I need to dock my C28 single handed. There's a boat right next to me to port with nothing between us. Distance is between 2-3 feet. My finger pier is off to starboard and there's not much room. My prop wash sends the stern to port away from the dock. I have to make a port turn to get into the dock. Hard in reverse at this point slows the turn and pushes the stern away from the pier making it difficult to "jump" off and tie off. I thought there was a long thead on this a while back by Melody, but I can't seem to find it in the archive. Any help is appreciated. Mike Elmore Windward Hull C28 - Hull #7
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
M
Melody Miller
You are Correct
Hi Mike: Tis true that a long thread was developed on this topic. I saved a post at that time entitled "Backing the Boat" dated 5-15-99. The name of the thread was "Bow or stern in first?" Hopefully that will help in your search. I will recopy the post to the forum if you like, or send to you (e-mail your address to me at mjmiller@erols.com) Incidentally, the other day I watched the previous owner of my Catalina and his wife back their 31 foot Pacific Seacraft into the slip. Randy and Florence are very experienced sailors; they took my 27 ft Catalina from the Jersey shore to Nantucket. But it took them four attempts to get the Pacific Seacraft into that tiny space. Driving a boat is certainly not like driving a car!! Thanks Melody
Hi Mike: Tis true that a long thread was developed on this topic. I saved a post at that time entitled "Backing the Boat" dated 5-15-99. The name of the thread was "Bow or stern in first?" Hopefully that will help in your search. I will recopy the post to the forum if you like, or send to you (e-mail your address to me at mjmiller@erols.com) Incidentally, the other day I watched the previous owner of my Catalina and his wife back their 31 foot Pacific Seacraft into the slip. Randy and Florence are very experienced sailors; they took my 27 ft Catalina from the Jersey shore to Nantucket. But it took them four attempts to get the Pacific Seacraft into that tiny space. Driving a boat is certainly not like driving a car!! Thanks Melody
J
jamie
docking?????
Hi I dont know if there is one way to eliminate all the problems ,narrow slips ,wind currents,tide currents,prop walk to starboard, prop walk to port etc. but i found that a case of cold beer about $20.00 B.C.prices, at the first of the season and get to know all your close neighbors on the dock really helps to eliminate scratches and dings
Hi I dont know if there is one way to eliminate all the problems ,narrow slips ,wind currents,tide currents,prop walk to starboard, prop walk to port etc. but i found that a case of cold beer about $20.00 B.C.prices, at the first of the season and get to know all your close neighbors on the dock really helps to eliminate scratches and dings
M
Melody Miller
Here Comes the Bridle
Hi Mike: You will find that problems with singlehand docking are almost eliminated with a slip bridle. Hard to explain without a diagram, but a bridle is made by running lines within the slip space that creat a sort of V-shape that essentially prevents the bow from swinging to the right or the left when you motor in bow first. My slip neighbor singlehands his 28 ft Cape Dory uses one and I plan to make one for myself. (Just so happens that my boat is on the end so I don't have a space problem and less urgency to put one up.) Of course you have to get in a dingy to work in the slip. Here again send me your address and I'll sketch up how John rigged his bridle. Thanks Melody
Hi Mike: You will find that problems with singlehand docking are almost eliminated with a slip bridle. Hard to explain without a diagram, but a bridle is made by running lines within the slip space that creat a sort of V-shape that essentially prevents the bow from swinging to the right or the left when you motor in bow first. My slip neighbor singlehands his 28 ft Cape Dory uses one and I plan to make one for myself. (Just so happens that my boat is on the end so I don't have a space problem and less urgency to put one up.) Of course you have to get in a dingy to work in the slip. Here again send me your address and I'll sketch up how John rigged his bridle. Thanks Melody
S
Steve W
have the exact same situation...
