Dock Slips Docking Techniques

Wind coming into the slip channel and your boat is to be docked stern-to

Steer into the slip channel and maneuver past the slip. Engage reverse and back up into the wind, then turn into your dock. Do a pre-emptive strike on the prop walk.

Light Wind blowing into the slip channel and your boat is to be docked bow-to

Simply steering the boat into the slip works for light winds; however, the below method is safer for stronger winds.

It is preferable to steer the boat up into the wind and into the slip.

Wind blowing out of the slip channel and your boat is to be docked bow-to

Simply steer the boat into the slip.

Wind blowing out of the slip channel and your boat is to be docked stern-to

Back from the main channel into the slip channel and into your slip.

Wind across the docks and your boat is to be docked stern-to

Back from the main channel into the slip channel and into your slip.

The wind blows across the dock and your boat is to be docked bow-to

Steer the boat into the slip.

The wind blows across the dock and your boat is to be docked stern-to

The following is assuming a right-hand screw because of the propwalk.

Go past your slip, perform a preemptive strike on the propwalk, then back in.

Don’t try it this way if you have high wind. The wind pushes on the bow and the propwalk moves the stern to the port (right-hand screw). Thus you can not make the turn.