Driving instruction please

[Seif911]

Good Morning All,
Ok, it is not as bad as it sounds. I have never used a twin engine before, but understand the concept from my skid loader and zero turn lawn mower. I am driving relatively well but seem to have a problem in one of the easiest areas.

I have the boat backed in and the dock is on the port side. When I leave, I seem to have a problem not rubbing the boat on the dock. At good suggestions?

[AaHubb]

I have the same issue with my 404. I usually have my wife push the stern out from the dock as she boards after untying the lines. I can then pull forward enough to clear the dock finger. When on a side tie along a dock the first thing to do is rotate the stern away from the dock. To do this turn the wheel hard over toward the dock (in your example to port) then split the shifters port reverse, starboard forward. Once the stern is well away from the dock reverse the shifters but keep the wheel hard over. This will walk the boat sideways. Once clear turn the wheel forward and you are on your way. This method works great when tied between other boats along a dock.

[waybomb]

And - lots of practice. Start on calm days and just go parking the boat in your slip, than putz around the marina. Try it without using the wheel, just the transmissions.

I don't know how your bridge is, but on my 4207, when backing in, I was able to walk around to the front of the bridge and drive it just like going forward. I didn't have to think "backwards".

[Seif911]

Wow, I had to retread that one a few times to get the concept. I'll probably have to read it again before I drive the boat again. I will give it a try.

Thus far, I have had a ton of practice driving around the marina since I can't hit the throttle w/o killing the engines. Soon!