Last night I discovered a basic sailboat maneuvering video on the "Demand" portion of my cable TV carrier (a major national cable provider). I've struggled with docking procedures all last summer because of a lack of basic knowledge covered in that video. There is also a navigation video and some other boating videos. There is valuable info there that I've never been able to find in a book. Thanks to all of you who provided info months ago about EZ-Steer. I can't wait to install it when the snow and ice goes away.
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Docking
I've found the single biggest problem is that sailors are reluctant to power up to get in or out, for fear they'll ram the dock. The boat won't coast for long, so practice a little gunning to keep the boat moving. As you get 25% into the slip, throw it into neutral and be ready to throw it into reverse to stop dead. It helps to get just ONE line on when you come in, usually the spring line on the back pole. That alone will prevent ramming the dock. Everything else is details.
I've found the single biggest problem is that sailors are reluctant to power up to get in or out, for fear they'll ram the dock. The boat won't coast for long, so practice a little gunning to keep the boat moving. As you get 25% into the slip, throw it into neutral and be ready to throw it into reverse to stop dead. It helps to get just ONE line on when you come in, usually the spring line on the back pole. That alone will prevent ramming the dock. Everything else is details.
Rule #1...
Never approach a dock any faster than you'd want to hit it. Rule #2: If you don't get enough water flowing over the rudder the wheel or tiller is useless. Bill hits it on the head...you've got to power up if you want steerage. Cheers, Bob
Never approach a dock any faster than you'd want to hit it. Rule #2: If you don't get enough water flowing over the rudder the wheel or tiller is useless. Bill hits it on the head...you've got to power up if you want steerage. Cheers, Bob
try it on open water on a calm day
Try motoring out on a calm day and just get a feel for how your boat handles. Try to see how well you can spin the boat and just basically get a feel for what different things do. It’s a lot easier to try new things when your not going to slam the dock. It’s kind of like doing donuts in a big empty parking lot when it snows. You can learn how your car handles and how to recover it without going off the road.
Try motoring out on a calm day and just get a feel for how your boat handles. Try to see how well you can spin the boat and just basically get a feel for what different things do. It’s a lot easier to try new things when your not going to slam the dock. It’s kind of like doing donuts in a big empty parking lot when it snows. You can learn how your car handles and how to recover it without going off the road.
Good Information
The three previous posts all have good advice and information, and I'd like to offer three more. 1. Practice 2. Practice 3. Practice Do the best you can and don't get discouraged. No matter how good you get at docking, there will always be a different twist, wind change, wind speed, tide, crowding, or just distractions in general. When I'm pulling into a dockage, the first thing I look for is wind direction in the marina based on any flying pennants that can be observed and tide if any, setting up my approach based on that. Docking a bigger boat is kind of like flying. When you make a good docking or landing, there is never anybody around to see it. Screw up and everyone is there watching. Laugh it off and try not to tear up anything. When it's tied off and nothing is broken, it was a good docking. There is not one soul watching that hasn't screwed up and they might laugh, but they will understand and will probably help if you need it. Don't feel like you have to get her in on the first approach, if you don't feel good about what's happening, back off and try it again, better safe than sorry. Good Luck and have fun with it!
The three previous posts all have good advice and information, and I'd like to offer three more. 1. Practice 2. Practice 3. Practice Do the best you can and don't get discouraged. No matter how good you get at docking, there will always be a different twist, wind change, wind speed, tide, crowding, or just distractions in general. When I'm pulling into a dockage, the first thing I look for is wind direction in the marina based on any flying pennants that can be observed and tide if any, setting up my approach based on that. Docking a bigger boat is kind of like flying. When you make a good docking or landing, there is never anybody around to see it. Screw up and everyone is there watching. Laugh it off and try not to tear up anything. When it's tied off and nothing is broken, it was a good docking. There is not one soul watching that hasn't screwed up and they might laugh, but they will understand and will probably help if you need it. Don't feel like you have to get her in on the first approach, if you don't feel good about what's happening, back off and try it again, better safe than sorry. Good Luck and have fun with it!
