"Walking" a single I/O to the dock

I don't know.
 
Not easy at all. With twins you can do it because of the pivoting you get with two props. With a single I/O you don't have the same ability to have a push/pull without forward or reverse motion. The best way is to learn how to use spring lines while docking or leaving the dock.
 
Yes, it absolutely can be done but you will never do it with a 33 foot boat with prop pockets and the small props that come with gas engines. I could do it sometimes with my old 52' Cockpit Motoryacht but it had 24x26 4-blade props.
 
Yes you can. But there is a trick... Point the bow to the dock at a 45 degree angle. Go slow in neutral... Say port side. When the bow is only a foot or two from the dock turn left first then put in reverse. The drive will pull the stern to the dock for a perfect parallel park job.

Hint. In a strong wind that is pushing you off the dock while trying to reach the dock. Do the opposite. Stern in to dock say the port side at a 45 degree angle. Take the stern line and have someone tie it to a cleat with little to no slack and only a few feet of line. Once secure turn left and go forward for a perfect parallel park. Especially between boats. You'll look like a pro every time.

Twin engines can do the same angle trick if you can't crab walk...
 
I used to be able to do it a little bit with my old 26 and a BII, but you had to spin that wheel pretty fast...
 
Yes, what LG said works very well. I was thinking more along the lines of when you don't have room to come in at a 45.
 
With no current or wind it can be done sort of, at least with a bravo 3 drive, but it is a ton of forward / reverse shifting and turning the wheel hard over. There needs to be some room though because you do not come in directly sideways, there is some fore and aft travel.
 
LG111 said:
Yes you can. But there is a trick... Point the bow to the dock at a 45 degree angle. Go slow in neutral... Say port side. When the bow is only a foot or two from the dock turn left first then put in reverse. The drive will pull the stern to the dock for a perfect parallel park job.

Hint. In a strong wind that is pushing you off the dock while trying to reach the dock. Do the opposite. Stern in to dock say the port side at a 45 degree angle. Take the stern line and have someone tie it to a cleat with little to no slack and only a few feet of line. Once secure turn left and go forward for a perfect parallel park. Especially between boats. You'll look like a pro every time.

Twin engines can do the same angle trick if you can't crab walk...
Click to expand...

Thanks, very good explanation. Parallel docking I feel comfortable, I was referring more when backing into a slit (finger type dock).
 
Creekwood said:
Not easy at all. With twins you can do it because of the pivoting you get with two props. With a single I/O you don't have the same ability to have a push/pull without forward or reverse motion. The best way is to learn how to use spring lines while docking or leaving the dock.
Click to expand...
I've been practicing spring lines lately, actually we (wife and me) :)

Kind of tricky sometimes.
 
paulswagelock said:
With no current or wind it can be done sort of, at least with a bravo 3 drive, but it is a ton of forward / reverse shifting and turning the wheel hard over. There needs to be some room though because you do not come in directly sideways, there is some fore and aft travel.
Click to expand...

Concerned about the "tons of forward / reverse" as my clutch was replaced recently, per the dealer this happens when shifting forward/reverse rapidly.

Initially they told me that warranty won't cover, but when job was completed they informed me "we got it covered under warranty". Of course I didn't complain. :)
 
^^^ Yep, I would learn a different method if you have this need often.
 
badtothebones said:
Thanks, very good explanation. Parallel docking I feel comfortable, I was referring more when backing into a slit (finger type dock).
Click to expand...

I think you'll see that most people think of "walking" as going sideways... crabbing. I originally thought that's what you meant, as well. But if you're just talking about backing into a slip, you'll have no issues with that. My 260 is a little bigger than yours and I never had any issues with control. If it was windy, or something, sure it's a little more challenging. But the B3 really does a great job at biting into the water quickly and you can make adjustments pretty fast.

Typically, I'd pull PAST the slip (with the wind) and start my turn. Then I'd reverse (into the wind) into the slip. You don't always need it, but don't be afraid to use your rubrail against a post for a pivot.
 
For backing into a slip, you need to find the rotation point of your boat. I pull past the slip, until that pivot point of my boat is slightly past the pole (or finger).

Turn the wheel all the way to full lock, and go to reverse(idle speed only). The boat pivots right in, usually with a little help from the pole.
 
I so go bow first at an angle, and then pull the ass end around. I do the same with twins too, walking the ass around and keeping the front just off the dock. I have tired to WALK the V drives but the props just dont have enough bite to do it in any rudder position.
 
+ 1 on what LGIII and Dennis said. I also have a 260 Sundancer BIII. It does require some forward /reverse shifting and lots of L to R wheel input , however, with lots of practice you'll find the BIII does a great job especially in reverse. Pay attention to the wind direction when docking to see where your pivot point and you'll get good at it. I also have a finger dock and actually gotten pretty good at it. Take your time and practice,,, good luck
 
I was pretty much doing well with it, but lately having trouble again. Sometimes when back into it I find myself to far from dock, thats the reason I asked about "walking it towards the dock".

Maybe overconfidence....back to the drawing board and practice.

As always, thanks for all the input!
 
I had a 2011 260 DA and it was a breeze most times.

You just have to be quick on the steering wheel when changing engine directions.

I had it down to a science pulling up to docks, parking in tight spaces and backing into my slip...... but some times if wind was a factor it felt like I tossed a hail marry on where the boat would end up.

My sales guy had the most encouraging words when I 1st started boating....... "you can't hurt much if you go slow"

I've witnessed a few folks panic especially when they know they are being watch and they do some stupid stuff. Spend some time with your boat during the week when the marina is empty so you can do some fuel docking and slip backing. And dock on both sides to get the feel.

We always hate to hurt our babies but one time the wind caught my bow and it made connect with a concrete dock where of course the boat protection had fallen off and put a scratch down the side. :(
$100 later had the scratch filled in and polished where you could not even see it.
 
As I said on another thread....handling a boat properly is an art form. Some are naturally better at it than others. But it takes practice. How many of you twin engine guys ever practice maneuvering with one engine. Very few I'm betting and yet it is an occurrence that will happen to us all at least once and more if you boat for a long time. I take boat handling very seriously and practiced often. Sometimes when coming into my marina I would just shut off an engine and brought it in on one. Not easy but I knew what to expect when it did happen.
 
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