Single Handed Docking

[Bill Roosa]

I have a long throughfare to go down to get to the slip. I approch on the slip side at about 0.75 knots. When I get to 3 slip away from mine I shift into neutral and start a turn to starboard away from the dock and into the throughfare. As the boat gets reaches a 45 degree turn I shift into reverse and gun the motor and turn hard to port. The stern is just shy of the outermost bollard and prop walk swings the stern past the bollard, stops the boat and begines to back it into the slip. when I get steerage I back of the hard to port rudder and guid the boat in. Easy-peazy. Not much current at my location but the wind does require slight changes to when things happen. Does not change the order however.

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

I have my preferences regarding docking from port or starboard side and, like Daveinet, I never know which ramp will be clear. Our docks at the ramp where I sail the most have cleats, so I come in as slow as possible with the dock on port side if possible. as soon as I'm sure the current wont drive us out of position, I drop the motor into neutral and loop a shortened stern line onto the nearest cleat. By then, the bow line has been run to the cockpit on the same side. As the stern line takes a bite on the cleat, and stops the boat, I can then step out to the dock and secure the bow line properly. Much more difficult if I must resort to docking from the starboard side as the controls for the kicker are all on the port side. So far , the Admiral has yet to safely bring the boat into a dock or assisted by operating the motor and shifting or shutting when needed.