doug & brenda

First Mate 101

A must read for all First Mates

 

Buy The Right Boat

A must read for all Boat Buyers

 

 

Sailboat

 

A skills-oriented approach designed to get you sailing right away. Teaches how to quickly gain confidence.

 

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Testimonials

Just wanted to let you know how helpful your e-lesson has been to me in docking my 22 foot bowrider with single sterndrive. I recently moved from an engineless sloop sailboat to my first powerboat and could not fathom how to dock the beast.

Since digesting your lesson and doing the open water practice you recommended, my docking has improved 1000%! The last two outings with lots of company on board, I managed to pull off smooth, successful landings on the first attempt. These dockings were so uneventful that I was the only one who was impressed.

Your monthly articles have also provided additional helpful ideas. Thank you!

John, Atlanta, GA

The docking is improving and your e-Lessons are very helpful. We've had our boat out 5-6 times and each time coming back to the dock has been easier. Thank you.

Lee, PA

I purchased your e-Lesson on Docking a Single Sterndrive and it worked wonders for me. Thanks.

Brian, ON

Doug and Brenda,
Your docking a Single Sterndrive e-Lesson and your First Mate 101 book are great...So is your Buy A Boat With Confidence book, all of which I have in my collection now.
James, ON

Dear Mr. Dawson,

I have just spent 14 days on the boat and I would like to inform that everything worked very well, especially the part about not using the wheel.

I feel much more confident now, but I still need more practice, so I will continue according to your suggestions.

Thank you very much for all your advice which helped me the most.

Cordially yours,
Marjan Novak, Slovenia

Doug and Brenda,


I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that we thought that the instructional article on how to back a twin stern drive into a slip as well as The Twin Screwdrive  E-lesson and your your First Mate 101 book were very informative and I and my "first mate" learned a lot from them.

Thanks again.

Matt C, IL

Thank you Doug.  Your e-Lesson on Docking a Single Outboard was exceptional!  Once the weather warms up, I fully intend on practicing – and buying more of your books :
Troy, AB

Doug,

Re: Docking My Twin Inboard

Thank you for the more advanced advice you’ve given me.

I want to apologize to Doug for my clearly erroneous judgment of Doug’s character in my original email. The Internet is terminally infested with fraudulent salesmen eager to prey on any weakness they can find in the information-seeking public, and because my original expectations didn’t align with the product that I received, I assumed that once again I had been 'taken' by one of these Slick-Willys.

I see now I was far too quick to judge. I’m amazed that not only was my purchase price refunded without question, Doug STILL took the time to help me. If America had more people like Doug, it might be as nice a place to live as Canada!

I’ve re-purchased the eLesson that you refunded. The information you have given me, as well as in the Newsletter, is exactly the kind of thing I need. That 'stand backwards' trick is priceless by itself! I truly appreciate the information.

I can’t wait to get out on the water and work on it. I’m sure it’ll make an amazing difference. That one little tidbit, though I’ve not even tried it out yet, will undoubtedly save me lots of aggravation, lots of discomfort, and lead to a far safer, more controlled, more predictable, and more successful set of docking procedures. The rest of the information you’ve given me is gravy.

I read the newsletter, too, and that transom-in docking never even occurred to me. I wouldn’t have thought it would work. I’ll DEFINITELY be trying that one out at the fuel dock, even if it’s empty: With the transom into the dock, it’ll be a FAR better experience, I’m sure. Brilliant, Doug! Thanks!

There were so many helpful docking hints in the newsletter, e-lesson and the special document that Doug prepared for me.

Again, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to help me.

Bill R, SC

Doug

Many thanks! I've tried most of these manuevers but have not mastered the correct sequences. I just moved from a single I/O to a twin and seem to be getting worse each time I back into the dock.

I could never figure out when to use one or two drives, when to turn the drives vs using one or the other ,etc.

This makes so much sense to me and I'll be trying it the rest of the season.

Thanks again!

Allan Darr, PA


 

Power Boat Docking Tips

How To Dock a Boat - Like a Pro

 

"Boat Docking " e-Lessons are now available and will definitely give you a great return with minimal investment.

