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F LO R I D A 
B O A T I N G
Docking Up to Chow Down?
the etiquette of docking to dine
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By Randall Taylor
There’s nothing like a nice summer day when you pack the family and friends into the boat and set off to a nearby dockside restaurant only to find a packed dock four boats deep with a string of boats drifting and waiting for a spot.There are two types of people I see in this situation: the person who can maneuver his/her boat on a dime and must show everybody at the dock. Then there is the terrified soul who can’t steer a boat without playing demolition derby. This is fun to watch, as long as it’s not my boat at stake.
Here are a few tips on docking etiquette. Hopefully they will save you some grief and embarrassment, and maybe even a scratch or two.
First, remember the scope of docking a boat, especially around other boats. It’s like parking a Ferrari in a parking lot full of other Ferraris. Banging into another boat is like taking your keys to the side of the car next to you.
Second, take inventory of who is in line in front of you We learned this in first grafe.
Third, if possible, approach the dock while facing the current or wind. It makes docking much easier because your maneuvering requires less compensation for drifting.
Next, don’t be afraid to accept help from somebody dockside by throwing them a line. At the same time, if you have reservations about throwing a line to just anybody or prefer to dock all by yourself, don’t be shy to thank a bystander but to politely tell them to take a walk. Just be sure you don’t make a mistake, because you have an audience that loves to laugh at idiotic skippers who make mistakes.
Take charge in your own boat and tell passengers exactly what you want them to do before you even approach the dock.
And if you do tap or even hit a boat, don’t try to hide it. Examine both boats and approach the other skipper if he/she is not aware.
If you pull up to a busy dock where rafting (boats docked along side each other several deep) is allowed, you must accept that people may walk across your boat to get to theirs and that you are surrendering your boat to a dock hand who may move your boat. Put a towel out to cover upholstery if you don’t want it walked on. Also, you can never hang too many bumpers.
Last, if you happen to be the confident skipper and see the other type coming right for you, don’t yell first. Offer a hand first and then make suggestions later on the dock.
Hopefully these tips will save you a horrific experience. Oh, and so will tipping the dockboy.
Region One
Ft. Lauderdale
15th Street Fisheries
1900 SE 15th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954/763-2777