How to properly park a mastercraft? - Page 2

east tx skier · #11 08-02-2012, 10:07 AM

Hey, kids, this looks like a great place to feed the fish.

mzimme · #12 08-02-2012, 10:09 AM

One thing to keep in mind with an inboard, is that you have zero control of your boat if it's not under power. In order for the rudder to do it's job, you have to have the prop spinning. Also keep in mind, you have almost no control in reverse. The rudder is essentially useless, so the only thing you can count on with reverse being pulled ever so slight to the starboard (driver) side.

Lots of quick bumps of the throttle into and out of gear will keep you within managable speeds. Don't drive at the dock staying in gear the whole time. Let it be in gear for a second, then bump to neutral and coast, then bump back into gear for a second to keep your inteded directional path, then back to neutral to keep speeds down. Doing this will eliminate the need to "slam reverse". You'll still need to bump into reverse when you get to the dock, but you shouldnt be launching people around in the boat and freaking them out because you're coming to dock too quickly.

Use the reverse starboard "suction" to your advantage. When you come to dock, try to keep the dock starboard (driver) side as much as possible. Approach the dock at a 45* angle using the "bump into throttle, bump into neutral" method. When you get about 5 or 6 feet away from the dock, start using less throttle, and more neutral to keep slowing yourself down. When you get within a foot of the dock, start hitting reverse. You should still be at a 45* angle from the dock, with your starboard bow side being the closest part of your boat to the dock. Now when you hit it in reverse, let it stay in reverse for a bit and you'll feel the rear part of your boat start sucking towards the dock. Now is the time for your helpful hands to grab the dock and assist pulling the boat towards it.

Once you get this method down, you won't need those hands anymore... you'll look like a pro.

thatsmrmastercraft · #13 08-02-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimN

Go out and find a calm part of the lake and practice- that's what it takes to know your boat and how it reacts when shifting. Usually, you'll need to come in on an angle when docking. When you put it on the trailer, you need to come in straight and leave it in gear, idling. Once it glides on, you can use more power to move it forward to the bow roller or Boat Buddy.

Practice, practice, practice.

Best advice there is. Throw a boat cushion in the lake and use that to practice your approach. You should eventually be able to slide your boat right up to the cushion so you can reach out and pick it up. It's just parallel parking on the water.