We were in Cabo San Lucas last week and anytime I'm in a marina and see masts sticking up I'm drawn to them like a magnet. While walking around I noticed a Island Packet (beautiful boat) approaching his slip. From the look on his face he appeared nervous and so did his wife. He approached the slip under power and half way in he threw it in reverse and proceeded to hit the front of the dock while reverse prop walk did a number on the stern. I went to help him secure the boat but he did not have his dock lines attached. Anyway we finally got things sorted out and the boat secured. They were grateful for the help and invited my wife and I on board. Again, what a beautiful boat and they have only owned it for 2 weeks and are trying to become familiar with it.
While looking around the interior I came upon a pleasant surprise- on the main table is a copy of THE SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE and THE SAIL TRIM CHART. They are also lurkers on the SAIL TRIM FORUM. Once we finished with introductions they invited for drinks at the FISHERSMAN'S LANDING - great seafood and the reason my wife and I were at the marina in the 1st place.
They wanted to know how I docked my boat and this is what I told them. I started with the point that it's a way that works for me and not the only way. Most important is preparation - they had none. I built a box with 2 steps and added a cleat next to the step. Before entering the slipway I open the safety line. I attach the bow and stern line and loop the coils over the stanchion so they are in easy reach. I enter the slip way and just before my slip I shift to neutral and drift into the slip. When I'm next to my steps I merely step off with the bow and stern line in hand, snub the bow line on the cleat stopping the boat and secure the stern line.
After drinks and oysters on the half shell (yummy!) I suggested we fire up the engine and give docking a try. We did the bow and stern line set up. They got the drift in part the first time time. We couldn't do the step off part. The most important part was they now have the confidence to easily dock their boat.
I know you 2 folks are reading this and thank you for a wonderful visit. My wife and I enjoyed your company.
Now for the best part - what can you listers add to help these folks even more with docking?
While looking around the interior I came upon a pleasant surprise- on the main table is a copy of THE SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE and THE SAIL TRIM CHART. They are also lurkers on the SAIL TRIM FORUM. Once we finished with introductions they invited for drinks at the FISHERSMAN'S LANDING - great seafood and the reason my wife and I were at the marina in the 1st place.
They wanted to know how I docked my boat and this is what I told them. I started with the point that it's a way that works for me and not the only way. Most important is preparation - they had none. I built a box with 2 steps and added a cleat next to the step. Before entering the slipway I open the safety line. I attach the bow and stern line and loop the coils over the stanchion so they are in easy reach. I enter the slip way and just before my slip I shift to neutral and drift into the slip. When I'm next to my steps I merely step off with the bow and stern line in hand, snub the bow line on the cleat stopping the boat and secure the stern line.
After drinks and oysters on the half shell (yummy!) I suggested we fire up the engine and give docking a try. We did the bow and stern line set up. They got the drift in part the first time time. We couldn't do the step off part. The most important part was they now have the confidence to easily dock their boat.
I know you 2 folks are reading this and thank you for a wonderful visit. My wife and I enjoyed your company.
Now for the best part - what can you listers add to help these folks even more with docking?