'Perceptional prop walk' would be my guess however if anyone were to know for sure I'd think it would be Doc.
Docking in a slip
- Thread starter Richie50
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I believe that you really have to understand the dynamics of the effects of wind & current on the boat & propwash / propwalk before you can effectively dock a boat with confidence (and minimal damage!) Believe me, and I speak with experience, that trial and error is not the way to go. There will be variables such as wind direction and strength or current that will always affect the boat during a docking maneuver. Only with a complete understanding of the dynamics, will you be able to understand what is occurring and adjust accordingly along the way. Also, going into a docking situation, you have to anticipate what is going to happen and know what to do before things get out of control.
I would start by reading Chapman's & Annapolis Book of Seamanship chapters on docking. Also, Nautic Ed has an online docking course with self tests that will challenge you.
Get someone to help you aboard. Walk them through your docking plan and show them specifically what lines you are going to use, where to tie off, and the sequence. It is great to get help on the dock; however, there are a lot of people who have good intentions with only rudimentary knowledge & skills who can mess up things for you.
Always have an abort plan in mind just in case things don't go according to plan. No harm in aborting and trying again, rather than forcing a situation and losing control.
Finally, as everone has emphasized, practice----there is no substitute for experience. Hope this helps a bit.
I would start by reading Chapman's & Annapolis Book of Seamanship chapters on docking. Also, Nautic Ed has an online docking course with self tests that will challenge you.
Get someone to help you aboard. Walk them through your docking plan and show them specifically what lines you are going to use, where to tie off, and the sequence. It is great to get help on the dock; however, there are a lot of people who have good intentions with only rudimentary knowledge & skills who can mess up things for you.
Always have an abort plan in mind just in case things don't go according to plan. No harm in aborting and trying again, rather than forcing a situation and losing control.
Finally, as everone has emphasized, practice----there is no substitute for experience. Hope this helps a bit.
Still Going
Guys,
I agree with BigEasy's post. I know you are all wanting to help, but this thread grew into a monster. Too much info overload for Richie.
When all is said and done, he still has a s*** slip, too narrow, little maneuverability & just an all-round bad choice for someone learning controlled crashes.
The first time he scuffs the hull of the other boat, he will know It's a bad choice.
I guarantee you, it will happen.
Simple logic dictates Richie needs a wider/better slip with straight approach. It's worth the extra cost, as I've stated earlier in this thread.
CR
Guys,
I agree with BigEasy's post. I know you are all wanting to help, but this thread grew into a monster. Too much info overload for Richie.
When all is said and done, he still has a s*** slip, too narrow, little maneuverability & just an all-round bad choice for someone learning controlled crashes.
The first time he scuffs the hull of the other boat, he will know It's a bad choice.
I guarantee you, it will happen.
Simple logic dictates Richie needs a wider/better slip with straight approach. It's worth the extra cost, as I've stated earlier in this thread.
CR
Nonsense, Richie hasn't given evidence in this thread that he is either careless or addle brained nor unable to perform a docking maneuver(after practice) equal or better than the existing slip occupant. Since he has asked us then I would expect he will also ask the Searay owner about docking at that slip if he can.
Ron and Stu has pegged it I think. And, a Catalina 22 does NOT prop walk. It has an outboard, which displays no resemblance OF propwalk. Most of these motors will turn 90 degrees, so I can pivot the boat either way, while sitting still. Some older motors will turn all the way around, and that IS a true joy in maneuvering it. The majority of these posts dealt with propwalk issues, where none exists.
With no offense to Ritchie, or anyone else on here, but if docking a C22 is a huge problem, then there's some problems that lie elsewhere.
With no offense to Ritchie, or anyone else on here, but if docking a C22 is a huge problem, then there's some problems that lie elsewhere.
"... a Catalina 22 does NOT prop walk. It has an outboard, which displays no resemblance OF propwalk."
I think that a boat with an outboard fixed so that it's held stationary would have prop walk the same as an inboard would have if its prop were at the same location. I also believe that unpinning that same OB so it could pivot would not make the propwalk go away. However I'm interested in an explanation within this thread.
I think that a boat with an outboard fixed so that it's held stationary would have prop walk the same as an inboard would have if its prop were at the same location. I also believe that unpinning that same OB so it could pivot would not make the propwalk go away. However I'm interested in an explanation within this thread.
