Everyone has had to squeeze into a tight slip with wind on the beam. What's your technique for putting your boat where you want when the wind won't cooperate? Do you try to power through it, or use its force to support your goal? Share your docking secrets (or your scuff removal technique) here, then go to the HOW home page and vote in this week's related Quick Quiz.
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Forward Spring
Our permanent slip is a starboard tie-up when we go bow in. In almost conditions the wind is blowing us off of the finger. A number of times we have returned when the wind in the marina is over 20 knots. Our method is to have me jump onto the finger with a line just forward of midships that I use as a forward spring. I spring us off on a cleat on the finger, my wife can throw into forward and turn wheel hard to port with lots of throttle and the stern just pops right over so I can attach the stern line.
Our permanent slip is a starboard tie-up when we go bow in. In almost conditions the wind is blowing us off of the finger. A number of times we have returned when the wind in the marina is over 20 knots. Our method is to have me jump onto the finger with a line just forward of midships that I use as a forward spring. I spring us off on a cleat on the finger, my wife can throw into forward and turn wheel hard to port with lots of throttle and the stern just pops right over so I can attach the stern line.
Wind
For some so far unknown reason my H22 HATES to go astern. The 7.5 pulls like hell but alas "Shannon" has little interest going where sh's already been. (My Catalina 22 never had this attitude problem, of course my old Cat couldn't have her sails up in 40k winds so I'll accept the trade off) There for I always dock into the wind. Someone jumps off the bow witha line and I use the outboard to nudge her stern to the pier, slip etc.
For some so far unknown reason my H22 HATES to go astern. The 7.5 pulls like hell but alas "Shannon" has little interest going where sh's already been. (My Catalina 22 never had this attitude problem, of course my old Cat couldn't have her sails up in 40k winds so I'll accept the trade off) There for I always dock into the wind. Someone jumps off the bow witha line and I use the outboard to nudge her stern to the pier, slip etc.
Fixed lines
In our slip, I have all the dock lines permanently set to their desired length. As we enter the slip, crew can grab the aft spring from mid-ships and slip it over the cleat. That will prevent us from embedding the anchor into the dock box. The crew member can then come back to the stern and grab the stern line which will keep us from pivoting on the spring. This all sounds good in a classroom setting. Sometimes things just happen and we just make sure we have all our fingers and straighten all bent stanchons before we open for happy-hour.
In our slip, I have all the dock lines permanently set to their desired length. As we enter the slip, crew can grab the aft spring from mid-ships and slip it over the cleat. That will prevent us from embedding the anchor into the dock box. The crew member can then come back to the stern and grab the stern line which will keep us from pivoting on the spring. This all sounds good in a classroom setting. Sometimes things just happen and we just make sure we have all our fingers and straighten all bent stanchons before we open for happy-hour.
forward spring
Are you talking about an aft spring line instead of a forward spring line? I always thought that spring lines were named by where they lead to on the dock not where they originate on the boat. An aft spring line would allow you to power forward while turning to port there by swinging the stern to starboard. Where do you attach the spring since most Hunters [mine included]don't appear to have a midship cleat.
Are you talking about an aft spring line instead of a forward spring line? I always thought that spring lines were named by where they lead to on the dock not where they originate on the boat. An aft spring line would allow you to power forward while turning to port there by swinging the stern to starboard. Where do you attach the spring since most Hunters [mine included]don't appear to have a midship cleat.