We all know that most diets don't work, so it is important to choose the right one; likewise, most docking instructions don't work because they are inaccurate or incomplete, or for the wrong drive system.

So, you should choose your docking instructor carefully. Why waste time and money? Invest in proven, step-by-step docking e-Lessons from a Pro who has taught thousands over decades--all sizes and types of boats from outboards to motor yachts.

Only when you find the right diet and follow it, will you reach your desired weight. Only when you practice the correct docking procedures, will you become a boat docking pro.

Practice only makes perfect......
when you follow the correct procedure!

E-Lessons aren't novels, they are "how-to" instructions. Only $14.95 US for approximately 20 plus pages that you print and take to your boat. Click on the title for more information or "Buy Now" to go to shopping cart.

 

Just like birds of a feather,

Boaters and Lessons belong together!

Docking Your Single O/B ( Outboard)..... Buy Now
Docking Your Single I/O (Sterndrive)..... Buy Now
Docking Your Single I/B (Inboard)..........Buy Now

 

Docking Your Twin O/B ( Outboard).......BuyNow
Docking Your Twin I/O (Sterndrive)...... Buy Now
Docking Your Twin I/B (Inboard)...........Buy Now

 

Docking Your Sailboat ( Inboard)........... Buy Now

Boat Docking is EASY or DIFFICULT
It's Your Choice!

There are hundreds of thousands of boats on the water and probably as many ways to dock. Boaters have observed or experienced the challenging boat docking situations in adverse weather conditions, but also witnessed or experienced very embarrassing boat docking in perfect conditions. Boat docking can be difficult, stressful, challenging or embarrasing--or EASY.

Boat Docking can be DIFFICULT if you get the wrong instruction or don't understand how your boat is supposed to handle. You can practice as much as you want but, if you are not doing it correctly, all the practice in the world won't make docking easier.

Boat Docking can be very stressful if you don't have an understanding of what to do and how to do it--especially in front of an audience.

Boat Docking can be challenging if you are using the wrong techniques for your boat and drive system. The boat won't go where you want it to go not matter what.

Boat Docking can be embarrasing and you can very quickly become the harbour entertainment or worse, end up damaging your boat and/or the dock if you aren't docking correctly.

You may have watched boaters docking like pros in good and bad conditions. Docking is easy for them and the envy of others.

Boat Docking is EASY once you know how yours was designed to dock and perfect the right techniques, that apply to your drive system, with practice. Then, docking will be much easier!

Boat and motor manufacturers build boats to handle specific ways. They spend millions of dollars in research and development to design a boat that will handle the way they want it to.

Once you know how they intended your boat to be handled, it is just a matter of learning and practicing the techniques specific to your boat and drive system.

The trick for you, is finding an instructor who:

  • knows the design characteristics of all the boats and drive systems
  • can drive and handle every type of boat and drive system
  • has the ability to teach others

Right Instructor

 

A golf pro can teach you the techniques required to play golf. By following the pros’ instructions, one can play a good game of golf. The more one practices these instructions, the better one gets.

Likewise with boat docking. A boat docking pro can teach you the techniques required to dock your particular boat and drive system. Then, the more you practice these instructions, the better you get.

Doug Dawson, a 5th generation boat industry professional, has the right qualifications. He knows the design characteristics of all the boats and drive systems, has driven, tested and handled every type of boat and drive system and he has the ability to teach others.

Doug's e-Lessons make it possible for him to help boaters around the world enjoy boating more.

Each drive system handles differently, so be sure to choose the e-Lesson for your boat. (Practice only makes perfect if you are practicing the correct technique!) Print it out, take it to the boat and follow the instructions on a calm day with no audience. Then, practice.

Once you have perfected calm weather docking, add wind, then current, then audience, pets, etc.

Once you know how your boat was designed to dock and perfect the techniques with practice, boat docking will be much easier. Doug's e-Lessons show you step-by-step how to Dock Your Boat.

Wrong Instructor

If you get the wrong instructor, you may never play golf or learn to dock your boat! The most important consideration before hiring an instructor or buying instructions, is to check his/her credentials.