+1 THE best spectator sport next to watching people picking up mooring balls!I've always said that docking is a spectator sport...
Llyod, it's pretty simple. Most outboards have a friction lock, not either free or tight, and is adjustable. That means the outboard can be twisted a little bit to avoid all prop walk. Take your boat out in a wide open area, and run the outboard, twist it a bit until the boat goes straight without touching the tiller.
This can also be used when docking or leaving a slip. Turn the outboard and use the tiller in combination.
Try it.
Richie,
You might consider talking to the harbor master and have him hold the slip for you pending a trial run for a few days, because of the possible difficulties associated with docking in the narrow slip. If you can manage docking OK over the course of a weekend; you will get better and more confident. On the other hand, if it is too difficult, wait for a better slip to become available. Why make life miserable & stressful because of the constraints of this narrow slip. After all this is supposed to be fun!!
You might consider talking to the harbor master and have him hold the slip for you pending a trial run for a few days, because of the possible difficulties associated with docking in the narrow slip. If you can manage docking OK over the course of a weekend; you will get better and more confident. On the other hand, if it is too difficult, wait for a better slip to become available. Why make life miserable & stressful because of the constraints of this narrow slip. After all this is supposed to be fun!!
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.
I would like to state: NEVER put your body or any parts of you between the boat and the dock. It hurts! :naughty:
+1I would like to state: NEVER put your body or any parts of you between the boat and the dock. It hurts! :naughty:
Haven't heard anyone address environmental factors such as current and wind. Both of these especially if they become opposing forces will take the fun out of it.
Stu,
I definitely agree with you, after looking at the photos. If I had that slip, I wouldn't want to leave the dock. Sorry Richie, I don't want it to sound like I am bashing; however, having to deal with that location would be a major aggravation.
I was returning to my slip this afternoon with about a 15kt cross wind; on final approach just as the bow entered the slip, I knew that the bow was already being blown down too much. No big deal; I had plenty of room to back and come into the slip at a more favorable angle. End result was another single handed docking without incident.
With the tight confines of the slip that you are considering, you are not going to have any room for error. I would wait for another slip to become available or perhaps look at another marina. As I said previously, this is supposed to be fun.
I definitely agree with you, after looking at the photos. If I had that slip, I wouldn't want to leave the dock. Sorry Richie, I don't want it to sound like I am bashing; however, having to deal with that location would be a major aggravation.
I was returning to my slip this afternoon with about a 15kt cross wind; on final approach just as the bow entered the slip, I knew that the bow was already being blown down too much. No big deal; I had plenty of room to back and come into the slip at a more favorable angle. End result was another single handed docking without incident.
With the tight confines of the slip that you are considering, you are not going to have any room for error. I would wait for another slip to become available or perhaps look at another marina. As I said previously, this is supposed to be fun.
Baby Steps
Lotsa great advice, take all of it into consideration. I imagine you have concerns or you wouldn't have asked. Don't put pressure on yourself, make your first appearance with a small audience of your most trusted friends, ( sworn to secrecy of course). Make your first attempt just to get your vessel in alignment and than go astern and repeat. If you feel compelled to the full meal deal the first shot, chances are you will continue even when you feel you may be getting off the mark. Commit to a three or four stage process, proceeding when you have mastered each. You will impress yourself with how quick you move toward master mariner and without leaving any gel coat on the slip. You will be steering camels through the eye of a needle in no time. All the best.
Lotsa great advice, take all of it into consideration. I imagine you have concerns or you wouldn't have asked. Don't put pressure on yourself, make your first appearance with a small audience of your most trusted friends, ( sworn to secrecy of course). Make your first attempt just to get your vessel in alignment and than go astern and repeat. If you feel compelled to the full meal deal the first shot, chances are you will continue even when you feel you may be getting off the mark. Commit to a three or four stage process, proceeding when you have mastered each. You will impress yourself with how quick you move toward master mariner and without leaving any gel coat on the slip. You will be steering camels through the eye of a needle in no time. All the best.
Almost ashamed to say....I've actually done that!
We took my daughter to the lake with her windsurfer and my wife and I picnicked next to the launch at the state park. What a hoot!!!! I could fill a page with the stuff we watched that day.Looks like 6 now. I left out "Your slip sucks" from the other 2 pieces of advice.It looks like 5 pages worth...
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