I have a new C320 which I dock in a "U" slip. the wind is predominately from the west or over my stern. As my wife works and is not always available, I would like to sail by myself during weekdays. However, I'm a little nervous about the docking alone. Does anyone have any good suggestions or tips about casting off and docking alone? Thanks,Pat
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Practice
I practiced (and still do!) when I have others with me. That way, if I get into trouble (not uncommon), they can fend off or whatever. LaDonna
I practiced (and still do!) when I have others with me. That way, if I get into trouble (not uncommon), they can fend off or whatever. LaDonna
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Tim Dranttel
A few tricks
Pat, Practice is the key. Here are some things I have seen done and/or work for me. For coming into the slip I have seen people run two spring lines diagonally across the slip in such a manner that they cross right before the dock. I guess the theory is that you can drive the boat right into the slip and the big X keeps the bow centered and then stops the boat before the big crunch. I've seen others who'll put fenders on the lines to keep the bow from riding up and over the lines. For me I mark each of my lines with whipping twine where they meet the cleat so I can quickly adjust them. On the spring lines that keep me off the dock (my set-up is the same as yours)I put an overhand loop at the appropriate spot. I then hang the spring lines on the two outside pilings along with the two stern lines. Coming into the dock I slow the boat as much as possible and then passing the first set of pilings I grab the port spring line and loop it on the midship cleat and then run back and grab the port stern line and loop it over its cleat. Then as the spring line tightens I put the boat back into "slow ahead" and this configuration holds me against my small finger pier on the port side (fitted with a fender). I've actually used this arrangement to sail into the slip single-handed. In this case, (because I only sail into the slip when the wind is in my face as I go into the slip) you need to be quick to get a bow line on before the boat starts going astern. Leaving the slip is not too big of a problem. I slip all the downwind lines and then position the rudder to take into account the prop walk, Put the boat into idle reverse and run forward undo the bow line and then run aft and undo the stern line. If I have a choice I do try to back into the slip upon return, especially if I have people on board. That really makes leaving simple. Hope this helps Tim
Pat, Practice is the key. Here are some things I have seen done and/or work for me. For coming into the slip I have seen people run two spring lines diagonally across the slip in such a manner that they cross right before the dock. I guess the theory is that you can drive the boat right into the slip and the big X keeps the bow centered and then stops the boat before the big crunch. I've seen others who'll put fenders on the lines to keep the bow from riding up and over the lines. For me I mark each of my lines with whipping twine where they meet the cleat so I can quickly adjust them. On the spring lines that keep me off the dock (my set-up is the same as yours)I put an overhand loop at the appropriate spot. I then hang the spring lines on the two outside pilings along with the two stern lines. Coming into the dock I slow the boat as much as possible and then passing the first set of pilings I grab the port spring line and loop it on the midship cleat and then run back and grab the port stern line and loop it over its cleat. Then as the spring line tightens I put the boat back into "slow ahead" and this configuration holds me against my small finger pier on the port side (fitted with a fender). I've actually used this arrangement to sail into the slip single-handed. In this case, (because I only sail into the slip when the wind is in my face as I go into the slip) you need to be quick to get a bow line on before the boat starts going astern. Leaving the slip is not too big of a problem. I slip all the downwind lines and then position the rudder to take into account the prop walk, Put the boat into idle reverse and run forward undo the bow line and then run aft and undo the stern line. If I have a choice I do try to back into the slip upon return, especially if I have people on board. That really makes leaving simple. Hope this helps Tim
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Rhet Tignor
single handed docking
Fortunately, Catalinas have rub rails. My general technique is to back the the boat into the slip and get her stopped. The first line I want is a stern line (windward stern if there is a side wind). When the stern line is attached, I put the boat into forward or let the wind blow it out of the slip if the wind is coming over the stern. She will then hang fore & aft in the slip on the stern line. I'm willing for her to lay against the pilings on the lee side. I then put the springs on to keep her stern from the dock and can then usually turn the engine off. After that I catch the bow lines and the last stern line. Works for me. Practice, as I think another writer said.
Fortunately, Catalinas have rub rails. My general technique is to back the the boat into the slip and get her stopped. The first line I want is a stern line (windward stern if there is a side wind). When the stern line is attached, I put the boat into forward or let the wind blow it out of the slip if the wind is coming over the stern. She will then hang fore & aft in the slip on the stern line. I'm willing for her to lay against the pilings on the lee side. I then put the springs on to keep her stern from the dock and can then usually turn the engine off. After that I catch the bow lines and the last stern line. Works for me. Practice, as I think another writer said.
