Neptune Sail and Power Squadron

USPS and US POWERBOATING Videos

Backing away from a dock usually offers the best maneuvering control. It also avoids a problem inherent to forward departures when the boat starts to turn and its stern swings into the dock, preventing the boat from departing cleanly. Start by turning the wheel away from the dock, which rotates the propeller away from the dock. Shift into reverse, the stern swings away from the dock as the boat backs away. To avoid scraping the bow against the dock, make your turning angle slight. When clear of the dock, turn the wheel in the opposite direction to bring the boat parallel to the dock. Center the wheel, pause briefly in neutral while counting 1-2-3, then shift to forward.