Docking Your Boat

Should you dock your boat with its port side to the pier? Not necessarily. While it may make sense to do so for convenience or consistency, docking the boat requires more thought than that. Consider the wind and current’s strength and direction and point the bow of the boat in the direction of whichever is the strongest.

Undocking Your Boat

Likewise, pay attention to which way the current and winds are moving when undocking your boat. The goal is to work with these forces, not against them. When these forces are parallel to the dock, you should have placed a spring line at the opposite end of the oncoming wind or current. For instance, if the bow of the boat is facing into the oncoming wind or current, the spring line should be placed at the aft of the boat. When you undock in this situation, you would release the bow line first. The current or wind will push the bow of the boat outward. Release the aft line.

On the other hand, when the current or wind is perpendicular and pushing the boat against the dock, undocking is a bit trickier. In this case, the bow should have a spring line. Release the aft line and use your rudder to swing the stern of the boat outward. Use the motor, once the stern is sufficiently clear to edge up close enough to remove the bow line and then reverse out of the dock’s way.

Saving Fuel

Fuel prices can put a big dent in your boating budget, making it smart to get the most out of every gallon. The following tips can help you reduce fuel usage:

• Keep your boat’s motor well-tuned and its hull clean.
• Learn how to properly trim your boat and reduce drag.
• Use enough power for the load
• Minimize dockside idling
• Minimize onboard generator use
• Use the right size propeller for your boat
• Check for weeds and debris clogging intakes on jet boats
• Reduce speed on the water

Working with Lines

As a boater, you must know how to work with rope lines including anchor lines, bow lines, and tow ropes; otherwise, you will have a tangled mess on your hands. Sailors have even more lines to contend with. Knowing how to coil and store your lines ensures longevity and keeps them tidy and out of the way.

Laid lines have a natural twist built into them and should be coiled from the secured end to the free end in a clockwise direction. Braided lines do not have a natural twist and should be coiled in much the same way as laid lines, only you will need to add a twist as you coil the rope. However, this technique is not desirable for sailing as the twist can cause kinks in the rope which can then get stuck in the blocks and rigging. In this case, allow the rope to form a natural figure eight as you coil it.

Once you have coiled the line, you can secure the coil by taking about an arm’s length of the line’s end and wrapping it around the coil about four or five times. From there, make a loop with the remaining line and pull it through the coil above the wraps you just made and down over the top. Pull tightly.