and upgrading from a 21 with an outboard to a 28 inboard diesel, created all kinds of entertainment for my slip neighbors. The bridle that Melody suggests is a good idea. I use a simplified version of that idea by running a line from the port side stern piling along the port side of the boat, then to a cleat on the starboard bow side. The idea is to keep my bow from swinging into the boat on the port side, as well as guiding the bow over toward the dock on the starboard. Through much trial and error, I found that I was coming in way too slow, allowing current and wind to take over. By keep my speed up as I make the turn to port, I shift into neutral, turn, coast, shift to reverse, power up to stop,neutral, and drop the spring line on the starboard dock piling. Then, I put it into forward, and the spring line turns the bow toward the dock and stops the boat inperfect position to tie up the bow. Then put it in neutral, finish tying up and you are set. My boat has a 10 foot beam and the slip pilings are 11 feet apart, so it can be a challenge. Practice with some crew, and good luck..we've all been there.
and upgrading from a 21 with an outboard to a 28 inboard diesel, created all kinds of entertainment for my slip neighbors. The bridle that Melody suggests is a good idea. I use a simplified version of that idea by running a line from the port side stern piling along the port side of the boat, then to a cleat on the starboard bow side. The idea is to keep my bow from swinging into the boat on the port side, as well as guiding the bow over toward the dock on the starboard. Through much trial and error, I found that I was coming in way too slow, allowing current and wind to take over. By keep my speed up as I make the turn to port, I shift into neutral, turn, coast, shift to reverse, power up to stop,neutral, and drop the spring line on the starboard dock piling. Then, I put it into forward, and the spring line turns the bow toward the dock and stops the boat inperfect position to tie up the bow. Then put it in neutral, finish tying up and you are set. My boat has a 10 foot beam and the slip pilings are 11 feet apart, so it can be a challenge. Practice with some crew, and good luck..we've all been there.
R
Richard
one idea
If winds and currents are not much of a factor then go into neutral early and time it so that you don't have to use reverse. I try never to use reverse in my slip. Mine is so narrow I can't hang fenders so I am getting real good putting the boat in by coasting. I have an almost upwind slip so that helps to slow the boat.
If winds and currents are not much of a factor then go into neutral early and time it so that you don't have to use reverse. I try never to use reverse in my slip. Mine is so narrow I can't hang fenders so I am getting real good putting the boat in by coasting. I have an almost upwind slip so that helps to slow the boat.
D
Don
Docking singlehanded
With my C-30 I have always used the same method as Richard. I just time it coming in slow- keep the boat out of gear and try to not use reverse if possible. Often you can just lay her right up to the dock. I always nose in by myself - backing is a pain. In the end it just takes a lot of practice-and moving slow.
With my C-30 I have always used the same method as Richard. I just time it coming in slow- keep the boat out of gear and try to not use reverse if possible. Often you can just lay her right up to the dock. I always nose in by myself - backing is a pain. In the end it just takes a lot of practice-and moving slow.
F
Frank Slootman
Little trick for docking singlehandedly
I dock my C400 singlehanded all the time in a similar slip, very tight quarters, but downwind. I use one extra long dock line attached to the stern cleat (on the windward side)). When the boat is about a third/half way into the slip, I stall the boat, walk forward to about midships and jump off with the dock line. The trick is to wrap the dock line immediately around the dock cleat, and then take the remaining line and wrap it around the boat's midship cleat. With a single dockline attached at the stern, dock and midship cleats you control the entire boat, and you can leisurely tie off the other lines.
I dock my C400 singlehanded all the time in a similar slip, very tight quarters, but downwind. I use one extra long dock line attached to the stern cleat (on the windward side)). When the boat is about a third/half way into the slip, I stall the boat, walk forward to about midships and jump off with the dock line. The trick is to wrap the dock line immediately around the dock cleat, and then take the remaining line and wrap it around the boat's midship cleat. With a single dockline attached at the stern, dock and midship cleats you control the entire boat, and you can leisurely tie off the other lines.
