Many people find that getting their boat out of its berth at the start of a day’s sailing or powerboating, and berthing it safely at the end of the trip, can be the most stressful parts of a day on the water.
Once you’re clear of the confined spaces of a marina or the moorings in a busy river, handling your boat is relatively straightforward and you usually have the time and space to do things at your own pace.
But arriving and leaving a marina need not be a stressful affair provided you follow a few simple guidelines and practise handling your boat at slow speeds.
This guide to handling marina berths will show you the simple steps to a hassle-free experience and help you get even more fun out of your boating. But even the best advice or tuition cannot replace time spent practicing. You wouldn’t expect a novice driver to be adept at reverse parking until they had performed the manoeuvre dozens of times but most of us drive our cars much more than we do our boats. If you make the time to practice the skills described here your ability and confidence will quickly develop, adding to the pleasure you get from you boat.
Remember, if you have any specific questions about how to handle your particular boat, or would like some expert tips for getting in and out of your berth, marina staff can usually help and advise.
Produced by The Knowledge Zone
Written by Steve Sleight
Contributions by Peter White
Illustrations by The Knowledge Zone
© 2008 The Knowledge Zone Ltd
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