Docking

Squidd · Apr 16, 2015

Go slower...seriously...

I come into the dock at an idle (slow as it'll go) in gear (no hand on throttle needed) just enough for rudder control...

And then the last 30'-40' from the dock I reach back and put it in neutral and "glide" in to dock....slowly, one hand on rudder and keeping an eye on the front of the boat...

Just as the front end of the boat approaches dock, reach back and hit reverse to bring boat to a stop...step off and secure line and then shut motor down...all at an "idle"

SailormanDan · Apr 16, 2015

"Never approach the dock any faster than you are willing to ram it."

I back in to my slip with the wind on my nose, so it's not quite the same, but I clip my spring line on as I go by to keep me from going in too far. You have to be very conscious of the line possibly getting wrapped around the propeller, so I don't do much jockeying after that, but don't usually have to.

Coming back from our test ride with the PO, his slip was the last one up against a bulkhead in the row closest to the shore and he coasted the boat in neutral for 30 yards through two turns and had bled off enough speed that he could shove the boat off the bulkhead and end up in the slip right where it was supposed to be.

Takes practice, but you'll get it.

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 16, 2015

rudder to motor connecting rod so when you steer coming in, the motor also turns with the rudder. Discuss that with me tonight when you call. gotta run.

SFKjeld · Apr 16, 2015

I am concerned about this as well. The notion of gliding the last 30 yards seems tough given the wind and current I see, especially late afternoon. I thought the answer would be throttle and tiller extensions. I was considering adding a motor control unit in the cockpit, but can't think of a good place to mount it. My tiller has the hardware to accept an extension, but I haven't done the homework to know which will fit. Curious about connecting the motor and rudder. See advantage for steering, but I am still way back in the cockpit.

SFKjeld · Apr 16, 2015

"Never approach the dock any faster than you are willing to ram it."

That is very good. Almost biblical.

Stu Jackson · Apr 16, 2015

Go faster, you'll have more control.

Do a Google search for Captain Jack Klang, he has some very good tutorials.

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 16, 2015

Ok gents. l use to teach my customers approaching the dock bow first with a crosswind, to angle the boat into the wind while keeping the boat going in straight and just at the last second, point the bow in straight and put the motor into reverse. That worked pretty well.

Pilots do that all the time with their planes if experiencing a crosswind keeping a straight course with that referred to crabbing. I am not sure where that term came up but it is what it is.

Tommy T · Apr 16, 2015

I don't believe there is any good answer to your question. Just about every docking situation will be different. The wind will be different the tide and current will be different.
Going slow is always a good idea in most situations.

mmsailor · Apr 16, 2015

Rick in FL said:
Hello Everyone,

We have a Hunter 26 and when I am docking the I find it is a little difficult to see the front of the boat when sitting in the cockpit and steering the rudder and keeping my other hand on the outboard throttle.

Does anybody have any suggestions for this? Or it is like parking a truck into a parking space...just have to imagine where the front of the boat is located.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thank you all.

Rick in FL

It takes parctice . We had our h23 for 15 years and I could pretty much put that boat where I wanted it and stop it where I wanted to . Back it up do whatever . We now have a new to us 23.5 . The motor is on the other side so different hands are performing different tasks . I never used a motor tiller connector I felt I had more options without that set up . docking this boat is all together different . We had to raise the centerboard coming in to the channel so we loose the benefits of that . It just feels clumsy to dock even after having it at the dock most of the summer . There were issues with the old outboard dying at the wrong time so we have corrected that with a new outboard . I know this year I will get it hopefully the way it was before with the 23 ,

SFKjeld · Apr 16, 2015

Ah, just dawned on me. Need a wireless video cam on the pulpit. Just watch your iPhone and bring her in slow.

Kermit · Apr 16, 2015

Crabbing works pretty well. Even with backing. It's not as easy backing as going head in but it still works. Not that going head in is easy either. And +1 on not going any faster than you're willing to hit the dock. Oh, and a little advice for new fathers: Pour only as much milk as you're willing to clean up.

sunman · Apr 16, 2015

SFKjeld said:
"Never approach the dock any faster than you are willing to ram it."

