Docking with a loop

[Tally Ho]

There was a recent thread talking about docking methods, and I commented on my loop method of docking. I may not be very good at describing it, so thought I would try a video...I am not a good video guy either, but here is a video explain how I do it.

This method does 2 things for me...first, if I have a cross wind (I am on Michigan, so no currents - but it would for that too), I can hold the boat alongside my finger pier while I throw off dock lines, etc...all solo. Makes getting the boat ready and out of the slip way easier in difficult situations.

Second, when I return the slip, generally single-handed, I can dock the boat with a lot more confidence.

This has truly changed my outlook and confidence in getting the boat out of and into my slip...

Sorry for the poor video, but I was doing this by myself too...

Greg

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

Awesome idea and a great video.

I was just pondering how to get in and out of my slip solo sailing today.

 

[Joe23455]

Thank you very much for sharing your simple, smart idea. I am solo 9/10 times. Your system
makes so much sense for a single handed Sailer ! Enjoy your season.

Joe
s/v Trinity

 

[sesmith]

Nice idea and great video and explanation. The hook beats the pvc we used at one time and subsequently broke it off one day. We never rigged another permanent solution for our slip after that as we cruise most of the season up on the Great Lakes and aren't back to our marina til late in the season. Since anything goes with slips you aren't familiar with, we found a stern bridle works almost all the time, so we just use that at our home slip too. Thx for posting the video. Great idea for a known slip.

 

[rgranger]

With the camera in your hand, this gives all new meaning to single handing

Thnx for sharing. Excellent process. I have a line on my dock that I use in a similar way but it is not on a hook ... and a pain to reach out and grab... especially when some well-meaning dock mate wrapped it around the cleat for me while I was out. I might have to think on some sort of a "hook" set up like yours. For me I nose in, hit reverse and move forward to grab the line that goes on the inside (water side) bow cleat. Slip it on and then go back and put it in reverse with the rudder hard over. Then the boat pulls back agains that line and swings snug into her spot.

 

[Tally Ho]

Nice idea and great video and explanation. The hook beats the pvc we used at one time and subsequently broke it off one day. We never rigged another permanent solution for our slip after that as we cruise most of the season up on the Great Lakes and aren't back to our marina til late in the season. Since anything goes with slips you aren't familiar with, we found a stern bridle works almost all the time, so we just use that at our home slip too. Thx for posting the video. Great idea for a known slip.

Yes, I agree. This only works as I am returning to my home slip all the time.

Greg

 

[higgs]

I use the same system with slight modification and it works great for me. It certainly eliminates pretty much any drama. Where I would differ from you is dropping a loop over a cleat as a permanent mooring technique. I have seen those loops come off in extreme conditions. I prefer to run the eye through the bottom of the cleat and then loop it over each of the horns. Doesn't take much more time and cannot come loose in any conditions.

 

[Tally Ho]

I use the same system with slight modification and it works great for me. It certainly eliminates pretty much any drama. Where I would differ from you is dropping a loop over a cleat as a permanent mooring technique. I have seen those loops come off in extreme conditions. I prefer to run the eye through the bottom of the cleat and then loop it over each of the horns. Doesn't take much more time and cannot come loose in any conditions.

So you mean the final tie-ups? I agree with you that through the cleat is more secure. When we are expecting a storm, I will run the dock lines through the deck cleats…and double up the lines if it is expected to get really hairy. I am on Lake Michigan, so no tides to worry about.

Cheers,

Greg

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I like it! I'm going to give it a try. We have short finger piers with pilings just off the stern. I can hang a loop off the piling and using this technique get the bow to nestle against the finger pier. This way, Sue doesn't have to panic while she attempts to grab a bow line with the boat hook before the bow swings away.

@Ward H has a very similar technique that works very well.

 

[Bob S]

Have you tried it on the primary winch?

 

[Tally Ho]

Have you tried it on the primary winch?

I have not. It might work there also. The cabin top winch seems like a good pivot point for my boat, which then allows me to “steer” the boat port or starboard depending on conditions.

The bow on my boat blows easily with the wind (small-ish wing keel), which once I figured out, makes getting out the slip much easier. I change which way I back out depending on the wind direction…let the wind push the bow around.

I think the cabin top winch works better for me as a pivot point…otherwise, I would have hard time keeping the bow from blowing off the dock.

Greg

 

[BigEasy]

I think the cabin top winch works better for me as a pivot point…otherwise, I would have hard time keeping the bow from blowing off the dock.

Yep, midship cleat or cabin top winch provides a better pivot point. I usually use the midship cleat; however, it would certainly be easier to use the cabin top winch....wouldn't need to leave the cockpit.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Greg, glad you brought this up again. A C25 skipper from California taught me about this, he called it his Dock-O-Matic! Here's a link at the end of the thread:

Single Handing 101.2 HOPPING OFF THE BOAT IS UNNECESSARY
Single handing & Bull Rails

 

[Dalliance]

Greg, glad you brought this up again. A C25 skipper from California taught me about this, he called it his Dock-O-Matic! Here's a link at the end of the thread:

Single Handing 101.2 HOPPING OFF THE BOAT IS UNNECESSARY
Single handing & Bull Rails

I have another variation of this technique for boats with no midship cleat.

