Sailing to Dock

dlochner · Sep 13, 2018

Sort of depends. If the dock is to windward, then the main will work. If the sailing down wind, it will be easier to luff the jib and coast into the dock.

Do you have an outboard on your dinghy? If so, you could tie to the side of the boat and do a hip tow. Your boat is pretty light, even a 3 hp motor would probably push it to the dock. Or borrow someone's dingy and give them a case of Sam Adams, much cheaper than a commercial tow.

Another option, join BoatUS and sign up for unlimited towing. It will cheaper than paying for a tow and you won't be the first person who did this.

Parsons · Sep 13, 2018

I assume that sailing in is the only alternative you have? You cannot remove the outboard for service, get a tow from a friend with another boat, etc.

I have always found it easier to handle a boat with the main alone, rather than the foresail. It's closer to balanced, and the controls are usually closer to the helm for quick adjustments. Will you have crew or is this single-handing? Can you quickly drop sails (lazy jacks or even into the cockpit)? Setup the boat for landing well in advance by placing fenders and lines appropriately. Pick your weather so that the wind is steady and no more than 10 kts. It's often easier to dock under sail with the wind from ahead or pushing you into the dock, rather than pushing you off the dock. Remember that the wind will push your bow much more than your stern, so you'll turn away from the wind. Plan your move carefully so that you approach slowly, then luff your sails to stop. As encouragement, your H25 is just a bit bigger than sailing dinghies like Lightnings, and they sail in and off of docks all the time.

LeslieTroyer · Sep 13, 2018

Check if sailing within your mooring or haul out is allowed. It is explicitly forbidden in my marina, and I’m glad it is. I’ve seen too many people damage other boats as the try and prove their skills.

Les

dlochner · Sep 13, 2018

Plymouth Sailor said:
The difference between a sailing dinghy is that the H25 with an inboard diesel weighs approximately 5000 lbs. I used to sail a homemade catamaran 500lbs no problem w/o a motor but weight and size equals more force...

Your point about the size and weight is well taken, however, a 5000 lb boat is still pretty light. A Lightening weighs in at ~ 800, a Flying Scot at ~ 900, a J24 ~ 2400. From time to time I would sail my Sabre 30 to the dock at ~8000 lbs. It can be done.

To make it work it is essential to have a sense about how fast and far the boat will coast under its own power. Do you ever sail up to your mooring? Its the same skill the only difference is bouncing off a mooring ball is less daunting than bouncing off a dock. Unless you come flying into the dock at hull speed, any damage done to your boat will be minor and easily repaired with $25 of gelcoat.

I appreciate your anxiety about sailing to the dock in constricted quarters, it is easy to come up with a million what ifs. Again, the key is to know how fast you can dump speed or the inverse, how far can you coast. That's what Captain Ron knew!

SFS · Sep 13, 2018

dlochner said:
... Another option is to join BoatUS and sign up for unlimited towing. It will cheaper than paying for a tow and you won't be the first person who did this.

Towing insurance is a great idea. However, in this instance, it may not help. For the first 30 days of you TowboatUS policy, tows from your home dock area not covered. Found this out the hard way.

jssailem · Sep 13, 2018

LeslieTroyer said:
I’ve seen too many people damage other boats as the try and prove their skills.

For the 6th time..

. I did not ding your dinghy and put a 3 inch hole in the float..

. Give it a rest..

. That maneuver did too work.

Stu Jackson · Sep 13, 2018

I always used only the jib, because I could either douse it or pop the sheet and end up with NO DRIVE immediately.

Of course, as others have mentioned, the wind direction and the location of your slip will determine what's the better choice.

I have sailed into my dock with both my Catalina 25 and this boat, many times. The first few times were for practice, but I, too, have had engine failures on both boats, for one reason or another, and I was really glad I had practiced.

May be too late for that for you, but now you can call this a practice run once you do it successfully.

On the 25 I only had a downhaul on the hank on jib. Have a furler on the 34. In all cases i blew the sheet and dealt with the jib once I was snugged in.

All the best of luck, which always helps, but planning ahead is critical as you already know.

