Docking Techniques in BoatingWritten by Thomas Holley
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You'll have to practice this one over and over. As you get closer to dock, best docking techniques in boating will tell you to start to turn boat. It is at precisely same time, however, that you will also need to decelerate to a stop in reverse. Again, deceleration reduces steering capability. When approaching dock, you are going to have to rely on momentum of boat to get you over this obstacle. Momentum and speed, however, are not same thing. Momentum is simply forward motion of boat that will actually carry you into dock. You will need just enough momentum to get into dock and that will allow you to smoothly make shift to reverse so you can stop. Once you've actually mastered this task, you'll probably agree that best docking techniques in boating were ones that you learned by trial and error. None of docking techniques you'll read will ever be a better teacher than practice, practice, practice. The best advice that one could ever receive when looking for information on best docking techniques in boating would be to take it slow, don't get nervous or discouraged and most importantly, remember that every time you try it, will make it a little easier next time.
Thomas Holley is owner of www.Pontoon-Boat-Products.com Be sure and visit us for all your boating parts and accessories. Be sure and sign up for our FREE newsletter, "The Pontoon Boating Life."
| | Backpacking In The Sleeping Bear DunesWritten by Steve Gillman
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My down sleeping bag was a 17-ounce Western Mountaineering HighLite. It was first time I would use it below freezing (It hit 25 degrees fahrenheit that night). Fortunately, it wasn't too windy. At edge of forest, behind dunes, I set up my small tarp. I piled pine needles and dead bracken ferns under it, finishing just as it became dark. This made a warm mattress, and I slept well, listening to coyotes, and to waves pushing ice around in lake. In morning I was happy to see only a dusting of snow. My one-pound sleeping bag had been warmer than my three-pounder - and I thought that was light. I poured alcohol in cut-off bottom of a pepsi can (my 1/2-ounce backpacking stove) and made tea. After some crackers I was soon hiking in my mostly-dry shoes, along Lake Michigan shoreline. Backpacking Lessons Learned I ended my trip that afternoon, with a hike to village of Empire, seven miles away. I was mostly satisfied. Only two problems: My tarp was too small, and alcohol I brought was wrong type. After backpacking in Michigan for years, I know it well. I know where to find dead grass and bracken ferns, for example, to make a warm mattress in a few minutes. Knowledge, obviously, can be as valuable as expensive backpacking gear.
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com
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