From the link above……
*** The maneuver is simple: attach the springline to the midships cleat, run it fair outside the lifelines, as you approach the dock loop the springline over the aft dock cleat and bring it back to the winch. Snug it up and keep the boat in low throttle forward and the boat will sidle right up to the dock, no jumping is EVER required. A friend developed an enhanced springline arrangement with a prefixed length of line with a hose holding a lower loop of line open to assure that it catches the cleat on the dock, so that no line needs to be returned to the winch. ***

The differences are that I have no midship cleat and both ends of my spring line are attached to the perforated aluminum toe rail slightly aft of midship with heavy duty bolt type carabiners at a prefixed length for my dock. It’s one big loop, kept outside of the lifelines, and tossed over the aft dock cleat. No bringing the other end back to the winch and the large loop makes the dock cleat an easier target. It’s as fool proof as I can make it for myself and guests who want to help. I like to dip the line in the water before my approach to give it a bit more weight to toss. After the bow and stern lines are secured and the engine is off, I coil up this spring line, hang it on lifeline for the next use, and attach my dock spring lines from the middle dock cleat to the bow cleat and genoa winch. No midship cleat required.

 

[quadrille38]

Here is a product that you all might find interesting. It’s called Line Caddy from a company by the same name.

Line Caddy | We hold the line for you!

linecaddy.com

Here is an example of one of their products. They also have a post mounted design.

I use several of them. One near the bow mounted down on the dock. We can hang a bow line on it when we back out so that it’s at the right height (not laying on the dock out of reach) when we come back in. Also have a post mounted one at the stern so I can reach it while still at the wheel / controls as we come in.

 

[nightowle]

Thanks for the video, Greg. I did something similar with a flat board and a cheapie wall hook. The type used to hang a bicycle of such in a garage. But I was using it to easily grab a temporary stern line while docking. I think I'll try a longer line and attach it to the cabin winch as you do. Good tip!

 

[cymeyer]

There was a recent thread talking about docking methods, and I commented on my loop method of docking. I may not be very good at describing it, so thought I would try a video...I am not a good video guy either, but here is a video explain how I do it.

This method does 2 things for me...first, if I have a cross wind (I am on Michigan, so no currents - but it would for that too), I can hold the boat alongside my finger pier while I throw off dock lines, etc...all solo. Makes getting the boat ready and out of the slip way easier in difficult situations.

Second, when I return the slip, generally single-handed, I can dock the boat with a lot more confidence.

This has truly changed my outlook and confidence in getting the boat out of and into my slip...

Sorry for the poor video, but I was doing this by myself too...

Greg

Great video, Greg.
I learned something by watching. The amount to learn about sailboats is endless!
Thanks for sharing.
Chris

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Greg, as your editor , I'm compelled to correct a few items that initially had me so distracted I had to repeat and review several times. Your directional awareness is screwed up! During your initial explanations, you said your bow is pointing west and then you turned to your left (port) and said that is north. Immediately, I was messed up and I couldn't focus on what you were saying next! Later you pointed astern and said that is east. I thought you must have north and south reversed. I went on Google Maps and easily identified your slip based on the features that can be seen as you pan around. Your bow is actually pointed east (actually just a little north of east). You did have north and south in the right direction! I knew something was off when you said the wind was from the east (as you pointed the camera aft), although actually it was a west wind (which I know is prevailing on days like you had during the filming). I remember that you corrected yourself at the end of the video when you were pulling in. Just to let you know, as your editor, that I am paying attention!

 

[dlochner]

Greg, as your editor , I'm compelled to correct a few items that initially had me so distracted I had to repeat and review several times. Your directional awareness is screwed up! During your initial explanations, you said your bow is pointing west and then you turned to your left (port) and said that is north. Immediately, I was messed up and I couldn't focus on what you were saying next! Later you pointed astern and said that is east. I thought you must have north and south reversed. I went on Google Maps and easily identified your slip based on the features that can be seen as you pan around. Your bow is actually pointed east (actually just a little north of east). You did have north and south in the right direction! I knew something was off when you said the wind was from the east (as you pointed the camera aft), although actually it was a west wind (which I know is prevailing on days like you had during the filming). I remember that you corrected yourself at the end of the video when you were pulling in. Just to let you know, as your editor, that I am paying attention!

Scott, you have to remember just like there is port and starboard and the other port and starboard there east and west and the other east and west.

 

[Tally Ho]

Greg, as your editor , I'm compelled to correct a few items that initially had me so distracted I had to repeat and review several times. Your directional awareness is screwed up! During your initial explanations, you said your bow is pointing west and then you turned to your left (port) and said that is north. Immediately, I was messed up and I couldn't focus on what you were saying next! Later you pointed astern and said that is east. I thought you must have north and south reversed. I went on Google Maps and easily identified your slip based on the features that can be seen as you pan around. Your bow is actually pointed east (actually just a little north of east). You did have north and south in the right direction! I knew something was off when you said the wind was from the east (as you pointed the camera aft), although actually it was a west wind (which I know is prevailing on days like you had during the filming). I remember that you corrected yourself at the end of the video when you were pulling in. Just to let you know, as your editor, that I am paying attention!

Yeah, you are right…directionally challenged that day. BUT you helped drive up my view count!

Thanks for keeping me honest

The important thing about the video and my docking loop is that I was always hesitant to go out on a north wind day…especially when I had a big power boat next to me. I really feared trying to get out of my slip. South wind…no problem…but not a north wind.

Today, with the docking loop, it is no big deal.


Greg