Parallel Docking a Cat

[pkrrvr619]

Took my daytona out to a local San Diego lake for some seat time and when we got to the dock things started to fall apart a bit.

The Tres class taught me how to back in to slips etc and we discussed the parallel parking but that was a few months back and without any practice between then and now my experience level is lacking.

That being said, how do the RDP pro's dock their cat boats?

Back in parallel and then whip the wheel to suck the boat in? How does that work?

Someone on the closed bow to catch it or stop from bumping?

What have y'all found successful so i can keep my gel in decent order this year?

 

[Blackmagic94]

In Alaska we always go forward to dock. Go at 30-45 deg angle then slap in reverse and then turn hard towards the dock to swing the ass around into the spot. If done right you can literally leave the helm and walk to the cleats and tie it down solo.



High pitch props make this more of a bitch.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

How many engines?

 

[RiverDave]

honestly I don’t really have any “technique” as it just kinda varies depending on the situation and circumstances...

Black Magic’s little program would work pretty well though..

If you have twins you can use one engine as a pivot and the other as the leverage to pretty much make the boat do whatever ya want.

 

[Desert Whaler]

Keep the wind in mind as well, it can be your friend, or your enemy.

 

[boatnam2]

Wind, current and second mate, about it for the single engine deal. Throw in a loppy blower motor you can't throw in drive until it lopes makes it even more fun. Everyone thinks your trying to show off but the reality is you just trying to get it in and out of gear quicker.

 

[pkrrvr619]

How many engines?

One

 

[Bpracing1127]

When I drove my dads daytona. Nose first and get the ass end to come in with it

So pull in forward (dock on port side of boat) once the nose of the sponson is about 1-1/2 away. Turn hard to starboard and put into reverse and get the back of the boat to start moving towards the dock. At this point the boat will be 1 foot off the dock. Jump off and tie away.

 

[77 SLEEK]

I'm struggling with mine also. I have been boating since 1983 and was always confident docking or loading on the trailer. The new to me boat is a DCB Mach 22 with twin 280s and 30 pitch props. Just clicking into gear moves the boat alot and not always the desired direction, kind of a handful it times. Taking some getting use to

 

[Icky]

In general it's easier to back in with my 25 Daytona, but unless you're in a marina the current/wakes are going to probably hinder you from that.

Typically if it's bad out with lots of wake board boats like in Parker, I'd rather beach it than scratch up the side on my boat on shitty bumpers.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

One

Cant help the single, with twins you start at a 45 degree angle to the dock, back up with your engine that is closest to the dock, just about when the corner of the boat hits the dock you pull that one to neutral and put the outside one in forward and the front comes around and you are lined up parallel. Thats the Tres way.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

I'm struggling with mine also. I have been boating since 1983 and was always confident docking or loading on the trailer. The new to me boat is a DCB Mach 22 with twin 280s and 30 pitch props. Just clicking into gear moves the boat alot and not always the desired direction, kind of a handful it times. Taking some getting use to

On a twin boat you need to come on to the trailer with one engine, if you use two you will carry way too much speed. I just pop them in and out of gear and drive it like a bulldozer not touching the steering wheel once I am lined up heading towards the trailer. On outboards its easier cause you can turn around and make sure your engines are straight before you start bulldozing it. On inboards I get up and run back real quick before I start or ask somebody to do so to make sure the drives are straight. If they are not then the whole bulldozer route is gonna go terribly wrong.

I leave half the bunks out, there are neon orange painted on the tops of the bunks so my wife can see where to put the water line. Once the nose is stuck I leave both engines in gear and my wife backs the trailer under the boat the rest of the way.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

And dont put a cat bow first into a slip. Its just wrong in so many ways, cool factor is on point when you back in and with twins its far easier anyway. Same process as trailer, make sure drives are straight and then back it in with popping in and out of gear with straight drives and dont use the steering wheel.

 

[Bpracing1127]

This^^***

 

[Icky]

I leave half the bunks out, there are neon orange painted on the tops of the bunks so my wife can see where to put the water line. Once the nose is stuck I leave both engines in gear and my wife backs the trailer under the boat the rest of the way.

This is more or less how we do it as well, minus the neon paint, never thought of that

 

[gqchris]

My 25 SXT was challenging at times. The front bow and sponsons love the wind. LOL....Practice makes perfect is all I can say. And then you get your butt spanked again on the next time it gets weird out!

