Has anyone bought or seen this product in use? I'm very interested in docking without having anyone jumping off the boat.
Singlehand docking
- Thread starter steve22012
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Training wheels
Part of the fund of boating and sailing is the art of docking. It take 5-10 tries to get the rhythm, cadence and spacing down to a respectable level. I recall as a newbie the guy in the next slip hollering, "Got to give it power," because I was wishing the boat out the slip instead of using the prop gently. Experienced boaters can maneuver in and out without using a dock pole. The trick is to position the lines where they're easy to grab (or toss) without falling overboard. You should deploy crew members at the bow and mid-ship to grab a line or step onto the dock. People really want to be helpful. How they tie it up is irrelvant, for you can change it after they've left. Perhaps the most ambitious thing you can do is back into a slip. It's the mark of a real expert if he can perform a "no-hitter" by not bumping into anything. The rest of us use at least one piling to pivot the turn. When coming into the slip, check the wind to ascertain how it might blow you in or out or sideways. Try to compensate to let the wind help instead of hurt. The only line you need is the one that will prevent you from hitting the dock. The rest are details and can be done leisurely. No need for a Chinese fire drill, just secure the one line that counts. Usually a spring line. This is challenging but exhilerating, especially when the wind pipes up. While the big boats think they're struggling with their bow thrusters, we little guys are performing a ballet within the piers. Eventually you should relish the experience rather than have any anxiety over it.
Part of the fund of boating and sailing is the art of docking. It take 5-10 tries to get the rhythm, cadence and spacing down to a respectable level. I recall as a newbie the guy in the next slip hollering, "Got to give it power," because I was wishing the boat out the slip instead of using the prop gently. Experienced boaters can maneuver in and out without using a dock pole. The trick is to position the lines where they're easy to grab (or toss) without falling overboard. You should deploy crew members at the bow and mid-ship to grab a line or step onto the dock. People really want to be helpful. How they tie it up is irrelvant, for you can change it after they've left. Perhaps the most ambitious thing you can do is back into a slip. It's the mark of a real expert if he can perform a "no-hitter" by not bumping into anything. The rest of us use at least one piling to pivot the turn. When coming into the slip, check the wind to ascertain how it might blow you in or out or sideways. Try to compensate to let the wind help instead of hurt. The only line you need is the one that will prevent you from hitting the dock. The rest are details and can be done leisurely. No need for a Chinese fire drill, just secure the one line that counts. Usually a spring line. This is challenging but exhilerating, especially when the wind pipes up. While the big boats think they're struggling with their bow thrusters, we little guys are performing a ballet within the piers. Eventually you should relish the experience rather than have any anxiety over it.
Too Proud
It looks like it would make the entire process way too easy and take some of the excitement out of docking. Maybe when I am 80 and not so nimble. As far as leaving the boat I might be concerned how it would stand up in a big storm with the boat secured in it.
It looks like it would make the entire process way too easy and take some of the excitement out of docking. Maybe when I am 80 and not so nimble. As far as leaving the boat I might be concerned how it would stand up in a big storm with the boat secured in it.
It wouldn't work for me. everybody in our marina
docks stern first. It makes leaving easy. Nancy will take the boat out but she says that she will just catch the bow lines while I back into the slip. Not too tough with a north or south breeze but a west wind makes the turn very tricky.
docks stern first. It makes leaving easy. Nancy will take the boat out but she says that she will just catch the bow lines while I back into the slip. Not too tough with a north or south breeze but a west wind makes the turn very tricky.
Spring line
leave your lines, particularly your spring line where you can grab it when you return. Then just idle in (I always come in in reverse), grab the spring line and tie it off at the right length on your deck then coast to the right spot. Then use a boat hook (if you need one) to grab the other lines. I find that if I fix the spring line first, 90% of the work is done. Good luck.
leave your lines, particularly your spring line where you can grab it when you return. Then just idle in (I always come in in reverse), grab the spring line and tie it off at the right length on your deck then coast to the right spot. Then use a boat hook (if you need one) to grab the other lines. I find that if I fix the spring line first, 90% of the work is done. Good luck.
For a grand...?
