Any tips for Docking an R5

[Tuscany]

I go super, SUPER slow with our R7. It’s the only way to predict it. A little throttle and the wheel slightly out of position and I’m backing out for a second approach.
The slower, the better with our boat. It’s so different from our last boat.

[akorcovelos]

I approach the dock at a slightly bigger angle, slowly, out of gear, then steer all the way toward the dock and bump into reverse and out. Should arrest forward momentum and pull the stern alongside the dock. Or approach the dock very slowly, loop a line around a forward cleat on the dock and do the same thing. But I think the key is to start slow and mostly stay slow.

This is how I do it in still conditions. Wind/current change things completely. I recommend taking the free online boating course as it has simulators for docking in different conditions. https://www.boatus.org/free/

[JTinMO]

Common term used across the board on all this is SLOW. Last week I docked in a 10' slip no less than 12 times. Had to take a second crack at it probably 4-5 of those times due to wind or waves/rollers. And I'm cautious.

Have lots of bumpers if you have them. Lots of bumping in/out of gear. Many hands to help catch/hold the dock is good to have. Once my nose was in and centered one more bump of throttle into and out of gear is all it took.

And I also cannot recommend fender covers enough. After a full week at LOTO with the constant daily waves in the slip (not on a lift) I have no fender rash or marks to speak of. Normally a polish job is needed after a week of that.

[Mike in SC]

I approach the dock at a slightly bigger angle, slowly, out of gear, then steer all the way toward the dock and bump into reverse and out. Should arrest forward momentum and pull the stern alongside the dock. Or approach the dock very slowly, loop a line around a forward cleat on the dock and do the same thing. But I think the key is to start slow and mostly stay slow.

This is how I do it in still conditions. Wind/current change things completely. I recommend taking the free online boating course as it has simulators for docking in different conditions. https://www.boatus.org/free/

The 220 is my first Duoprop boat (Bravo lll) and the response to forward and reverse throtlle inputs is hugely different than the 225 HP outboard on my previous boat. So much more thrust, especially in reverse. Learning curve for sure!!!

[ryandmartin]

It’s taken some practice for me with my new R5 as, to be honest, my only significant powerboat docking experience previously was a 12’ rhib dinghy, 30-40’ sailboats, and a submarine.

I’ve gone out near moorings in slack tide, and played around at low speed. What I’ve found is, at least in feel, the stern does significant moving (first, and overall). So I’m always thinking about where I want the stern to move. As an example, If I pull into a docking area, and throw the helm over and knock it into reverse, the stern will begin pulling toward that side with the bow feeling like it does very little moving. One time, I messed up docking this way, and really learned a lot about the boat. I pulled left into the docking channel, intending to then back in Port-side to on a slip. So I turn left just past the dock, to about a 45 degree angle, centered between the two slips. I throw the helm hard right, and put it in gear to reverse. I then give it a little more power, and realize how hard that pulls the boat to starboard, stern moving the majority of the way. It ends up pulling me basically starboard side to of the adjacent slip. Wups.

One other thing I struggled with was “walking it in”. Articles and advice I read online seemed to end up doing the opposite for me. Would walk me away or cause the bow to swing, etc.

My method for walking it in is as follows... alternate small fwd and reverse bumps into gear. No more power than just in gear, can adjust duration as needed. When in reverse, I put the helm hard toward the pier. When in forward, I turn the helm away from the pier one turn or so of the wheel (so closer to straight ahead, but still toward the pier slightly). This has really worked for me to walk it in.

[cmattj]

Nice report Ryan, It’s awesome that your practicing. I tell my wife every time “ that’s a good practice spot and I’ll go for it after understanding what the wind and current are doing. I always view my exit plan as easy downwind spots can also be the toughest to leave.

A very experienced person when I got my first twin engine boat told me to go spend Some time hovering on a rubber 5 mile bouy?!.
Practice and understand what wind and current does before you approach your wanted spot.

[AsLan7]

Nice report Ryan, It’s awesome that your practicing. I tell my wife every time “ that’s a good practice spot and I’ll go for it after understanding what the wind and current are doing. I always view my exit plan as easy downwind spots can also be the toughest to leave.

A very experienced person when I got my first twin engine boat told me to go spend Some time hovering on a rubber 5 mile bouy?!.
Practice and understand what wind and current does before you approach your wanted spot.

.
+1!

[Ytmsn]

I pretty much back in everywhere I go, and I've discovered that it has helped bigtime when maneuvering the bow to get alongside another boat or dock.

Can confirm, YT Can back a boat into a slip like its nothing. I think he was just trying to impress Matt though.

Thanks! (blush, toe shuffle) It's a good thing it doesn't take much to impress Matt!

[Big Block Power]

I pretty much back in everywhere I go, and I've discovered that it has helped bigtime when maneuvering the bow to get alongside another boat or dock.

Can confirm, YT Can back a boat into a slip like its nothing. I think he was just trying to impress Matt though.

Thanks! (blush, toe shuffle) It's a good thing it doesn't take much to impress Matt!

Even his dancing impressed Matt.
Here he's doing the Table Rock Swipe