7 Steps to Successful Boat Docking: Twin Engines

Steering a boat can be tough enough, but docking a vessel in tight quarters is often a nightmare for skippers. Based on the book 7 Steps to Successful Boat Docking by Captains Ron and Katherine Giampietro Redmond, this DVD (featuring narration in both English and Spanish) covers docking situations for twin-engine crafts, offering illustrative examples filmed in real time that demonstrate what (and what not) to do. Pointing out that smaller boats are much harder to dock than the big ones (as they are far more affected by wind and currents), the two instructors stress a number of basic rules that all boaters should abide by—from the general (your vessel must be mechanically sound) to the specific (do not use dock lines as brakes—or you will be sorry) to the potentially relationship-saving (no yelling EVER). Best of all, boaters are advised to revert back to “neutral” on the engines when not sure what to do, and not be afraid to start over—which may be hard on the ego, but is a lot easier on the boat. Also available with the companion book (covering docking for all types of vessels) for $44.50, this instructional guide for recreational mariners is recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)