Low speed tricks/techniques? (trailering, docking)

[davidr]

There is some good information in the "Turn Etiquette?" thread, but I thought I'd start a new thread for this.

Anyone have favorite techniques for trailering, docking?

I'm still on the steep side of the learning curve with my mid-90's SN, but I've noticed a couple things.

Biggest is that reverse swings the stern clockwise - the greater the power application the more pronounced the swing. I can back slowly in a straight line at constant speed, but any kind of acceleration swings the stern...

Docking:

If docking with the dock on the left, good technique is to come in slowly at a slight angle, then reverse to simultaneously come to halt and gently swing the stern in parallel to the dock (as mentioned in the "Turn Etiquette?" thread).

I've tried docking on the right a couple times, the result is I end up doing a multi-point (reverse/forward/reverse...) 180 degree clockwise turn so I end up with the dock on the left and the bow pointing away from the shore, which is fine but requires a bit of manuevering room and more awareness to ensure the prop has clearance from the bottom.

Trailering:

Any tricks/techniques folks like to use?

Done this a couple times, still figuring out the nuances.

I've heard one technique is to come in straight at a good clip (7mph?) then hit reverse slightly at the last moment. I tried that, but was not completely straight - now I realize why the trailer has guide poles (and why one was bent when I got it). Was a little messy but no damage done. Would get better with practice I'm sure.

Previous time, I positioned the boat several lengths out and then came in slowly and well aimed, that was smooth but took extra throttle to fully seat onto the trailer and extra time to position.

Thanks
-Dave

[BigBald]

RE: Low speed tricks/techniques? (trailering, docking)

I learned to love the clockwise pull of the stern. But don't expect the same clockwise pull if you ever drive a Malibu or a MasterCraft...they pull opposite.

As far as trailering. I go in straight fairly slowly. Guide myself thru the uprights and push it on home. It takes a bit of power to get it seated, but if you are on a good concrete ramp, that shouldn't be a problem. If the ramp could potentially be washed out, then you need to be careful about too much power. I really try to avoid reverse unless I am starting to go back and try again. Also, it seems to me, that you can only steer (when going forward) when you are in gear. If you go into neutral, then it's tough to steer. The last hint that I was given is that if your bow is not perfectly seated, you can steer left or right and add power to get the boat in the correct position. Don't know if that is a good tip or not....and I don't have to do it very often, but occasionally it comes in handy.

If you are trailering in heavy winds or very rough water.....good luck and may the force be with you.....

[SGY]

RE: Low speed tricks/techniques? (trailering, docking)

Trailering is the most fun. I've found that different trailers, boats, and ramps all require different depths to get the boat on smoothly. I've finally got the depth figured out on my 206. I put it in so that the water is barely over the wheel well. This allows the boat to go right up to the crash pad with just a little throttle. On my 99 snob, I left the trailer wheel wells out of the water about two/three inches. That didn't work on my 206--leaves me short a couple of inches from the crash pad.

When trailering, I go very slow in and out of forward gear. If I do it right I don't need to use reverse. I try to put the boat straight on or error with the bow pointing a little to the port on the the trailer where a little reverse will swing the rear end right around and straighten things up. I've found that the TSC2 boats are a little easier to trailer and dock. Slow speed handling seems a little easier. Anyone else find this to be true?

As far as docking, I do the same thing whether its on the right or left side. I come in at around a forty five degree angle from the dock and use reverse to either bring the rear end around at the last minute or to slow the boat swing down if I'm coming in with the dock to my right. When picking up a skier, I aim the bow just to the port of the skier and when about 10 feet away, I turn to the port and swing the boat around. A little reverse slows the swing of the rear of the boat to the starboard and the skier platform ends up right in front of the skier. Works pretty good as long as the water is calm.

[davidr]

RE: Low speed tricks/techniques? (trailering, docking)

That all makes sense.
Thanks guys!

[bkhallpass]

SGY, I've never driven an inboard that backs up straighter than
the TSC2 hulls. It's almost kind of wierd.

Davidr. Docking on the right is no problem. It just takes
a little technique. Try this:

In open water, put the boat in idle, going straight. Now make
a hard left turn. Now, put the boat in idle, heading straight,
and before you turn left, pull the throttle back to neutral.
You'll discover that the boat turns much tighter with only momentum
and no power than it does while in gear. This is because the
propeller is mounted parallel to the boat and wants to push it
foward when in gear.

Now when docking, approach the dock at a 45 degree angle, pull
it to neutral and turn left. If you're a little too far out, pop into
gear and back to neutral just to advance the momentum. You can feather the throttle in and out of gear to get where you want to be. If you do it right the boat will pull up right alongside the dock. If the tail is
coming in to the dock too hot, simply give it a little reverse, which
will slow down the swing of your stern.

BKH

[G-man]

the biggest trick to docking-trailering is to remind yourself to take your time. Most damage to a boat happens when your in a hurry. Take your time and think before you do.