Docking in a slip
- Thread starter Richie50
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If you are docking in a true slip with walkways on both sides the best thing you can do is make sure you have fenders hanging both port and starboard. Permanently fix two heavy lines in the form of an X at the front of the slip with plenty of room for spring so that no matter how hot you come in (within reason of course) the bow is captured by the lines and centered in the slip. Your fenders can handle the rest. This worked for me very well until I changed docks and had to park parallel to the dock end. That's a whole nother story.
You have some good advice there from the fellow sailors.
Assume you will have wind and tide. The midship dock post has a fender on it. It should be secured top and bottom so it does not shift. Check the tidal range for size. Also put one fender on the stern dock post. Note your companion on your starboard has no fenders. You should put out 2 ball fenders to starboard.
You will note that there is a line between the boats running from the portside outside pole to the dock. When you come in you can grab that line and pull yourself in. Or you could pull yourself half out.
However, you have a problem going out. As you proceed in reverse and you start making your stern move to starboard, your bow will go to port, possibly hitting the dock or aft dock pile.
It will be a major problem in a crosswind against the dock. When you go out the wind will tend to pin you against the dock. This would not be a problem if your slip were 3 slips to starboard. You would just go straight out and have room to maneuver.
You might want to consider backing the boat in. When backing, stand up at the stern facing the stern. Less confusing. This way you grab the pole line almost before you are in the slip. And don’t wait to turn stern first when near the dock. Do it out in the channel.
Leaving the dock bow first will be a snap. You can also bring the boat out of the slip and launch from the dock without having to turn the boat around.
Your slip is challenging, but you’ll be a better sailor next season.
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Assume you will have wind and tide. The midship dock post has a fender on it. It should be secured top and bottom so it does not shift. Check the tidal range for size. Also put one fender on the stern dock post. Note your companion on your starboard has no fenders. You should put out 2 ball fenders to starboard.
You will note that there is a line between the boats running from the portside outside pole to the dock. When you come in you can grab that line and pull yourself in. Or you could pull yourself half out.
However, you have a problem going out. As you proceed in reverse and you start making your stern move to starboard, your bow will go to port, possibly hitting the dock or aft dock pile.
It will be a major problem in a crosswind against the dock. When you go out the wind will tend to pin you against the dock. This would not be a problem if your slip were 3 slips to starboard. You would just go straight out and have room to maneuver.
You might want to consider backing the boat in. When backing, stand up at the stern facing the stern. Less confusing. This way you grab the pole line almost before you are in the slip. And don’t wait to turn stern first when near the dock. Do it out in the channel.
Leaving the dock bow first will be a snap. You can also bring the boat out of the slip and launch from the dock without having to turn the boat around.
Your slip is challenging, but you’ll be a better sailor next season.
.
Slow going is a great idea. If there is a wind blowing from the port or starboard this looks challenging.
I would use fender boards to keep you off the posts. You may want to consider covering the posts with some scrap carpet.
http://www.bing.com/shopping/taylor-made-fender-board-guards-96011/p/34ADC5EFD08D15B75012?q=fender+board&lpq=fender%20board&FORM=HURE
I would use fender boards to keep you off the posts. You may want to consider covering the posts with some scrap carpet.
http://www.bing.com/shopping/taylor-made-fender-board-guards-96011/p/34ADC5EFD08D15B75012?q=fender+board&lpq=fender%20board&FORM=HURE
Thumbs up back in pick up spring lines if wind is blowing you out leave motor in reverse at idle and your boat will fetch up the springs and sit there
Some advice we were given was to take a line and fasten it to a cleat amidship and measure it at the dock to a cleat on the dock. In your picture you might be able to use one of the vertical logs that the dock is afixed to. Either way make a loop in the line so that when it is over the cleat/log etc. and tight that the boat's bow doesn't touch the end of the dock.
When you come in to the slip you come in at idle or light reverse as others have mentioned, but you drop the loop over the deck cleat, and you know that you won't hit even if you have a following wind, or are coming in too fast.
Some people even put clear flexible hose over the line at the loop to keep it's shape.
or you can buy this thing, which is basically the same thing attached to a standoff pole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL0sUr1NRbU
When you come in to the slip you come in at idle or light reverse as others have mentioned, but you drop the loop over the deck cleat, and you know that you won't hit even if you have a following wind, or are coming in too fast.
Some people even put clear flexible hose over the line at the loop to keep it's shape.
or you can buy this thing, which is basically the same thing attached to a standoff pole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL0sUr1NRbU
If your boat is swing keel,leave keel down at least half way,helps a lot in steerage.Also lots of fenders for yours and boat next to you
Back that bad boy right in and don't be afraid!
