Do you have a SYSTEM when you go sailing...

[jssailem]

There are a lot of questions about boats... which one is the best to ???
Or How do you fix this or that on our brand of boat, new to me....

There are the responses that share ideas and answers to experienced challenges.

But have you looked at your sailing adventures and identified the systems you use to sail your boat? Perhaps after the New Year celebrations are done and we recover from our hangovers from thanking all that 2020 is over...

Sitting down and exploring your system of sailing, how we do what we do on our boat might be a way of getting by to the time we can again splash our boats.

Having a system on the boat, instills confidence in the skipper. If the skipper is confident the crew and guests can feel the mojo.

Do you sail with a system? Do you have a preset plan for getting away from the dock? Setting the sails? Starting the motor? Managing the weather? etc...

What systems do you use to go sailing?

 

[kappykaplan]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. All of the above.

 

[jssailem]

@kappykaplan

What systems do you use to go sailing?

 

[thinwater]

I'd call those procedures, and yes, obviously.

Curiously, these are sometimes most finely honed by singlehanding, since you can't do two things at once and thus need to do things in the proper order. It forces you to understand the process more deeply.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. All of the above.

What he said .............

 

[jssailem]

I agree with Thinwater, that solo sailing generates a need in the skipper to create a system. Most of us begin to create a system that works based on the experiences we have. While there is not a "perfect" system, there are ones that I have based on my solo sailing.

Docking..
I experienced a fellow sailor show up at the Customs dock. He was smoothly arriving and positioning his boat to slip in between two boats already waiting. As he came along side he tossed his line to the cleat. It was immediately picked up by a person standing on the dock and she wanted to take the line forward as she had been instructed by her husband. This caused no end of frustration by the boat skipper who was planning to use the line to stop his forward movement. He immediately shouted out "DON"T HELP ME. PUT THE LINE BACK". This brought a smile to my face.

Breaking the ideas down, what system do you utilize when you approach a dock at a place not your preset personal marina dock?

1. Do you just wing it and hope for the best, that someone will be at the dock to help you?
2. Or are you prepared to arrive at Zero Dark thirty when all the dock hands are asleep and it's just you, the wind, the currents and the dock, to get safely tied up without using the other boats as bumpers?

What about Raising your Sails?

 

[sloughsailer]

I sailed my Ranger 26 for years without a motor. I had certain procedures to follow that always worked.
To get underway from my cross wind birth I'd lock the tiller into mid position with the auto helm and put the autohelm on standby. I'd then push the boat backwards as hard as I could and drift to the gas dock and pull the boat back to the far end of the dock.

I'd make sure the jib and main halyards were free and no restrictions that could keep the sail from goin up. Then I'd push the boat forward like starting a bobsled run, jump in and haul up the jib. With a turn to weather I could haul up the main and I was underway.

To come into a strange dock I'd throw my 50 foot 3/8/ line as far as I could. It always hung up on something.

 

[kappykaplan]

Curiously, these are sometimes most finely honed by singlehanding, since you can't do two things at once and thus need to do things in the proper order. It forces you to understand the process more deeply.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

It would be like writing a manual to answer this properly, especially considering my process can vary in so many situations. It always comes down to good prep, and good communication among the crew, even more so when conditions are more challenging. As for guests, I like to tell them what we will do and when, then again when we start any action. It starts with "here's the plan..." and puts them at ease if they know what to expect.

 

[dLj]

Docking: It all depends upon wind and currents. But given nothing extraordinary, I have lines set up in my bow and stern long enough to use/reach from any position along my boat. Essentially these lines are double the length of my boat. I typically get the bow line set up so that as I pull along side the dock, I can just step out of the cockpit with both stern and bow lines in my hand. I usually will then slip the stern line around a deck cleat and then go the the bow quickly and slip the bow line under a cleat up there. That way I can control both ends of the boat no matter where I'm standing. Neither line is actually connected at this point, only "hooked" under a cleat. Then with each line in my hands, I'll position the boat as I wish between the two cleats and tie off whichever end I happen to be closest to, usually the bow, but not always. Make sure everything is resting correctly and tied off, then shut down engine.

Leaving dock: Again, it does depend upon wind and currents. Also, given nothing extraordinary, I'll pretty much do the opposite of docking. Begin with starting engine. Then I'll go to one end of the boat, untie that dock line, leaving it "hooked" under the cleat, walk the line to the other dock line and untie that line. Now, depending upon wind/currents, but lets assume negligible at this point, I'll decide if I'm leaving stern or bow off first (most commonly with no wind it will be bow) and take that line and throw it into the boat while pushing that end out a bit. Using the other "hooked" line, I'll then board at that end, make sure everything is under control and then bring that line in by pulling it into the boat, hence "unhooking" it.

