While docking last weekend there was a 15mph wind blowing almost straight into my slip. With my Hunter 260 as I approached and had to put the outboard into reverse to slow down, I would lose steering. Eventually I got the boat into the slip, but my wife had to fend off by pushing off the boat next to me. It wasn't pretty, so if anyone has advice I would appreciate it. I don't have a steering linkage between the rudder and the outboard....yet.
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Uh Huh, Docking Downwind Is A Drag
I had an OB powered boat for 19 years in a downwind slip, and I can only say you nailed the forces causing the difficulty. The OB in reverse washes the flow of water over the keel and rudder leaving you adrift. If you have a good reverse thrust, Slow the boat really well before starting your turn, then wait until you are lined up and give it full reverse again at the end of your opportunity window. Have your pole at ready and extended before entering the dock finger. Have lines and fenders in position. Honestly, that's all I can recommend other than assure you it WILL become routine with repetition. My Dad has a Lancer 29 power sailer with a 120 HP OB on the stern and when it is in reverse, the boat might do almost anything! Rick D.
I had an OB powered boat for 19 years in a downwind slip, and I can only say you nailed the forces causing the difficulty. The OB in reverse washes the flow of water over the keel and rudder leaving you adrift. If you have a good reverse thrust, Slow the boat really well before starting your turn, then wait until you are lined up and give it full reverse again at the end of your opportunity window. Have your pole at ready and extended before entering the dock finger. Have lines and fenders in position. Honestly, that's all I can recommend other than assure you it WILL become routine with repetition. My Dad has a Lancer 29 power sailer with a 120 HP OB on the stern and when it is in reverse, the boat might do almost anything! Rick D.
practice and experience
Tough situation, we've all been there at some point. Though I'm not the end-all/be-all of sailing I do know that practice and experience with your boat is the best way to deal with that type of thing. I have gone out into the harbor and practiced different things I feel uncomfortable with. Backing up with my H33 is usually an adventure, throw in a cross wind and it's anybody's guess where we will end up.
Tough situation, we've all been there at some point. Though I'm not the end-all/be-all of sailing I do know that practice and experience with your boat is the best way to deal with that type of thing. I have gone out into the harbor and practiced different things I feel uncomfortable with. Backing up with my H33 is usually an adventure, throw in a cross wind and it's anybody's guess where we will end up.
Hello John, yes the least fun I have ever had was docking under the condition you mentioned. Though I have had the best luck backing in. When the wind is not at a 90degree with the dock this picture can get uglier. I hang close to my row going forward, swing the bow out about two slips away from mine then right at the end of my slip nose into the wind back in. My motor get better traction "if you wil" going forward and the boat steers better in reverse, so as I apply little throttle in reverse then I have foreward as a brake. If this goes south you are able to power forward with more room out in front of you and better traction. I hope you can picture this, give it a try next time. Good luck and take care.
John, I don't know if this is an option but I
have used this trick with good success. I actually go down wind of my slip and turn around. I then approach up wind going forward and turn the corner into the slip. One day with good 22 to 25 mph winds I did the down wind turn around and actually pulled up to the dock finger and let the wife step off onto the dock with the bow line. (all most said rope) I then pulled ahead as she pulled the bow in. She also was then able to keep the starboard side of the boat from being blown into the dock corner. Where we are docked the wind usually tries to blow the starboard side of the boat into the dock. I think this is the lesser evil than having the wind blow the boat away from the dock. Ray S/V Speedy
have used this trick with good success. I actually go down wind of my slip and turn around. I then approach up wind going forward and turn the corner into the slip. One day with good 22 to 25 mph winds I did the down wind turn around and actually pulled up to the dock finger and let the wife step off onto the dock with the bow line. (all most said rope) I then pulled ahead as she pulled the bow in. She also was then able to keep the starboard side of the boat from being blown into the dock corner. Where we are docked the wind usually tries to blow the starboard side of the boat into the dock. I think this is the lesser evil than having the wind blow the boat away from the dock. Ray S/V Speedy
BLUE WATER SAILING Mag Feb '02...
...has a good article about docking and anchoring under sail only. If I could master that, doing it with a motor would seem like child's play!
...has a good article about docking and anchoring under sail only. If I could master that, doing it with a motor would seem like child's play!
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