- Status
Med Mooring
Try the link below. It explains it better than I can in a short reply. While working in Austria for several years, we cruised the Mediterranean three times - once in Greece and twice in Croatia. They dock stern to in both countries. In Greece you need to have someone on your anchor that is competent. The link I have given you is good so I won't go into that in detail. In Greece, we were with a friend who was experienced and that helped a lot. In Croatia my wife and I were the only people amongst 8 on board who had sailed boats larger than a dinghy. In Croatia (which is beautiful) it is easier. In Croatia they have two lines attached to the dock which run along the bottom to a concrete mooring block whichis probably 60 feet or so out. You back in, your able crew picks up the windward line and runs forward raising the line off the bottom and pulls it in to cleat it at the bow. In the meantime you cleat the stern on the windward side (there is usually help in the marinas in Croatia - not so likely in Greece).
Try the link below. It explains it better than I can in a short reply. While working in Austria for several years, we cruised the Mediterranean three times - once in Greece and twice in Croatia. They dock stern to in both countries. In Greece you need to have someone on your anchor that is competent. The link I have given you is good so I won't go into that in detail. In Greece, we were with a friend who was experienced and that helped a lot. In Croatia my wife and I were the only people amongst 8 on board who had sailed boats larger than a dinghy. In Croatia (which is beautiful) it is easier. In Croatia they have two lines attached to the dock which run along the bottom to a concrete mooring block whichis probably 60 feet or so out. You back in, your able crew picks up the windward line and runs forward raising the line off the bottom and pulls it in to cleat it at the bow. In the meantime you cleat the stern on the windward side (there is usually help in the marinas in Croatia - not so likely in Greece).
Med Mooring
Try the link below. It explains it better than I can in a short reply. While working in Austria for several years, we cruised the Mediterranean three times - once in Greece and twice in Croatia. They dock stern to in both countries. In Greece you need to have someone on your anchor that is competent. The link I have given you is good so I won't go into that in detail. In Greece, we were with a friend who was experienced and that helped a lot. In Croatia my wife and I were the only people amongst 8 on board who had sailed boats larger than a dinghy. In Croatia (which is beautiful) it is easier. In Croatia they have two lines attached to the dock which run along the bottom to a concrete mooring block whichis probably 60 feet or so out. You back in, your able crew picks up the windward line and runs forward raising the line off the bottom and pulls it in to cleat it at the bow. In the meantime you cleat the stern on the windward side (there is usually help in the marinas in Croatia - not so likely in Greece).
Try the link below. It explains it better than I can in a short reply. While working in Austria for several years, we cruised the Mediterranean three times - once in Greece and twice in Croatia. They dock stern to in both countries. In Greece you need to have someone on your anchor that is competent. The link I have given you is good so I won't go into that in detail. In Greece, we were with a friend who was experienced and that helped a lot. In Croatia my wife and I were the only people amongst 8 on board who had sailed boats larger than a dinghy. In Croatia (which is beautiful) it is easier. In Croatia they have two lines attached to the dock which run along the bottom to a concrete mooring block whichis probably 60 feet or so out. You back in, your able crew picks up the windward line and runs forward raising the line off the bottom and pulls it in to cleat it at the bow. In the meantime you cleat the stern on the windward side (there is usually help in the marinas in Croatia - not so likely in Greece).
Prayer to make up for lack of skill
Some folks need to pray because they have nothing else. But prayers are never going to make up for knowing what you're doing. Either you know how to control your vessel or you don't. Maybe it's time for a few lessons and some practice!
Some folks need to pray because they have nothing else. But prayers are never going to make up for knowing what you're doing. Either you know how to control your vessel or you don't. Maybe it's time for a few lessons and some practice!
Prayer to make up for lack of skill
Some folks need to pray because they have nothing else. But prayers are never going to make up for knowing what you're doing. Either you know how to control your vessel or you don't. Maybe it's time for a few lessons and some practice!
Some folks need to pray because they have nothing else. But prayers are never going to make up for knowing what you're doing. Either you know how to control your vessel or you don't. Maybe it's time for a few lessons and some practice!
Thanks Malcolm!
