Many people get incredibly nervous about having to back their boats into a slip. This is understandable since it is not an easy task, and making a mistake would be annoying, to say the least. There are some tips that can help you to have an easier time with this, though. Keep reading to learn about how you can back your boat into a slip reliably.
Remember to Check the Wind
Before you attempt this, it’s going to be prudent to take the time to check the wind. You might not realize this, but even a light gust of wind has the potential to throw you off your course. Do your best to determine how the wind is moving so that you can back the boat into the slip properly. If you fail to do this, then it’s likely that things will not go as easily as you would like them to.
Adjust Your Fenders on Both Sides
You need to adjust your fenders on both sides before you try to back your boat into a slip. You know that unexpected wind gusts have the potential to blow your boat off of the course that you have set. If this happens, you want your fender to take the impact to protect your boat. This is why adjusting the fenders is so crucial, and it just makes sense to want to protect your boat.
Approach the Dock From the Best Angle
Approaching the dock from the best angle is going to make things substantially more manageable. For the best results, you will want to approach the dock from approximately 60 degrees. If you can position your boat properly, then you should have a good shot at backing in without many problems. Trying to do this from another angle will cause you to have problems.
Once you’re backing in, it’s best to try to keep things as straight as you can. Make minor adjustments as necessary, but try not to steer the boat too strongly. A gentle touch is needed to successfully back a boat into a slip. If you are able to do things correctly, then you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief and move on with your day.