Wind and currents can drastically change things. This is also when I'm not in the mood to dock under sail...

dj

 

[DArcy]

I certainly have little procedures to get in and out of the slip, come along side the gas dock, set and strike sails etc. I like @Captain Larry-DH "here's the plan" when guests are aboard. If it is more than a couple of steps I will go over the plan a few minutes ahead of time then reiterate just before executing the plan. I find it better when people do that for me (with my short attention span).
I thought about a lot of these little processes much more this past season since I had a new to me boat and had to figure out all new processes. A big one was getting to know how the boat handles in tight spaces. On a fairly calm day I went out to a near by buoy and practiced making tight turns and maneuvers. I discovered I could turn the boat in just a bit over one boat length without moving the helm using back and fill. It's not a quick turn, a few minutes to make 360 degrees, but it can be done. I also practiced backing in to an imaginary slip, coming alongside the buoy about 6" away. That one could use some more practice, the boat seems to have a mind of its own in reverse at times. Different amounts of throttle can have a big difference on which way the stern ends up going regardless of rudder position.
I work on aircraft certification and we use a FMECA (Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis) process to evaluate the impact of different failure modes. I've often wondered if there would be some value of doing this for my boat and then either remedy problems which could lead to failure or develop processes to deal with failure modes. It may just make me realize how inherently unsafe sailing is and keep me on dry land

 

[Terry Cox]

Me, myself and I do a pretty good job of getting into and out of the slip without banging things up. It is important to pay attention to wind and currents, which will dictate which steps to take while arriving or departing. We avoid most conflicts by leaving distractions at home and complacency at the dock. Once underway, setting sails is pretty routine. Me does most of the work while myself and I just watch and chuckle once in awhile. As mentioned in another thread, myself uses the helm brake a lot until it comes time for I to do a tack change. That is when myself switches to the autopilot while me handles the sheets during the change. I just sits and waits for further instructions to trim or ease the sheets.

All in all, we get along pretty well, that is until an unexpected gust arrives, or myself misses the mooring on the first try. Then we argue over whose fault it was, or whether we dropped anchor in the right spot, or do we need to place a backup mooring line, or whose turn it is to cook and clean. Once the three of us finish our chores, we all go below and share a brew before dining.

 

[kappykaplan]

I can identify with me, myself and I!!

 

[capta]

We've been sailing as a team long enough that we're pretty laid back about the whole thing.
I believe it helps our charter guests relax when they see that we are so comfortable getting underway and getting the gear up.
We are usually both forward when pulling the pick, as we use the catenary to move up on the anchor, and just let it work it's way out of the bottom, when we're right over it. In many anchorages we'll haul up the Yankee immediately after securing the anchor, without ever starting the engine. In other anchorages we'll power up (east) as far as necessary to get a good angle on out next mark. It's all about comfort when we have guests aboard.

 

[jssailem]

It is not surprising that you guys have plans. Maybe not written down but in your head. Just like a person about to back out of the driveway and head down the street to the grocery store.

It appears that we are almost on automatic pilot. No sweat backing out of the slip into the fairway. Sure you look over your shoulder, but you know the boat is heading back to the left because you set the help that way.

The issue for newer sailors is figuring out these systems that make their experience more pleasant.

When I first got on my boat, I wrote down a check list of steps to check before starting the engine. There were no Manuals or neat binders saying "do this, then do that". Writing down the steps,

1. Like turn on the battery.
2. Check the voltage
3. Check the oil and coolant levels
4. Check that there is fuel in the tank, the proper tank is selected, and the fuel line and return are set to matched tanks.

All of these were needed before I started the engine.

Wondering what other steps do you take?

Do you have a plan to get away from the dock if the current or wind is forcing you against the dock?
How do you know which way the boat will try to go if you put it in reverse?

Systems make our boat handling easier.

 

[Terry Cox]

1. Like turn on the battery.
2. Check the voltage
3. Check the oil and coolant levels
4. Check that there is fuel in the tank, the proper tank is selected, and the fuel line and return are set to matched tanks.

Oh, you wanted specifics. Good grief. Well, batteries always on, so no checky. Voltage available at a glance, so no problem. Seldom check fluid levels as they never seem to change. Same with our car. Maybe once in awhile. Only one 70 gallon fuel tank, and based on experience, usually check each season to top off.

Backing out of the slip, current never an issue, but wind direction does play a role. If a good southerly, I will back down the fairway, as that is what the boat will want to do due to windage. Otherwise, will back up the fairway, then turn down the fairway towards the channel entrance.

Before any of that happens, all systems powered up and checked for operation before starting the engine. Good water flow out of the exhaust; check. Shut off shore power breaker, then disconnect the cord and stow. Seat cushion on deck for the tush.

Starboard bow line untied first followed by the two port spring lines. Stern dock line next followed by the bow dock line with a slight pull on the lifeline to keep the boat from drifting. Stepping aboard, engine in reverse to back away.

Upon arrival, most steps in reverse. First must gauge the wind direction and force. That will determine how hot I come in. If a southerly is present that means I've got to come in bit hot so as to make a hard landing. Otherwise, the wind will push the boat towards our slip neighbor before I can even touch the dock. Mid ship line and bow and stern line at the ready for docking. Once I hit the dock and stop the boat's forward movement, I jump off the boat and secure the mid ship dock line first followed by the bow line then stern line. The stern has less tendency to drift away from the dock once the mid ship line is secured, unlike the bow which has more windage exposure.

