First Timer Looking For Advice

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Sounds as if you got a decent used boat. Hopefully you got it at a good price.


I'm by no means an expert "Docker".

However, a few tips that have helped me.

Your speed docking should be the speed you want to be going when you hit the dock.

Swing out as wide as possible and get as straight a shot possible at the slip.

"Fenders" or "Boat Bumpers" are your friend. I have 6 of them tied in the slip in addition to the molded plastic ones that are bolted to the slip.

I also put two out, port & starboard near the bow and then I've got two of these on the front of the toon.



I don't use them on the sides as I like that the round ones will 'roll' a bit when docking.

These work great on the bow of the toon.

Also, if your toon has an electric trolling motor, that works wonders as a "Bow Thruster" when it's a bit windy and the wind pushes the bow of the toon one side or the other when trying to slide it into the slip.

[urbnsr]

Thanks... You are confirming the instructions from the dealer, also. The problem I have now is the no power, no steer concept. I understand it in my head - It just hasn't made it to my motor functions yet

The dock space I needed go to was in a somewhat tight spot (for me) with a few docked boats in the same area and I needed to make a 90* hard left. It was the move of properly negotiating that turn where I messed up a bit. Luckily no one else was watching - that I know of- and after a few fore and aft moves, I was close enough to just jump on the dock and pull the pontoon to 'safety'.

I like your comment on the fenders. The boat came with two (at least) round bumpers that I used on the port/dock side, but will look into adding bow fenders. I probably should have them all around!

[NonHyphenAmerican]

I got my 'EZ Fenders" in the mail today. (Thanks for the quick service!)

With luck, they'll go on the boat tomorrow.

They'll make adding, adjusting and moving fenders much easier.

The front ones I have just stay where they're at, even while towing.

[JohnO]

Paul,

Welcome aboard!!

On docking. I have 24 ' Manitou and the first day I put it in the slip we had 30-40 mile cross winds. (I learned that day that a grown man crying from frustration makes everyone on the dock uncomfortable ).

After me, my dad and 4 guys on the dock managed to get me in the slip I was thinking, "Oh No I made a huge mistakes here"

So I came back the next day (still winds thank God) and practiced docking for a few hours. My slip was between piers and I had about 40 feet tops to work with. Pretty tight.

After a few hours I got pretty good at getting it in the slip. Like everything else it takes practice.

At the end of that season the marina reconfigured the docks and I ended up facing the launching ramp. I now have about 250 -300ft of space to maneuver in!! But on the first windy day of the season I still practice docking a couple times.

That all said, getting into a slip is worlds easier than getting the boat on a trailer.


Second piece of advice.

Your boat WILL get scratched (eventually). It will get wet. It will get dirty. Don't stress about it.

The first time I had the family on board the kids were climbing in one side, running across the deck and jumping out the other side. All the while dripping water ON MY NEW BOAT!!!!

Once I stopped hyperventilating it struck me. It's a boat, it gets wet, it dries off and everyone has a great time. No big deal. My boating life has been a lot happier since that moment.

Don't spend time stressing about a scratch or some mud that you can be using enjoying yourself.

[urbnsr]

Ha! Thanks JohnO. I am thinking of returning to the scene to practice just as you suggested. I am looking for a day during the week hoping for less activity. I was also thinking of using someone else's unused dock in case someone is watching me: "That guy at dock 14 must be loosing it". Then I'll go to our dock 18 when I'm done.

I think part of my problem was that I imagined docking 100 times - in my head. With all that practice, I should be able to do this with no issues. Ha ha! I had no wind. Or very little. Hey, we all right and no damage. I'll work on it.

I do like those EZ fenders. Our boat's fenders came with plastic parts doing similar clipping, but one was a bit loose.

[urbnsr]

I'm wondering where these bow bumpers available? I'm finding many round bumpers/fenders, but I like the idea of these on the bow as the toons are about 4" proud of the deck.

TNX

I also put two out, port & starboard near the bow and then I've got two of these on the front of the toon.



I don't use them on the sides as I like that the round ones will 'roll' a bit when docking.

These work great on the bow of the toon.

[teecro]

I'm wondering where these bow bumpers available? I'm finding many round bumpers/fenders, but I like the idea of these on the bow as the toons are about 4" proud of the deck.

Check out www.overtons.com for just about everything that get wet... I time my purchases from them to when they are least running 10 % off and try to hold out until I see their 20 % off around the holidays

[urbnsr]

Cool. Thanks for the heads-up on the savings, too...

[solidhadriel]

Congrats on the boat purchase. How about some pictures?

[NonHyphenAmerican]

I bought mine at Academy Sports.

Third year running them and they still look and work great.

[urbnsr]

Thanks...

I need to take more, but here it is:

IMG_20160425_123009ssm.jpg (96.94 KiB) Viewed 3480 times

[solidhadriel]

Nice lookin' boat!

[Kramfam]

Looks like a great used boat.

Be sure to scour youtube videos that teach you how to use spring lines and different motor angles/thrusts to safely dock your boat in windy and tight conditions. And then, like the others have stated, practice. Find an empty dock and take your mate out for lots of practice.

It's amazing how just one line tied to the dock and the right "motor work" make it so that you don't need three people trying to push and pull your boat into a dock.

[urbnsr]

Thank you! We are very happy and I feel better in the wallet.

We went out yesterday - The marina is closed and we were the only ones there. It was too windy for a pleasure cruise, but not too much (in my unqualified thinking) to go out to see what it feels like in those waves and see how the boat acts in different directions relative to the waves. The main reason to go out was to come back and practice docking. Our dock is fairly protected from the main lake, but had a bit stronger current compared to a calm day. I thought this would be perfect to practice with no one around.

Guess what? When we turned the final corner, there was a gentleman fishing off of a dock next to ours. He came over to help (nice guy) even before he gathered that I need practice. It took me at least two attempts to get close enough. When I did get close enough, I just thought the hell with it and jumped off the bow and grabbed a line while our new friend steadied the craft until I could grab the aft line. I thanks him. He probably thought I shouldn't have been out in the first place. Also probably true. And I threw in the towel for the day. Someday I will dock as easy as Captain Ron did in the movie.

There will be other days, but I thought yesterday was going to be great for practice without witnesses. Dang! Oh, they do have cameras - They are probably laughing while watching the recordings. Double dang!

Oh, well - Maybe today will be better

[Ryan_in_Virginia]

That boat looks to be in perfect condition!