The article you provided the link to was perfect, and what I have been looking for. It will be required reading for the whole crew before we set sail. I sure hope the European sailors are friendly. If we have to tie up to another boat two boats deep. We would have to walk across the deck of the first boat to get to the quay. I don't know what you do if you are double parked and have to leave before a boat that is tied to you.
The article you provided the link to was perfect, and what I have been looking for. It will be required reading for the whole crew before we set sail. I sure hope the European sailors are friendly. If we have to tie up to another boat two boats deep. We would have to walk across the deck of the first boat to get to the quay. I don't know what you do if you are double parked and have to leave before a boat that is tied to you.
Thanks Malcolm!
The article you provided the link to was perfect, and what I have been looking for. It will be required reading for the whole crew before we set sail. I sure hope the European sailors are friendly. If we have to tie up to another boat two boats deep. We would have to walk across the deck of the first boat to get to the quay. I don't know what you do if you are double parked and have to leave before a boat that is tied to you.
The article you provided the link to was perfect, and what I have been looking for. It will be required reading for the whole crew before we set sail. I sure hope the European sailors are friendly. If we have to tie up to another boat two boats deep. We would have to walk across the deck of the first boat to get to the quay. I don't know what you do if you are double parked and have to leave before a boat that is tied to you.
It is a good article on Med Mooring
I discovered the article well after we went, however it describes the technique well. However, as mentioned before, in Greece I was with a fellow that had done it many times before. Regarding helpfulness of European sailors - they are for the most part friendly and generally quite competent as there are national qualification requirements for the most part. The description in the article of the experiences with different nationalities parallels my own. In Croatia, I was proceeding down a channel with a following wind of about 20 knots. I had to back into a space on my port which brought the bow across the wind. It was a new (to me) boat and I was having trouble getting the bow around across the wind. (It did not have as much port side prop walk as I had hoped) An Italian next to me hopped into his dinghy and used it to push the bow around against the wind which made what seemed an almost impossible task much simpler. We did not have to tie off stern to bow of any other boats while in Greece although this happens. We were there in early June. If you have a choice at this stage May, early June, September and early October are less busy and more comfortable for cruising in Greece. It is also generally cheaper as well. Have a great time!
I discovered the article well after we went, however it describes the technique well. However, as mentioned before, in Greece I was with a fellow that had done it many times before. Regarding helpfulness of European sailors - they are for the most part friendly and generally quite competent as there are national qualification requirements for the most part. The description in the article of the experiences with different nationalities parallels my own. In Croatia, I was proceeding down a channel with a following wind of about 20 knots. I had to back into a space on my port which brought the bow across the wind. It was a new (to me) boat and I was having trouble getting the bow around across the wind. (It did not have as much port side prop walk as I had hoped) An Italian next to me hopped into his dinghy and used it to push the bow around against the wind which made what seemed an almost impossible task much simpler. We did not have to tie off stern to bow of any other boats while in Greece although this happens. We were there in early June. If you have a choice at this stage May, early June, September and early October are less busy and more comfortable for cruising in Greece. It is also generally cheaper as well. Have a great time!
It is a good article on Med Mooring
I discovered the article well after we went, however it describes the technique well. However, as mentioned before, in Greece I was with a fellow that had done it many times before. Regarding helpfulness of European sailors - they are for the most part friendly and generally quite competent as there are national qualification requirements for the most part. The description in the article of the experiences with different nationalities parallels my own. In Croatia, I was proceeding down a channel with a following wind of about 20 knots. I had to back into a space on my port which brought the bow across the wind. It was a new (to me) boat and I was having trouble getting the bow around across the wind. (It did not have as much port side prop walk as I had hoped) An Italian next to me hopped into his dinghy and used it to push the bow around against the wind which made what seemed an almost impossible task much simpler. We did not have to tie off stern to bow of any other boats while in Greece although this happens. We were there in early June. If you have a choice at this stage May, early June, September and early October are less busy and more comfortable for cruising in Greece. It is also generally cheaper as well. Have a great time!
