How to Back Into a Boat Slip
Out on the water, fishing, skiing or simply cruising is relaxing and peaceful, whether you're on a large yacht or a small boat. However, docking your boat in a slip is hectic and nerve wracking. An essential skill for all boaters, backing into a slip makes it easier to secure your boat and get off the boat. Learning the fundamentals and applying them with patience, caution and attention will make your life easier when backing your boat into a slip.
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Instructions
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Approach the boat slip very slowly, generating no wake. Most boat slips and marinas are strict no-wake zones, with strict fines or penalties.
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Drive the boat directly in front of the slip, with the stern or rear of the boat many feet from the back of the slip. Position the boat roughly in between the floating or stationary pylons in the water.
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Disengage the engine and place your docking bumpers, pads or other stern protection to keep from damaging the boat or the slip should a slight collision occur.
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Engage the engine briefly in reverse, in the lowest setting. Be gentle with the throttle, as reverse steering for most vessels is touchy and somewhat unpredictable.
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Aim the stern of the boat toward the left or port side pylon as you move backwards. With most one- and two-engine propeller boats, the boat will drift to the right in reverse.
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Touch the throttle again once the boat drifts to within 10 feet of the dock. Turn the wheel or rudder to move the boat to the right, which will swing the boat flush with the slip.
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Kill the engine and secure the boat to the dock. Stay on the boat until multiple lines secure the boat.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a spotter or first mate to help guide you for larger vessels. For particularly tight slips, a friend can jump or swim to the slip and manually pull the boat in.
In slightly choppy water, the boat may drift erratically as you approach the slip. Do not panic and do not rev the engine to avoid damage to your boat.
References
- Photo Credit boat dock image by Andrew Gentry from Fotolia.com