You have a 1976 boat with an outboard. The hull is probably thich as steel when they made them back then. Backing in will insure your yacht is going to go the way you want it using the outboard steering. Tie off or have someone hold the tiller straight and still. If you need to direct the bow a little bit just remember backing up it will go in the SAME direction as you point the tiller. Your point of visual contact will also be directly behind you not out off the bow some where. When you head out it will be so much easier than trying to back out. Put out some extra bumpers next to the boat next to yours. Also try to set up your docking lines for mid tide not the tide you are at. One more thing, 3 vectors control your boat at all times; tide (the stongest against a keel when docking, so be sure to consider it at low speeds), wind (which will be mostly blocked by docks and surrounding boats) and your engine. Lots of luck, practice, practice and practice. Just remember the docks are made out of wood and get some buffing compound ready for the spring!
You have a 1976 boat with an outboard. The hull is probably thich as steel when they made them back then. Backing in will insure your yacht is going to go the way you want it using the outboard steering. Tie off or have someone hold the tiller straight and still. If you need to direct the bow a little bit just remember backing up it will go in the SAME direction as you point the tiller. Your point of visual contact will also be directly behind you not out off the bow some where. When you head out it will be so much easier than trying to back out. Put out some extra bumpers next to the boat next to yours. Also try to set up your docking lines for mid tide not the tide you are at. One more thing, 3 vectors control your boat at all times; tide (the stongest against a keel when docking, so be sure to consider it at low speeds), wind (which will be mostly blocked by docks and surrounding boats) and your engine. Lots of luck, practice, practice and practice. Just remember the docks are made out of wood and get some buffing compound ready for the spring!
this helped me
I just got back from an hour of docking practice.
I upgraded from a c22 to a c30 and was afraid to leave the dock. found a vacant slip to practice in and lots of encouragement from this forum I did it!
oh and LOTS of bumpers
Docking
Not much of a problem unless you have to back into your slip. Use bow lines lines, stern lines, and spring lines, which run forward and aft to keep her secure in the slip. It can be more of a challenge if you have to back her in. If you do, keep your eye on the target instead of focusing close to your stern. Don't let her get too slow until you are almost in; a quick burst in forward will bring her to a stop. To account for prop walk in reverse, give her some throttle for a few seconds and then shift to neutral and drift. A few times in and out and you will be a pro! Ear plugs for your wife if you are prone to swearing are strongly advised.
Hi Andrew your allocated space in incredibly tight. It would appear that your boat will rub against the piers no matter what you do. Even tied up its going to bump around. Docking will need no wind and very slow speeds with a mate to fend off forward. I would rather have a tender and a mooring in that situation.
Best thing I did was to take a docking course. I spent an afternoon with an instructor who taught me about the angles, prop walk, where to stand, how to handle the lines. There are TONS of useful tips and tricks you can use if someone teaches you. Whether you pay someone or just spend time practicing with an experienced friend, take the time to learn the tricks and it will save you months of grief, embarrassment and possibly damage to your boat and others. Failing this - go slow.
You are Lucky!
My sailing experinece is on the Mighty Ohio! I deal with current and barges! Cant"t wait to deal with tides waves and winds!
I lanch my boat every time i take her out! Might Ohio is a little rough on a boats ,I moorned her 2 weeks and popped a fender and got stress fractures on all the tie downs!
Dealing with docking just take it slow in my world! Your world may sail her in! You have experience.... your spot to set her is just a little bigger! Lo! You can do it! Good luck!
My sailing experinece is on the Mighty Ohio! I deal with current and barges! Cant"t wait to deal with tides waves and winds!
I lanch my boat every time i take her out! Might Ohio is a little rough on a boats ,I moorned her 2 weeks and popped a fender and got stress fractures on all the tie downs!
Dealing with docking just take it slow in my world! Your world may sail her in! You have experience.... your spot to set her is just a little bigger! Lo! You can do it! Good luck!
One thing I haven't seen mentioned in all of this...
..is that you generally should cross your stern lines. That means the line from your port stern piling goes to your starboard stern cleat on the boat and the line from your starboard stern piling goes to your port stern cleat. This will keep the stern pretty much centered in the slip. The longer lines to do this will mean you need a little less slack on and still accommodate the tide. At the same time, it helps keep your boat away from the neighbor.
..is that you generally should cross your stern lines. That means the line from your port stern piling goes to your starboard stern cleat on the boat and the line from your starboard stern piling goes to your port stern cleat. This will keep the stern pretty much centered in the slip. The longer lines to do this will mean you need a little less slack on and still accommodate the tide. At the same time, it helps keep your boat away from the neighbor.
Wait! Let me get my lawn chair and cooler in place....
Ok, now go ahead.
On a helpful note, approach as slow as possible, then go slower.
Ok, now go ahead.
On a helpful note, approach as slow as possible, then go slower.
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