I've searched the archives and found some helpful information on docking the 260, but I'm wondering where one stands on the boat in preparation to getting on to the dock to stop it before it crashes. Specifically, the technique my wife an I used on our previous 22' Laguna was to steer the boat into the slip cutting the throttle at the earliest opportunity and my wife would step off the starboard deck up by the cabin onto the dock and wrap the stern line on the cleat at the end of the dock and then she, or often time I, would then grab the bow line and cleat the bow. We only had a couple of crashes in 3 years of sailing. Since getting our H260 this year, I've had 1 okay docking and 3 crashes. We're using basically the same routine, except my wife steps out from the cocpit because the cabin deck is so high and as a result we are so far into the slip, she can't cleat it in time, and I crash the bow into the dock ahead of the boat. The boat hasn't been noticeably damaged yet, but the dock has a small indentation. We also typically have a wind coming from the starboard side and turn left into the dock after. Thanks, Al
Docking the 260
- Thread starter Alan ONeill
- Start date
- Status
Simple Rule
Approach the dock at as high a speed as you would like to hit the dock. You can use reverse when you get cocky but it creates another opportunity to screw it up. Go out to the boat one day with the intention of only practicing docking. Just when you think you have it down you are apt to loose your focus you will embarrass yourself again. I’ve borrowed something from flying. The kids are in the cabin and I ask everyone else to sit down unless I have asked them to handle a line. I also talk myself through this keeps me focused and the others know exactly what is supposed to happen as well as what is going on.
Approach the dock at as high a speed as you would like to hit the dock. You can use reverse when you get cocky but it creates another opportunity to screw it up. Go out to the boat one day with the intention of only practicing docking. Just when you think you have it down you are apt to loose your focus you will embarrass yourself again. I’ve borrowed something from flying. The kids are in the cabin and I ask everyone else to sit down unless I have asked them to handle a line. I also talk myself through this keeps me focused and the others know exactly what is supposed to happen as well as what is going on.
Technique we used for docking
We created a long line with two bail snap shackles on the bitter ends. Line length was around 35-40ft. As we approached the slip/dock we would snap to the bow and stern cleats with the line run outside shrouds and lifelines. Joan would bring us along side and I would either jump for my life or step off depending winds. With a continuous line, it made very easy to control the boat, one line. Since I was close to the stern I would wrap a couple of turns around the post to hold the stern and then pull in on the bow and wrap a few turns to hold the bow in. We always tried to dock with the wind blowing us off of the dock, since this made it much easier to get the boat on the trailer. Nice thing about this arrangement was, we used this line to guide and move the boat onto the trailer. Jim S/V Java
We created a long line with two bail snap shackles on the bitter ends. Line length was around 35-40ft. As we approached the slip/dock we would snap to the bow and stern cleats with the line run outside shrouds and lifelines. Joan would bring us along side and I would either jump for my life or step off depending winds. With a continuous line, it made very easy to control the boat, one line. Since I was close to the stern I would wrap a couple of turns around the post to hold the stern and then pull in on the bow and wrap a few turns to hold the bow in. We always tried to dock with the wind blowing us off of the dock, since this made it much easier to get the boat on the trailer. Nice thing about this arrangement was, we used this line to guide and move the boat onto the trailer. Jim S/V Java
Been there, fixed that
We solved the problem by cleating an aft spring line to the bow and storing it on board. My mate stands at the bow with the looped spring line and drops it over the first piling as we enter the slip. She then waits until the boat coasts up to the dock where the bow line awaits and she snags that and cleats it off. As this is happening, the spring line arrests the boat's motion and I am now in position at the stern to pick up the hanging stern line from its piling and , voila, we have three lines on in a matter of 15 seconds. We do this little trick by approching the slip upwind and under as little power as is nescessary to maintain steerage (as Rick said, how hard do you want to hit the dock?) I gave up on the reverse throttle trick after my shift cable separated just as I was reversing. The result was the trans remained in forward, a fact I realized only as the boat accelerated into the bulkhead.(Again, Rick is correct)
We solved the problem by cleating an aft spring line to the bow and storing it on board. My mate stands at the bow with the looped spring line and drops it over the first piling as we enter the slip. She then waits until the boat coasts up to the dock where the bow line awaits and she snags that and cleats it off. As this is happening, the spring line arrests the boat's motion and I am now in position at the stern to pick up the hanging stern line from its piling and , voila, we have three lines on in a matter of 15 seconds. We do this little trick by approching the slip upwind and under as little power as is nescessary to maintain steerage (as Rick said, how hard do you want to hit the dock?) I gave up on the reverse throttle trick after my shift cable separated just as I was reversing. The result was the trans remained in forward, a fact I realized only as the boat accelerated into the bulkhead.(Again, Rick is correct)
slow down
I prefer to take it out of gear, well in advance of the slip, and just coast on in, very slow.
I prefer to take it out of gear, well in advance of the slip, and just coast on in, very slow.
Be like Wright...
I single hand alot and do the same thing that Wright suggests - I reduce power and put the boat into neutral heading into the slip and once lined up I go up alongside the bulkhead to the cabin and slip the springline from bow around the outer-most piling - return to the helm and reverse the engine to reduce the snap to the dock line if I am still going to fast... I don't know how you are set up, but if you are maintaining power in order to keep steerage and you don't already have EZ-steer or similar, I highly recommend you add some sort of coupling between the rudder/post and your outboard. It will allow you greater turning capability at lower speeds.
