Welcome to

Boating With Dawsons

Dawsons e-Lessons put the "ing" in your boating!

You've come to the right place, if

you are buying a boat
you need docking help
you want to improve tying, anchoring, ramping, or communicating better
you want to get more out of your dinghying
you need help conquering wakes
you need First Mate knowledge to stop worrying and enjoying boating more
you need old boat brochure information

Doug and Brenda Dawson (you can see them in the picture at the left) are 5th generation in boating and have written books and lessons to help you. Doug was born into the family marina so he learned to drive, dock, demo and sell everything--all sizes and types of power boats and sailboats. Now Doug and Brenda are writing what they have spent a lifetime learning to help you.

Why re-invent the wheel, when someone else has already done it for you?

Doug and Brenda authored 2 Books

Buy a Boat With Confidence

Doug's book "Buy a Boat With Confidence" is for boat buyers, power or sail, new or used, big or small. Don't blow thousands of extra dollars. Let Doug's book show you how to buy right and save money.

First Mate 101

Brenda's "First Mate 101" is written for all First Mates, experienced or not. Don't re-invent the wheel. Brenda's experience can shorten your learning curve.

Keelboat Sailing and Handling Skills

Rob MacLeod's "Keelboat Sailing and Handling Skills" is the newest addition to our Book list. Rob brings his immense sailing background to our website. He has been sailing and teaching sailing all his life.

All three books are available as electronic downloadable pdf e-books or you can order the printed version.

For more information on both of these excellent books, just look under "Boating How To" in the menu on the left. Click on "Buy the Right Boat" for Doug's book, "First Mates-Enjoy" for Brenda's book and "Sailing" for Rob's book.

Doug and Brenda have written 15 e-Lessons

The "Better Way Series" of e-Lessons are downloadable pdfs (15 - 34 pages each) to help you enjoy boating more. They are also listed on the menu at the left.

Docking Your Boat (7 different lessons)

Overcome the challenges of docking. Easier docking procedures eliminate the fears and anxiety that so often come with docking. Boats handle differently with different drive systems, so it is important that you get the right one. If you have a single sterndrive for example, the e-lesson for a twin sterndrive won't apply. Be sure to get the right one.

Tying Your Boat

Knowing how to tie your boat correctly will not only make tying easier, but it will also protect your boat from damage. Tie your boat as a team the easy way as Doug and Brenda do.

Ramping Your Boat

Don't be launch ramp entertainment! A few tips can make all the difference--and keep your feet dry.

Anchoring Your Boat

Anchor your boat right and you'll sleep all night.

Enjoying Your Dinghy

Your dinghy can be so much more than just transportation. Don't underestimate your dinghy. It should open up a whole new world on the water.

Conquering Wakes

Be a wake Conqueror--not a Wake Victim! A few tips and tricks make all the difference to you, your crew and your boat.

Docking While Cruising

As you travel the waterways, you will find that all docking is different at each marina you visit. Learn how to handle all docking challenges before you leave your home marina.

Communicating Aboard

Don't be labelled a "Yeller" in your marina. You can change that in one e-lesson.

Enhancing Boating

Why settle for ordinary boating when you can put some "wow" into your summer and enjoy "extra-ordinary" boating?