I discovered the article well after we went, however it describes the technique well. However, as mentioned before, in Greece I was with a fellow that had done it many times before. Regarding helpfulness of European sailors - they are for the most part friendly and generally quite competent as there are national qualification requirements for the most part. The description in the article of the experiences with different nationalities parallels my own. In Croatia, I was proceeding down a channel with a following wind of about 20 knots. I had to back into a space on my port which brought the bow across the wind. It was a new (to me) boat and I was having trouble getting the bow around across the wind. (It did not have as much port side prop walk as I had hoped) An Italian next to me hopped into his dinghy and used it to push the bow around against the wind which made what seemed an almost impossible task much simpler. We did not have to tie off stern to bow of any other boats while in Greece although this happens. We were there in early June. If you have a choice at this stage May, early June, September and early October are less busy and more comfortable for cruising in Greece. It is also generally cheaper as well. Have a great time!
Visualize !
Many sailboats approach the dock as if it were a fire drill. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. If you're docking with a mate and/or crew, your responsibility as cap'n is to talk thru the entire procedure with the crew, before you approach the dock. NOT DURING THE DOCKING PROCEDURE ! In tricky wind/current conditions (and we have a few of those here on Buzzards Bay), we will often make a dry run towards the dock, get a feel for the situation, come about, and then when all hands are set, we'll bring her in. Our harbor is approx. 90% sail boats and the awareness level of folks on the dock is always on heightened alert during tough wind & weather. Their thoughts usually run to "that could be me out there trying to dock". You can almost always count on an extra set of hands on the dock, here in Red Brook Harbor when it's really blowin. Lastly, each time I bring the boat into a dock, I remember a scene I witnessed in Soaper's Hole, BVI. A large Moorings cat, flying a huge flag off the bow which said "Women Wanted" approached the dock under full sail. Shouts came from the deck (not intelligible), lots of running around on deck by all hands and before you knew it, the cat hit the dock head on @ about 10 knots. Three crew members ended up in the drink, the "captain" hit the wheel with such force that he cracked a number of ribs and the cat ended up with two very blunt looking bows.
Many sailboats approach the dock as if it were a fire drill. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. If you're docking with a mate and/or crew, your responsibility as cap'n is to talk thru the entire procedure with the crew, before you approach the dock. NOT DURING THE DOCKING PROCEDURE ! In tricky wind/current conditions (and we have a few of those here on Buzzards Bay), we will often make a dry run towards the dock, get a feel for the situation, come about, and then when all hands are set, we'll bring her in. Our harbor is approx. 90% sail boats and the awareness level of folks on the dock is always on heightened alert during tough wind & weather. Their thoughts usually run to "that could be me out there trying to dock". You can almost always count on an extra set of hands on the dock, here in Red Brook Harbor when it's really blowin. Lastly, each time I bring the boat into a dock, I remember a scene I witnessed in Soaper's Hole, BVI. A large Moorings cat, flying a huge flag off the bow which said "Women Wanted" approached the dock under full sail. Shouts came from the deck (not intelligible), lots of running around on deck by all hands and before you knew it, the cat hit the dock head on @ about 10 knots. Three crew members ended up in the drink, the "captain" hit the wheel with such force that he cracked a number of ribs and the cat ended up with two very blunt looking bows.
Visualize !
Many sailboats approach the dock as if it were a fire drill. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. If you're docking with a mate and/or crew, your responsibility as cap'n is to talk thru the entire procedure with the crew, before you approach the dock. NOT DURING THE DOCKING PROCEDURE ! In tricky wind/current conditions (and we have a few of those here on Buzzards Bay), we will often make a dry run towards the dock, get a feel for the situation, come about, and then when all hands are set, we'll bring her in. Our harbor is approx. 90% sail boats and the awareness level of folks on the dock is always on heightened alert during tough wind & weather. Their thoughts usually run to "that could be me out there trying to dock". You can almost always count on an extra set of hands on the dock, here in Red Brook Harbor when it's really blowin. Lastly, each time I bring the boat into a dock, I remember a scene I witnessed in Soaper's Hole, BVI. A large Moorings cat, flying a huge flag off the bow which said "Women Wanted" approached the dock under full sail. Shouts came from the deck (not intelligible), lots of running around on deck by all hands and before you knew it, the cat hit the dock head on @ about 10 knots. Three crew members ended up in the drink, the "captain" hit the wheel with such force that he cracked a number of ribs and the cat ended up with two very blunt looking bows.
