I recently moved to a berth in San Francisco in a double slip with a port side tie and another boat to starboard about 2 feet away. The prevailing wind is almost directly abeam at 90 degrees and often 10-15 knots. I have learned how to handle coming in to the slip with the crosswind- by having more steerageway than normal and pointing the bow at the dock rather than trying to come stright in as I would without the crosswind. But the next question is how to gracefully leave the slip with the crosswind blowing from the same dirction. The problem is that as soon as the bow line is released the bow will blow over into the neighboring boat. If I back out of the slip I'm concerned about the stern being blown up the channel in the wrong direction before I can get steerageway in reverse. Any of you who have worked out a reliable method for leaving a slip when you have to back out with a 10-15 knot crosswind blowing you directly into the downwind boat in the slip and a relatively narrow channel behind you?
Seamanship challenge
- Thread starter Dave 85 Catalina 30
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Wind the boat
Try winding the boat with the one of the lines. A member of the crew keeps the line on the end of the boat nearest the fairway (bow or stern) and walks it back as the boat leaves the slip. If you want to take your lines with you then just run a line from the boat around the pile and back to the boat.
Try winding the boat with the one of the lines. A member of the crew keeps the line on the end of the boat nearest the fairway (bow or stern) and walks it back as the boat leaves the slip. If you want to take your lines with you then just run a line from the boat around the pile and back to the boat.
My method
When there's a north cross wind at my slip requires an extra pair of hands and the way my boat is berthed I have a boat on either side of me with coral lines fore and aft of the slip to keep me from drifting into my neighbors in my slip on normal conditions when all the lines are released but with a cross wind the boat gets pushed hard to port and sends the bow sprit and anchor towards my neighbor so I loop a line around the starboard coral line at the bow and have the crew hold it while all other lines are released and while I'm reversing the boat the loop follows the coral line till it reach's the pole then the crew either lets it just fall or pull one side of it to release it, I've found it easier to just let it fall and retrieve it later I thought about putting a block on the coral line that would transverse fore and aft but I don't get that cross wind that often.
When there's a north cross wind at my slip requires an extra pair of hands and the way my boat is berthed I have a boat on either side of me with coral lines fore and aft of the slip to keep me from drifting into my neighbors in my slip on normal conditions when all the lines are released but with a cross wind the boat gets pushed hard to port and sends the bow sprit and anchor towards my neighbor so I loop a line around the starboard coral line at the bow and have the crew hold it while all other lines are released and while I'm reversing the boat the loop follows the coral line till it reach's the pole then the crew either lets it just fall or pull one side of it to release it, I've found it easier to just let it fall and retrieve it later I thought about putting a block on the coral line that would transverse fore and aft but I don't get that cross wind that often.
Backing in
Can you back in? In my marina most of the sailboats slips are 90 degrees to the prevailing wind. Some of the smarter skippers don't fight it they back 150 yards down the channel and turn to the starboard into there slip. It's much easier to get out because you have steerage the moment you put the boat in gear.
Can you back in? In my marina most of the sailboats slips are 90 degrees to the prevailing wind. Some of the smarter skippers don't fight it they back 150 yards down the channel and turn to the starboard into there slip. It's much easier to get out because you have steerage the moment you put the boat in gear.
Start out on the channel
I get things going outside of the channel where there is plenty of room to squirrel around. Once I have steerage I head down the channel.
I get things going outside of the channel where there is plenty of room to squirrel around. Once I have steerage I head down the channel.
Similar problem
I used to have a similar problem back in WI in north windscoming over my port side, tied to the dock, with my bow facing east. It was compounded by prop walk to port and my 2 foot bowsprit which had a tendency to drift into my neighbor. Most boats wlak to port in reverse and if yours does, maybe this will help: In these conditions I would get a neighbor to walk the port side bowline down to the very end of my finger keeping the bow centered in the slip. I would power backwards, using the prop walk to port to stop my stern from blowing the wrong way. Because the dock hand is keeping the bow centered, the stern, attempting to pull to port, does not, in theory, drift downwind the wrong way. The idea was to keep the boat perpendicular to the wind until the bow could blow over w/o hitting my neighbor to stbd. As soon as the bow cleared, I let the wind blow the bow over and used another burst in reverse to walk the stern to port, which also encouraged the bow to move downwind.
I used to have a similar problem back in WI in north windscoming over my port side, tied to the dock, with my bow facing east. It was compounded by prop walk to port and my 2 foot bowsprit which had a tendency to drift into my neighbor. Most boats wlak to port in reverse and if yours does, maybe this will help: In these conditions I would get a neighbor to walk the port side bowline down to the very end of my finger keeping the bow centered in the slip. I would power backwards, using the prop walk to port to stop my stern from blowing the wrong way. Because the dock hand is keeping the bow centered, the stern, attempting to pull to port, does not, in theory, drift downwind the wrong way. The idea was to keep the boat perpendicular to the wind until the bow could blow over w/o hitting my neighbor to stbd. As soon as the bow cleared, I let the wind blow the bow over and used another burst in reverse to walk the stern to port, which also encouraged the bow to move downwind.