Make sure he/she knows the difference between the handling characteristics of each of the different drive systems, has driven every type of boat and most importantly, can dock all boats proficiently.

Boats with different power systems definitely do handle quite differently.

Beware of instructors who tell you every boat should be docked the same way--they obviously don’t know what they are talking about.

Doug's e-Lessons teach each drive system individually because the handling techniques are quite different for each. Order the right one for your boat and start learning to dock like a pro.

Instructions

Boat Docking instructions should sound easy and be easy to follow. When the professional instructor knows how to do it and teach it, you can learn to dock a boat like a pro.

Conversely, if the instructor doesn’t know how to dock a boat, he/she can use a lot of meaningless words, emotional adjectives or technical jargon, but never get around to teaching you the step-by-step "how to skills", that you can use. If it sounds fearful and difficult, it will be fearful and difficult to follow. You will never learn to dock a boat properly.

So, check the instructor’s credentials and ask for referrals of people who have learned by using his or her instructions.

Don’t waste your time and money. Choose your boat docking instructor/author carefully.

Doug Has Docked Them All

Over the last 40 plus years, Doug Dawson has driven and docked every type of boat and every drive system afloat, while doing boat tests around the world for two National Boating Magazines and managing the Sales Department at his family’s on-the-water marina. At Dawson's Marina, the sales area displayed 100 plus boats afloat for demo from 16’ - 50’ both Power and Sail. Doug demoed and docked them all.

During his professional lifetime on the water, he has done hands-on boat docking lessons with hundreds of boaters. His students dock their boats confidently like pros.

Recently, he has downloaded his brain to the computer into individual lessons, so more boaters can benefit. Now, Doug’s clients around the world are docking like pros after printing and downloading his e-Lessons for their particular drive systems.

Doug is known in the industry and on the water as one of the best when it comes to docking boats. He docks boats with ease --power, sail, performance, trawler, motoryacht, housecruiser, whatever. He also has the talent of putting his techniques into easily understood verbal and written instructions. When boaters follow Doug’s instructions in his new e-Lessons, they too learn to dock like pros.

Boat Docking

Doug Dawson's docking e-Lessons cover each drive system (outboard, sterndrive and twin) because instructions are different for each. They cover on-the-water lessons on how your boat was designed to handle, then step-by-step docking instructions including securing the boat to the dock simply and easily with a "step-off" or "stay aboard" procedure. No panic, no jumping, no yelling--just smooth docking.

Print out the e-lesson that applies to your boat drive system. Doug Dawson will walk you through the step-by-step procedure of bringing your boat alongside the dock. Like an invisible driving instructor, he’ll patiently whisper in your ear (no one in the marina will see him coaching you). Simply print it out and re-read the e-lesson as many times as you require, to learn how to confidently dock like a pro.

No need to pay $100 plus per hour. Doug’s boat docking e-lessons will teach you how to dock your boat. Even if you are able to dock your boat now, but aren’t totally comfortable, this method will give you the confidence you need.

Share the docking lesson with your First Mate so she understands the technique you are applying and what her part is in the docking process. You and your First Mate can dock like a professional docking team every time, and be the envy of your boating friends-No jumping! No yelling! No swearing! No injuries!

Invest in a Boat Docking e-Lesson Today!

A "Boat Docking " e-Lesson will definitely give you a great return with minimal investment-only $14.95 each. Each e-Lesson is approximately 15 -35 pages. Print at home. Take to your boat. Read and Practice. Re-read and practice ‘til the lights go on. You will and your wife will become a docking team and dock your boat with ease.

Download the Right Boat Docking e-Lesson

In each of these e-Lessons, Doug walks you through the step-by-step procedure of bringing your boat alongside the dock. Like an invisible driving instructor, he'll patiently whisper in your ear (no one in the marina will see him coaching you). Simply re-read the e-Lesson as many times as you require to confidently dock like a pro.

Boats with different power systems handle differently so beware of the person who tells you every boat should be docked the same way—he obviously doesn't know what he is talking about.