Many sailboats approach the dock as if it were a fire drill. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. If you're docking with a mate and/or crew, your responsibility as cap'n is to talk thru the entire procedure with the crew, before you approach the dock. NOT DURING THE DOCKING PROCEDURE ! In tricky wind/current conditions (and we have a few of those here on Buzzards Bay), we will often make a dry run towards the dock, get a feel for the situation, come about, and then when all hands are set, we'll bring her in. Our harbor is approx. 90% sail boats and the awareness level of folks on the dock is always on heightened alert during tough wind & weather. Their thoughts usually run to "that could be me out there trying to dock". You can almost always count on an extra set of hands on the dock, here in Red Brook Harbor when it's really blowin. Lastly, each time I bring the boat into a dock, I remember a scene I witnessed in Soaper's Hole, BVI. A large Moorings cat, flying a huge flag off the bow which said "Women Wanted" approached the dock under full sail. Shouts came from the deck (not intelligible), lots of running around on deck by all hands and before you knew it, the cat hit the dock head on @ about 10 knots. Three crew members ended up in the drink, the "captain" hit the wheel with such force that he cracked a number of ribs and the cat ended up with two very blunt looking bows.
Docking
The Admiral and I have it down pretty good. We went up to the San Juan Islands and I was pretty nervous about having to dock at marinas where we didn't really know everything but each time we came in it was just like its supposed to be. I usually run the motor and my wife stands amidships with a bow line and stern line when we get up by the dock she steps off and hooks a cleat while I usually reverse to slow or stop headway. We always go over what we are going to do before hand even though we use the same routine this seems to help. We do keep a boathook handy just in case. I think what was already said about practice, and if its not coming together make another pass. The Admiral is very careful and methodical about doing things and this really helps, it keeps me in line when I think Oh we can just make it. I've enjoyed all the other posts.
The Admiral and I have it down pretty good. We went up to the San Juan Islands and I was pretty nervous about having to dock at marinas where we didn't really know everything but each time we came in it was just like its supposed to be. I usually run the motor and my wife stands amidships with a bow line and stern line when we get up by the dock she steps off and hooks a cleat while I usually reverse to slow or stop headway. We always go over what we are going to do before hand even though we use the same routine this seems to help. We do keep a boathook handy just in case. I think what was already said about practice, and if its not coming together make another pass. The Admiral is very careful and methodical about doing things and this really helps, it keeps me in line when I think Oh we can just make it. I've enjoyed all the other posts.
Docking
The Admiral and I have it down pretty good. We went up to the San Juan Islands and I was pretty nervous about having to dock at marinas where we didn't really know everything but each time we came in it was just like its supposed to be. I usually run the motor and my wife stands amidships with a bow line and stern line when we get up by the dock she steps off and hooks a cleat while I usually reverse to slow or stop headway. We always go over what we are going to do before hand even though we use the same routine this seems to help. We do keep a boathook handy just in case. I think what was already said about practice, and if its not coming together make another pass. The Admiral is very careful and methodical about doing things and this really helps, it keeps me in line when I think Oh we can just make it. I've enjoyed all the other posts.
The Admiral and I have it down pretty good. We went up to the San Juan Islands and I was pretty nervous about having to dock at marinas where we didn't really know everything but each time we came in it was just like its supposed to be. I usually run the motor and my wife stands amidships with a bow line and stern line when we get up by the dock she steps off and hooks a cleat while I usually reverse to slow or stop headway. We always go over what we are going to do before hand even though we use the same routine this seems to help. We do keep a boathook handy just in case. I think what was already said about practice, and if its not coming together make another pass. The Admiral is very careful and methodical about doing things and this really helps, it keeps me in line when I think Oh we can just make it. I've enjoyed all the other posts.
Use a spring line
I operate a 105' whale watching vessel out of Bar Harbor. One of the first rules I teach my crew is to use a spring line. True I have 3 screws in which I can walk my vessel sideways. However,I always my the spring lines. Coming into any slip if you use a spring line that will secure the vessel. Then whip your wheel around and you can swing the stern around and secure the stern. Once the stern is secure you can swing the Helm around in the other direction and secure the bow. I practice this on my own H27 and always approach the dock on the leeward side. If that is not possible using spring lines to dock at a slip in a marina is a useful tool. It takes practice but once you master it you will wonder why you haven't done it sooner. Next lesson docking stern too using spring lines.
