Confessions of a Total Doofus

[LaqueRatt]

I hate to admit this and hopefully you guys won't come down on me too hard, but I cannot maneuver my tinny up to a dock smoothly to save my life. Had the Mirro out yesterday and really embarrassed myself. Everything is fine out on the water, but at close quarters, when ready to dock everything goes wrong. I kill the motor which leaves me with no control. Low speed idling causes lack of control as well. Yesterday I swear had it in neutral, but it was idling along. Didn't realize this until was in the bow trying to grab a hold of the pier. It ended up getting pretty windy on me and I overshot a slip was aiming at. The problem is as I throttle down or kick it into neutral I lose steering control. With a pull start if I kill it, I can't get it restarted fast enough to save my butt.

What the heck am I doing wrong guys? Should I come in hot and then pop it into reverse maybe? I'm always trying to ease in and more times than not I have problems. It seems to be this would be so much easier with remote controls. I know how to use a steering wheel, seems like a lever would make it a lot easier to control the boat too. An electric start would mean killing the motor would not be a big deal, right?

Also is there a stop of some kind I can adjust on my 65 Evinrude Fastwin 18 to keep it from dying? It idles so smoothly that I end up idling it so low it eventually dies on me. A day on the water should be relaxing. Yesterday I was a nervous wreck by the time I got back in. Didn't help that they got this stupid dredging project going on and half the lake is covered with floating hoses and buoys. Along with two massive dredges. We've already had one boat hit the hose and sink.

 

[DaleH]

No worries ... we're here to help ... the only dumb question is the one NOT asked ...

Rule #1 - Never come in FASTER than you're willing to hit the dock ...

Water - Lake/pond, with no current, advise you always go in against the wind, wind can wreak havoc with tinnies ...

Boat - Length? Any V or flat bottom? More details you give us ... the more we can assist or suggest. Play around with her away from the dock and see how she glides, like "how far" and "how fast" when you cut the throttle from your normal approach speed.

Idle - Is your idle speed really that low? Idle should be low, but not so you stall out. It does need to be low enough to allow easy shifting without slamming into gear. Best checked with a tach (Tiny Tach is $22 shipped) and OEM Service Manual (get a PDF online for ~$12 or so, if not in the library on here).

Needle Valve/Mix Adjustment - Set your idle 1st, then away from the dock, get on plane and fast, then throttle back quit to idle in gear, if she stalls, you might have your carb mix too lean ... another good reason for an OEM Manual ...

Note - On older OBs like that, the idle Stop or RPM adjustment is behind the tiller/control arm, on the outside of the engine, and not on the carb - see picture.

Ease - Sounds like (you said it yourself) ... that maybe you're easing in TOO slow. , as you can/will lose some steering if sloooooow. Try coming in a bit faster, but also practice and see how much your hull glides in whilst in neutral.

 

[LaqueRatt]

The SS Dockknocker. 14' of pure ornery. It's the red one.

 

[DaleH]

Nice hull! Try what I suggested ... and please report back! One can't beat ... time on the water!

 

[jethro]

You definitely need to be able to get into neutral on approach and keep the motor running so you can make adjustments or immediately reset without having to take the time to restart the motor. Like Dale said above, approach at a speed where you wouldn't have issues if you hit the dock. The biggest mistake people make is they leave the helm on approach like to grab dock lines or bumpers or whatever which is a similar condition to you losing your motor if you think about it. Gotta stay at the helm and keep bumping the boat into and out of gear and bumping into reverse to check speed. But never, ever shut the motor off until you are docked- and you need to fix your idle.

I have 40 years experience at the helm and even I'd be nervous docking a boat I had no control of, so don't feel bad about that. Having no engine power on a boat while docking is slightly akin to parking a car with no brakes.

 

[MrGiggles]

I always coast in close to parallel, steer the motor hard towards the dock, pop it in reverse and gently hit the throttle. It'll both stop the forward motion and pull the stern in towards the dock where you can grab it and tie off. It has to be done in one fluid motion rather quickly or the motor will act as a rudder and do the opposite of what you want it to.