Spring and Breast Lines
I was thinking lines were named by their angle to the boat. A breast line is "abreast" or perpindicular to centerline on the vessel? A spring line is a line that is not exactly parallel (as that would be useless) but close to parallel to the centerline of the vessel? With this definition, a spring line could be led FROM anywhere TO anywhere as long as it is performing the "spring" function. For example, my H31 has eight dock lines run as follows: Four Breast lines, one from each corner of the slip to the closest cleat on the vessel, each installed to keep the vessel off the pier on the other side. Four Spring lines, two each on port and starboard tied to the pier roughly midships. One runs forward to each bow cleat, one aft to each stern cleat. All lines accessible by one person from the boat, but I had a special 8' boat hook built specifically for this purpose. All lines are installed with exact length such that the absolute minimum number of lines holding the boat in a blow is three, two breasts (required....oh nevermind) and a spring. In a more centerline blow, four lines hold the boat. So, HOW do I get the boat in the slip with a blow on the beam? Well, the entire slip has the white cushion/fenders and I have rollers on the outer corners just in case I get a big gust. I then turn the boat such that the bow is committed to the windward pier/finger. I run the bow a few inches off the pier along the windward edge for as long as possible until the wind just gets the bow. When the boats in the correct position, I reach over the windward side from the cockpit, grab the stern breast line, and place it on the cleat as quickly as possible as previous posts mentioned. This obviously allows the bow to blow to the leeward pier, but there's lots of protection on it, so I'm not concerned about boat damage. I then grab the boat hook and grab the windward bow spring line or windward bow breast line (whichever one is accessible from the boat while the bow is leeward), pull the boat toward the windward pier, and place it on the cleat. The rest of the lines are then pulled in with boat hook and require little effort. All this works great for me unless the blow is from the East (rare in our area) because my slip is the first one from the pier leading to a more outwater dock. (Pier is west side of my slip.) In this case, I have to start the motor and drop the sails outside the marina.
I was thinking lines were named by their angle to the boat. A breast line is "abreast" or perpindicular to centerline on the vessel? A spring line is a line that is not exactly parallel (as that would be useless) but close to parallel to the centerline of the vessel? With this definition, a spring line could be led FROM anywhere TO anywhere as long as it is performing the "spring" function. For example, my H31 has eight dock lines run as follows: Four Breast lines, one from each corner of the slip to the closest cleat on the vessel, each installed to keep the vessel off the pier on the other side. Four Spring lines, two each on port and starboard tied to the pier roughly midships. One runs forward to each bow cleat, one aft to each stern cleat. All lines accessible by one person from the boat, but I had a special 8' boat hook built specifically for this purpose. All lines are installed with exact length such that the absolute minimum number of lines holding the boat in a blow is three, two breasts (required....oh nevermind) and a spring. In a more centerline blow, four lines hold the boat. So, HOW do I get the boat in the slip with a blow on the beam? Well, the entire slip has the white cushion/fenders and I have rollers on the outer corners just in case I get a big gust. I then turn the boat such that the bow is committed to the windward pier/finger. I run the bow a few inches off the pier along the windward edge for as long as possible until the wind just gets the bow. When the boats in the correct position, I reach over the windward side from the cockpit, grab the stern breast line, and place it on the cleat as quickly as possible as previous posts mentioned. This obviously allows the bow to blow to the leeward pier, but there's lots of protection on it, so I'm not concerned about boat damage. I then grab the boat hook and grab the windward bow spring line or windward bow breast line (whichever one is accessible from the boat while the bow is leeward), pull the boat toward the windward pier, and place it on the cleat. The rest of the lines are then pulled in with boat hook and require little effort. All this works great for me unless the blow is from the East (rare in our area) because my slip is the first one from the pier leading to a more outwater dock. (Pier is west side of my slip.) In this case, I have to start the motor and drop the sails outside the marina.
docking
power in hard, do the reverse thing hard, tie up quickly ommiting debates over what to call a line depending on lines origination or destination,
power in hard, do the reverse thing hard, tie up quickly ommiting debates over what to call a line depending on lines origination or destination,
Beam Docking
In my slip the dock lines stay on the dock. I power in on the upwind side, power reverse to stop the boat while a crew member hooks the upwind dock lines.
In my slip the dock lines stay on the dock. I power in on the upwind side, power reverse to stop the boat while a crew member hooks the upwind dock lines.
Yea to Mike B
And isn't it written somewhere that your best dockings only occur when no one is around and a crowd always gathers when things are falling apart!
And isn't it written somewhere that your best dockings only occur when no one is around and a crowd always gathers when things are falling apart!
Docking Antics
We did see a powerboat skipper with a boat full of young, impressed female crew dock at a guest slip right in front of our restaurant in a crosswind. He did a nice job until he failed to notice the stern had drifted off before he stepped off the deck. So much for impressions. Rick D.