Not that its necessary to add any more to the above, but I can think of a never-ending list of useful things to which that 1000 dollars can go!
Not that its necessary to add any more to the above, but I can think of a never-ending list of useful things to which that 1000 dollars can go!
What happens when
you are pushed by wind, current or mistake to the outside of that thing. The ends of it seem like they would, at the very least, scratch the hull and at the very worst punch a hole. I'm sure that the company thought of that but I can't find anything on the site that says or shows what keep it from ahppening. Also, I can see it making someone lazy and when it comes time to dock somewhere other than your own slip, it may end up being diffcult! Just one sailor's humble opinion! Jack Manning S/V Victim of Fate Atlantic CIty, NJ
you are pushed by wind, current or mistake to the outside of that thing. The ends of it seem like they would, at the very least, scratch the hull and at the very worst punch a hole. I'm sure that the company thought of that but I can't find anything on the site that says or shows what keep it from ahppening. Also, I can see it making someone lazy and when it comes time to dock somewhere other than your own slip, it may end up being diffcult! Just one sailor's humble opinion! Jack Manning S/V Victim of Fate Atlantic CIty, NJ
No one needs to jump off...Those gimmicks
will cause you to depend on it instead of correctly docking your boat. What will you do at a strange marina when it's not available? Like others have said pull in slow grab a spring line and step, not jump, off.
will cause you to depend on it instead of correctly docking your boat. What will you do at a strange marina when it's not available? Like others have said pull in slow grab a spring line and step, not jump, off.
Docking by Braille?
Be the first one in your marina to advertise that your docking skills need help? No thanks. It also removes the option of backing in if you choose to, you would have to store the gadget before you could turn the boat around. Was $1195 ... now $995 ... because demand is so high? or because they aren't selling very many? If you can't figure out how to put the boat in the slip you use most without this thing, what do you do to get to the gas dock or pump-out? What do you do while out cruising and you don't know the dock? We need to be able to "park" our boats anywhere we choose to. Would it make sense to put guard rails in your garage so you can park the car?
Be the first one in your marina to advertise that your docking skills need help? No thanks. It also removes the option of backing in if you choose to, you would have to store the gadget before you could turn the boat around. Was $1195 ... now $995 ... because demand is so high? or because they aren't selling very many? If you can't figure out how to put the boat in the slip you use most without this thing, what do you do to get to the gas dock or pump-out? What do you do while out cruising and you don't know the dock? We need to be able to "park" our boats anywhere we choose to. Would it make sense to put guard rails in your garage so you can park the car?
A bunch of reasons not have that thing
not the least of which is the boat-buck size hole it'll leave in your wallet. If you really want to throw your money away I'd be happy to send you my mailing address. Actually, there are situations when some rigged up help is a good idea. Our present slip has tidal current that rips at a 45 degree angle to our finger pier. When a big tide is flooding it moves us away from the pier at nearly 2 knots. Even coming in hot we'd get shoved into the boat next to us before we could even get half way in. That device wouldn't help because we'd be out of shape before we could even get to it. Yeah, yeah, there's plenty of folks who dock beautifully every time or back in without touching a fender. Just don't believe any of that happens when conditions are truly snotty. It IS okay to cheat, especially when safety is involved. What we did was run a taut line from the outer piling between our slip and our neighbor's to a cleat on the dock directly forward of our bow. When we get pushed that way by current and/or wind the line running diagonally across our slip keeps us corralled the ENTIRE time we enter the slip. If you're single handing just rig a set of lines into a "V" at the bow of your slip so you can enter and leave at leisure without any (God forbid) leaping to the dock.
not the least of which is the boat-buck size hole it'll leave in your wallet. If you really want to throw your money away I'd be happy to send you my mailing address. Actually, there are situations when some rigged up help is a good idea. Our present slip has tidal current that rips at a 45 degree angle to our finger pier. When a big tide is flooding it moves us away from the pier at nearly 2 knots. Even coming in hot we'd get shoved into the boat next to us before we could even get half way in. That device wouldn't help because we'd be out of shape before we could even get to it. Yeah, yeah, there's plenty of folks who dock beautifully every time or back in without touching a fender. Just don't believe any of that happens when conditions are truly snotty. It IS okay to cheat, especially when safety is involved. What we did was run a taut line from the outer piling between our slip and our neighbor's to a cleat on the dock directly forward of our bow. When we get pushed that way by current and/or wind the line running diagonally across our slip keeps us corralled the ENTIRE time we enter the slip. If you're single handing just rig a set of lines into a "V" at the bow of your slip so you can enter and leave at leisure without any (God forbid) leaping to the dock.
