The last two feet to the dock can be the most perilous portion of any cruise. What's your secret for easing your boat up to it? Do you carefully read wind and current to kiss the boards with your hull... or is your technique to secure plenty of fenders and hope for the best? Are you completely comfortable docking, or is it still a time of anxiety for you? Share your docking problems and secrets here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Padded slip
I've got permanently mounted fenders all around my slip. I back in, so nothing pointy is anywhere near the dock. If I think about it, I'll pull the dinghy up along the side of the boat away from the dock, next to my neighbor. Sort of like an air bag. Anybody could make a soft landing in there. But this only works at the home port, of course. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
I've got permanently mounted fenders all around my slip. I back in, so nothing pointy is anywhere near the dock. If I think about it, I'll pull the dinghy up along the side of the boat away from the dock, next to my neighbor. Sort of like an air bag. Anybody could make a soft landing in there. But this only works at the home port, of course. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
Parallel Parking
You think parallel parking a car is hard, try it with a 32' boat in a 10 knot cross wind. Padding the docks helps.. My wife stands on the side with a long bow line and helps secure the bow first. Fancy engine work moves the boat into place. Fun every time....
You think parallel parking a car is hard, try it with a 32' boat in a 10 knot cross wind. Padding the docks helps.. My wife stands on the side with a long bow line and helps secure the bow first. Fancy engine work moves the boat into place. Fun every time....
Parallel Parking
I also have to parallel park in the last space in the line. It was a little intimidating when I first moved into the slip, but I learned quickly. Generally, I can use the wind out of the south to help me. I turn in, bow first, then turning to starboard about two or three feet short of the dock. The wind usually helps me straighten out nicely. I do have permanent fenders on the dock, just in case.
I also have to parallel park in the last space in the line. It was a little intimidating when I first moved into the slip, but I learned quickly. Generally, I can use the wind out of the south to help me. I turn in, bow first, then turning to starboard about two or three feet short of the dock. The wind usually helps me straighten out nicely. I do have permanent fenders on the dock, just in case.
The Tortoise Had The Right Idea
I've found that if I just calm down and move very slowly, I have time to compensate for any miscalulations I might have made. I also spent some time practicing in an area with nobody around so I wouldn't feel pressured. There's no substitute for experience.
I've found that if I just calm down and move very slowly, I have time to compensate for any miscalulations I might have made. I also spent some time practicing in an area with nobody around so I wouldn't feel pressured. There's no substitute for experience.
Thank goodness for the wheel
Of course, the biggest sailboat on our dock (ours) is parked next to the biggest powerboat, leaving about 3ft in between. The wheel at the end of our finger dock has saved us more than a few times as we back her into the slip. To add to the safety factor, we also have a fender for the transom end of the dock. Those last 32 feet of the journey always give us the most anxiety.
Of course, the biggest sailboat on our dock (ours) is parked next to the biggest powerboat, leaving about 3ft in between. The wheel at the end of our finger dock has saved us more than a few times as we back her into the slip. To add to the safety factor, we also have a fender for the transom end of the dock. Those last 32 feet of the journey always give us the most anxiety.
Wheel of Caution
After my neighbor built a dock that blocks navigation away from my dock in southerly winds greater than a few knots, I installed a wheel at the corner of my dock to allow me to back and turn windward before pushing forward. I learned the hard way that the mounting hardware supplied with the wheel was inadequate. The short lag screws allowed concentration of stress in the wood structure that failed in a heavy blow. The wheel is now supported by through-bolts with malleable washers for backup. And my fingers are crossed.
After my neighbor built a dock that blocks navigation away from my dock in southerly winds greater than a few knots, I installed a wheel at the corner of my dock to allow me to back and turn windward before pushing forward. I learned the hard way that the mounting hardware supplied with the wheel was inadequate. The short lag screws allowed concentration of stress in the wood structure that failed in a heavy blow. The wheel is now supported by through-bolts with malleable washers for backup. And my fingers are crossed.
Easier than I thought
I moved up this year from a Oday 20 to a Catalina 270 with a slip. I was REALLY nerivos at first, but soon found out how easy it really is, however, slow on my engine is really not that slow, so I coast in neutrel then give the boat a little juise as I get closer to the dock hit reverse piece of cake. Backing is a little different.as soon as I untie the boat the bow getting pushed to one side,I always end up just bumping the piling. I may use a large bouy in the end of my slip to give the bow a little push back out.
