How to Dock a Boat With Twins

Docking a boat with twin engines requires the same care and preparation as docking a single engine boat. The critical aspect to consider when docking a twin engine is the direction your boat drifts as a result of wind or current. Once you establish the direction your boat drifts as a result of these two forces, you can establish a plan for your approach. Another key element to consider is speed. Too little speed and your boat can drift off line; too much speed and you can drive the bow of the boat into the dock.

Things You'll Need

  • Bow and stern lines
  • Bumpers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the direction the greatest force -- wind or current -- is pushing your boat. To do so, stop the boat by reducing the throttle speed to neutral while facing the dock. Pick a landmark on the shore and watch which direction your boat drifts. If the boat does not drift within 15 seconds, you can approach the dock at any angle you choose. If the boat does drift, secure your boat on the windward side -- the direction the wind is blowing from.

    • 2

      Secure the bow and stern lines to the cleats on the boat's deck on the windward side. Wrap one end of the line around the base of the cleat twice. Make two figure-eight passes over the arms of the cleats to secure them in place. Drop the fenders over the windward side of the boat.

    • 3

      Accelerate forward to gain momentum. Reduce the speed of the boat to less than one knot or the speed required to prevent drift from strong winds or current. Increase the throttle speed by pushing forward on the twin engine levers. Pull back to reduce the speed.

    • 4

      Steer the bow of the boat directly into the wind as you accelerate forward. As the boat advances, begin steering the bow toward the slip as you reduce your speed. Do not point the stern directly at the slip as you reduce your speed. Rather, make a curving turn into the slip. As the boat approaches the slip, continue to reduce the speed until the boat is merely drifting with the inertia of momentum into the slip.

    • 5

      Disembark the boat as it pulls in alongside the slip with the bow line in hand. Quickly wrap the line around the base of the cleat on the dock twice, followed by two figure-eight wraps to secure it in place. Walk to the back of the boat, take the stern line in hand, wrap it around the base of the dock cleat twice and secure it in place with figure-eight wraps.

    • 6

      Walk back to the bow of the boat, untie the bow line and pull the boat toward you until the bumpers squeeze between the boat and the dock. Retie the bow line to the cleat using the same method as before.