There is that one maneuver that every boater dreads. The dock is right there, two meters away. The wind is blowing sideways. And despite going forward, reverse, and using the bow thruster, the boat refuses to pull up to the pontoon. You have to start over, under the watchful eyes of the neighbors on the finger pier. You know the feeling.
Crabbing changes everything. It is the movement that allows the boat to move laterally, as if sliding sideways toward the dock, without moving forward or backward. Long reserved for seasoned sailors and well-mastered twin-engine boats, this maneuver is now accessible to everyone thanks to the remote docking system. Here is how.
In this article
What exactly is crabbing?
Making a boat crab means making it move laterally. Neither forward nor backward: sideways. The boat translates toward the dock while maintaining its heading. This is exactly what is needed to pull up alongside a pontoon in a crosswind.
On a twin-engine boat, the classic technique combines one engine in forward, the other in reverse, and a burst of the bow thruster to balance it out. In theory, it works. In practice, managing all three at the same time from the helm, without seeing the exact distance to the dock, requires experience and a lot of composure.
And on a single-engine boat without a stern thruster? Crabbing is even more delicate. This is often where the maneuver turns into a headache.
How Dockmate makes crabbing simple
This is where a function integrated into the Dockmate software, called Engine Trick, comes in. Its principle: intelligently coordinate the engines and the bow thruster to generate a precise lateral movement with a single command.
In practice, you ask the boat to move toward the dock. Dockmate takes care of the rest. The system itself manages the distribution between the engines and the thruster to produce a clean translation. You no longer have to juggle three controls at once. You indicate the direction; the software orchestrates.
And the real advantage: Engine Trick works even without a stern thruster. On a boat not equipped with one, Dockmate coordinates the engines and the bow thruster to achieve lateral movement toward the dock regardless. A maneuver that seemed impossible becomes a simple button press.
A power boost when the wind picks up
Sometimes, the crosswind does not cooperate. You need a little more thrust to overcome the resistance and pull the boat to the pontoon. This is the role of Throttle+.
Throttle+ adds extra acceleration, predefined and calibrated for your boat, available at a single touch. You maintain the finesse of the crabbing maneuver and add power exactly when the wind demands it. On button remotes like the SINGLE or TWIN, this thrust is triggered via a key combination. On the TWIST joystick, you simply push a little further: it is all in the gesture.
This acceleration is set independently for each direction during installation, according to your boat’s characteristics. A wind that always pushes from the same side? The calibration takes it into account.
The real benefit: docking alone, with peace of mind
Beyond the technical aspect, there is the difference it makes on board. With remote-controlled crabbing, you move freely around the boat during docking. You choose the best viewing angle, position yourself where you can actually see the distance to the dock, and manage the lines yourself.
No more waiting for a crew member to be available to catch the lines. No more pressure when sailing as a couple or solo. The boat pulls in, and you step onto the dock with the line in hand. The entire docking maneuver becomes peaceful again, even in a difficult harbor, even in a crosswind.
This change is clear for those who sail regularly along the coast. A spot at the back of a crowded harbor, a narrow finger pier, a tight parallel park between two boats: these are all situations where crabbing makes the difference. Instead of attempting several approaches, you slide the boat laterally into its spot on the first try. You sail more often, with more confidence, without dreading the arrival at the harbor.
Sail more often, and protect your boat
It is also a matter of preserving the boat. An approximate maneuver leads to impacts against the dock, scratches on the hull, and unnecessary stress for both the equipment and the crew. A mastered lateral maneuver protects your boat as much as your peace of mind.
To learn more about all the equipment that facilitates your harbor maneuvers, our boat maneuvering system guide covers the subject in detail. And to understand how remote control concretely transforms your arrivals at the harbor, discover our article on remote boat maneuvering.
Which remote for crabbing?
Not all Dockmate remotes offer Engine Trick, and it is important to know this before choosing.
The function is available on the TWIN (twin-engine) and on the TWIST (3-axis proportional joystick). On the TWIST remote, joystick control makes crabbing particularly intuitive: you push in the desired direction, and the boat follows. The RED range, the entry-level analog series, does not have these advanced functions.
To find out exactly which configuration matches your boat and engine type, the best approach is to have a consultation. Every Dockmate installation is custom-calibrated according to your engines, thrusters, and sailing style. You can explore the full range of Dockmate remotes to compare models.
One last point: assisted crabbing requires your boat to be equipped with compatible electronic controls. This is the basic requirement for Engine Trick to coordinate engines and thrusters.
FAQ: crabbing
Can you crab without a stern thruster?
Yes. This is even one of the main advantages of Dockmate’s Engine Trick function. The system coordinates the engines and the bow thruster to generate lateral movement, even on a boat not equipped with a rear thruster. Where the maneuver would be very difficult with manual control, it becomes accessible with a single command.
Do you need a twin-engine boat to succeed in this maneuver?
Not necessarily. Lateral movement is more natural on a twin-engine boat, which can utilize its two propellers. However, Dockmate also allows for lateral movement on other configurations by intelligently coordinating the available propulsion. The determining factor is not so much the number of engines as the type of controls: your boat must have compatible electronic controls.
Is this maneuver difficult to learn with a remote control?
No, that is exactly what changes everything. In classic piloting, managing several controls at the same time requires experience. With Dockmate, you simply indicate the direction and the software orchestrates the maneuver. On the TWIST joystick, you just push toward the dock. It is quick to master, even if you are new to this type of maneuver.
Check if your boat is compatible
The best way to find out if you can benefit from crabbing is to check your boat’s compatibility. In just a few clicks, you will know if your configuration is suitable for a Dockmate installation.
👉 Check your boat’s compatibility and transform your docking, even in a crosswind, even solo.
To learn more about our solutions, you can also discover Dockmate on Google.