Leaving a dock

Powerboat instructor Jon Mendez shares his expert tips for leaving an alongside berth in a single-engined RIB

- Jon Mendez

Leaving an alongside berth, especially on a smaller boat, can just be a case of pushing the boat far enough out to allow you to drive away.

It's usually easiest to push the bow out as it's lighter and moves quicker than the stern. When leaving in forward gear be careful not to steer away from the dock too soon or the stern may swing in and hit the pontoon.

Any additional wind or current will either help or hinder you. If these are pushing you away from the berth, it should be possible to just let go and let the elements take the boat away. However, if they are pushing you back onto the berth and making it much trickier to leave, what should you do?