No need to pay $100 plus per hour. Just download and print out the e-Lesson and take Doug (your invisible instructor) aboard with you. Practice as often as you wish.

Boat Docking is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

  1. Get the right instruction
  2. Learn from the right instruction
  3. Practice the right instruction

Then, you too will be able to dock like a pro.

 

Choose the e-Lesson that matches your boat & drive configuration …

$$$$$$ All prices are in US Dollars $$$$$

Docking a Single Outboard (O/B)Boat

An Outboard or O/B motor is clamped or bolted to the transom of the boat whereby the entire motor is located on the outside of the boat. The entire motor is turned for steering.

Docking S OB

Docking the most popular drive systems are, as it turns out, the most difficult. Without learning the key to reverse, you could spend summers figuring out why your boat does not behave, as you expect.

Doug reveals the "key", you need to know to dock your Single Outboard like a pro.

 

PDF Download $14.95

 

Docking a Single Sterndrive (I/O) Boat

A Sterndrive or I/O is a motor that is a combination of an inboard engine connected through the transom to an outdrive. The package is known as a sterndrive or an Inboard/Outboard or an I/O--Half in and half out.

 

Docking S IO

Docking the most popular drive systems are, as it turns out, the most difficult. Without learning the key to reverse, you could spend summers figuring out why your boat does not behave, as you expect.

Doug reveals the "key", you need to know to dock your Single Sterndrive like a pro.

 

 

PDF Download $14.95

 

Docking a Single Inboard Boat

An Inboard motor is located near the middle of the boat connected to the propeller via a long, straight shaft that extends on an angle through the bottom of the boat. The whole motor is inside the boat. The rudder is placed behind the propeller for steering.

Docking S IB

Docking a single inboard on a ski boat for example, is how Doug started docking back in the 1950’s.

There are some idiosyncrasies you must be taught first; or you’ll never get docked, because they will fight you every time.

Doug shares the "magic". This e-lesson shows you how to figure out these idiosyncrasies and use them to your advantage.

 

PDF Download $14.95

 

 

Docking a Twin O/B (Outboard) Boat

Twin Outboard or O/B motors are clamped or bolted to the transom of the boat whereby the entire motors are located on the outside of the boat. The entire motors are turned for steering.

Docking T OB

Docking twins is not twice as easy! Without being shown how, it can be more than twice as difficult with four levers.

Doug shares the "single trick" for mastering some twins, while others are far easier using his "arc method".

This e-lesson will teach you both systems and on which boat each works best. This will simplify docking a Twin Outboard.

PDF Download $14.95

 

Docking a Twin Sterndrive (I/O) Boat

Twin Sterndrives or I/O's are motors that are a combination of inboard engines connected through the transom to outdrives. The package is known as a sterndrive or an Inboard/Outboard or an I/O--Half in and half out.

Docking T IO

Docking twins is not twice as easy! Without being shown how, it can be more than twice as difficult with four levers. Doug shares the "single trick" for mastering some twins, while others are far easier using his "arc method".

This e-lesson will teach you both systems and on which boat each works best. This will simplify docking a Twin Sterndrive or Outboard.

 

PDF Download $14.95

 

Docking a Twin Inboard Boat

Inboard motors are located near the middle of the boat connected to propellers via long, straight shafts that extend on an angle through the bottom of the boat. The whole motors are inside the boat. The rudders are placed behind the propellers for steering.

Docking T IB

 

Docking a twin inboard is the easiest of all drive systems and most people graduate to twins during their later years in a yacht.

Doug shares his "giant tip" in this e-Lesson, so you’ll dock your yacht like a professional captain.

Plus, you'll save your First Mate from attempting to imitate the bionic woman.

 

 

PDF Download $14.95

 

 

Docking Your Sailboat

Docking Sail

Sailboats are equipped with huge rudders, deep keels, little propellers and a unique shape that makes docking totally different than docking any power boat.

Doug teaches sailors the easy way to "sneak up" on their dock, step off and take a bow.

 

 

 

PDF Download $11.95

 

 

 

All Prices are US Dollars