Buy it
You want to look cool right? Don't you have at least three muscle building machines in your weight room at home? You have a weight room right? Don't you have a landscaper do your yard? DOn't you belong to the best Country Club and best Marina? I mean, if you drank beer, then I'd say forget it, but you drink Scotch or Bourbon, right? And you want to look cool docking your boat right! How cool do you look jumping off the boat, or having someone do it for you? With this thing, you show you are tops. Besides, it slices and dices right? Popeil bow catcher. Saw it on late nite TV.
You want to look cool right? Don't you have at least three muscle building machines in your weight room at home? You have a weight room right? Don't you have a landscaper do your yard? DOn't you belong to the best Country Club and best Marina? I mean, if you drank beer, then I'd say forget it, but you drink Scotch or Bourbon, right? And you want to look cool docking your boat right! How cool do you look jumping off the boat, or having someone do it for you? With this thing, you show you are tops. Besides, it slices and dices right? Popeil bow catcher. Saw it on late nite TV.
Steve, some interesting references for you:
1. Backing In -- http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=20&sku=2003294101114.68&id=174246&ptl=Backing%20Into%20Slips&id=174246 2. Springlines -- http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=20&sku=2003107105313.14&id=188557&ptl=Spring%20lines#2003108120410.70 (if you have rings on your dock it's a bummer) 3. Springlines Part II -- http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=20&sku=2003132120545.57&id=192002&ptl=Slip%20docking#2003132180218.20
1. Backing In -- http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=20&sku=2003294101114.68&id=174246&ptl=Backing%20Into%20Slips&id=174246 2. Springlines -- http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=20&sku=2003107105313.14&id=188557&ptl=Spring%20lines#2003108120410.70 (if you have rings on your dock it's a bummer) 3. Springlines Part II -- http://archives.sailboatowners.com/pviewarch.htm?fno=20&sku=2003132120545.57&id=192002&ptl=Slip%20docking#2003132180218.20
are you guys too proud for help?
So whats wrong with help? it seems all you guys are worried that if you are a real sailor you should know how to dock? I know someone who jumped off the boat to catch the lines and almost severed their arm. If you have a permanent dock spot, it would help to make it easier to take out friends and family without stress. If you are a real sailor, then you could dock at other places too. Maybe you should see the product in use first? I don't know if anyone has shopped for stuff for their boat - especially Hunters - but everything cost big bucks. Electronics are expensive to buy new or used, and expensive to fix. At least you are getting a product that will last. Pete M Not afraid of trying new things...
So whats wrong with help? it seems all you guys are worried that if you are a real sailor you should know how to dock? I know someone who jumped off the boat to catch the lines and almost severed their arm. If you have a permanent dock spot, it would help to make it easier to take out friends and family without stress. If you are a real sailor, then you could dock at other places too. Maybe you should see the product in use first? I don't know if anyone has shopped for stuff for their boat - especially Hunters - but everything cost big bucks. Electronics are expensive to buy new or used, and expensive to fix. At least you are getting a product that will last. Pete M Not afraid of trying new things...
Practice & learn , Steve
Let's say you install that gadget and it does everything you hope it will: what happens when you have to dock somewhere else, at another marina, a fuel dock etc etc. You're screwed. Docking is a skill that you have to master and you should be able to do it single-handed, at least 98% of the time. Practice , preferably without the distractions of crew & passengers.
Let's say you install that gadget and it does everything you hope it will: what happens when you have to dock somewhere else, at another marina, a fuel dock etc etc. You're screwed. Docking is a skill that you have to master and you should be able to do it single-handed, at least 98% of the time. Practice , preferably without the distractions of crew & passengers.
Steve...