V
Vic Suben
Single handed landings
When I have a situation like this, I bring my boat parallel to the dock, and about 1 - 1.5 boat lengths ahead of where I want to land. At this point the boat should be either stopped or moving ahead very very slowly. I shift the engine into reverse with the wheel hard over to port ((tiller to starboard)and I gun the engine to get some sternway. As the boat gains speed, the rudder will begin to have an effect, and the stern will swing to port. As she begins to answer the helm, reduce power, and steer as though you were parallel parking a car. Adjust the speed to keep enough sternway maneuverability without going too fast. As you get close to the dock shift into neutral. Incidentally before trying this maneuver, you should have prepared your dock lines. I alwlays have a very long line from the bow cleat that will reach the cockpit as well as a stern line. As the stern comes within easy jumping distance from the dock, jump over with both docklines in your hand. Secure the stern first, and then the bow. When the boat is all settled in, adjust the lines so that it is secured in the desired manner.
When I have a situation like this, I bring my boat parallel to the dock, and about 1 - 1.5 boat lengths ahead of where I want to land. At this point the boat should be either stopped or moving ahead very very slowly. I shift the engine into reverse with the wheel hard over to port ((tiller to starboard)and I gun the engine to get some sternway. As the boat gains speed, the rudder will begin to have an effect, and the stern will swing to port. As she begins to answer the helm, reduce power, and steer as though you were parallel parking a car. Adjust the speed to keep enough sternway maneuverability without going too fast. As you get close to the dock shift into neutral. Incidentally before trying this maneuver, you should have prepared your dock lines. I alwlays have a very long line from the bow cleat that will reach the cockpit as well as a stern line. As the stern comes within easy jumping distance from the dock, jump over with both docklines in your hand. Secure the stern first, and then the bow. When the boat is all settled in, adjust the lines so that it is secured in the desired manner.
M
Mike I.
Spring Line
I single hand my C-30 most of the time and we are bethed in an area nicknamed "Hurrican Gulch". The wind is usually strong off my starboard aft quarter when we enter our slip. I have prepared a spring line that is attached to a midship cleat. I try to enter the slip as slow as possible (a 90 degree port turn) and step off just as the lifeline gate passes the dock cleat at the opening of the slip. I attach the spring line which is adjusted to stop the boat and bring her to the starboard side of the slip. I can now attach the other lines knowing my boat won't run into the end of the slip or grind along the side. After a bit of practice it's no hassle; just a quick tie-up.
I single hand my C-30 most of the time and we are bethed in an area nicknamed "Hurrican Gulch". The wind is usually strong off my starboard aft quarter when we enter our slip. I have prepared a spring line that is attached to a midship cleat. I try to enter the slip as slow as possible (a 90 degree port turn) and step off just as the lifeline gate passes the dock cleat at the opening of the slip. I attach the spring line which is adjusted to stop the boat and bring her to the starboard side of the slip. I can now attach the other lines knowing my boat won't run into the end of the slip or grind along the side. After a bit of practice it's no hassle; just a quick tie-up.
B
Brad Elbein
Docking bridle
I think the docking bridle will be a great idea. However, beware: C30s have the support for the bowsprit (can't think of what they're called) which fastens near the waterline on the bow. That means that the docking bridle will rub agains that wire. If anyone knows a way to avoid this, please advise. Otherwise, the drill will have to be: use the docking bridle to dock, then back the boat off using bow and stern lines and spring lines, to keep it off the docking bridle.
I think the docking bridle will be a great idea. However, beware: C30s have the support for the bowsprit (can't think of what they're called) which fastens near the waterline on the bow. That means that the docking bridle will rub agains that wire. If anyone knows a way to avoid this, please advise. Otherwise, the drill will have to be: use the docking bridle to dock, then back the boat off using bow and stern lines and spring lines, to keep it off the docking bridle.
P
patrick e. boole
two lines
i keep a bow and stern docking line attached to the cleats and they stay on the boat as i use separate docking lines to tie up that stay on the dock when i depart. when i come in i have a hand on both of the lines i keep cleated and when i come along side the dock i jump off holding these lines and keep control of the boat till i secure the dock lines.
i keep a bow and stern docking line attached to the cleats and they stay on the boat as i use separate docking lines to tie up that stay on the dock when i depart. when i come in i have a hand on both of the lines i keep cleated and when i come along side the dock i jump off holding these lines and keep control of the boat till i secure the dock lines.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.