We did see a powerboat skipper with a boat full of young, impressed female crew dock at a guest slip right in front of our restaurant in a crosswind. He did a nice job until he failed to notice the stern had drifted off before he stepped off the deck. So much for impressions. Rick D.
Lotsa Help!
Our last slip was situated with a terrific view from the cockpit when tied bow in; so we drove in and backed out - clearly the preferred maneuver. However, our first slip was organized to be backed in. We used the bow line to spring the boat around one of the outer pilings and then the spring line to keep us off the dock. The one and only time we experienced "beam winds" was actually a following wind which should have blown us into the slip. However, this squall (about 30K) occurred when we were perpendicular to the slip and the 39' Pearson (our neighbor) with a very large CQR on its bow. Thanks to some quick acting slipholders, they kept us from impaling the cabin on that substantial anchor. The squall was short-lived and we and the boat survived.
Our last slip was situated with a terrific view from the cockpit when tied bow in; so we drove in and backed out - clearly the preferred maneuver. However, our first slip was organized to be backed in. We used the bow line to spring the boat around one of the outer pilings and then the spring line to keep us off the dock. The one and only time we experienced "beam winds" was actually a following wind which should have blown us into the slip. However, this squall (about 30K) occurred when we were perpendicular to the slip and the 39' Pearson (our neighbor) with a very large CQR on its bow. Thanks to some quick acting slipholders, they kept us from impaling the cabin on that substantial anchor. The squall was short-lived and we and the boat survived.
Stern To, double finger, feathering prop
We back into our double fingered slip with our 340. Presecured dock lines, feather prop and wife that knows how to handle the wheel and throttle are the key. Me, I just step off and flip the loops on the cleats. But she did miss once the first year . . . . <grin> Jim
We back into our double fingered slip with our 340. Presecured dock lines, feather prop and wife that knows how to handle the wheel and throttle are the key. Me, I just step off and flip the loops on the cleats. But she did miss once the first year . . . . <grin> Jim
Prop Walk
Most of us complain about not being able to back up in a straight line until we reach a speed were the rudder can overpower the Prop Walk, [ which is the torque created by the the half of the prop that gets the best bite which tends to move the rear of the boat sideways]. Well, this is the place to make it work for you. If the wind is blowing you into the dock, simply imagine the 6 ft. out from where it really is and come abreast at about a 25 degree angle and use your reverse to stop and let the Prop Walk bring your aft end paralell to the dock and let the wind blow you the few feet to the dock. Just remember which way the prop pulls your boat, starboard or port. If the wind is blowing off the dock, you can use the same method if the wind isn't to strong except you have to come in a little faster and close enough to grab the dock. This takes a good Helmsman. If the wind is off the dock and strong, simply put the nose to the dock and hook a line to it , put it in reverse and let the Prop walk pull the aft end to the dock. This will take a few RPM's in reverse, but it is very controlable. The nice thing about this is, when the aft end comes around you are right there to tie to the piling.
Most of us complain about not being able to back up in a straight line until we reach a speed were the rudder can overpower the Prop Walk, [ which is the torque created by the the half of the prop that gets the best bite which tends to move the rear of the boat sideways]. Well, this is the place to make it work for you. If the wind is blowing you into the dock, simply imagine the 6 ft. out from where it really is and come abreast at about a 25 degree angle and use your reverse to stop and let the Prop Walk bring your aft end paralell to the dock and let the wind blow you the few feet to the dock. Just remember which way the prop pulls your boat, starboard or port. If the wind is blowing off the dock, you can use the same method if the wind isn't to strong except you have to come in a little faster and close enough to grab the dock. This takes a good Helmsman. If the wind is off the dock and strong, simply put the nose to the dock and hook a line to it , put it in reverse and let the Prop walk pull the aft end to the dock. This will take a few RPM's in reverse, but it is very controlable. The nice thing about this is, when the aft end comes around you are right there to tie to the piling.
