves raising or lowering the bow (the front of the boat) by adjusting the angle of the outboard motor and propeller shaft relative to the boat's transom. This can be done using a toggle button on the control lever or the dashboard.

When preparing to pull away from a dock with a twin screw, it is important to trim your engines slightly to ensure that the propwash goes under the boat. Propwash is the force of the water pushed by the propeller. By trimming your engines, you can control the direction of the propwash, ensuring it goes under the boat where it has the greatest effect. If you don't do this, the propwash may hit the transom, making the boat harder to manoeuvre.

To trim your engines, use the tilt-trim switch at the throttle to trim them up slightly. This will lift the propeller higher in the water and further away from the stern of the boat. This creates a force that pushes the stern down and tilts the bow upwards. Trimming your engines this way ensures that the propwash goes under the boat, providing more control and easier manoeuvrability as you pull away from the dock.

It is important to note that the boat's bow will move in the same direction as you press the trim button. So, if you press the trim button up, the bow will move up, and if you press it down, the bow will move down. Make sure to adjust the trim according to the specific conditions and characteristics of your boat.

Approach the slip at a 90-degree angle

Approaching the slip at a 90-degree angle is a crucial step when docking a twin-engine outboard boat. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master this manoeuvre:

Firstly, prepare for the docking manoeuvre by deploying fenders and lines as necessary before approaching the slip. It is also important to check for wind and current conditions to anticipate any potential challenges.

As you approach the slip, maintain a 90-degree angle relative to the dock. Once the middle of your boat is aligned with the centre of the slip, stop the boat and centre your steering wheel. At this point, it is easiest to control the boat by manipulating the engines rather than the steering wheel.

To turn the boat, shift one engine into forward and the other into reverse. This will cause the boat to spin in place. Remember, the bow will move in the direction of the throttle shifted into reverse. For example, shifting the starboard throttle into forward and the port throttle into reverse will cause the bow to spin to port.

If you have sufficient space and no constraints, you can continue spinning the boat until it is perfectly parallel with the finger pier. Then, simply shift both engines into reverse idle and back into the slip. However, if space is limited, you may need to adjust your technique. After initiating the turn, remove the forward throttle from gear to reduce forward thrust and increase the rate of spin. This will allow you to manoeuvre the boat into the slip more effectively.

By following these instructions, you will be able to approach the slip at a 90-degree angle and successfully dock your twin-engine outboard boat. Remember to stay calm and make adjustments as needed based on wind, current, and space constraints.

Centre the steering wheel and use engines for manoeuvring

Once you have prepared for the docking manoeuvre by deploying fenders and lines, and checked for wind and current, centre your steering wheel and use your engines for manoeuvring.

At idle speed, head off for about 50 yards and then make a sharp, right-angle turn, using only the shifters to make the turn. Shift the engine on the side in the direction you want to turn into reverse. Control the radius of the turn by adjusting the throttle. Usually, the reversed engine will give you a sharper turn. Repeat this process until you can steer the boat around a square course, going straight and then making sharp 90-degree turns.

Now put one hand on each of the throttles, with both engines in forward, and control the boat using only the throttles. Steer the boat by increasing and decreasing throttle speed. Practice this exercise so that you become familiar with throttle steering.

Next, practice running the boat in reverse. When backing up, make sure the wheel is centred because, in reversing, the rudders will steer the boat more than in forward. Try to back along a straight line, using the gears to control the direction. Make a sudden stop, then pivot 90 degrees again. Learn to make fast, sharp, precise movements while bringing the boat to a complete stop in exactly the place you want it to stop.

Now that you can control the boat precisely on open water, you will be much better prepared to do the same in close quarters.

Use one engine in forward and the other in reverse to get the boat spinning

When pulling away from a dock with a twin-screw boat, it is important to remember that this process can be intimidating, especially for those who are trying it for the first time. However, it is a handy skill to have, as backing a twin-engine outboard boat into a slip is easier than doing so with a single-engine boat. This is because twin-screw boats have two engines that can be opposed, with one put into forward and the other into reverse, causing the boat to spin in place. This gives the boat more "bite" on the water.

To get the boat spinning, follow these steps:

• Before approaching the slip, prepare for the docking maneuver by deploying fenders and lines as necessary. Also, check for wind and current to avoid any surprises.
• Trim your engines up slightly using the tilt-trim switch at the throttle. This ensures that the propwash goes under the boat, where it is most effective. If not done, the propwash may hit the transom, making the boat harder to maneuver.
• As you approach the slip, maintain a 90-degree angle. Once the middle of your boat is even with the middle of the slip, stop and center your steering wheel. From this point on, it's easier to turn the boat by opposing the engines (shifting one into forward and the other into reverse). Avoid touching the steering wheel and rely solely on the engines for maneuvering.
• Now, put one engine in forward and the other in reverse to get the boat spinning. Remember, the bow will move in the direction of the throttle shifted into reverse. For example, if you shift the starboard throttle into forward and the port throttle into reverse, the bow will spin to port.
• Ideally, there will be no wind or current, and you will have ample room to maneuver. In this case, you can spin the boat until it is perfectly parallel with the finger pier. Then, getting into the slip simply involves shifting both engines into reverse idle and backing up.
• However, you may encounter space constraints that prevent you from spinning the boat completely. In such cases, after the boat begins to turn, you can take the forward throttle out of gear, removing all forward thrust. This will cause the boat to start backing up as it continues to spin, allowing you to get closer to the slip. Remember that removing the forward throttle will reduce the rate at which the boat is spinning, so you may need to shift in and out of gear to balance between backing up and spinning.
• As the boat moves into the slip, you can briefly reverse both throttles to stop all spinning motion before slowly backing in the rest of the way. Make any final adjustments as needed to bring the boat alongside the slip.

By following these steps, you can confidently pull away from the dock with your twin-screw boat, even in challenging conditions.

Frequently asked questions