Rinker 342 docking

liuxue2010

I am the beginner and I just bought the 2006 Rinker 342 with bow thruster, I just practiced docking for a couple of times and find it's so tough.  Should I use shifter only I mean both engine instead of streering wheel when docking?  I also found I have to give 1 sec throttle then neutral and continue 1 sec throttle then neutral. what's the correct way to back my boat out of my slip?  

what's the best way in and out, the blue area is where I docked my boat. right now I do straight in and back out. but what's the best way to do it?

it is in lake and no currents but wind.

Black_Diamond

Docking is all about practice, practice, practice. 

I use little to no steering when docking my 342. Just using the shifters (fwd/rev) to spin her in. All at idle. Winds/currents of course need adjustments...

good luck. Go slow!

LaRea

It's actually not hard at all, if you are willing to put in some dedicated practice!  Check out this thread for a recent discussion of this topic:

http://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/114124

LaRea

And yes, bumping the engines in and out of gear is the correct method. 

Liberty44140

same here. No wheel. All throttles bumping in and out of gear. I back in to my slip and pull out in forward. We leave our lines on the dock but usually the admiral gets out a line or two to have something to throw to a helper, makes things a little easier with wind. 

Handymans342

If you have a finger pier you can walk it out and jump on the last second

McGarnicle

Make sure your drives are straight when using throttles to dock, also you get more control if they're all the way down. 

raybo3

Everyone has their own method of docking. I use 1 engine and the wheel. No problems. I have used just the throttles also with no problems. IMO it depends on the conditions. My yacht club has a very strong current.  Practice practice practice. 

DanD2

I find my 342 very easy to dock. the response from the throttle inputs is very good. Sometimes all you need to just a quick burst in one direction or another. I never use the steering wheel, I have a Davis Rudder indicator on my steering wheel to make sure they are straight when I'm ready to dock. 
I would imagine that having a bow thruster would make it even easier.

liuxue2010

Thanks to you all!

reneechris14

Take the boat out to came place and spin at around back it up and spin back around. Then go to a slip durning the week(when no ones there) back in pull out again and again practice.

liuxue2010

what's the best way in and out, the blue area is where I docked my boat. right now I do straight in and back out. but what's the best way to do it?

Ian

The prevailing winds and current may determine this, it appears everyone else is bow in - is that because of rules, narrow slips and getting off and on at the bow or a current going from left to right makes backing hard? Me - I'd go in slow, spin and back in with a starboard tie up, if the other side then maybe bow is better. Because of my prior emergency service days of backing in for easy and quick exit I prefer to back in but can you get off stern easily if backed in also?

liuxue2010

We can feel free to do bow in or stern in and no rules.

TonyG13

I want to know how that trimaran gets in and out! Looks like only a few inches of clearance. I'd be sweating each and every time in and out. 

aero3113

TonyG13 said:

I want to know how that trimaran gets in and out! Looks like only a few inches of clearance. I'd be sweating each and every time in and out. 

I was wondering the same thing.

LaRea

I'd go stern in (unless you prefer stern out so the cockpit has a sunset view or something like that).  Come through the fairway, spin clockwise in front of the slip and back into the slip.  Coming out, you'd have a straight shot into the fairway.  

DanD2

LaRea said:

I'd go stern in (unless you prefer stern out so the cockpit has a sunset view or something like that).  Come through the fairway, spin clockwise in front of the slip and back into the slip.  Coming out, you'd have a straight shot into the fairway.  

That's exactly what I'd do.

LaRea said:

I'd go stern in (unless you prefer stern out so the cockpit has a sunset view or something like that).  Come through the fairway, spin clockwise in front of the slip and back into the slip.  Coming out, you'd have a straight shot into the fairway.  

liuxue2010

WilDanD2 said:

LaRea said:

I'd go stern in (unless you prefer stern out so the cockpit has a sunset view or something like that).  Come through the fairway, spin clockwise in front of the slip and back into the slip.  Coming out, you'd have a straight shot into the fairway.  

That's exactly what I'd do.

LaRea said:

I'd go stern in (unless you prefer stern out so the cockpit has a sunset view or something like that).  Come through the fairway, spin clockwise in front of the slip and back into the slip.  Coming out, you'd have a straight shot into the fairway.  

Will try that way.