"Joe" wrote in message
link.net...
I am new to boating and would like to get some opinions on docking and how
it "should" be done. I have a Wellcraft 270 Coastal with twin Evinrude
200's.

-When docking (perpendicular) should I be steering the boat when
maneuvering or using the engines to spin the boat 90 degrees? I'm having a
hard time with spinning it and keeping it where it needs to be. ARG!!!
So far every time I've tried to spin it I've had to abandon that effort
and steer it in. It works but I don't want to get accustom to doing that
if it's actually easier to use the engines.

ANY helpful advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Think in terms of a bicycle handlebar.........turn left and your left hand
(port engine controls) pulls down (reverse) or towards you on the handlebar,
right hand (starboard engine) up (forward) or away from you......turn right
and your left hand pushes up (forward on the port engine) and your right
hand down (reverse on the starboard engine)..........all the time with both
engines in idle and the wheel in the forward (straight ahead position) and
not touching the wheel.

When I would stern in with our larger boat (with twins) I would slowly go
past the slip (on the starboard side) while centering the wheel and engines
at idle, put port in reverse while bumping starboard in and out of forward
or reverse as I needed to adjust my position. When finalizing the approach
and parallel to the slip I would nudge both engines in and then out of
forward to stop the boats reverse progress.

This worked for me.
This worked for me