What if no dockhand
Higgs- I like your suggestion and was thinking of something similar. However, it is not always the case that a neighbor is available so my thought is that the same theory would work but instead having crew on the boat use a doubles port-side bowline around the forward cleat and with the crew on-board use s turn around the boat cleat to let the bowline slip as I back out. Only issue is that the angle will increase as the boat leaves and may still allow the bow to drift over.
Higgs- I like your suggestion and was thinking of something similar. However, it is not always the case that a neighbor is available so my thought is that the same theory would work but instead having crew on the boat use a doubles port-side bowline around the forward cleat and with the crew on-board use s turn around the boat cleat to let the bowline slip as I back out. Only issue is that the angle will increase as the boat leaves and may still allow the bow to drift over.
What if...
...you use a spring line from the bow back to the half way point on your finger pier. Crew could pull bow line in slightly as you hit reverse to attempt to counter prop walk and wind and then as you back up he (or she) dumps the bow line and takes up slack on the spring and it effectively becomes your new bow line as you continue back. Never tried that, but it might work. Another solution is if you have an end dock that once you are out of the slip you could do a touch and go on as crew jumps on from that spot.
...you use a spring line from the bow back to the half way point on your finger pier. Crew could pull bow line in slightly as you hit reverse to attempt to counter prop walk and wind and then as you back up he (or she) dumps the bow line and takes up slack on the spring and it effectively becomes your new bow line as you continue back. Never tried that, but it might work. Another solution is if you have an end dock that once you are out of the slip you could do a touch and go on as crew jumps on from that spot.
Higgs
has got it. Use an aft bow spring line--line goes from cleat on the bow to cleat at boat midpoint on the dock, where it passes around it and back to the boat. As your boat begins to back up a crew member slowly releases the spring line. Also use fenders between your boat and your neighbors while you are practising.
has got it. Use an aft bow spring line--line goes from cleat on the bow to cleat at boat midpoint on the dock, where it passes around it and back to the boat. As your boat begins to back up a crew member slowly releases the spring line. Also use fenders between your boat and your neighbors while you are practising.
I'll try higgs' suggestion
The aft spring from the bow around a middle cleat will work. With 2 crew, I can have one handle the release of the bow line and the other the aft spring. I'll practice on a day with a 5 knot breeze before attempting in 10-15 knots. And yes, I have 3 over-size finders on the starboard side to give both me and my slip-mate some peace of mind. Thanks to all for your suggestions and solving this "seamanship challenge".
The aft spring from the bow around a middle cleat will work. With 2 crew, I can have one handle the release of the bow line and the other the aft spring. I'll practice on a day with a 5 knot breeze before attempting in 10-15 knots. And yes, I have 3 over-size finders on the starboard side to give both me and my slip-mate some peace of mind. Thanks to all for your suggestions and solving this "seamanship challenge".
We used to have that problem with our 40.5
We used to have the exact scenario you describe when our 40.5 was in Seattle. Assuming you have someone else with you, this is how we would leave our slip when the wind was blowing us into the boat to our starboard. 1. The key is to have a temporary bow line that your crew can let go while standing on the bow. 2. Also have a temporary stern line that the skipper lets go of in the cockpit. 3. Since our boat pulls to port when first going astern, the skipper lets go of the stern line first. The result is that the stern starts to angle out starboard towards the other boat. 4. Once the stern has moved about a foot towards the other boat, have your crew drop the bow line, and at the same time throttle up in reverse. 5. The boat should straighten out, since reverse is pulling in your stern to port. This always worked for us.
We used to have the exact scenario you describe when our 40.5 was in Seattle. Assuming you have someone else with you, this is how we would leave our slip when the wind was blowing us into the boat to our starboard. 1. The key is to have a temporary bow line that your crew can let go while standing on the bow. 2. Also have a temporary stern line that the skipper lets go of in the cockpit. 3. Since our boat pulls to port when first going astern, the skipper lets go of the stern line first. The result is that the stern starts to angle out starboard towards the other boat. 4. Once the stern has moved about a foot towards the other boat, have your crew drop the bow line, and at the same time throttle up in reverse. 5. The boat should straighten out, since reverse is pulling in your stern to port. This always worked for us.
Use spring lines.
