Docking in a slip

[Happy Daze]

Re: Help me understand the "logic"

Maybe this will help. If you have an outboard? The motor will pull the boat into the slip, you can actually steer with the outboard. On my boat it works well. If the boat rubs on the piling, which it will do, it will slide easier being pulled rather than being pushed into it. Sitting in the stern you have better control of where the boat is in relation to the dock. If you have a crosswind or tide all bets are off! Think of it this way. The Coast Guard does not push you in they tow you in. Same principle. Just make sure your sails are completely in the boat!

 

[rgranger]

Looks like 6 now. I left out "Your slip sucks" from the other 2 pieces of advice.

This is the thread that never end.... it just goes on and on my friend...

(come on, you know the tune -- sing along)

Wait... we hit 7 pages now.... whooo hoooo

 

[caguy]

(come on, you know the tune -- sing along)

I don' want to highjack the thread, it could out run Boat Babe, but what song?

 

[Winkfish]

If a thread about docking in a slip outruns the Boat Babe thread, I'm leaving the country!!

 

[justsomeguy]

I don' want to highjack the thread, it could out run Boat Babe, but what song?

The Song That Never Ends:

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Nonsense really?

Lloyd,

If you read the first post by Rich in this thread, he was moving from a mooring to a slip for the first time.

Moving to a slip is not a problem in itself, but since he admitted he is going thru a learning curve, this is a poorly optimal slip within to practice.

I do see that you sail in an area that doesn't have tidal concerns. I didn't see on your profile that you were berthed in a slip or on a trailer. So if these have no bearing on your location as opposed to Rich's, how can you claim "nonsense?"

His situation is far different than yours. He did have the foresight to ask for advice, of which a lot of the guys did a great job to offer, but none refuted nonsense until now. However, that's what these threads are for, if someone disagrees, that's fine. It's the mix of knowledge that begets the best solutions, not pure indifference.

CR

 

[Edwin Rudetsky]

A Sea Chantey from Longe Ago
Fair of body,
And fair of face,
A shady lady,
Sailed with grace.

She would dock in her slip,
If her dress were a mess,
And she'd smile to all watching,
"I couldn't care less."

 

[LloydB]

re post #126 (permalink) '... how can you claim "nonsense?" '
It is because I am able to read the two previous posts to my post#105 (permalink). I view the posts on these forums in Thread Mode and try to read entire threads before posting. I stated my reason for disbelief in the conclusion that was stated and stand by it.

 

[Richie50]

Addition photos of slip and fairway

It's not only the fact that the slip is narrow. It is a side tie slip to the gangway, which means he can ONLY back out the fairway. Look at it. It is the worst slip even if he was a docking expert.

Attached are a couple of internet photos showing the overview of the marina from this link
https://marinas.com/view/marina/5779_Sunset_Cove_Marina_East_Hampton_NY_United_States

I do value some of the advice given and appreciate everyone knowledge. The marina will make the slip available this season as soon as the other boat leaves which should have been last weekend. This will give me an opportunity to give the slip a realistic view and some practice attempts before committing to the slip for next season.

There may be an option for a floating slip which is to the right of the slip in question but the owners of the marina say that sailboats don't want floating slips. They have had a 22 in the marina previously and there is a 40 foot further down at the bulkhead which is a separate marina and not available.

I am not getting any pressure to rent the slip as they are full every year. The other marinas are not an option due to the VERY high cost per foot, upwards of $220. Any other thoughts after looking at the photos. The slip in question is the last one on the RIGHT Thanks.

 

[Happy Daze]

Re: Addition photos of slip and fairway

Why not a floating dock?! You don't have to worry about a lot of things like, tide change, too tight or loose lines. I'd take a floating dock in a heartbeat.

 

[kenn]

For what it's worth, we just took "possession" of a slip two weeks ago, after drysailing/trailersailing our 19' boat for 7 seasons. In our case, the slip we've been given is HUGE and super-easy.

Nonetheless... I imagine that maneuvering a 22' Catalina with an outboard is not that different from our 19 footer... easy-peasy... and so I'd expect that two hours' practice in different conditions is going to do more than any amount of reading Chapman. Just keep those fenders out.

 

[tahoemark]

slow and practice

I often am amazed at how bad people are at docking their boat. You have plenty of good advice here. My thoughts for newbies. Go slow, practice on a mooring ball, practice at slip with helpers on the dock, finally if you mess up the approach, back up and start all over again.

I've taught several people how to dock various boats in wind, tide conditions. I find a mooring or channel marker or something that they can practice on. (obviously when not interfering with others). You should be able to pull up to the mooring from any direction and put it right where you want it. For example say "I'm going to approach the mooring and stop with it 1 foot off the starboard shroud." Or "I'm going to back up watching the mooring go down the port side until it stops right at my bow, then pull forward with mooring going down my starboard side". You get the idea, practice out in the open where you don't have anything to run into and you will have the confidence and feel for how the boat handles and slow speed.

You'll be fine.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I would recommend several "floats" attached to "anchoring devices" that you throw overboard in a shallow spot. A balloon on a string with a lead weight will suffice. Just adjust the string length so it is close to the water depth. They use them like orange cones to teach parking the car to the 16 year old. Stop the boat, throw two just forward of the port and starboard bow and two off the stern. You then have a safe "slip simulator" you can practice on.