Docking
Bill's right about keeping the boat moving so you have some steerage, also about the spring line. Same thing applies to trying to use an outboad to steer without any power. I did witness in Kemah, TX a "docking incident", when a 40' sailboat entered a slip at a good clip and when they tried to find reverse, failed to do so. The boat was so damaged they quickly got it out of water to prevent a sinking. J.B. is right too. Just watch others for a while and you won't feel so bad about yourself! When things don't go right, just remember to keep your composure. No sense ruining a good day with the last 5 minutes.
Bill's right about keeping the boat moving so you have some steerage, also about the spring line. Same thing applies to trying to use an outboad to steer without any power. I did witness in Kemah, TX a "docking incident", when a 40' sailboat entered a slip at a good clip and when they tried to find reverse, failed to do so. The boat was so damaged they quickly got it out of water to prevent a sinking. J.B. is right too. Just watch others for a while and you won't feel so bad about yourself! When things don't go right, just remember to keep your composure. No sense ruining a good day with the last 5 minutes.
Ignore the power up advice once you get EZ-Steer
Once you add EZ-Steer, your docking strategy will change dramatically. Once you add EZ-Steer, you can keep low speeds because you don't have to worry about keeping water moving over the rudder. The challenge that I have had once adding EZ-Steer is going so slow that I wind up getting impacted more by the current and winds...
Once you add EZ-Steer, your docking strategy will change dramatically. Once you add EZ-Steer, you can keep low speeds because you don't have to worry about keeping water moving over the rudder. The challenge that I have had once adding EZ-Steer is going so slow that I wind up getting impacted more by the current and winds...
I think the most important thing people forget....
...is the missed approach. If it doesn't look as though you're going to make it, just go around again. There's nothing in the book that says you have to make it in on the first try. Sure, people will see you and think to themselves, "Ha! He had to bail!", then they'll forget about. BUT! Hit the dock or another boat and they'll be talking bad about you for a long time. Always look ahead and plan to bail. Pick your do-or-die spot and make certain it leaves you enough time and space to go around. Cheers, Bob
...is the missed approach. If it doesn't look as though you're going to make it, just go around again. There's nothing in the book that says you have to make it in on the first try. Sure, people will see you and think to themselves, "Ha! He had to bail!", then they'll forget about. BUT! Hit the dock or another boat and they'll be talking bad about you for a long time. Always look ahead and plan to bail. Pick your do-or-die spot and make certain it leaves you enough time and space to go around. Cheers, Bob
Docking Advice
I heard a good one from a guy who chartered an Island Packet 36 to me one time: "Go slow and hit something cheap"
I heard a good one from a guy who chartered an Island Packet 36 to me one time: "Go slow and hit something cheap"
Thanks to all
I very much appreciate all the responses. If I had known of this forum last summer, I would have been way more successful. Everyone on the dock that has helped us get back in has been very supportive, probably because they've been there too. My problems were in not knowing the pivot point of my boat and not having the nerve to keep the speed up enough for my rudder to steer me. Also the prevailing wind direction into my slip is from exactly astern so when I back off the motor, I'm still moving forward, without much steering. I feel way more confident now after spending the winter months studying the proper procedure. I can't wait for spring. Thanks again.
I very much appreciate all the responses. If I had known of this forum last summer, I would have been way more successful. Everyone on the dock that has helped us get back in has been very supportive, probably because they've been there too. My problems were in not knowing the pivot point of my boat and not having the nerve to keep the speed up enough for my rudder to steer me. Also the prevailing wind direction into my slip is from exactly astern so when I back off the motor, I'm still moving forward, without much steering. I feel way more confident now after spending the winter months studying the proper procedure. I can't wait for spring. Thanks again.
Let me say this though...
