Course #115: One Day – Close-Quarters Maneuvering and Docking

Course #115 is a powerboat handling immersion course, designed specifically for those who wish to improve their close-quarters maneuvering skills.

Women at the Helm: Patty Hohwiesner
Many thanks to Roy Adler of the Annapolis Powerboat School for his excellent boating seminar for First Mates at our 2007 Rendezvous. Roy covered various boat emergencies, marine radio procedures, boat maneuvering, dock line configuration, line throwing, rules of the road, and safety procedures. It was a very thorough, nicely presented and informative
session!

And, speaking of seminars, now is a good time to signup for a Spring boating class, usually offered at a discount rate.

Reprinted by permission of the Chesapeake Grand Banks owner’s Association.

January 2008 Pg 9 of 10
The Chesapeake Bay Grand banks Owners’ Association is a privately run club. This newsletter is the property of the CBGBOA, and it cannot be reproduced except by specific, written permission from the
CBGBOA or the specific author; except that it can be reproduced fully without limitation for personal, private use.

A Course on Powerboat Handling
A Leap and a Triumph
Patty Hohwiesner
(Reprinted with permission of the Chesapeake Bay Grand Banks Owner’s Association Newsletter)


Daily engine fluid checks are part of the routine at the
Annapolis Powerboat School.

I have thought about taking a boat handling course for years but "something" always got in the way ...a previously planned trip, too late to sign-up, worried about making a fool of myself, too expensive, etc. Well, the day finally came! Lynn Hendershot, Sharon Nicholson, and I made the great leap last June. We signed-up for a two-day powerboat handling course with the Annapolis Powerboat School.

First of all, it was really nice to sign-up with friends. There was a strong sense between us that we were definitely in this together and, of course, we were REALLY supportive of each other. Secondly, our instructor, Roy Adler, was incredibly patient, calm, and thorough. These qualities were really appreciated especially when we were docking the boat and suddenly we were veering towards a docked boat, not an empty slip.

During the two-day class, we initially went over radio procedures, weather forecasting, knots, flags and signals, how to navigate without all the electronic gadgets (yes, it is possible), and emergency procedures in the classroom. The rest of the time was spent on the boat learning how to check the engine systems, engine start up and boat control.

Of course, the highlight was the DOCKINGS (all types), maneuvering into slips and next to T-heads, using a line to pull the boat alongside a tricky dock, and through it all, Roy was calmly saying, "Neutral is your friend." In other words, take your time and see which way the wind or current is moving the boat. Of course, our husbands were thrilled that we took this course, especially since we practiced man overboard many times! Also, if any other type of emergency should arise, we learned how to send a distress signal and what specific information the Coast Guard needed.

I think what was most valuable to me was that I obviously now understand how our boat operates, and I am better able to assist my husband in all aspects of boat handling. As in learning any new skill, one should always practice it so you don't forget what you have learned. This is my goal for the next boating season! I plan on more hands-on time bringing our boat into Herrington Harbor, guiding it down the alley, and maybe, on a windless day, DOCKING IT! That would be a real triumph!