| Nothing scares recreational and amateur boaters more | | | | action. |
| than trying to drive their boat up parallel alongside a | | | | Turn the controls away from the pier. This will cause |
| structure such as a jetty or Pier. Have you ever driven | | | | the boats back end to swing in towards the pier. The |
| your boat too hard into a pier? If so, below are some | | | | initial turn does not need to be violent as even a small |
| tips that will help prevent damage to your vessel and | | | | turn will get the back of the boat swinging in. |
| to your ego. | | | | Once the above has started happening switch the |
| The points below are useful for boaters with an | | | | engine into neutral and let the boats momentum push |
| outboard engine or stern drive inboard engines. | | | | the boat alongside the pier. |
| Firstly, drive your boat slow. When approaching any | | | | Whilst you are slowly drifting in, turn the motor in so the |
| object on the water you should approach at the | | | | propellor faces the pier (i.e. turn the wheel towards the |
| slowest speed in which your boat can still manoeuvre. | | | | Pier). This will feel back to front as to what you should |
| If you go too slow the controls may not work, so have | | | | be doing but it will have no impact on the direction of |
| a few goes to find what the lowest speed your boat | | | | the boat as the engine is in neutral. |
| can do whilst still maintaining control. The slower you | | | | Once you are within reaching distance of the pier, |
| go the more time you will have to react to any | | | | switch the engine to reverse and give the engine a little |
| situation that may arise so this point is vital. | | | | throttle. If done correctly and the motors propellor is |
| Make sure everyone on board is prepared and knows | | | | facing the pier, the reverse thrust will push in the back |
| what side you will be coming in on. Have ropes | | | | end of the boat to the pier. Once again, the throttle |
| secured ready to tie your boat up but make sure | | | | does not need to be violent. Just give the engines a |
| these lines are kept on board whilst the boat is | | | | short burst and then put back into neutral and the |
| traveling in the water so they don't get tangled around | | | | momentum should push the back end in alongside the |
| the propellor. The tides, wind and other boat users will | | | | pier. |
| all effect your approach pattern so be sure to assess | | | | If done correctly the entire boat should now be parallel |
| your options and choose the best way to proceed. | | | | with the pier. Make sure to tie up the boat immediately |
| You need to avoid other boat users and try to go into | | | | to prevent the boat drifting off again. The whole |
| the wind or the current (whichever force is greater). If | | | | process is now complete. |
| your boat is large and you have fenders, it is time to | | | | The above process can be a little daunting at first |
| get them into place. | | | | although a little practice goes a long way. Try |
| You should approach the pier at roughly a 45 degree | | | | practicing against a forgiving object such as a pier with |
| angle. Try to maintain your speed for at least 100 feet | | | | rubber guards alongside or put fenders down to lessen |
| before you reach the pier. Once you get to around | | | | any impact. With a little practice you are sure to |
| two boat lengths from the pier it is time to jump into | | | | become confident with this manoeuvre. |