You mentioned a narrow channel. I do not see so much of a problem in leaving the slip as being able to get out in the fairway with the boat pointed in the right direction. Windage is not so much of a factor when you are nestled in among other boats. Current and reverse prop walk will be more of an issue. The use of docklines will allow you to control the boat until you gain stearage. Once you get out into the fairway you will now be at the mercy of the wind. I visit a marina up a river that has a very strong current which turns my underpowered boat as soon as I leave the slip so that I'm facing the wrong way. The first couple of times I backed up all the way down to the end of the docks but then I found it was easier to turn the boat around on its axis by using prop walk. You get in the center of the fairway and gain some momemtum forward then shift into reverse as you turn and lock your wheel to starboard. That will accentuate the kicking of the stern out with little or no forward motion. As the momemtum dies shift into forward with the wheel locked and alternate shifting from reverse to forward until the boat comes around. Practice manuever in calm conditions and you will see it can be done with very little throtle. For livelier conditions adjust throtle accordingly. I seen a boat in Key West that was faced with the same predicament of having to go out into a narrow fairway with a stiff brezze blowing in the wron direction. He tied a dock line to his stern port side cleat, he let out about 50 ft of line and wrapped the line around a pole handing the bitter end for a dockhand to hold. He then proceeded to back up straight at maximum acceleration. When that line hit the end the momemtum that he carried spun that boat on that back cleat pivoting the boat to starboard. As soon as the boat was turned he engaged forward and requested the line be dropped to be retreived by one of his crew. Mind you this was a 40' boat that he turned against adverse conditions in a nearly 50' fairway and made it look easy. I have not had the need to attempt such a manuever but will keep it in my arsenal should the need arise. When docking I do regularly tie a stern line to a pole on the side of the finger pier and let the boat stear itself against the dock while I tend to picking up other lines. Figure out the best way to use your docklines and practice. Experimenting a little does not hurt. There is nothing wrong with deploying and using fenders.
You mentioned a narrow channel. I do not see so much of a problem in leaving the slip as being able to get out in the fairway with the boat pointed in the right direction. Windage is not so much of a factor when you are nestled in among other boats. Current and reverse prop walk will be more of an issue. The use of docklines will allow you to control the boat until you gain stearage. Once you get out into the fairway you will now be at the mercy of the wind. I visit a marina up a river that has a very strong current which turns my underpowered boat as soon as I leave the slip so that I'm facing the wrong way. The first couple of times I backed up all the way down to the end of the docks but then I found it was easier to turn the boat around on its axis by using prop walk. You get in the center of the fairway and gain some momemtum forward then shift into reverse as you turn and lock your wheel to starboard. That will accentuate the kicking of the stern out with little or no forward motion. As the momemtum dies shift into forward with the wheel locked and alternate shifting from reverse to forward until the boat comes around. Practice manuever in calm conditions and you will see it can be done with very little throtle. For livelier conditions adjust throtle accordingly. I seen a boat in Key West that was faced with the same predicament of having to go out into a narrow fairway with a stiff brezze blowing in the wron direction. He tied a dock line to his stern port side cleat, he let out about 50 ft of line and wrapped the line around a pole handing the bitter end for a dockhand to hold. He then proceeded to back up straight at maximum acceleration. When that line hit the end the momemtum that he carried spun that boat on that back cleat pivoting the boat to starboard. As soon as the boat was turned he engaged forward and requested the line be dropped to be retreived by one of his crew. Mind you this was a 40' boat that he turned against adverse conditions in a nearly 50' fairway and made it look easy. I have not had the need to attempt such a manuever but will keep it in my arsenal should the need arise. When docking I do regularly tie a stern line to a pole on the side of the finger pier and let the boat stear itself against the dock while I tend to picking up other lines. Figure out the best way to use your docklines and practice. Experimenting a little does not hurt. There is nothing wrong with deploying and using fenders.
Hi Ted,
I take a 1/2 inch three strand line a tie it from the pole to the dock about a foot above the water at mid tide on each side of the boat so when I'm either leaving or coming into the slip the boat won't drift any farther then these "corral" lines It seems to work pretty well when I'm single handling the boat except of coarse when its blowing out of the north and even though I have the line the bow over hangs it and my bow sprit and anchor come a little too close to my neighbors boat. I learned this from a friend of mine whos been doing this for years and this year I'm going to try to run a line across from each corral line near the bow to keep the boat from hitting the dock as I pull in,I have spring lines that I grab on the way in and take the loops and put them over my winch's and thats been the breaks but when I'm by myself I've got to act fast to get them on both winches.
I take a 1/2 inch three strand line a tie it from the pole to the dock about a foot above the water at mid tide on each side of the boat so when I'm either leaving or coming into the slip the boat won't drift any farther then these "corral" lines It seems to work pretty well when I'm single handling the boat except of coarse when its blowing out of the north and even though I have the line the bow over hangs it and my bow sprit and anchor come a little too close to my neighbors boat. I learned this from a friend of mine whos been doing this for years and this year I'm going to try to run a line across from each corral line near the bow to keep the boat from hitting the dock as I pull in,I have spring lines that I grab on the way in and take the loops and put them over my winch's and thats been the breaks but when I'm by myself I've got to act fast to get them on both winches.
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