I operate a 105' whale watching vessel out of Bar Harbor. One of the first rules I teach my crew is to use a spring line. True I have 3 screws in which I can walk my vessel sideways. However,I always my the spring lines. Coming into any slip if you use a spring line that will secure the vessel. Then whip your wheel around and you can swing the stern around and secure the stern. Once the stern is secure you can swing the Helm around in the other direction and secure the bow. I practice this on my own H27 and always approach the dock on the leeward side. If that is not possible using spring lines to dock at a slip in a marina is a useful tool. It takes practice but once you master it you will wonder why you haven't done it sooner. Next lesson docking stern too using spring lines.
Use a spring line
I operate a 105' whale watching vessel out of Bar Harbor. One of the first rules I teach my crew is to use a spring line. True I have 3 screws in which I can walk my vessel sideways. However,I always my the spring lines. Coming into any slip if you use a spring line that will secure the vessel. Then whip your wheel around and you can swing the stern around and secure the stern. Once the stern is secure you can swing the Helm around in the other direction and secure the bow. I practice this on my own H27 and always approach the dock on the leeward side. If that is not possible using spring lines to dock at a slip in a marina is a useful tool. It takes practice but once you master it you will wonder why you haven't done it sooner. Next lesson docking stern too using spring lines.
I operate a 105' whale watching vessel out of Bar Harbor. One of the first rules I teach my crew is to use a spring line. True I have 3 screws in which I can walk my vessel sideways. However,I always my the spring lines. Coming into any slip if you use a spring line that will secure the vessel. Then whip your wheel around and you can swing the stern around and secure the stern. Once the stern is secure you can swing the Helm around in the other direction and secure the bow. I practice this on my own H27 and always approach the dock on the leeward side. If that is not possible using spring lines to dock at a slip in a marina is a useful tool. It takes practice but once you master it you will wonder why you haven't done it sooner. Next lesson docking stern too using spring lines.
yes to the slide and glide
I use Al's approach - grab the spring line from the forward piling and slip it into the stern cleat as I back in. Things might still get messy as I secure the other lines and generally mismanage any help I get from my crew, but at least I'm not ramming my outboard into the end of the slip. Backing in is generally my only option, my slip is too short so I need to allow the bow to extend out instead of hitting the dock. Operating the outboard and tiller in reverse is kind of like patting your head and rubbing your belly, counter-intuitive, but I've got it pretty well practiced now. I just have to remember that since the keel is so far forward on my boat, any turns in reverse need to be planned well in advance.
I use Al's approach - grab the spring line from the forward piling and slip it into the stern cleat as I back in. Things might still get messy as I secure the other lines and generally mismanage any help I get from my crew, but at least I'm not ramming my outboard into the end of the slip. Backing in is generally my only option, my slip is too short so I need to allow the bow to extend out instead of hitting the dock. Operating the outboard and tiller in reverse is kind of like patting your head and rubbing your belly, counter-intuitive, but I've got it pretty well practiced now. I just have to remember that since the keel is so far forward on my boat, any turns in reverse need to be planned well in advance.
yes to the slide and glide
I use Al's approach - grab the spring line from the forward piling and slip it into the stern cleat as I back in. Things might still get messy as I secure the other lines and generally mismanage any help I get from my crew, but at least I'm not ramming my outboard into the end of the slip. Backing in is generally my only option, my slip is too short so I need to allow the bow to extend out instead of hitting the dock. Operating the outboard and tiller in reverse is kind of like patting your head and rubbing your belly, counter-intuitive, but I've got it pretty well practiced now. I just have to remember that since the keel is so far forward on my boat, any turns in reverse need to be planned well in advance.
I use Al's approach - grab the spring line from the forward piling and slip it into the stern cleat as I back in. Things might still get messy as I secure the other lines and generally mismanage any help I get from my crew, but at least I'm not ramming my outboard into the end of the slip. Backing in is generally my only option, my slip is too short so I need to allow the bow to extend out instead of hitting the dock. Operating the outboard and tiller in reverse is kind of like patting your head and rubbing your belly, counter-intuitive, but I've got it pretty well practiced now. I just have to remember that since the keel is so far forward on my boat, any turns in reverse need to be planned well in advance.
- Status