2520 handling tips

[gray duck]

There was another post recently about the "cabin sail" and I have wanted to ask for some pointers on how to manage docking better in a cross wind. I have a 25 ton CG license and have been on the water in lg sailboats, single inboard launches and outboard skiffs etc and this 2520 with twin 150's (I can admit) has been the most challenging to dock in adverse conditions - wind and tide opposite, cross winds, small spot to tuck into etc. I guess I'm looking for any tips regarding use of twins in this boat. My initial thought/feeling was that the engines are too close to reallly use in Fwd and Rev to pivot like with twin inboards or twins on a cat. Is that true? Sometimes I'll use fwd on one engine by itself to help correct a little in terms of alignment for coming up on the trailer.
I think my main problem in docking has been coming in on the port side, getting the fwd quarter too close to the dock 'cause I can't see over the edge or I'm getting blown into the dock and then I don't seem to have time to crank the wheel around and put it into rev to pull the stern towards the dock. Question here: when you're trying to back to port, do you use both engines, stbd only or port only? Thanks for the advice.

For those who boat in areas where there is little in the way of tides or river current you only have the wind to contend with. Where I am the wind is usually about 15 kts and the current 3 kts at max ebb and flood. In other words you can't just come in at a slow cautious drifting speed.

 

[BradV]

If at all possible i like to fight whichever is stronger. So if the current is going to take me off the dock more than the wind blow me into it thats the way that i go. Then i can control how fast or slow i get up to the dock. The thing that i have learned is with the twin motors pull the front of the boat in to the dock at a 45 degree angle and when it gets close almost touching throw it in reverse to pull the rear end in. and if the boat is off angle you can adjust by putting the wheel straight and moving one engine forward or back. Its definately tricky and very hard when theres a lot of wind and current but thats why its always good to have someone available to grab lines or be swift in and out of the helm area.

 

[Megabyte]

Not sure if this will help or not, as I have a single on a bracket. Twins can be a little different.
Some folks will tell you that the most difficult combo to handle in close quarters is a single on a bracket, but there are things you can do to help yourself.

#1.) Bring your trim tabs all the way up before docking.
#2.) Tilt your outboards up a bit so that reverse thrust goes under your transom, and not against it. You will need to practice a bit to see what is too much, and what is 'just right'.

Docking a 2520 is a skill that takes practice, and observation. Like Brad, I generally fight the force that is stronger, which for me is generally wind.

As I approach any dock, I check the flags in the area, and especially the ones closest to the dock, and try to use the wind to my advantage if possible. Wind can get you into situations where you don't have room to maneuver, so take the wind into account and try to use it to your advantage. If the wind will take me into the dock, that is the best scenario. Simply take the boat in close, then let the wind land it. Do it right, and you will look like a seasoned pro.

The toughest situation is where the wind wants to blow you off the dock. That maneuver is a little trickier... In that case, I prep a spring line on the mid-cleat.

Since I'm docking from the rear station, I get the boat in close and toss the spring line around a piling, and bring it back to the cleat. Once the boat is 'captured' on the spring line, she isn't going anywhere. At that point, use the motor to work against the spring, the same as you would use a warp line. Once the boat is positioned, toss a stern line around a piling and you are home free. At that point, you can take your time and set up your bow line. Keep your lines a little loose and let the wind hold you off the dock. No fenders needed!

When I'm at a transient dock (such as a fuel dock), I always loop the lines on a cleat, then around a piling, and back to the boat. That way, when I'm ready to leave, nobody has to be on the dock to slip the lines. Everything can be done by one person from inside the boat.

Spring line is the first to go on, and the last to come off.

As you observed, docking port side-to can be a challenge due to visibility. That is why (if I have a choice), I always try to dock starboard side-to, even if that means backing the boat into the dock, instead of pulling bow-in.

Backing into a slip has its own challenges, especially in wind.

