On Wed, 30 May 2007 16:45:02 GMT, Joe
wrote:

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.

With outboards, you have to remember that you are using vectored
thrust.

"Spin" a boat with outboards is possible, but it requires practice.
The simplest way to manuever is to put the opposite engine in reverse
(or forward depending) and use the other engine to change the
direction of the bow. Occasionally, you will need to reverse that
process while manuevering as conditions warrant.

Backing into any spot is also the best way to use vectored thrust in
my opinion. In reverse, you are pulling the boat much like you would
a front wheel drive car - the way you turn the wheel is the way the
boat will go - much like backing up a trailer. Once you get a line of
the dock, the rest is just applying power in the appropriate direction
to bring the bow into alignment.

What I find very helpful in teaching docking manuevers is to pick a
bouy ( or even a floating dock if there aren't any swimmers around)
and use that for practice. Just spent an hour or so learning how the
boat reacts using different approaches and experiment with the proper
combination of power and thrust.