Last weekend I couldnt get my boat lined up in the new Casino slips for the life of me. Felt like a newbie all over again!

 

[J DUNN]

Not very relative contribution here but your post reminds me of a lesson my Dad taught me. We used to take "Big Red" the all red 42' Fountain (1995) with twin 1000 blower motors, to Mohave and launch out of Katherine's. As you know, afternoon wind there is a pain and it's a narrow shot in and out for a 42', not much space to flip a B especially with traffic. Most people respect what you have to work with but others think you're an A$$ for no reason. Anyway, we'd usually get an end tie for a few nights over the weekend. Coming into it Pops would nose in sometimes almost at a 90 and then we'd use the dock to help us flip the 180 so we'd be bow out for the next day. The lesson was this: I'd hop off the bow and "catch" the boat. Pops always said, "You're not gonna stop the boat, USE it's inertia to keep moving to where you want it." In other words, if you're coming in too sharp or fast, don't stop the nose, redirect it to help the rear end keep pushing in and swing close to the dock.

Some of this theory may apply, maybe not. Either way, I wanted to share a cool story about my Dad.

 

[HighVoltage329]

On the delta it's all about docking. Much of this has been covered. Figure out the current or wind witch ever is stronger. Bumpers & ropes out and ready, nose in at 45* or less into the current, getting as close as possible without touching. Full turn toward the dock and pop in reverse. This get you within a foot or two. Landing poll to grab a cleat to pull in the last bit. No need to get on the deck.

 

[havasuhusker]

I leave half the bunks out, there are neon orange painted on the tops of the bunks so my wife can see where to put the water line. Once the nose is stuck I leave both engines in gear and my wife backs the trailer under the boat the rest of the way.

That's a great idea!

 

[havasuhusker]

Last weekend I couldnt get my boat lined up in the new Casino slips for the life of me. Felt like a newbie all over again!

Just when you think you have it down, the boat and universe have other plans. Similar thing happened to me yesterday when trying to get the boat on the trailer. Had to back away and setup 3x before I could get it on.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

When you think you are awesome at putting a boat on the trailer or putting a boat in a slip, try a toon.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I'm struggling with mine also. I have been boating since 1983 and was always confident docking or loading on the trailer. The new to me boat is a DCB Mach 22 with twin 280s and 30 pitch props. Just clicking into gear moves the boat alot and not always the desired direction, kind of a handful it times. Taking some getting use to

The twin 2.5's are the hardest boat to dock, I don't like to shift when the motors are running either. My steering is 6.5 turn lock to lock, that's a lot of wheel spinning even to back into a easy spot. I have accepted that there may be some dorkyness at the bars, the trailer is much easier with just 1 motor running.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

The twin 2.5's are the hardest boat to dock, I don't like to shift when the motors are running either. My steering is 6.5 turn lock to lock, that's a lot of wheel spinning even to back into a easy spot. I have accepted that there may be some dorkyness at the bars, the trailer is much easier with just 1 motor running.

2.5's are not a big fan of idling for any length of time on top of everything else. And then everyone on the dock is coughing as well.

 

[Todd Mohr]

2.5's are not a big fan of idling for any length of time on top of everything else. And then everyone on the dock is coughing as well.

But they sound good! When launching in the morning everyone gets a taste.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

But they sound good! When launching in the morning everyone gets a taste.

One morning early I was launching around 7 to make a speed run up to topock for breakfast. When you fire those things up cold its pretty thick. I completely covered the ramp in blue fog. No worries because there were not other boats, but there was a blue hair snowbird out walking her dog. She started coughing and screaming that she was going to call the cops. Good times.

 

[BingerFang]

One morning early I was launching around 7 to make a speed run up to topock for breakfast. When you fire those things up cold its pretty thick. I completely covered the ramp in blue fog. No worries because there were not other boats, but there was a blue hair snowbird out walking her dog. She started coughing and screaming that she was going to call the cops. Good times.

Ahahah I love when the 2 smoker does that at the ramp..... all the dudes smile and the chicks get pissed

 

[havasuhusker]

When you think you are awesome at putting a boat on the trailer or putting a boat in a slip, try a toon.

You're not kidding! Our other boat is a toon and it has humbled me on many occasions. lol

 

[gqchris]

Ahahah I love when the 2 smoker does that at the ramp..... all the dudes smile and the chicks get pissed [emoji23]

 

[BingerFang]

View attachment 987369

lmao!

