Docking Techniques in BoatingWritten by Thomas Holley
While docking techniques in boating are always going to be dependent upon weather conditions, there are a few simple things that you should always keep in mind. First of all, in this particular case practice makes perfect. Although we can provide tips, please remember that docking techniques in boating are going to be something you will have to personalize to your experience, your particular boat and of course, dock itself. Secondly, most common mistake boater’s make when attempting to dock their boats is to try and approach dock in a straight line. By approaching dock from an angle, however, it will much easier to get close without scraping and to hit spot you're aiming for. Thirdly, speed at which you come in to dock must be controlled. Anything you've ever been told about best docking techniques in boating probably mentioned that it requires you to run your boat in at slowest possible speed. This however, is not as easy as it sounds. Often, even idle speed on a boat is too fast. Coasting, however, as a docking technique in boating, causes problems in and of itself. Coasting reduces steering capability, which makes it even more difficult to accurately line up with dock. The best way to counter this problem is to alternate between power for steering (short shots of forward gear) and coasting for speed control. Being able to use best docking techniques in boating is not automatic.
| | Backpacking In The Sleeping Bear DunesWritten by Steve Gillman
I was backpacking in Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was March, so when I made it through woods and over dunes, I'd have miles of beach to myself. It was an over-nighter, a chance to test new ultralight backpacking equipment. I hiked wooded hills quickly, enjoying cold air.Halfway through forest, I stopped to cook noodles. The cheap 3-ounce pot was from a dollar store, and it worked fine. I was happy, because from catalog descriptions, expensive titanium pots are all heavier, probably because they're too thick and with too many gadgets. I had to use a small twig-fire when my homemade alcohol stove didn't provide enough heat. I later learned that isopropyl alcohol doesn't burn as hot as alcohol used for a gas additive, but twigs worked in any case. Backpacking On The Beach After eating, I hiked to Lake Michigan, and sat up on a large sand dune. I watched waves push ice up onto empty beach. Coyotes began to howl in distance, and clouds rolled in. I was on beach looking for petoskey stones when snow began. Backpacking in March has its risks. I was in running shoes, and it would be below freezing that night. In northern Michigan, March is definitely part of winter. My feet stayed warm while I hiked, but I hadn't planned on them getting wet. At least I had a pair of warm, dry socks for sleeping. Ultralight Backpacking Equipment It was first time I used my GoLite Breeze backpack, which weighed only 13 ounces. I was hiking with about nine pounds on my back, and that only because I threw in some canned food. I was going light, but I knew forests here and felt comfortable with my abilities.
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