I moved up this year from a Oday 20 to a Catalina 270 with a slip. I was REALLY nerivos at first, but soon found out how easy it really is, however, slow on my engine is really not that slow, so I coast in neutrel then give the boat a little juise as I get closer to the dock hit reverse piece of cake. Backing is a little different.as soon as I untie the boat the bow getting pushed to one side,I always end up just bumping the piling. I may use a large bouy in the end of my slip to give the bow a little push back out.
Easy does it!
The tiller, and consequently the rudder, on my Pearson 26 will swing all the way around so as I approach the slip I make a sharp 180 turn, reverse the engine and the tiller and she steers perfectly into the slip. The stern virtually becomes the bow. With the deep keel and rudder wind has very little effect. It took me a whole season to discover this and when I did it was an accident. I was going very fast in reverse and the rudder quickly swung around on it's own because of the water preasure on it. It scared me at first but I quickly discovered how easy berthing became! David
The tiller, and consequently the rudder, on my Pearson 26 will swing all the way around so as I approach the slip I make a sharp 180 turn, reverse the engine and the tiller and she steers perfectly into the slip. The stern virtually becomes the bow. With the deep keel and rudder wind has very little effect. It took me a whole season to discover this and when I did it was an accident. I was going very fast in reverse and the rudder quickly swung around on it's own because of the water preasure on it. It scared me at first but I quickly discovered how easy berthing became! David
Docking anxiety
The docking articles are interesting. Up until I purchased the 272, I operated a power boat, which posed no difficulty. The sailboat with the outboard is a different matter. Even with help getting the boat out of the slip, as soon as the bow is untied the boat tries to turn sideway in the slip and bump into the pilings. My dock is fairly protected from the wind, it would really be a challenge if it were in the open. I see other boat owners come and go alone. I often wonder what their secrets are for getting in and out of their slips unassisted. All tips appreciated.
The docking articles are interesting. Up until I purchased the 272, I operated a power boat, which posed no difficulty. The sailboat with the outboard is a different matter. Even with help getting the boat out of the slip, as soon as the bow is untied the boat tries to turn sideway in the slip and bump into the pilings. My dock is fairly protected from the wind, it would really be a challenge if it were in the open. I see other boat owners come and go alone. I often wonder what their secrets are for getting in and out of their slips unassisted. All tips appreciated.
Slow and easy
This is our first season with our Alberg 30 in the water, so I'm far from feeling "routine" about docking. My wife and I have learned to work well together both setting out and returning. We're about 3/4 of the way down a fairly long slip row, immediately in front of a dockhouse and restaurant--so as a bonus, we usually have an audience ;-). Setting out, we assess the wind to determine which way the wind will be pushing us when we free the slip. We then release the dock lines that are slack, next she will let the taught lines free and man the spring line. I'll nudge the engine in reverse to get her underway and then idle her. If the bow moves gradually to starboard (the way out for us), I'll usually let her back under momentum. If the wind starts nudging us to port, I'll goose the throttle a little to propwalk the stern back to port. Coming in, we normally try to be coasting at about 1/2 a knot before I start to make the cut into the slip, with my wife on the bow with a hook. As we cut, I'll throw her into reverse and give her throttle--this breaks us, and kicks the stern to port, so far(thanks God!), usually lined up straight in with the bow just at the slip entrance. Mary grabs the spring line, as the boat inches fwd, I idle the engine and grab the hang line on the stbd side of the slip. So far, so good for two rookies with a full keel boat and a 2 blade prop! Fair winds, Bill
This is our first season with our Alberg 30 in the water, so I'm far from feeling "routine" about docking. My wife and I have learned to work well together both setting out and returning. We're about 3/4 of the way down a fairly long slip row, immediately in front of a dockhouse and restaurant--so as a bonus, we usually have an audience ;-). Setting out, we assess the wind to determine which way the wind will be pushing us when we free the slip. We then release the dock lines that are slack, next she will let the taught lines free and man the spring line. I'll nudge the engine in reverse to get her underway and then idle her. If the bow moves gradually to starboard (the way out for us), I'll usually let her back under momentum. If the wind starts nudging us to port, I'll goose the throttle a little to propwalk the stern back to port. Coming in, we normally try to be coasting at about 1/2 a knot before I start to make the cut into the slip, with my wife on the bow with a hook. As we cut, I'll throw her into reverse and give her throttle--this breaks us, and kicks the stern to port, so far(thanks God!), usually lined up straight in with the bow just at the slip entrance. Mary grabs the spring line, as the boat inches fwd, I idle the engine and grab the hang line on the stbd side of the slip. So far, so good for two rookies with a full keel boat and a 2 blade prop! Fair winds, Bill
One of the Really Nice Things About the 23.5
I can reach the motor and the tiller at the same time. With the Grip Shift on the Mercury I can also control throttle and gear without even looking or taking my hands off the outboards tiller. I have found that it is easier to maneuver into tight spots in reverse with the better visibility and directional control. It also seems to be just like flying as soon as you get comfortable and a little cocky you'll end up having to go around for another try because you screwed up the approach.