After that exercise it is just a matter of shutting everything down, stowing gear and connecting shore power. I also place at least four or five sheet wraps around the Genoa just to make sure no wind will catch it and unfurl while away. Some final checks include shutting all pertinent sea water valves, batteries are charging, switches off and garbage and recycle bags ready to take home.

One important point that I missed is my favorite stop at the pump out station on the way in with a good fresh water holding tank and tank vent rinse. Included first is two gallons of fresh water flushed through the toilets to make sure no sludge remains In the hoses. A dose of Oderlos helps keep things smelling fresh between cruises.

No doubt some steps were missed in this exercise, but the main parts were covered for the benefit of this thread.

 

[TomY]

About 5 years ago our son started operating the boat. The boat is a kind of quirky so I drew up a "key" on one page that could be stored in panel right next to the companionway(I keep the registration there as well).

Thinking, what do I need to let an unfamiliar operator know (boatyard employee) to operate the engine without damage. Our boat is not set up for charterers,...And what are the most likely areas to check in a sinking(thru-hulls).

He referred to it whenever he was on the boat. I haven't upgraded it since (a few things have changed)but still the 'key' is there. We bought him his own boat, that is less stressful.

 

[thinwater]

Docking. When visiting an unfamiliar slip, some of the most important steps are:

• Take a look at it first (motor by) with an escape plan. Sometimes there is a "problem" such as current or size that makes it impractical or changes your approach. Like a pilot landing a plane, it is always better to execute a missed approach than push a bad situation. I've never regretted circling around, starting over, and then nailing it the second time.
• Request a different slip. I will never for get the time I refused a slip in a strong cross current. I felt really wimpy about that, and then felt better when I saw that the boat that later took the slip had a band of dock rash 2 feet high and 6 feet long from one of the pilings. Several times I have been assigned slips that were literally narrower than my boat.
• Anchor out. Particularly single handed, it's simpler.

Never go out of your way to prove how good you are. Those opportunities will come up anyway. And finally...

• Blocked practice. If you want to get good at docking an unfamiliar (new-to-you) boat, take some time, several days, and do it over and over again, critiquing your efforts and learning it step by step. Otherwise, the lessons are lost by the next time you go sailing.This is how I learned to back in my cruising cat, with about 1-foot on each side. The first attempts were pretty ugly.

 

[sail sfbay]

We have a tried system that my regular crew knows to get the boat ready for sailing, review head operation, safety precautions and any concerns with the crew prior to leaving, agree with the crew on where to sail, when to reef and when to return to the dock, leave the dock (followed by a sharp right turn with the aid of bow thruster to avoid a boat docked across the narrow fairway without backing), motor out of the marina, unfurl the sails then turn off the engine, sail, share the wheel with crew and when we are ready to return we turn the engine on and then furl the sails, motor back to the marina, dock stern in (with the aid of a bow thruster to keep her straight) then stow everything in their respective locations ready for the next sail.

 

[Daveinet]

The best way to develop a system is to have a very lousy boat. My first boat was a Hobie 14. It was easy to sail, very forgiving, and always went in the direction you pointed it. My second boat was an over weight monohull with blown out sails. The rudder was a flat blade, and easy to stall. With blown sails, and being overweight for its size, the boat would not sail fast enough to steer. It was common for the boat to turn down wind, all on its own. It really tought me to be a much better skipper as I always had to be one step ahead of what the boat was going to do. Before leaving the dock, the sails had to be in position to raise quickly. The anchor was roped off and left in the cockpit. The dock hook was also laying in the cockpit. When I did sail, I always tried to stay away from everything and everyone. I'd make my tacks early, with plenty of space in case I missed the tack. Stay away form the leeward shores, or leeward anything for that matter. You always had to be watching the water, as small changes in wind would cause the boat to turn or the baggy sails would blow you over.
With my most recent boat, while a lot more responsive, I still have systems to manage each potential situation. Everything is out where it can be easily grabbed form the cockpit. Things I've added are lazy jacks for sail management. AutoPilot to keep the boat on course if I need to attend other things. A high power electric trolling motor that always "starts". For coming into the dock, I have a midship cleat with a loop back to a cam cleat. This allows me to throw a line around the dock post and tighten it quickly to secure the boat. I also keep a slip clutch on the tiller so it stays at whatever direction I adjust it.

Since I trailer sail, I also have "systems" for prepping the boat for sail. The mast raising system is designed to be fast. First thing I do is untie all the bungies from the lines and the mast crutch. I then grab my hammer, by gin pole, and the main sheet and walk up to the front of the boat. Untie the base of the mast from the bow pulpit and slide it back into place. Set the gin pole and cleat the guys. Connect the forestay to the mainsheet and start lifting the mast. Once the mast is up, drive the other pin into the base with the hammer. Take the main sheet back to the cockpit and bring out the main sail and boom. All this takes about 10 minutes. The gin poll is on caribiners so it rigs quickly. U-bolts installed on the cabin roof to cleat to. It was thought out to require the minimum number of steps to raise the mast. I spent several days in the driveway figuring it out and what needed to be where and what could be repurposed temporarily. Minimize the number of components, and you minimize the steps. I can be in the water in a half hour if I hurry.