If I miss the trailer, dock, whatever, I find it easier to just back up, circle around and try to hit it again rather than fool around attempting to maneuver in reverse which seldom seems to work well in an OB powered boat.

Additionally, having a motor that's tuned up well with good low speed manners makes all the difference. I have had a motor stall and crash into the dock before when it wouldn't restart quickly. Embarrassing!

 

[airshot]

Once you get up and start moving around it makes a small tinny steer off course !! You should have an idle speed of around 650-700 rpm and not below. Use the shifter to make changes in forward/ backward direction like brakes. Dont enter a dock or slip straight in ( parallel to the dock) any wind or current will blow you off course. I always approach at an angle bow first, the use shifter/ reverse to bring the stern into the dock. You do need to go fast enough to maintain headway and steerage but be prepared to use reverse as a brake and bring the stern into the dock.

 

[Ray Clark]

Practice, practice, practice.

I still tend to confine my boating to weekdays; I'm retired so I can avoid crowded weekends.

Unlike many on this forum, I've only been operating boats a relative few years. My first real experience was at a fishing lodge in Canada in 2017. Got my own boat in 2020 and splashed it for the first time in 2021. My first launch and recovery was solo. It wasn't pretty, but I got it done.

I have experienced some of my own "boat ramp follies." One time I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get the boat off the trailer when launching. Another guy watching finally pointed out that I hadn't released the transom strap on one side. Duh...

I've had those times when it seemed impossible to get lined up right for the trailer and I had to back out and try again. And again. And again. I normally have to try more than once, particularly when it's breezy.

There are lots of YouTube vids with instruction on how to launch and recover solo.

Go out on a weekday, if you can; just practice launch and recovery. There's just no substitute for repetition and figuring out what works for you and your boat.

Regarding "power on/power off", I'd keep that OB running until your boat is ready to be latched to the trailer. Your real need is to be able to operate the OB without having to look; the shift between forward-neutral-reverse and throttle control needs to be done quickly by touch. That ability is polished with repetitive recovery attempts.

 

[SaminMass]

I second the practice and reverse comments. If you do it right, you shouldn’t have to make a quick grab for or fend off the dock; you will just be paused there within arms reach. For practicing, find a buoy, tree or rock away from the dock that you can slide up to each time you are out. More room to maneuver and smaller peanut galleries

 

[thill]

First, set your low speed screw on the side of your motor (if your engine has one) so that it doesn't go so slow that it stalls.

Then, approach the dock slowly, and pop it in reverse for a second or two to use as brakes.

Then, it either takes practice, or have a friend who is very experienced with a boat like yours to show you how they do it, and THEN practice.

I have taught many of my friends my way of docking, and now they are confident. But it took me quite a bit of practice to get it down pat, and even then, sometimes in a strange boat or with a funny wind or tide, I still have to back off and try several times. It happens to the best of us!

 

[Tbmyer88]

First don’t worry about other peoples opinions they’ve all been in the same spot at one point. Practice for sure. Take is nice and easy and once you get good at it, slow is fast and fast is smooth. When I had my 1236 I would put it in neutral with enough momentum to reach the dock then I had a paddle I’d use to steer it in just like my canoe. Worked great, unless I ran out of momentum lol, then I’d paddle up. I don’t really think there’s a right or wrong way to dock your boat. Everyone does thinks their own style. Good luck and keep at it!

 

[Steph Boeker]

Timing - is everything !!

 

[LaqueRatt]

Wow, I don't know what to say guys, except THANKS! A whole lot of good info here. Stuff I didn't know and haven't figured out yet. I'm definitely going to see if I have an idle stop I can set on the motor and next week on Mon or Tues I'm going to launch just to practice. Seems I have a lot to learn.

I get the head into the wind part, makes perfect sense, but what if you're trying to get into an E/W slip on a day when the wind is blowing 20 mph from the N?