Your choice was to whether or not you get friends to stand by at your slip. Sometimes solo is easier.

Your boat, your choice.

rgranger · Sep 13, 2018

Keep your eye on Craigs List for a used electric trolling motor. If all you want is some maneuverability in and out of a slip, a trolling motor will do the job nicely -- . I used to push around a Coronado 25 with a trolling motor.

Here is one I found near you for $25
https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bpo/d/electric-trolling-motor/6696314807.html

and another for $65
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/spo/d/fishing-minn-kota-trolling/6696560485.html

There were about five more in the Boston area. I didn't check the Providence CL site but I bet there are a few more ...

Kings Gambit · Sep 13, 2018

Plymouth Sailor said:
Any wisdom appreciated. Thanks,
Mark

Not knowing the configuration of your dock and the attitude of your slip relative to the wind, it's hard to say much that would be useful. If you can sail down a fairway on a beam reach and turn into the wind while entering your slip, then that's not too difficult as long as you don't miss. Use the jib and blow the sheet as you turn up; coast in. Try to have someone "catch you" at the bow so you don't smash it. Turning away from the wind into your slip is harder; you can't really slow down and your leeway could put you into the boat on your leeside unless you get in quickly and take the swipe against your fenders. Have a bunch of them ready. You probably cannot tack the fairway, so that's out. If you're running down the fairway it all depends on how fast before you make your turn. In any event, you'll have to "land" against a leeward dock finger--so have plenty of fenders out there as well. Not having to go down a narrow fairway, just about any thought-out approach is likely to work.

rgranger · Sep 13, 2018

jssailem said:
For the 6th time... I did not ding your dinghy and put a 3 inch hole in the float... Give it a rest... That maneuver did too work.

Here is a maneuver you don't want to repeat

dlochner · Sep 13, 2018

rgranger said:
Here is a maneuver you don't want to repeat

Can a Hunter 25 go that fast??

rgranger · Sep 13, 2018

dlochner said:
Can a Hunter 25 go that fast??

If it ever did..... time to start praying.

victorhoisington · Sep 13, 2018

In a past life I had a H25 w/outboard. This boat is easy to sail in, For me I prefer to use the jib, since I can stand at the tiller and hold the jib sheet to control the puffs and wind as needed. When ready I can let it luff, but still have it if needed for that last few feet. The rule here is go slow, start early in the morning or on a day with light winds, Don't forget to use the momentum of the last 50 feet or so. You will be amazed at how far your boat will move just on momentum alone. With the tiller steering, the boat is nimble and you can even use the tiller to bleed off speed if you end up too fast. Try it to a mooring ball or marker and you'll soon find it's very easy.

To those who say sailing into slips is forbidden, I challenge that its the sailing into the slips part that is the problem. Our club found it was just as bad if not worse with the people trying to motor into their slips and not finding reverse when needed and who ended up causing more damage than anyone sailing into their slips, that being said, you still need to practice.

Good luck

justsomeguy · Sep 14, 2018

victorhoisington said:
The rule here is go slow

I believe that's the rule just about everywhere.

victorhoisington said:
To those who say sailing into slips is forbidden, I challenge that

Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.

JRT · Sep 14, 2018

I don't know what the proper term is but after I start drifting I will pump my tiller back and forth to wag the rudder and that will usually give me some forward movement. My slip is just along a dock, between 2 boats so I never like counting on reverse to slow me. I'm sure this won't work in all situations but does help for me.

dlochner · Sep 14, 2018

John Tubb said:
don't know what the proper term is but after I start drifting I will pump my tiller back and forth to wag the rudder and that will usually give me some forward movement.

Sculling.

To slow down, move the tiller from side to side slowly. This will cause the boat too sail a series of S turns, sloughing off speed with each turn.

capta · Sep 14, 2018

Plain and simple; a $350.00 tow (sounds way exorbitant, but if you say so) or possibly thousands in damages to your boat and/or others.
No offense, but if you aren't even sure which sail to use, which obviously means you haven't tried sailing under jib or main alone much, you probably are not ready to do this safely without a very, very full black box.
TAKE THE TOW!

Sailing to Dock

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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