A Prayer for Safe Docking

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Pete Peterson

Always thrilling

Prayer? Most definitely - I back into my slip! Terrifying? No, but I'd say its definitely a thrill, particularly if the wind is a factor Crowd? Doesn't bother me - If I get it right, I like the attaboys; otherwise they attribute it to the insanity of parking a sailboat stern in Dock help? Forget it, we've got the drill down
 
P

Pete Peterson

Always thrilling

Prayer? Most definitely - I back into my slip! Terrifying? No, but I'd say its definitely a thrill, particularly if the wind is a factor Crowd? Doesn't bother me - If I get it right, I like the attaboys; otherwise they attribute it to the insanity of parking a sailboat stern in Dock help? Forget it, we've got the drill down
 
Bob Todd

Bob Todd

.
Jun 6, 2004
300
- - E. Greenwich, RI
Rule #1...

...never approach a dock faster than you would want to hit it.
 
Bob Todd

Bob Todd

.
Jun 6, 2004
300
- - E. Greenwich, RI
Rule #1...

...never approach a dock faster than you would want to hit it.
 
J

J.B. Dyer

.
May 28, 2004
175
Oday Widgeon Beech Bluff, Tn.
Dock Wheel

As 80 percent of departures and dockings occur at my home slip, myself and a good number of my dock mates have installed dock wheels, permanent fenders, and pre measured lines at our slips. The wheel itself is like having someone helping when coming in, and the mounted fenders (ball type) don't ride up. Unless there is some real strange weather, in most instance, with this set up, docking is a one person deal. Extra lines and fenders are kept on board for rafting and foreign docking.
 
J

J.B. Dyer

.
May 28, 2004
175
Oday Widgeon Beech Bluff, Tn.
Dock Wheel

As 80 percent of departures and dockings occur at my home slip, myself and a good number of my dock mates have installed dock wheels, permanent fenders, and pre measured lines at our slips. The wheel itself is like having someone helping when coming in, and the mounted fenders (ball type) don't ride up. Unless there is some real strange weather, in most instance, with this set up, docking is a one person deal. Extra lines and fenders are kept on board for rafting and foreign docking.
 
D

DAVE C.5111

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Jun 23, 2004
23
Oday 302 VENTURA
No Problem

Like Pete we back into our slip and like Jim I let the wife do it. She had all kinds of issues at first, kissed the dock a few times, had to goose the motor to keep from hitting a few times. One day I told Mary to walk aroung the wheel and face the stern with the wheel in front of her. Night and day, she now puts our boat home perfect every time. Wind or no wind, tide running or not. Dave C.
 
D

DAVE C.5111

.
Jun 23, 2004
23
Oday 302 VENTURA
No Problem

Like Pete we back into our slip and like Jim I let the wife do it. She had all kinds of issues at first, kissed the dock a few times, had to goose the motor to keep from hitting a few times. One day I told Mary to walk aroung the wheel and face the stern with the wheel in front of her. Night and day, she now puts our boat home perfect every time. Wind or no wind, tide running or not. Dave C.
 
A

Al

Slide

The marina that I'm in there are only 3 sailboats and they watch with amasement when the sailboats back into their slips. Practice, practice. My wife can no longer handle the lines due to shoulder surgery, so i developed the slide and glide method. I have 2 lines of predetermined length that are hanging on a hook at the end of the dock, so as i back into the slip i take the red line (spring line)that slides along a line that is attached between the bow cleat and the spring cleat on the dock and loop the stern cleat at the same time i take the white line and just walk up and place it over the bow cleat. the boat just glides to a stop and we're there. My dock mates are always around to lend a helping hand just in case.
 
A

Al

Slide & Glide

The marina that I'm in there are only 3 sailboats and they watch with amasement when the sailboats back into their slips. Practice, practice. My wife can no longer handle the lines due to shoulder surgery, so i developed the slide and glide method. I have 2 lines of predetermined length that are hanging on a hook at the end of the dock, so as i back into the slip i take the red line (spring line)that slides along a line that is attached between the bow cleat and the spring cleat on the dock and loop the stern cleat at the same time i take the white line and just walk up and place it over the bow cleat. the boat just glides to a stop and we're there. My dock mates are always around to lend a helping hand just in case.
 
R

Rich

A prayer for berthing?

I say a prayer when I leave the dock. If the good Lord gives you safe passage back then the least you can do is get it back in the slip. In truth though when I get a new boat or slip I practice berthing when nobody is watching.
 
R

Rich

A prayer for berthing?

I say a prayer when I leave the dock. If the good Lord gives you safe passage back then the least you can do is get it back in the slip. In truth though when I get a new boat or slip I practice berthing when nobody is watching.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,319
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Practice and Side Tie

Practice always helps. Try sailing into your slip, you may have to some day. Also I just developed a new idea that had escaped me for too long: forget you have two sides to your dock( if you do). Just concentrate on one side and pretend you are doing a side tie, like to a gas dock. The other side will always fit! (and you don't have to think about how wide your boat may be) Stu
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,319
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Practice and Side Tie

Practice always helps. Try sailing into your slip, you may have to some day. Also I just developed a new idea that had escaped me for too long: forget you have two sides to your dock( if you do). Just concentrate on one side and pretend you are doing a side tie, like to a gas dock. The other side will always fit! (and you don't have to think about how wide your boat may be) Stu
 
J

Jim Logan

Sailed in, No Applause

The one time I had to sail into the dock (clogged fuel filter after committing to the fairway to the dock). Everything worked fine, roller furling headsail and mainsail helped, as I was singlehanding, lassoed the piling, didn't even kiss the dock....And wouldn't you know it, absolutely no one around to notice...how come that doesn't happen when I screw up a back-in approach and bounce off the pilings???
 
J

Jim Logan

Sailed in, No Applause

The one time I had to sail into the dock (clogged fuel filter after committing to the fairway to the dock). Everything worked fine, roller furling headsail and mainsail helped, as I was singlehanding, lassoed the piling, didn't even kiss the dock....And wouldn't you know it, absolutely no one around to notice...how come that doesn't happen when I screw up a back-in approach and bounce off the pilings???
 
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Don K.

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Jun 11, 2004
53
No boat Chrysler 26 Hudson FL
Amen Rich - Sag Harbor

Pray before you go out,Pray for your safety while you are out there and give thanks when you have returned and safely docked. I won't type all the words Gary but this is the way the prayer should read: HE guides me in paths of righteousness even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death........Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.
 
D

Don K.

.
Jun 11, 2004
53
No boat Chrysler 26 Hudson FL
Amen Rich - Sag Harbor

Pray before you go out,Pray for your safety while you are out there and give thanks when you have returned and safely docked. I won't type all the words Gary but this is the way the prayer should read: HE guides me in paths of righteousness even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death........Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.
 
Alan

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Prayers have nothing to do with it......

...Practice does!! Imagine allowing someone to drive a car with no training.... rediculous yes. Maybe just let him say a prayer before he heads out on a road trip. Why should docking and maneuvering you boat be any different?
 
Alan

Alan

.
Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Prayers have nothing to do with it......

...Practice does!! Imagine allowing someone to drive a car with no training.... rediculous yes. Maybe just let him say a prayer before he heads out on a road trip. Why should docking and maneuvering you boat be any different?
 
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