How To Dock Your Boat Safely

With spring right around the corner, it’ll be boating season in no time! Whether you’re just starting out or are getting back into the swing of things, one of the most important boating skills is docking properly and safely. We here at Nisswa Marine want to help you keep you, your boat, and the dock in one piece, so we’ve put together this docking guide. If you want more information, or you’re on the market for a boat to try this with, contact our store in Nisswa, Minnesota, today!

Pulling Up

On your way back from a long day on the water, it’s important to be vigilant. Scan the “slip,” the water right by where you’ll be docking. You wouldn’t park your car without looking first, and boating is even more complex! Keep an eye out for debris like stray lines that might tangle in your propeller. Also remember that your stern calls the shots in terms of maneuvering and steering, so make sure you keep that in mind when adjusting your approach.

Speed

The common advice is, “Don’t approach the pier any faster than you’re willing to hit it,” but you also need to move fast enough to stay in control and move in the right direction. Ideally, you’ll stay in the lowest speed setting and use short bursts of controlled acceleration to maneuver. If your boat has a single engine, make sure you turn the wheel before applying power. With twin-inboard engines, however, don’t use the wheel at all. Just alternate which engine you’re using to coordinate your movements.

In essence, what you want is guided floating. The throttle won’t be your friend here! And if you get stuck or feel like you’re going to do damage, there’s no shame in reversing and circling back to try again.

Wind

One of the biggest factors out of your control is the wind. With or without a sail, gusts of wind can complicate the entire process of docking. Bimini tops and T-tops still catch wind, for example, so furl any sails and lower all tops you can before trying to dock to reduce the boat’s silhouette. If the wind is blowing towards the dock, however, allow it to do most of the work and adjust as needed. Guide your boat to a parallel position and let nature help you out!

If the wind blows away from the dock, however, you’ll need a more severe angle than usual to cut through it. You may even require a 20 or even 30-degree angle. You still won’t want much acceleration, but be ready to tie off as soon as it’s safely possible. 

We hope this guide helps you dock safely and efficiently! For more tips, or to see the boats we have for sale, contact us at Nisswa Marine. We proudly serve the people of Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota—let us serve you today!