Prop Walk
Most of us complain about not being able to back up in a straight line until we reach a speed were the rudder can overpower the Prop Walk, [ which is the torque created by the the half of the prop that gets the best bite which tends to move the rear of the boat sideways]. Well, this is the place to make it work for you. If the wind is blowing you into the dock, simply imagine the dock is 6 ft. out from where it really is and come abreast at about a 25 degree angle and use your reverse to stop and let the Prop Walk bring your aft end paralell to the dock and let the wind blow you the few feet to the dock. Just remember which way the prop pulls your boat, starboard or port. If the wind is blowing off the dock, you can use the same method if the wind isn't to strong except you have to come in a little faster and close enough to grab the dock. This takes a good Helmsman. If the wind is off the dock and strong, simply put the nose to the dock and hook a line to it , put it in reverse and let the Prop walk pull the aft end to the dock. This will take a few RPM's in reverse, but it is very controlable. The nice thing about this is, when the aft end comes around you are right there to tie to the piling.
Most of us complain about not being able to back up in a straight line until we reach a speed were the rudder can overpower the Prop Walk, [ which is the torque created by the the half of the prop that gets the best bite which tends to move the rear of the boat sideways]. Well, this is the place to make it work for you. If the wind is blowing you into the dock, simply imagine the dock is 6 ft. out from where it really is and come abreast at about a 25 degree angle and use your reverse to stop and let the Prop Walk bring your aft end paralell to the dock and let the wind blow you the few feet to the dock. Just remember which way the prop pulls your boat, starboard or port. If the wind is blowing off the dock, you can use the same method if the wind isn't to strong except you have to come in a little faster and close enough to grab the dock. This takes a good Helmsman. If the wind is off the dock and strong, simply put the nose to the dock and hook a line to it , put it in reverse and let the Prop walk pull the aft end to the dock. This will take a few RPM's in reverse, but it is very controlable. The nice thing about this is, when the aft end comes around you are right there to tie to the piling.
When the wind is blowing hard, over 25 knots, I have found it nearly impossible to dock in a slip that is beam to. Docking in a down wind, or up wind end dock is the only temporary alternative. Upwind is easy, just power into it at 45% and have your bow and stern lines ready. Downwind is harder. I usually pull up about a boat length away from the dock and head directly into the wind, then with the trans in forward, let the wind blow the boat back until the stern is about 15 feet from the dock, put the wheel hard over and let the wind blow the bow around and you should be directly broadside to the dock, let the wind do the rest. This is letting the wind work for you instead of against you, which is the secret of sailing in the first place.
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 2/28/00: What's the strongest beam wind you've experienced while docking? 43% 20-30 kts (131) 42% 11-20 kts (128) 11% Over 30 kts (32) 4% under 10 kts (13)
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending 2/28/00: What's the strongest beam wind you've experienced while docking? 43% 20-30 kts (131) 42% 11-20 kts (128) 11% Over 30 kts (32) 4% under 10 kts (13)
Consider alternatives & don't do what's wiser not
Out on the lake, we got whacked hard by a summer thunderstorm. The winds were blowing over 30 when we got back to the marina. Naturally, they were cross to the slips. I did not even give second thought to getting into the slip. We quickly tied off at an empty T-head. There, the crosswind helped! As we were securing the boat, placing fenders, and taking down the bimini, the marina personel were telling everyone to leave the marina, due to the tornado threat. We left just as the rain started to come down in sheets. I came back the next morning and put our boat into her slip. No wind, then. BTW, I think a strong tailwind can make docking as difficult as a strong crosswind. With a strong crosswind and plenty of room, you can take a straight, slow approach, having figured out what combination of rudder and heading up gives a steady course. With a tail wind, you have to periodically use reverse to slow down, and that can throw the boat to one side or another.
Out on the lake, we got whacked hard by a summer thunderstorm. The winds were blowing over 30 when we got back to the marina. Naturally, they were cross to the slips. I did not even give second thought to getting into the slip. We quickly tied off at an empty T-head. There, the crosswind helped! As we were securing the boat, placing fenders, and taking down the bimini, the marina personel were telling everyone to leave the marina, due to the tornado threat. We left just as the rain started to come down in sheets. I came back the next morning and put our boat into her slip. No wind, then. BTW, I think a strong tailwind can make docking as difficult as a strong crosswind. With a strong crosswind and plenty of room, you can take a straight, slow approach, having figured out what combination of rudder and heading up gives a steady course. With a tail wind, you have to periodically use reverse to slow down, and that can throw the boat to one side or another.
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