Docking a Wake Boat

Each time you venture into open waters, it means you will eventually need to do an all-important task: dock your wake boat. Maybe you are heading out on a quest to find the best ice cream nearby and will need to dock at the marina. Maybe you are taking the wake board riders for the thrill of their life and will need to dock when you get back home. Whatever adventure you have in store, it ends with boat docking.

Many new wake boat owners experience increased heart rate and jumpy nerves at the thought of docking their wake boat. After all, boats are expensive! The last thing you want is a nice summer day spoiled by an unsightly scratch or dent due to improper docking. Rest assured that like any other skill, docking boats can be acquired and even mastered! We put together the following beginner's guide to docking boats below. Remember you can always stop by Active Water Sports for any advice or wake boat related gear. We proudly serve those in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

Approaching the Dock

After a long day of wakeboard adventures, you'll eventually need to head to the dock. Set yourself up for success. Scan the area carefully. You are looking for anything that could interfere with your ability to safely dock your wake boat, such as stray lines that can catch in your propeller. It's not much different from parking a car. You wouldn't barrel towards a spot without checking the area for potholes, animals, or other hazards first. You should do the same with parking boats.

Remember that small jerks of the wheel can manifest in large angle adjustments. The stern moves first and will be dictating how this process goes. A small tweak of your rudder can lead to large changes, so be careful not to overshoot changes as you approach the dock.

The Proper Wakeboard Speed

You want to strike the ideal balance of wake boat speed. Of course, you won't use the same speed as you do when pulling a wakeboard! Going too fast leads to almost inevitable crashes. But too slow is an issue as well. It can easily leave you floating too far from your intended location.

To strike the proper balance follow this guideline: only approach the dock at a speed you are willing to hit it at. Even veteran wakeboard captains experience their share of scuffles and dents. But going the proper speed can help mitigate these accidents. Too fast and you can damage your boat and the dock. As a default, you'll want to use the lowest setting and throw in small bursts of power.

Wake Boat and Wind

It's rare that you'll be on the water on a windless day. If the wind blows towards the dock, harness this power! Approach the dock in a parallel way as near to the pier as you can get. Let the wind guide you to your spot.

If the wind blows away from the dock, you'll need to fight against it. Approach at a sharper angle to pierce through some of the wind, possibly as large as a 30-degree angle. Here you are using momentum to fight the wind's power. With the right angle you'll be able to navigate against Mother Nature's gusts and claim your spot.

If you have any questions, please talk to the expert staff at Active Water Sports. We are happy to give you wakeboard boating tips! If you are looking to up your wakeboard game with a new wake boat, check out our wide selection of new and used boats. We proudly serve Central Oregon including Portland, Eugene, Salem, and Bend, Oregon. We also serve those in Vancouver, Washington.