I single hand alot and do the same thing that Wright suggests - I reduce power and put the boat into neutral heading into the slip and once lined up I go up alongside the bulkhead to the cabin and slip the springline from bow around the outer-most piling - return to the helm and reverse the engine to reduce the snap to the dock line if I am still going to fast... I don't know how you are set up, but if you are maintaining power in order to keep steerage and you don't already have EZ-steer or similar, I highly recommend you add some sort of coupling between the rudder/post and your outboard. It will allow you greater turning capability at lower speeds.
Finger piers
If you have finger piers on both sides, then fix a sturdy line between the piers a few feet away from the dock. The bow hits the line and it acts as a stop. Use a line with some stretch, so it cushions the impact. I also tied a fender to the center of the line. Personally, I don't like the idea of anyone having to jump or step off the boat when docking. Too much potential for injury. Especially if the person falls between the boat and dock. I come in slowly under power and then use reverse to attain a full stop. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
If you have finger piers on both sides, then fix a sturdy line between the piers a few feet away from the dock. The bow hits the line and it acts as a stop. Use a line with some stretch, so it cushions the impact. I also tied a fender to the center of the line. Personally, I don't like the idea of anyone having to jump or step off the boat when docking. Too much potential for injury. Especially if the person falls between the boat and dock. I come in slowly under power and then use reverse to attain a full stop. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Backing In
I don't know if anyone else does it this way, however I find it much easier to back the boat into the slip. Especially when single handed. I have had my 260 for almost a year now and the dealer actually suggested this approach for me when I took delivery. If you have wheel steering it is very easy. Just stand on the other side of the wheel and stear as normal. You will still need enter the slip very slowly - in neutral if possible. Once your line up is assured - you can decide if you require any forward thrust to slow your approach. Most of the time I can step off the back of the boat very easily on to the beginning of the finger. This gives me a good 10 - 15 feet to slow the boat down with my own power and then slip a springline on as soon as possible. It also gives you the opportunity to push off the finger with your foot if your line-up gets off. Better to practice this with a few friends on each finger waiting on the dock.
I don't know if anyone else does it this way, however I find it much easier to back the boat into the slip. Especially when single handed. I have had my 260 for almost a year now and the dealer actually suggested this approach for me when I took delivery. If you have wheel steering it is very easy. Just stand on the other side of the wheel and stear as normal. You will still need enter the slip very slowly - in neutral if possible. Once your line up is assured - you can decide if you require any forward thrust to slow your approach. Most of the time I can step off the back of the boat very easily on to the beginning of the finger. This gives me a good 10 - 15 feet to slow the boat down with my own power and then slip a springline on as soon as possible. It also gives you the opportunity to push off the finger with your foot if your line-up gets off. Better to practice this with a few friends on each finger waiting on the dock.
Echo
I echo most of the above comments. Go in slow. I usually coast in. If go in with speed and try to slow up with reverse, prop walk comes into play. If you have a cross wind, you will find yourself crossways in the slip in no time and scaping the sides of the hull. The line bridle works great, but since I teach sailing, I do not currently have one on my slip. I recomend having crew, if you have crew, steping off next to the shrouds. They step over the lifeline and stand on the rub rail, holding on to the shrouds, just as the bow enters the slip and step off as soon as the end of the finger reaches the beam. Of couse they have a bowline in hand and use it on a dock cleat to slow and stop the boat.
I echo most of the above comments. Go in slow. I usually coast in. If go in with speed and try to slow up with reverse, prop walk comes into play. If you have a cross wind, you will find yourself crossways in the slip in no time and scaping the sides of the hull. The line bridle works great, but since I teach sailing, I do not currently have one on my slip. I recomend having crew, if you have crew, steping off next to the shrouds. They step over the lifeline and stand on the rub rail, holding on to the shrouds, just as the bow enters the slip and step off as soon as the end of the finger reaches the beam. Of couse they have a bowline in hand and use it on a dock cleat to slow and stop the boat.
Agreed...
"Personally, I don't like the idea of anyone having to jump or step off the boat when docking. Too much potential for injury. Especially if the person falls between the boat and dock. I come in slowly under power and then use reverse to attain a full stop." -I use the same procedure as do many others. S/V Elan
"Personally, I don't like the idea of anyone having to jump or step off the boat when docking. Too much potential for injury. Especially if the person falls between the boat and dock. I come in slowly under power and then use reverse to attain a full stop." -I use the same procedure as do many others. S/V Elan
Backwards,best way
since you see closely how fast you are aproaching and presumes you already slowed down to gear in reverse. Aditionaly you get in-out the boat easily,the way it was designed for. And the best ,no accidents.
since you see closely how fast you are aproaching and presumes you already slowed down to gear in reverse. Aditionaly you get in-out the boat easily,the way it was designed for. And the best ,no accidents.
On backing in.
I prefer to do so cause it's easier for the kids and anyone to board. BUT, if you are having problems (all dockings are controlled crashes) then I WOULD NOT BACK IN. It's usually cheap to "kiss the dock" with the bow but not so with the stern (pesky little motor and rudder). The others seem to have a better sense of using spring lines then me. I do best when doing it alone without help and using the kicker sparingly. I share the reservation on having anyone jumping off the boat during docking manuvers. alan
I prefer to do so cause it's easier for the kids and anyone to board. BUT, if you are having problems (all dockings are controlled crashes) then I WOULD NOT BACK IN. It's usually cheap to "kiss the dock" with the bow but not so with the stern (pesky little motor and rudder). The others seem to have a better sense of using spring lines then me. I do best when doing it alone without help and using the kicker sparingly. I share the reservation on having anyone jumping off the boat during docking manuvers. alan
- Status