I can reach the motor and the tiller at the same time. With the Grip Shift on the Mercury I can also control throttle and gear without even looking or taking my hands off the outboards tiller. I have found that it is easier to maneuver into tight spots in reverse with the better visibility and directional control. It also seems to be just like flying as soon as you get comfortable and a little cocky you'll end up having to go around for another try because you screwed up the approach.
re: docking anxiety
Chip, I have a 222, similar but smaller, and I have found that dropping the centerboard in the slip will keep her from turning sideways in the slip. I use a midship cleat setup by tying a line around my cabintop winch and releasing this line last as I am motoring out of the slip. I back into the slip which makes me the first/last person to have contact with the finger dock. Also as someone else stated I approach the slip as slow as possible while still mantaining water movement on the keel and rudder. Hope some of this eases your anxiety... yes it is still an anxious time for me but I am more confident now.
Chip, I have a 222, similar but smaller, and I have found that dropping the centerboard in the slip will keep her from turning sideways in the slip. I use a midship cleat setup by tying a line around my cabintop winch and releasing this line last as I am motoring out of the slip. I back into the slip which makes me the first/last person to have contact with the finger dock. Also as someone else stated I approach the slip as slow as possible while still mantaining water movement on the keel and rudder. Hope some of this eases your anxiety... yes it is still an anxious time for me but I am more confident now.
A Problem Years Ago
As a young person I had docked many small powerboats and had only sailed small non-motorized sailboats. Some 13 years ago I bought my first real sailboat and I was pretty new to docking in unfamiliar marinas, which always occurs when visiting new places on Lake Erie. Back then we had a 23 foot Oday with a 9.9 outboard - tiller steered. There were times when it was a real challenge to coordinate the throttle and steering etc. especially when backing out of tight spots. I remember watching other people getting in bad situations up to and including hitting other peoples boats, and I had a real fear of it happening to me, especially in windy situations. I remember a couple of times when my wife and I really had to scramble to avoid the horror or being one of those people. After a couple of close calls we almost developed an anxiety or fear of being in a less than perfect dock in a strange Marina. Over time we slowly developed our own method of docking control and we learned to think out our docking plan ahead of time - especially the departure in early morning windy situations. For the last ten years we have had a wheel-steered inboard on our 28 footer. I always thought a bigger boat would mean that much more of a docking problem. Wrong I was - docking and maneuvering with a wheel and controls at the binacle is the easiest configuration for real control in a tight spot in a tricky dockage. A big wheel in a small boat gives you a lot of confidence. People that can really use a tiller and outboard configuration well, are quite skilled in my opinion. I might add that learning to keep it slow and letting the momentum of your boat carry you into a slip is an art that you must learn. People that steam into a slip, heavy on the throttle, relying on reverse to stop them, are much more prone to have an "accident". Yes, when you are caught with a heavy crosswind or extreme wind on your nose - you need more power, but I have seen the "steamers" slam more docks and other boats for no good reason other than they don't understand their own vessels dynamics - some of them never get it. Once you have the feel for you own boat - docking is second nature.
As a young person I had docked many small powerboats and had only sailed small non-motorized sailboats. Some 13 years ago I bought my first real sailboat and I was pretty new to docking in unfamiliar marinas, which always occurs when visiting new places on Lake Erie. Back then we had a 23 foot Oday with a 9.9 outboard - tiller steered. There were times when it was a real challenge to coordinate the throttle and steering etc. especially when backing out of tight spots. I remember watching other people getting in bad situations up to and including hitting other peoples boats, and I had a real fear of it happening to me, especially in windy situations. I remember a couple of times when my wife and I really had to scramble to avoid the horror or being one of those people. After a couple of close calls we almost developed an anxiety or fear of being in a less than perfect dock in a strange Marina. Over time we slowly developed our own method of docking control and we learned to think out our docking plan ahead of time - especially the departure in early morning windy situations. For the last ten years we have had a wheel-steered inboard on our 28 footer. I always thought a bigger boat would mean that much more of a docking problem. Wrong I was - docking and maneuvering with a wheel and controls at the binacle is the easiest configuration for real control in a tight spot in a tricky dockage. A big wheel in a small boat gives you a lot of confidence. People that can really use a tiller and outboard configuration well, are quite skilled in my opinion. I might add that learning to keep it slow and letting the momentum of your boat carry you into a slip is an art that you must learn. People that steam into a slip, heavy on the throttle, relying on reverse to stop them, are much more prone to have an "accident". Yes, when you are caught with a heavy crosswind or extreme wind on your nose - you need more power, but I have seen the "steamers" slam more docks and other boats for no good reason other than they don't understand their own vessels dynamics - some of them never get it. Once you have the feel for you own boat - docking is second nature.