Even with your EZ-Steer you should definitely practice with motor locked in place. This way when you have a link failure (ball / socket come undone on final approach, the bands break from rust, etc) you won't be concerned about your docking skills. Then you will really appreciate having EZ-steer
Even with your EZ-Steer you should definitely practice with motor locked in place. This way when you have a link failure (ball / socket come undone on final approach, the bands break from rust, etc) you won't be concerned about your docking skills. Then you will really appreciate having EZ-steer
Beginners Boat Maneuvering
Vern: Here's how I do it. My slip is 4 from the end and on the upwind side. Both of these things work in my favor. One thing that does not work in my favor is the slip way is narrow so I have one shot at it. I approach the entrance to the slip way at a slow speed and once I enter the slip way I shift to nuetral and drift. You would be amazed at the momentum that a Catalina 30 builds up and how far it will coast. In effect, I'm just coasting into my slip. Once I'm in the slip, I give it a little reverse and that is it. Sometimes I have to goose it a bit in the slip way to maintain some forward speed but most times I don't. Entering your slip under power and then throwing it into reverse is not very nautical. One other thing that is important. When you are in the turning basin and before entering the slipway put out your fenders and rig up your bow and stern lines and run them back to the cockpit so that when you step off the boat and onto the dock you have both lines in your hand. This allows you to be in complete control of the boat and it is easy to snub your bow line on the cleat to stop the forward progress of the boat. How many times have you seen mates step onto the dock without lines in their hands and end up hanging on to the safety lines as they try to control the boat? I call that it doing the "dock dance". With both the bow and stern lines in your hands you don't end up making a spectical of your self. I my case, people actually think I knew what I was doing. Little did they know I am just a common seaman that had learned a docking trick.
Vern: Here's how I do it. My slip is 4 from the end and on the upwind side. Both of these things work in my favor. One thing that does not work in my favor is the slip way is narrow so I have one shot at it. I approach the entrance to the slip way at a slow speed and once I enter the slip way I shift to nuetral and drift. You would be amazed at the momentum that a Catalina 30 builds up and how far it will coast. In effect, I'm just coasting into my slip. Once I'm in the slip, I give it a little reverse and that is it. Sometimes I have to goose it a bit in the slip way to maintain some forward speed but most times I don't. Entering your slip under power and then throwing it into reverse is not very nautical. One other thing that is important. When you are in the turning basin and before entering the slipway put out your fenders and rig up your bow and stern lines and run them back to the cockpit so that when you step off the boat and onto the dock you have both lines in your hand. This allows you to be in complete control of the boat and it is easy to snub your bow line on the cleat to stop the forward progress of the boat. How many times have you seen mates step onto the dock without lines in their hands and end up hanging on to the safety lines as they try to control the boat? I call that it doing the "dock dance". With both the bow and stern lines in your hands you don't end up making a spectical of your self. I my case, people actually think I knew what I was doing. Little did they know I am just a common seaman that had learned a docking trick.
EZ-Steer
IrishFlynn - EZ-Steer is a pre-fab device which allows you to steer your outboard using your rudder. A threaded rod runs from the rudder bracket to the center of the motor which enables you turn both at the same time. The archives of the HunterOwners.com web site (small boat 19' to 26') should be loaded with photos and advice. Try the link. They tell me that you may have to order through Cabela's.
IrishFlynn - EZ-Steer is a pre-fab device which allows you to steer your outboard using your rudder. A threaded rod runs from the rudder bracket to the center of the motor which enables you turn both at the same time. The archives of the HunterOwners.com web site (small boat 19' to 26') should be loaded with photos and advice. Try the link. They tell me that you may have to order through Cabela's.
Docking
Lots of good advice here. I use a spring line in which two lines attach to a fender from the front of the slip,then two lines aft of the fender to pilings at the end of the slip. In this way I capture the boat on the fender before it hits the dock even if I come in a little hot. Needless to say, the lines must be sturdy enough to take the shock. Hope this helps, Jim
Lots of good advice here. I use a spring line in which two lines attach to a fender from the front of the slip,then two lines aft of the fender to pilings at the end of the slip. In this way I capture the boat on the fender before it hits the dock even if I come in a little hot. Needless to say, the lines must be sturdy enough to take the shock. Hope this helps, Jim
Another way
Been docking for altogether too many years, and many of the ideas here are great. I just "discovered" another method that needs the mind to work as well as the boat! If you have double fingers, you sometimes want to or end up complicating matters by considering BOTH sides of the dock when coming in. However, since you already know that your slip is big enough for the width of the boat, FORGET ABOUT ONE SIDE ALTOGETHER! *yks Sound like blasphemy? You bet! But think about it this way: If you're planning a side tie, like at a fuel dock, there IS only one side to deal with. Just do the same thing at your slip. Choose a side of the boat and slip, and stay with that. You can essentially, once you master the turn angle and speed, just pretend that you are doing a side tie on one side ONLY. The other side does take care of itself, because the boat hasn't gotten any wider, nor has the slip gotten any smaller! We choose the port side, because we can use the port prop walk to our advantage, just as we do side ties to port at a fuel dock or other side tie situations. Give it a try, and let me know if it works for you. Stu PS Also we use a spring line from midships to the aft dock cleat. Simple way to go, needs NO ONE to ever get off the boat at the dock. Look up spring lines in the forum archives.