One question I still have though is wouldn't this all be a lot easier in a boat with a side helm? I'm having a lot of trouble steering, controlling the throttle, and shifting at the same time. It's almost like I need 3 hands and it's hard to do without turning around backwards. Should I be sitting side saddle on the bench maybe? I've been looking daily for a tinny with a steering wheel, but I want to master the tiller.

Thanks again for all the help and no snarky comments. Sure glad I found this site.

 

[DaleH]

TILLER - I twist waaaay to the left and my upper torso is facing towards the port/left side of the hull, but both feet are on the floor in front of the seat.

OB - As said above, with momentum for your entry, I'll then do the 'reach around' and my left hand goes to the gear shift and right hand to the tiller, for steering and to cut the throttle.

SIDE HELMS - Faster to turn an OB by tiller than by a wheel with 3 o4 4 turns lock-to-lock. But otherwise, yes, can make gear/throttle adjustments a tad easier.

Please report back and tell us how you fare in the next few attempts ...

 

[MrGiggles]

Wow, I don't know what to say guys, except THANKS! A whole lot of good info here. Stuff I didn't know and haven't figured out yet. I'm definitely going to see if I have an idle stop I can set on the motor and next week on Mon or Tues I'm going to launch just to practice. Seems I have a lot to learn.

I get the head into the wind part, makes perfect sense, but what if you're trying to get into an E/W slip on a day when the wind is blowing 20 mph from the N?

One question I still have though is wouldn't this all be a lot easier in a boat with a side helm? I'm having a lot of trouble steering, controlling the throttle, and shifting at the same time. It's almost like I need 3 hands and it's hard to do without turning around backwards. Should I be sitting side saddle on the bench maybe? I've been looking daily for a tinny with a steering wheel, but I want to master the tiller.

Thanks again for all the help and no snarky comments. Sure glad I found this site.

Steering inputs are much quicker on a tiller. I actually prefer them for this kind of stuff, although most older outboards had shift levers that were not all that easy to reach. Newer ones with forward controls are much better in that regard.

 

[LDUBS]

I learned how to dock from Captain Ron. I admit I still have a way to go before I perfect his technique.

Here is a video (I think):

 

[LaqueRatt]

Gotta admire Cap'n Ron's skills. Unfortunately I'm more like Cap'n Rodney.

 

[LDUBS]

"Hey, you scratched my anchor"! hahaha

 

[airshot]

You have been given lots of great ideas here, as a boater of over 60 years, I still make mistakes, my experience has made the corrections more quickly that is all... Just a few weeks back I forgot my transom straps....backed it in three times before I realized it !!! Practice will make you much better but hardly perfect, as we are humans and make mistakes. Experience just makes it easier to correct !!
Get that motor running properly first thing, then find a seating position that you can use and reach everything.
Then start practising your docking technique...best if you can get it in position without having to get up and move around until next to the dock. These tinnies move very easily when you move around in them. With practice you will soon realize what reaction your boat has when you do certain things and before long you will understand what you need to do to make your boat react !! One thing I have found in my many years of teaching others, is to remember that a boat steers from the back, unlike your car, often folks starting out think the front will react like there car and it can take awhile to realize this !!! Sounds funny but it is true !!! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress..

 

[LaqueRatt]

Yes I have got a lot of good advice and I thank you all. Like to think I'm pretty good at figuring stuff out, but it may have taken a long time to do it on my own. Eager to get back out there tomorrow or the next day to see what I can do.

As for getting the motor running well, I think it is. I spent a great deal of time on it last year. Replaced most all the ignition stuff, cleaned the carb, etc. Think I'll order one of those tachs, unless my old Craftsman automotive dwell/tach meter will work maybe? It does not have a setting for 2 cylinders but thinking it's just a matter of doing a little math. Attaching a pic of what I think is the idle stop. Maybe somebody can verify before I start messing with it. Seem to remember adj it once before and finding the motor hard to crank afterwards. I could be wrong though. I've have had 5 motors over the last year. Might be thinking of something else.