Jeff? Did ya say you use your wifey as the padding
Does it really matter how fast you come into the dock, Heck, NO. Not unless there are a bunch of lubbers around rubbernecking. Matter of fact, I would rather come into the dock dead slow and kiss the pilings while dropping the main than motor in anytime. I usually practise during weekdays in all kinds of wind conditions when no one else is around and find if I really relax and concentrateon tiller control and motor control all the anxiety is gone with the wind. Then if I'm having a bad day then maybe the lil wifey will be used as dock padding??
Does it really matter how fast you come into the dock, Heck, NO. Not unless there are a bunch of lubbers around rubbernecking. Matter of fact, I would rather come into the dock dead slow and kiss the pilings while dropping the main than motor in anytime. I usually practise during weekdays in all kinds of wind conditions when no one else is around and find if I really relax and concentrateon tiller control and motor control all the anxiety is gone with the wind. Then if I'm having a bad day then maybe the lil wifey will be used as dock padding??
Parks like a Volkswagen
I have alays backed my sailboats into their slips. My new 356 backs up like a Volkswagen. The trick to backing up a sailboat is developing speed to give the rudder authority. As I back into the slip my wife grabs the windward line from one of the forward pilings (note she only grabs the line not put any tension on it). About the time she grabs the forward line, I put the engine in forward stopping the boat just in time to step onto the dock through the walk through transom.
I have alays backed my sailboats into their slips. My new 356 backs up like a Volkswagen. The trick to backing up a sailboat is developing speed to give the rudder authority. As I back into the slip my wife grabs the windward line from one of the forward pilings (note she only grabs the line not put any tension on it). About the time she grabs the forward line, I put the engine in forward stopping the boat just in time to step onto the dock through the walk through transom.
I added a safety line to catch the front
My wife is really inexperienced and we are just learning our Mac 26X. The safety line is configured like a "Y" anchored at three points in the front of my slip. The "Y" catches and holds the bow as long as I keep the motor in slow forward. Then all I have to do hook the stern line and then get the bow line.
My wife is really inexperienced and we are just learning our Mac 26X. The safety line is configured like a "Y" anchored at three points in the front of my slip. The "Y" catches and holds the bow as long as I keep the motor in slow forward. Then all I have to do hook the stern line and then get the bow line.
Docking
Thanks Larry, There is an empty slip beside my boat on one side. This makes it a little harder to control, as there is nothing close by to push off of. I think I will install a rope on this side to keep the boat from trying to drift sideways into this empty slip. It wants to do it every time!! We were out again yesterday and it wanted to go sideways with us again, on exiting the slip. I think installation of a line from the forward piling to the back of the slip, about a foot above the water, might do the trick.
Thanks Larry, There is an empty slip beside my boat on one side. This makes it a little harder to control, as there is nothing close by to push off of. I think I will install a rope on this side to keep the boat from trying to drift sideways into this empty slip. It wants to do it every time!! We were out again yesterday and it wanted to go sideways with us again, on exiting the slip. I think installation of a line from the forward piling to the back of the slip, about a foot above the water, might do the trick.
Never approach a dock faster
Never approach a dock or mooring faster than you are willing to hit it. I was taught this and it has served me well. This works especially well as I like to sail into the slip whenever there is no harbor traffic.
Never approach a dock or mooring faster than you are willing to hit it. I was taught this and it has served me well. This works especially well as I like to sail into the slip whenever there is no harbor traffic.
I Use the Iron Sail
Docking in a protected marina, on an inland lake makes docking very easy. I motor into the marina and to my slip. using the outboard motor. The route to the slip changes directions several times, so sailing to the slip is not an option, except for the boats on the outer row. I take it slow and shift into reverse, at idle, as I enter the slip to bring the boat almost to a stop. "Lassoing" a dock cleat with the stern dockline is a snap then. See the web site for Boulder Marina...
Docking in a protected marina, on an inland lake makes docking very easy. I motor into the marina and to my slip. using the outboard motor. The route to the slip changes directions several times, so sailing to the slip is not an option, except for the boats on the outer row. I take it slow and shift into reverse, at idle, as I enter the slip to bring the boat almost to a stop. "Lassoing" a dock cleat with the stern dockline is a snap then. See the web site for Boulder Marina...
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