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Bob Camarena
Practice boat handling
Find a nice open area and drop an anchored bouy overboard (bleach bottle is fine). Then practice bringing your boat up to the bouy, stopping next to it, etc. Do it from different directions to get the hang of what the wind and current does. After a while you'll get the hang of controlling your boat with a burst of the throttle, shifting from forward to reverse, etc. After a while you'll even be able to "walk" your boat sideways with very little movement forward or back. All this will help you dock in any conditions.
Find a nice open area and drop an anchored bouy overboard (bleach bottle is fine). Then practice bringing your boat up to the bouy, stopping next to it, etc. Do it from different directions to get the hang of what the wind and current does. After a while you'll get the hang of controlling your boat with a burst of the throttle, shifting from forward to reverse, etc. After a while you'll even be able to "walk" your boat sideways with very little movement forward or back. All this will help you dock in any conditions.
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Joe
Leaving a downwind dock....
... the wind will try to blow the boat back towards it. Leave plenty of maneuvering room downwind by backing the boat as far across the causeway as possible before turning. Remember the boat pivots around the keel so you must be clear of the dock to allow the stern to swing around smartly. Ask someone to stand by till you are clear, just in case. If you do get too close to the dock to turn the boat out, get back into reverse, pull her back across and try again. When returning, take Bob's advice and learn to "walk" the boat by using short thrusts working with the wind and current. Have your spring line in hand and be ready to jump onto the windward dock as soon as possible. Wrap the line under the back part of the cleat using the leverage to slow the boats forward motion. Piece of cake, you're home.
... the wind will try to blow the boat back towards it. Leave plenty of maneuvering room downwind by backing the boat as far across the causeway as possible before turning. Remember the boat pivots around the keel so you must be clear of the dock to allow the stern to swing around smartly. Ask someone to stand by till you are clear, just in case. If you do get too close to the dock to turn the boat out, get back into reverse, pull her back across and try again. When returning, take Bob's advice and learn to "walk" the boat by using short thrusts working with the wind and current. Have your spring line in hand and be ready to jump onto the windward dock as soon as possible. Wrap the line under the back part of the cleat using the leverage to slow the boats forward motion. Piece of cake, you're home.
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Rob Rich
There was a great post about this..
About 4 months ago.. You can probably find it in the archives under singlehanding. One response was fantastic, and there were a bunch of other good ones too. Best Regards, Rob
About 4 months ago.. You can probably find it in the archives under singlehanding. One response was fantastic, and there were a bunch of other good ones too. Best Regards, Rob
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Larry Watkins
Singlehanded docking
Pat; The key to singlehanding any boat is keeping control, not letting the wind/current take it from you. You can put the boat in the slip and secure it with ONE line, a short line from a midships cleat to a cleat on the finger. (You may have to put a cleat in the right place on the finger. Entering your slip, come in with just enough speed to keep that control and just before you reach the point where the two cleats line up, give it a shot of throttle in reverse to STOP THE FORWARD MOTION. Don't try to stop the boat with a line on a cleat, your asking for trouble unless you really know how to do it; there's a right way and a wrong way. With the boat stopped, take your prepared line, with the loop on the midships cleat, and step lightly, no jumping, to the finger with the line in your hand, put a couple turns around the cleat on the finger. You have already put your fenders over the side, right? With that one line, you have control. The boat can't go forward, backward, or away from the finger. At your leisure, secure your other lines, which may or may not require removing/adjusting your first line, but the key is that first line. I frequently sail my Beneteau 40 singlehanded, and put it back into a single-finger slip by myself. Your right, if we waited for crew, we'd hardly ever go sailing! Good luck! Larry W.
Pat; The key to singlehanding any boat is keeping control, not letting the wind/current take it from you. You can put the boat in the slip and secure it with ONE line, a short line from a midships cleat to a cleat on the finger. (You may have to put a cleat in the right place on the finger. Entering your slip, come in with just enough speed to keep that control and just before you reach the point where the two cleats line up, give it a shot of throttle in reverse to STOP THE FORWARD MOTION. Don't try to stop the boat with a line on a cleat, your asking for trouble unless you really know how to do it; there's a right way and a wrong way. With the boat stopped, take your prepared line, with the loop on the midships cleat, and step lightly, no jumping, to the finger with the line in your hand, put a couple turns around the cleat on the finger. You have already put your fenders over the side, right? With that one line, you have control. The boat can't go forward, backward, or away from the finger. At your leisure, secure your other lines, which may or may not require removing/adjusting your first line, but the key is that first line. I frequently sail my Beneteau 40 singlehanded, and put it back into a single-finger slip by myself. Your right, if we waited for crew, we'd hardly ever go sailing! Good luck! Larry W.
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