Been docking for altogether too many years, and many of the ideas here are great. I just "discovered" another method that needs the mind to work as well as the boat! If you have double fingers, you sometimes want to or end up complicating matters by considering BOTH sides of the dock when coming in. However, since you already know that your slip is big enough for the width of the boat, FORGET ABOUT ONE SIDE ALTOGETHER! *yks Sound like blasphemy? You bet! But think about it this way: If you're planning a side tie, like at a fuel dock, there IS only one side to deal with. Just do the same thing at your slip. Choose a side of the boat and slip, and stay with that. You can essentially, once you master the turn angle and speed, just pretend that you are doing a side tie on one side ONLY. The other side does take care of itself, because the boat hasn't gotten any wider, nor has the slip gotten any smaller! We choose the port side, because we can use the port prop walk to our advantage, just as we do side ties to port at a fuel dock or other side tie situations. Give it a try, and let me know if it works for you. Stu PS Also we use a spring line from midships to the aft dock cleat. Simple way to go, needs NO ONE to ever get off the boat at the dock. Look up spring lines in the forum archives.
Whatever works
Lots of great thoughts are posted here. My 2 cents: you have a motor on the boat for a reason. Eventually you will figure it out. In the meantime make your motor work for you; I'm talking about reverse. Don't worry about being nautical or impressive. I suggest putting something on your fingers that will not get through the gelcoat. After you've done that, start experimenting. Even if you hit the dock, you’ll fix it with a wax job. Have fun! -Ryan
Lots of great thoughts are posted here. My 2 cents: you have a motor on the boat for a reason. Eventually you will figure it out. In the meantime make your motor work for you; I'm talking about reverse. Don't worry about being nautical or impressive. I suggest putting something on your fingers that will not get through the gelcoat. After you've done that, start experimenting. Even if you hit the dock, you’ll fix it with a wax job. Have fun! -Ryan
How do you get to Carnagie Hall?
Answer: se J. B. Dyer's posting. When I was learning, oh, so many year(!) ago, I impressed class and instructor with how consistantly I could hit the mooring, just as the boat went dead in the water. Born sailor? Hardly. When I was out on the Sound (L.I.) with another student, we would toss a seat cushion in the water, and not only practice MOB recoveries, but try and "hit the mooring" from different points of the compass. No one was there to witness our failures (if that cushion had been a dock, we'd have blasted a hole in it you could've sailed through), and we learned from one another's mistakes. After a while, we became adept at judging when to let the sheets fly, or in your case, go into neutral. Best advice I've seen here: "never approach a dock faster than you'd like to hit it".
Answer: se J. B. Dyer's posting. When I was learning, oh, so many year(!) ago, I impressed class and instructor with how consistantly I could hit the mooring, just as the boat went dead in the water. Born sailor? Hardly. When I was out on the Sound (L.I.) with another student, we would toss a seat cushion in the water, and not only practice MOB recoveries, but try and "hit the mooring" from different points of the compass. No one was there to witness our failures (if that cushion had been a dock, we'd have blasted a hole in it you could've sailed through), and we learned from one another's mistakes. After a while, we became adept at judging when to let the sheets fly, or in your case, go into neutral. Best advice I've seen here: "never approach a dock faster than you'd like to hit it".
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