I practice docking at the launch ramp. Sometimes our launch ramp is not busy so I will approach, land, castoff, back in, and a few other creative things, like pivot turns. The key really is to practice. When the wife and I go out, she knows which side of the boat to exit when docking. She's learned that when I come in, I am at a mere 1 kt and by the time I am about ready to gently touch the dock, I am at .5 kt with the motor in reverse. Even when I am single handed it is easy for me to dock and exit the boat, but not in reverse.
Practice my friend, save your money for a nice toy.
I practice docking at the launch ramp. Sometimes our launch ramp is not busy so I will approach, land, castoff, back in, and a few other creative things, like pivot turns. The key really is to practice. When the wife and I go out, she knows which side of the boat to exit when docking. She's learned that when I come in, I am at a mere 1 kt and by the time I am about ready to gently touch the dock, I am at .5 kt with the motor in reverse. Even when I am single handed it is easy for me to dock and exit the boat, but not in reverse.
Practice my friend, save your money for a nice toy.
Steve, did you jump in with both feet!!!
Steve, Everyone developes ways of docking. I understand your desire to make it safe and easy. If you are docking in a normally cross wind dock, the process is difficult and different every time with wind speed or current. You can rig your dock with soft line to help your docking process similar to the product you are looking at. One thing before you spend money is to evaluate your docking technic in each wind position. Then make sure you evaluate the wind on the way into and out of you slip. Some days may be rough even for the seasoned sailor, and when unsure, do a drive by and ask dockside people to help. ( this may open a new can of worms, just because they are dockside, doesn't mean they know how to help. Chose the dockside help when possible.) Learn which way your boat responds the best when backing or moving forward. The turn of the prop effects that. If it is an outboard, the side of the boat that the motor is mounted combined with the turn of the prop affect manuvering. One of the guys at my lake backs into his slip and does it the same every time. Wind or no wind he pulls past his spot,(his boat backs well to starboard, so he always backs to starboard.) He has developed a line system that is intresting. He has a bow line that will reach to the stearn. On that line, he has a stainless ring about 2" in diameter. As he approaches the dock in reverse, he puts the boat in neutral, steps off the boat, hooks the ring on the cleat at the end of the dock and tails that line as he works the stearn in. That line in the ring allows him to control his bow into the dock with his hand on the stern pushpit, 27' away. He practised this manuver again and again in no wind situations until it was a habit. He loves to take others sailing, he may have 4 people on the boat but when he is docking, stand aside, he is a singlehanded docker. If you have been out with him before, once he is off the boat, you know what might make things easier for him, but don't mess with his system. Most of docking is learning your boat. The pitch on my prop pulls my stearn to port. I mostly dock on the starboard side. So if I come in hot and hit reverse, the stern comes off the dock. If the wind is from the starboard, it makes a simple docking manuver difficult. It doesn't normally effect the outcome until the wind is about 15 knots. Then I recruit help or run like crazy to do the manuver. Steve, everyone is different. If you think this devise will insure that you don't mash the boat, great! Before you buy it, think of ways you can insure yourself of less expensive ways of secrue docking. That way you will be confident and not worry about some cruising to other areas. The wind and current are the things you must be aware of. r.w.landau
Steve, Everyone developes ways of docking. I understand your desire to make it safe and easy. If you are docking in a normally cross wind dock, the process is difficult and different every time with wind speed or current. You can rig your dock with soft line to help your docking process similar to the product you are looking at. One thing before you spend money is to evaluate your docking technic in each wind position. Then make sure you evaluate the wind on the way into and out of you slip. Some days may be rough even for the seasoned sailor, and when unsure, do a drive by and ask dockside people to help. ( this may open a new can of worms, just because they are dockside, doesn't mean they know how to help. Chose the dockside help when possible.) Learn which way your boat responds the best when backing or moving forward. The turn of the prop effects that. If it is an outboard, the side of the boat that the motor is mounted combined with the turn of the prop affect manuvering. One of the guys at my lake backs into his slip and does it the same every time. Wind or no wind he pulls past his spot,(his boat backs well to starboard, so he always backs to starboard.) He has developed a line system that is intresting. He has a bow line that will reach to the stearn. On that line, he has a stainless ring about 2" in diameter. As he approaches the dock in reverse, he puts the boat in neutral, steps off the boat, hooks the ring on the cleat at the end of the dock and tails that line as he works the stearn in. That line in the ring allows him to control his bow into the dock with his hand on the stern pushpit, 27' away. He practised this manuver again and again in no wind situations until it was a habit. He loves to take others sailing, he may have 4 people on the boat but when he is docking, stand aside, he is a singlehanded docker. If you have been out with him before, once he is off the boat, you know what might make things easier for him, but don't mess with his system. Most of docking is learning your boat. The pitch on my prop pulls my stearn to port. I mostly dock on the starboard side. So if I come in hot and hit reverse, the stern comes off the dock. If the wind is from the starboard, it makes a simple docking manuver difficult. It doesn't normally effect the outcome until the wind is about 15 knots. Then I recruit help or run like crazy to do the manuver. Steve, everyone is different. If you think this devise will insure that you don't mash the boat, great! Before you buy it, think of ways you can insure yourself of less expensive ways of secrue docking. That way you will be confident and not worry about some cruising to other areas. The wind and current are the things you must be aware of. r.w.landau
Don't buy, unless you want people laughing at you.
