High Winds
- Thread starter Wkemple
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I am on an end slip as well. Whenever I have the wind on the beam blowing me into the dock I remove all but the forward spring line (the one attached to the bow), and put the motor in forward which will drive the boat forward until the line is tight, then the stern will swing out away from the dock into the wind, when I am far enough off the dock with the stern I have someone toss off the bow line (single handing would be a little trickier) and throw it hard into reverse.
this video demonstrates exactly what I do, even though they call it the aft spring line...
http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/aft_spring_line_wmv0.htm
this video demonstrates exactly what I do, even though they call it the aft spring line...
http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/aft_spring_line_wmv0.htm
The Spring line secret
All kinds of good advice, but everyone seems to have missed the single most important lines to use for controlled turning of a boat: Spring lines. The following works well for a boat that docks stern to the end of the dock, and will be the envy of all your dockmates, as well as being the safest way to handle the situation.
Rig permanent taut lines between the inner and outer pilings on both sides of the slip, with a running block with attached sheave riding on each of the taut lines. Then attach a polypropylene (so it will float) line to the midship cleat on the upwind side of the boat, pass the line through the running block, and tie it off at the stern cleat. So when the boat is still tied up the spring line is tight and the block is fairly close to the aft piling at the dock. Then tie another polyprop line (if singlehanding) to the forward cleat on the windward side, and pass it either around the outer piling or through a second block located near the front of the windward taut line, and lead it aft and tie off also where handy from the cockpit.
Now then when ready to leave release both forward and aft downwind docking lines and stow. Release the aft windward docking line and stow, as the aft end of the boat will be held by the windward spring line. Then slacken both the forward and aft polyprop lines so that the boat hangs centered in the slip. She is completely stable at this point. If singlehanding release and stow the windward forward dock line.
Now goose the engine in forward--the higher the wind the greater the engine speed. As the boat begins to move forward pay out on the forward polyprop line to prevent the bow from falling off downwind across the slip. No need to pay out on the aft polyprop spring line as the forward motion of the boat merely pulls the running block forward. Te boat will move straight as an arrow out the slip.
When the forward block is near the forward end release the forward polyprop line and simply let it go in the water--it will float and not snag the prop. Then as the boat surges forward keep a tension on the aft spring line until it begins to turn the boat upwind by pivoting around the forward piling due to its tension (provided by your pull). Pay out gradually on this spring line and increase engine thrust and the boat will neatly swing and pivot around the outer piling and face all the way into the wind (assuming a crosswind). Pay out the spring gradually as the boat speed builds and let it slip through the running block when at its end. It will simply trail alongside and float.
Power to a safe distance or location, idle the engine, and retrieve both forward and aft springs, and enjoy the neat maneuver accomplished.
I have done this several times (without the need for a forward spring as my wife handled the forward dock line), but it should work as well singlehanded with two springs.
Spring lines--the least understood and most under-utilized lines on a boat.
All kinds of good advice, but everyone seems to have missed the single most important lines to use for controlled turning of a boat: Spring lines. The following works well for a boat that docks stern to the end of the dock, and will be the envy of all your dockmates, as well as being the safest way to handle the situation.
Rig permanent taut lines between the inner and outer pilings on both sides of the slip, with a running block with attached sheave riding on each of the taut lines. Then attach a polypropylene (so it will float) line to the midship cleat on the upwind side of the boat, pass the line through the running block, and tie it off at the stern cleat. So when the boat is still tied up the spring line is tight and the block is fairly close to the aft piling at the dock. Then tie another polyprop line (if singlehanding) to the forward cleat on the windward side, and pass it either around the outer piling or through a second block located near the front of the windward taut line, and lead it aft and tie off also where handy from the cockpit.
Now then when ready to leave release both forward and aft downwind docking lines and stow. Release the aft windward docking line and stow, as the aft end of the boat will be held by the windward spring line. Then slacken both the forward and aft polyprop lines so that the boat hangs centered in the slip. She is completely stable at this point. If singlehanding release and stow the windward forward dock line.
Now goose the engine in forward--the higher the wind the greater the engine speed. As the boat begins to move forward pay out on the forward polyprop line to prevent the bow from falling off downwind across the slip. No need to pay out on the aft polyprop spring line as the forward motion of the boat merely pulls the running block forward. Te boat will move straight as an arrow out the slip.
When the forward block is near the forward end release the forward polyprop line and simply let it go in the water--it will float and not snag the prop. Then as the boat surges forward keep a tension on the aft spring line until it begins to turn the boat upwind by pivoting around the forward piling due to its tension (provided by your pull). Pay out gradually on this spring line and increase engine thrust and the boat will neatly swing and pivot around the outer piling and face all the way into the wind (assuming a crosswind). Pay out the spring gradually as the boat speed builds and let it slip through the running block when at its end. It will simply trail alongside and float.
Power to a safe distance or location, idle the engine, and retrieve both forward and aft springs, and enjoy the neat maneuver accomplished.
I have done this several times (without the need for a forward spring as my wife handled the forward dock line), but it should work as well singlehanded with two springs.
Spring lines--the least understood and most under-utilized lines on a boat.
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