The simplest way to dock a powerboat is to come in at a good speed towing a water skier. When you get close enough to the dock that you can hear the screaming from the onlookers, make a sharp turn and kill the engine. This will snap the water skier up onto the dock, from where they can pull your boat in backwards using the tow rope.
If the water—skier technique is no longer an option because everybody you know has finally wisened up, you’re forced to use a more conventional approach. Powerboats are very difficult to steer at low speed, so make sure you’re coming in at a fairly good clip. When you’re within a few hundred yards, scan up and down the face of the dock, looking for something soft and spongy to aim at. Inflatable dinghies are ideal or, failing that, cedar strip canoes have a tendency to buckle, which allows them to absorb shock. The ability to absorb shock is really at the core of any docking attempt. In the absence of inflatables or canoes, sailboats are generally less expensive than powerboats, so pick one and go for it. And since it’s a sailboat, there’s a pretty good chance the owner won’t be onboard—especially if he’s married. For those of you who don’t enjoy loud noises, harsh words or lawsuits, there is a kinder, gentler way to bring your powerboat in: go to the middle of the lake and shut the engine off. After a few minutes, observe which direction the wind and waves are making the boat drift—let’s say it’s southeast. To dock your boat, simply drive until the dock is southeast of you, kill the engine and let nature take its course. (Caution: If you have a small bladder, nature taking its course may not be a good thing.) While you’re drifting in, it’s a good idea to look around the lake for other docks, just in case the wind changes direction. This technique can take a long time, causing you to be late getting to your job. Which is a problem unless you’re retired or work for the government.
