Maneuvering; Docking/Departure - Century 30 express Owner's Manual

CENTURY BOATS
6.

Maneuvering

When underway for the first time, practice making turns in both directions. Become familiar with the way your boat
handles. Boat handling is affected by the load, wind and water current. These conditions vary on every outing, so
always use caution when maneuvering your boat.
Boats handle differently than cars. All boats steer from the stern. The stern of the boat will swing out in the opposite
direction of the bow when turning. This is important when making fine maneuvers like docking.
A boat has no brakes. To stop a boat, slow down to "no wake speed", pause in neutral, and put the engine in reverse.
Gently increase reverse power to stop at a short distance. Keep in mind that boats do not steer well in reverse. Go
slow to prevent taking water in over the transom.
Know your position and know where you are going. There are several forces that can affect your boat's direction
when underway.
Besides driving the boat forward, a clockwise rotating propeller can cause the boat to move to the right as it goes
forward and to the left when going in reverse. This effect is not noticeable when you are going fast but becomes
apparent at slower speeds.
7.

Docking/Departure

Practice docking before attempting it for the first time. Use a float, like a plastic milk jug with a line and small weight,
as your docking target.
Docking Guidelines
A.
Follow these
guidelines when docking:
•
Come to a stop a short distance from the dock.
•
Have fenders and mooring lines ready.
•
Observe how the wind and current are moving your boat.
Approach the dock with the boat pointed into the wind, if possible. If the wind or current is pushing
o
you away from the dock, use a sharper angle of approach.
If the boat is being pushed toward the dock, approach parallel to the dock and allow the wind and
o
current to push you to the dock.
If you must approach the dock downwind or down current, use a slow speed and shallow angle.
o
Be ready to reverse to stop and maintain position. In this case secure the stern line first.
o
•
If there is no wind or current, approach the dock at a 10˚ to 20˚ angle.
•
If possible, throw a line to a person on the dock and have that person secure a bow line.
•
With the bow secured swing the stern in with the engine or pull it in with a boat hook.
•
Tie mooring lines to the bow and stern of the boat. To protect your boat, keep fenders between the boat
and the dock.
OWNER'S MANUAL – GENERAL INFORMATION
Never use your hand, arm or other part of your
body to fend the boat off the dock. The boat
could push against the dock, causing an injury.
14
MODEL YEAR 2017