RussGW270
When docking, go SLOOOOOW. You can recover so much easier and if things go wrong, which sometimes does happen, damage is avoided. Using to much throttle is your enemy. Don"t panic, Don't Yell.
I've owned a 9 boats, the last being 3 Grady's, a 20 , 25, and now 33. Biggest mistake I see when people are docking or undocking is not using a piling to pivot on. Single engine boats don't maneuver like twins. Remember, Grady put the rub rails on a boat for a reason, don't be afraid to use them. Again, this falls back on going SLOW. Let the boat pivot on a piling if necessary, Its not going to destroy the "RUB RAIL" and you'll find docking safer and easier. I found that everytime someone tried to keep the boat off a piling, docking didn't go as planned. I learned this 25+ years ago from a friend.
Magicbill advised "5.) Trim your engines up some. Yes, I said UP. You want to direct the prop thrust to shoot below your transom "V" Line where the drain plug is. Otherwise, the prop wash will boil around the transom area, creating unnecessary turbulence and limiting the effectiveness of engine thrust."
In 44 years of boating I never truly thought of this. So I'm going to try it next time out and see how the 330 reacts. It could be great advice or not work for me. But I will try it and practice. I have to come out of my slip straight, and turn 90 degrees to starboard. The area is about 40 feet wide. Sounds like a lot of room with a 330 until you include a pulpit and two motors off the stern making the boat about 37 feet long! 3 foot margin of error?
Slow and steady. Don't panic.
When docking at an unfamiliar marina, take your time, get in the slip and then LOOK at how other boats are tied. Make adjustments, ask questions. Ask the dock hands or the office for help if necessary and tip them if they help you.
When docking, go SLOOOOOW. You can recover so much easier and if things go wrong, which sometimes does happen, damage is avoided. Using to much throttle is your enemy. Don"t panic, Don't Yell.
I've owned a 9 boats, the last being 3 Grady's, a 20 , 25, and now 33. Biggest mistake I see when people are docking or undocking is not using a piling to pivot on. Single engine boats don't maneuver like twins. Remember, Grady put the rub rails on a boat for a reason, don't be afraid to use them. Again, this falls back on going SLOW. Let the boat pivot on a piling if necessary, Its not going to destroy the "RUB RAIL" and you'll find docking safer and easier. I found that everytime someone tried to keep the boat off a piling, docking didn't go as planned. I learned this 25+ years ago from a friend.
Magicbill advised "5.) Trim your engines up some. Yes, I said UP. You want to direct the prop thrust to shoot below your transom "V" Line where the drain plug is. Otherwise, the prop wash will boil around the transom area, creating unnecessary turbulence and limiting the effectiveness of engine thrust."
In 44 years of boating I never truly thought of this. So I'm going to try it next time out and see how the 330 reacts. It could be great advice or not work for me. But I will try it and practice. I have to come out of my slip straight, and turn 90 degrees to starboard. The area is about 40 feet wide. Sounds like a lot of room with a 330 until you include a pulpit and two motors off the stern making the boat about 37 feet long! 3 foot margin of error?
Slow and steady. Don't panic.
When docking at an unfamiliar marina, take your time, get in the slip and then LOOK at how other boats are tied. Make adjustments, ask questions. Ask the dock hands or the office for help if necessary and tip them if they help you.
