Why You Should Never “Park” a Boat Like a Car
Picture this: You’ve had a beautiful day on the water. The sun is setting, the marina is busy, and you’re easing toward your slip. Suddenly, the wind gusts, the current tugs your bow, and your car instincts kick in—you pull into reverse like you would hit the brakes in your car. But instead of stopping straight, your boat goes sideways… straight toward your neighbor’s gleaming new cruiser.
Sound familiar?
That’s your Car Brain betraying you. And it’s time to ditch it and replace with your Boat Brain.
Park a Car vs. Dock a Boat
Cars and boats live in completely different worlds:
- Cars stop when you brake
- Boats never really stop—they drift.
- Cars pivot around their tires.
- Boats pivot in constantly shifting places, depending on hull design and drive system.
- Cars drive on predictable, solid ground.
- Boats drive on invisible “roads” made of current, wind, and waves.
Trying to “park” a boat the way you park a car is like trying to walk a cat on a leash—it just won’t behave the way you expect.
Why Nautical Terms Matter
Here’s a simple shift in mindset that makes a big difference:
- Stop thinking and saying “park.”
- Start thinking and saying “dock.”
When you think “dock,” your brain automatically prepares for wind, current, and pivot points.
Using nautical terms isn’t about sounding salty—it’s about switching on your Boat Brain, so you approach docking with skill and confidence instead of frustration.
Using the correct terminology isn’t just about sounding like a seasoned boater, it helps you think like one.
What Boaters Are (and Aren’t) Taught
In Canada, getting a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) doesn’t require proving you can actually handle a boat. You just answer questions, pass a test, and you’re good to go. Docking? That’s on you.
And here’s the kicker: most docking advice floating around today is decades out of date. Sailboats haven’t changed much, but modern powerboats certainly have. Their drive systems demand new techniques—and if you try to dock today’s boats with yesterday’s methods, you’re setting yourself up for stress, shouting, and maybe even a costly crunch.
Your Car Brain Won’t Work—But Your Boat Brain Can
Docking doesn’t need to be stressful. With the right instructions, you can learn exactly how your boat responds to the wheel, shift(s), and throttle(s).
You’ll know what to expect—no guesswork, no yelling, no last-minute lunges with a boat hook.
It’s a skill, like driving a car—but with the right step-by-step system, it’s faster to learn and more predictable than you might think.
From an Expert Who has Seen It All
Doug Dawson, 5th generation in the marine business, lived his childhood at the family marina. He served as president of the Ontario Marina Operators Association, to testing ~700 boats and writing reviews for Power Boating Canada and Canadian Yachting Magazines, He has spent a lifetime teaching boaters how to enjoy the water safely and confidently.
Together with his wife Brenda, they have written hundreds of blogs, authored dozens of books and guides that thousands of boaters worldwide are using to enjoy boating more and mastering docking—no yelling, no swearing, no dock helpers required.
Final Thought: Speak Nautical, Dock Confidently
Next time you’re out, shift your mindset:
- Ditch the car brain.
- Switch to your boat brain.
- Think in nautical terms.
- Follow Doug Dawson’s proven docking techniques
and you’ll find yourself idling into your slip with calm confidence.
Because when you stop trying to park your boat and start learning how to dock it, everything changes—for the better.
Get Started
Are you ready to explore Better Way Docking Lessons—downloadable, videos and lessons for every drive system, packed with diagrams, photos, and step-by-step instructions.
Join thousands of boaters who have mastered docking with confidence!
Powerboat Docking – click on the book covers for details
Pontoon Docking – click on the book covers for more details
Houseboat Docking – click on the book covers for more details
Sailboat Docking – click on the book covers for more details
