E-lessons

E-lessons are short concise lessons on buying, inspecting and handling your boat which can be downloaded immediately after purchasing.  The following e-lessons are now available. 

Click on the image for more information.

This Special Report covers 70 different boat types.

This Special Report #3 covers includes inspection checks.

This Special Report #4 covers what to do during a demo. 

Once you have a dinghy, there are many ways to enjoy it. These e Lessons discusses a multitude of uses and fun things that you and your family can do to enjoy your dinghy more and your boat more. Go have fun with your Dinghy! 

Doug Dawson’s e-Lessons focus on the easy and safe way to securely lower and set anchors and raise them. Anchoring should not be stressful or dangerous. It should be understood, safe and easy.

Tips for launching and retrieving your power boat are contained in these e-lessons.

Don't be Launch Ramp Entertainment. Whether you are launching or hauling any size boat at a ramp, you don't want to be the entertainment. Learn how to launch your boat like a Pro.

Doug teaches you how marina staff and pros ramp--easily. And, how to keep your feet dry! 

Techniques for securely tying your boat.

Dock lines don't have to ressemble a spider's web. Doug simplifies boat tying with one setup that secures your boat for most situations.

These e-Lessons also covers tying to a high wharf, to pilings in a shared slip plus how to raft for safer entertaining.

Docking a twin engine inboard boat.

Docking a twin inboard is the easiest of all drive systems and most people graduate to twins during their later years in a yacht.

Doug shares his "giant tip" in this e-Lesson, so you’ll dock your yacht like a professional captain.

Plus, you'll save your First Mate from attempting to imitate the bionic woman.

Docking twin outboards.

Docking twins is not twice as easy! Without being shown how, it can be more than twice as difficult with four levers.

Doug shares the "single trick" for mastering some twins, while others are far easier using his "arc method".

These e-lessons will teach you both systems and on which boat each works best. This will simplify docking a Twin Outboard.

Docking a single inboard.

Docking a single inboard on a ski boat for example, is how Doug started docking back in the 1950’s.

There are some idiosyncrasies you must be taught first; or you’ll never get docked, because they will fight you every time.

Doug shares the "magic". This e-lesson shows you how to figure out these idiosyncrasies and use them to your advantage.

Docking a single outboard.

Docking the most popular drive systems are, as it turns out, the most difficult. Without learning the key to reverse, you could spend summers figuring out why your boat does not behave, as you expect.

Doug reveals the "key", you need to know to dock your Single Outboard like a pro.

Sailboats are equipped with huge rudders, deep keels, little propellers and a unique shape that makes docking totally different than docking any power boat.

Doug teaches sailors the easy way to "sneak up" on their dock, step off and take a bow.

  The better way to Dock, Ramp and Tie your Power Boat.

 Tying and Using Knots.

 Making Rope into Lines

 Conquering Wakes

 Communicating Aboard

 Docking While Cruising