This past summer I had occasion to dock at an unfamiliar marina in 15 to 20 kt winds. To get to my slip, I had to run down two fairways in a Z configuration just to get to my slip. My error was in not keeping the wind in mind as I made each turn. On the final turn, I was too far to the left side of the fairway (wind on my stbd beam), and when I corrected, the boat pivoted on its centerline, and my port side rear corner whacked a piling.

No harm was done to boat or piling, but it certainly wasn't my finest hour.

When backing into my slip that day, I let the wind take me and I laid my port rail against the piling, then pivoted the boat against the piling. This maneuver generally entails telling any passengers to keep their hands in the boat and do not push me off that piling!

I could have also put a spring line on the stbd side piling, and used it as a warp line, but letting the wind work with the port side piling was easier.

I generally like to do that maneuver to stbd, because that is where my visibility is best from the rear station, but sometimes that is just not possible.

So... for what it is worth, those are my tips and observations.
BTW - 25 GT master here w/ towing endorsement, and I'm still learning this boat.

 

[parkerjon]

I've had the same issue docking. I've reverted to the carrier landing approach on more than one occasion, a controlled crash. LOL. Thank god I'm on a mooring and only need to hit the pier for fuel. Hopefully I'll get it down by the end of the year. Boats are leaving the slips so I'll have room to practice.

 

[Striperswiper]

I have a single outboard on a transom mount and the slip I'm in has very fast moving water (8+ knots) most of the time except and dead high or low tide.

I find the 2520 has alot of head reach so I compensate by making turns early and slow.

The distance between my slip and the one across from me is about 29 feet and my boat is around 26 feet so it's really tight making turns in very fast moving water.

I come into the dock very slow turn sharp and early, I mean way early like I was going into the slip before mine and when the head reach carrys me past the slip before mine I just casually slip in into reverse and I'm in.

Take your boat out in an open area and throw a anchored bouy overboard. Try to put you bow on it, then your port side and then starboard, practice backing at it and you'll get a better feel for how it handles.

 

[gray duck]

thanks for all the advice - striperswiper, are you in Niagra falls area with all that current or the Bay of Fundy?

 

[got_em_on]

Just picked up similar boat, but modified V. I am used to running larger boats with twins and the outboards do not give you the same pivoting ability since they are too close together and not deep enough in the water. This boat has been a learning experience for me so I decided to go back to the basics and it has helped.

Practice on a calm day so you can get used to how this boat/engines will react without having to account for wind/current.

Try to stop the boat completely prior to manuvering(take a mental snapshot of exactly where a piling is lined up so you have a fixed point of reference). I found making approach with one motor in gear at idle slows me down enough. Then I try to use only one engine at a time as I am spinning/backing(less to think about and also preps you to dock on one if ever needed).

I need to use the wheel alot-get one of those bolt on knobs. Use as little throttle as possible. Keep it basic, build a solid fondation through practice(it is a reason to get on the new boat even if you are not fishing) and by next year you bill docking like a pro.

 

[Striperswiper]

I'm in the north channel of Shark River in NJ by the Headliner bar.

The tide really rips into the bay from the north channel we have an average tide diferential of 6 feet.

The only time it's not moving is dead high or dead low.

You should see it on a moon tide, its really wicked!

 

[TRUE BLUE]

I've had a 2520,IO, for 6 years in two marinas and now am on a mooring. If you can stand getting out to a mooring its a lot less trouble. You cannot back this boat in wind. It will just crab, as evidenced by the former posters who've had to bounce off pilings etc. to line up. My method to dock in an open situation (not a slip) is to go in real slow, throttling in and out of gear, going in at an angle, and at the last moment helm all the way over in reverse to bring the stern in. When I had a slip at the end of an alley, I had to go in the slowest I could and aim for the slip before mine to allow for the side skid. The problem here is on high wind or current days you have to go down the alley at a good enough speed to avoid being blown into the other side of the alley, then when you turn your still really moving, which can be hairy to say the least. They are starting to make these boats with thrusters now, and for good reason. Parkers are paper plates with an engine on the back.