...definitely will give other sailors something to talk about.
...definitely will give other sailors something to talk about.
Use fenders
I have two small fenders attached to the pier where my bow would hit. If conditions are iffy, I just nudge the bow into those fenders, use slight forward pressure from the engine to keep it there while I tie off the stern line, and then pull in the bow line wth the boathook. That done, you can shut off the engine and finish the job.
I have two small fenders attached to the pier where my bow would hit. If conditions are iffy, I just nudge the bow into those fenders, use slight forward pressure from the engine to keep it there while I tie off the stern line, and then pull in the bow line wth the boathook. That done, you can shut off the engine and finish the job.
stay off the bow...
I didn't take the time to read all the responses, so if this has been mentioned...sorry. First... you can take a lot of boat handling lessons for a thousand dollars! More importantly, You or your crew should never depart the boat from the bow- even after the boat is tied up. The bow is skinny and very far from the dock. You or your crew should stand outside the lifelines, at the WIDEST part of the boat, holding on to the shrouds, then step off, not jump off, onto the dock. You or you crew should have the forward spring line in hand to bend around the dock cleat to check the boat's progress. In a finger slip, you can step calmly off the boat and walk to the front and "catch" the boat as it drifts in. The helmsman should know how to shift the motor into forward or reverse and maneuver the rudder to bring the boat close enough to the dock so there isn't a 3 foot gap to leap over. See CHAPMAN'S. I can't emphasize this any greater.... standing at the bow is a useless position unless you're just going to toss a line to someone on the dock. Stand at the middle of the boat and step off. That docking catcher thing looks ridiculous. You can rig a couple of crossed dock lines to do the same thing. Besides, if you need that to get into your own slip, I suggest you move to a friendlier location. I think that thing might be handy in an unfamiliar, transient slip that has lots of current or adverse wind.
I didn't take the time to read all the responses, so if this has been mentioned...sorry. First... you can take a lot of boat handling lessons for a thousand dollars! More importantly, You or your crew should never depart the boat from the bow- even after the boat is tied up. The bow is skinny and very far from the dock. You or your crew should stand outside the lifelines, at the WIDEST part of the boat, holding on to the shrouds, then step off, not jump off, onto the dock. You or you crew should have the forward spring line in hand to bend around the dock cleat to check the boat's progress. In a finger slip, you can step calmly off the boat and walk to the front and "catch" the boat as it drifts in. The helmsman should know how to shift the motor into forward or reverse and maneuver the rudder to bring the boat close enough to the dock so there isn't a 3 foot gap to leap over. See CHAPMAN'S. I can't emphasize this any greater.... standing at the bow is a useless position unless you're just going to toss a line to someone on the dock. Stand at the middle of the boat and step off. That docking catcher thing looks ridiculous. You can rig a couple of crossed dock lines to do the same thing. Besides, if you need that to get into your own slip, I suggest you move to a friendlier location. I think that thing might be handy in an unfamiliar, transient slip that has lots of current or adverse wind.
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