That is very good. Almost biblical.

that about sums it up

of all the advice given that was masterful

Juice6576 · Apr 17, 2015

I always stood up when coming in

Our 26 had remote engine controls. I always stood up and used my foot to move the engine lever.

Begynol · Apr 18, 2015

As per the original poster - I have a hard time seeing my mooring ball from the back of the boat as well. I have missed it too wide and even run over it - even harder to do if there is a current or crosswind - I sail in the Hudson. I got a stick for the line and it helps a bit but still not easy.

Rudder to motor looks really interesting. I wonder if it also can be used when mooring to lock the rudder in place - This usually turns to one side as i dash to the front of the boat trying to grab my mooring line and not kill myself in the process.

This has made single handed sailing very frustrating for me.

Ward H · Apr 18, 2015

I was so frustrated the first 1/2 dozen or so times my first season with my docking technique I really started questioning my ability to control my boat.
Then I was shown how to install a bridle system to keep my boat in the slip while docking and departing, no matter what the wind.
The bridle guides the boat in and if needed I can pick up one of the bridle lines and pull the boat in.
The fender on the bridle keeps me from hitting the dock if coming in too hot and the lines keep me from drifting into my neighbors boat.
That and learning to use a spring line to hold the boat against the finger pier has let me solo dock even when I have others on the boat.

As for extra controls on the OB, I steer with my rudder, leaving the OB straight. I only control the shifter and most times leave it at idle. I dock into the prevailing wind which does help.
Attached is a drawing of the bridle set up in my slip and a photo of the front of the bridle.

As other posters have said, "Never go faster than your willing to hit your dock"

MaxinCalgary · Apr 18, 2015

Begynol said:
As per the original poster - I have a hard time seeing my mooring ball from the back of the boat as well. I have missed it too wide and even run over it - even harder to do if there is a current or crosswind - I sail in the Hudson. I got a stick for the line and it helps a bit but still not easy. Rudder to motor looks really interesting. I wonder if it also can be used when mooring to lock the rudder in place - This usually turns to one side as i dash to the front of the boat trying to grab my mooring line and not kill myself in the process. This has made single handed sailing very frustrating for me.

If their is a strong wind and I'm sailing solo a technique that works for me is to have a line made that i tie too a forward cleat and is long enough for me to leave in the cockpit next to me. I have a large carabina on the end and I motor besides the mooring ball , attach the line ,put the engine in neutral and walk to the bow collecting the line as the boat falls off . That way I'm always in control.

Kermit · Apr 19, 2015

BOATUS Magazine had an article on picking up a mooring ball. They suggested to treat it like a man overboard. (Probably without the screaming and 911 calls, though.) I don't use a mooring ball so I'm only relaying what I read.

mmsailor · Apr 19, 2015

Ward H said:
I was so frustrated the first 1/2 dozen or so times my first season with my docking technique I really started questioning my ability to control my boat.
Then I was shown how to install a bridle system to keep my boat in the slip while docking and departing, no matter what the wind.
The bridle guides the boat in and if needed I can pick up one of the bridle lines and pull the boat in.
The fender on the bridle keeps me from hitting the dock if coming in too hot and the lines keep me from drifting into my neighbors boat.
That and learning to use a spring line to hold the boat against the finger pier has let me solo dock even when I have others on the boat.

As for extra controls on the OB, I steer with my rudder, leaving the OB straight. I only control the shifter and most times leave it at idle. I dock into the prevailing wind which does help.
Attached is a drawing of the bridle set up in my slip and a photo of the front of the bridle.

As other posters have said, "Never go faster than your willing to hit your dock"

The bridle is instersting but trying to figure out that the lines are attached to at the end of the dock

Ward H · Apr 19, 2015

mmsailor,
My slip has dock cleats on the dock. I use them for the dock end bridle lines. For actual dock lines I use the pilings.
The bumper has loops on each end so the bridle lines tie to the bumper to keep them from sliding back and forth.

Docking

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.