 

[Boat 405]

My 25 Daytona with a NA 582 and a carb is a bitch. It doesn’t like to idle below 1000. And it doesn’t like to be shifted above 800. So I basically almost stall it with every shift. Then bump the throttle immediately once in gear or out of gear to prevent stalling. Any wind or current and I’m usually making a couple tries at it. Not to mention a 30 pitch 5 blade prop doesn’t help things. A 30 pitch 4 blade prop is a huge difference and easier. Drop down to a 4 blade 28 and I’m dialed every time.

 

[CarolynandBob]

When you think you are awesome at putting a boat on the trailer or putting a boat in a slip, try a toon.

This. We just got the toon last summer and have had a difficult time docking it. I guess just practice practice practice.

 

[Angler]

Putting a toon on the trailer in Parker with the wind is always fun...

 

[Icky]

I put my Bimini down while docking if it's windy, one less variable.

 

[Mandelon]

I rode over to the casino on a friends brand new (to him) pontoon. It was a bit breezy. He slowed down and picked a spot in the marina.
He drove us right in and we tied up no problem. I complemented him on the driving skills.

He laughed and said he was aiming for the next slip over. We just got lucky! LMAO. Poor guy was sweating bullets.

 

[hallett21]

Would welding fins on the last 8ft of the logs help pontoons track better?

2-3” in height in the rear that zeros out towards the bow, like a really stretched triangle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HBCraig]

In Alaska we always go forward to dock. Go at 30-45 deg angle then slap in reverse and then turn hard towards the dock to swing the ass around into the spot. If done right you can literally leave the helm and walk to the cleats and tie it down solo.



High pitch props make this more of a bitch.

This. Point the nose where you want it then reverse in so the stern will come around

 

[pkrrvr619]

This. Point the nose where you want it then reverse in so the stern will come around

How far away from the dock do you start this maneuver?

 

[HBCraig]

How far away from the dock do you start this maneuver?

I start pointing the nose about 15' away or so then let it drift in that direction. But, I am on the lake though, not Parker where there is a current.

 

[Jed-O]

Lol, all you guys with steerable drives...
Try it in a V-drive tunnel . It feels like a game of Russian Roulette.

 

[pkrrvr619]

I start pointing the nose about 15' away or so then let it drift in that direction. But, I am on the lake though, not Parker where there is a current.

I meant the reverse slam and turn. But thanks!

 

[Duramax]

I'm struggling with mine also. I have been boating since 1983 and was always confident docking or loading on the trailer. The new to me boat is a DCB Mach 22 with twin 280s and 30 pitch props. Just clicking into gear moves the boat alot and not always the desired direction, kind of a handful it times. Taking some getting use to

They aren't the easiest with big cleavers and the tendency to stall. Don't feel bad, it takes time, and even then it still sucks, lol

 

[Duramax]

My 25 SXT was challenging at times. The front bow and sponsons love the wind. LOL....Practice makes perfect is all I can say. And then you get your butt spanked again on the next time it gets weird out!

Last weekend I couldnt get my boat lined up in the new Casino slips for the life of me. Felt like a newbie all over again!

Man, sometimes you just revert back to feeling like it's your first day!

 

[HBCraig]

I meant the reverse slam and turn. But thanks!

Oh. When my nose is 3 to 4 feet away

 

[Mike K]

Desert Whaler is 100% right ... it’s all about the wind.

 

[badluck]

My outboard stoker can park anywhere. The vdrive Malibu has humbled me a time or 2. The back only goes to the right no matter where the steering wheel is pointed! Only way to get it to go left in reverse is to turn the wheel right and pit it in forward.

 

[Jed-O]

My outboard stoker can park anywhere. The vdrive Malibu has humbled me a time or 2. The back only goes to the right no matter where the steering wheel is pointed! Only way to get it to go left in reverse is to turn the wheel right and pit it in forward.

Yup! And it has a large trailing rudder under it. Try it out with a smaller wedge rudder.

 

[BUDMAN]

I have no idea. I don't have any technique, some times I look like a pro & other times Ilook like its my first time driving a boat. I do envy the guys who back into the slip, I always want to try it but there is always a crowd & I'm not putting myself through that.

 

[Icky]

I have no idea. I don't have any technique, some times I look like a pro & other times Ilook like its my first time driving a boat. I do envy the guys who back into the slip, I always want to try it but there is always a crowd & I'm not putting myself through that.

My fiance can back ours in.........