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