Docking with adverse wind

Jim Cate · Post by **Jim Cate** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:23 pm

Hi,

I was able to get the M out yesterday after several weeks of other (less important) distractions and had a little difficulty getting tied up at the dock, which is somewhat unusual. Coming in (single-handed) alongside and to the right of the dock, the wind was blowing across the dock and thus tending to blow the boat away from the dock. I came in slowly and tied the bow first, then quickly went back to the stern and tried to secure it, but found that the stern was already drifting away from the dock. By loosening the bow line and reversing the motor with the wheel turned hard to starboard (away from the dock), I was able to move the stern close enough to the dock to secure it. - Does anyone have suggestions for a better approach, when under single-handed conditions?

Otherwise, it was a relaxed, low-wind afternoon. Although in the 90s, it was still surprisingly cool with the Bimini deployed. Also, I am amazed at the accuracy and utility of the autopilot. It was keeping the boat in the center of the channel while we passed several red-green markers. Also great for keeping the boat on course while adjusting sails, etc.

Jim

Richard O'Brien · Post by **Richard O'Brien** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:05 pm

jim, I single-hand most of the time,and have the same problems with current and wind. When either is adverse,I back in. when I can approach at 45 degrees and catch the leeward corner of the stern, I'm less likely to smash the motor, which I confess to doing once or twice. I can usually jump off and buffer the collision a bit, and pull the bow around later.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:12 pm

Rudders full down help in the wind. I dont know about current as I have never had to deal with that when docking.

Craig LaForce · Post by **Craig LaForce** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:18 am

I always attach the stern line first, since that is where I am. If the bow blows away from the dock, just put the engine in gear forward and it will bring the boaw alongside the dock for you to attach the bow line. I did this all the time to come alonsideg the gas dock when the wind was away from the dock.

tcoltrane · Post by **tcoltrane** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 3:42 am

I keep a permanent grab line that runs from the bow to the stern
on both sides of the boat. It would work great for a man overboard
also.

Tim Coltrane

James V · Post by **James V** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:00 am

Good job, I usually have more problems. A 50 foot dock line on the bow helps. Keep it out of the water or else it will get into the prop.

CFCassidy · Post by **CFCassidy** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:09 am

I'm with Craig. I step off with both the bow and stern lines in my hand. Do a quick turn over the stern cleat just to avoid the problem you had. Then I go secure the bow, followed by re-tying the stern properly.

Bill Warnock · Post by **Bill Warnock** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 7:57 am

>I keep a permanent grab line...<

Tim... I found your suggestion interesting. Assuming you
have a "26" what length are these lines cut for?

Some of the other posts were very helpfull as well.

Thanks to all... I'm a newbie who finds the dock senario
often as not... intimidating... to say the least. (smile)

Bill

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:14 am

Bill Warnock wrote:>I keep a permanent grab line...<

Tim... I found your suggestion interesting. Assuming you
have a "26" what length are these lines cut for?

Some of the other posts were very helpfull as well.

Thanks to all... I'm a newbie who finds the dock senario
often as not... intimidating... to say the least. (smile)

Bill

I agree Bill I am in a slip, for the first time in my life. I have always had my own private pier . Its a Lot More Interesting $$$ with boats all around that cost more than I make and a few cost more than I have ever made in my life. I have insurance but I never want to use it if I can help it.

John McDonough · Post by **John McDonough** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:00 am

I built a foam padded V bracket and mounted it on the inside of my dock. I used a metal 90 bracket and bolted 2 2x8 x 4` boards to it and then I covered it with 2 layers of foam padding which is now 4' thick. I stretched a heavey-duty bungy cord to the outer ends of the boards. To dock my 26X I come into the slip fast. the bungy then catches just below my bow eye and absorbs shock and slows boat. The bow is now caught in the V an cannot move, I then turn the wheel hard left and the rear of the boat moves against the dock. Just reach over and secure your stearn line to the dock cleat. When leaving the dock singlehanded start motor and slowly go forward in the slip, secure all your dock lines and then just reverse it and leave. The trick is to have a padded bow V to hold the front of the beat and using the motor to hold it in position against the dock. Some Marina`s may not let you drill into thier docks. In the past as a boat approaches its slip all the friendy neighbors would run over and help secure your dock lines. After I built my padded V they just sat there when I came in.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:21 am

I have given thought to and I think I will try i tomorrow , about "coiling " rope around and the length of a very heavy duty truckers bungee for a shock absorber. I would buy one or two but have you seen what they want $$$ for something I have in the garage just taking up space on a hook?

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:06 am

I can't comment without knowing the layout of your docking arrangements, and the size relative to your boat. I have previously posted solutions for finger pier docking. Should be in archives

I am interested in what brand and model of autopilot you have.

LOUIS B HOLUB · Post by **LOUIS B HOLUB** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:26 pm

Hi Jim...I have the same trouble at our "dock"...seems that the winds are often contrary. The real problem Ive found occurs when several boats are tied up, and things get crowded. I utilize my "boat hooK" which otherwise, docking would be a serious problem. But, I really like our Marina--a great buncha folks.

If the weather is fair, I hope to get on the water this 4th. Hope to see you and others ! You may notice the MacX "Exodus" near your MacM, a recent reloaction from Florida.

Happy Sailing !
The Holub Boat

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Post by **Duane Dunn, Allegro** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:07 pm

Actually you almost did the exact right thing faced with the wind setting you off the dock. You used a spring line of sorts.

Give the description of your situation here is the true spring line method to use. I'm assuming you will end up port side to the dock in the description below. Reverse the sides for a Starboard tie.

1. Approach the dock bow first. Make sure you are well fendered particularly forward of midships.

2. Get a line from the bow cleat to a dock cleat that will lie amidships when you are parked where you want to be (the easiest is just a loop around the dock cleat that runs back to the bow cleat). Allow enough line to reach from this amidships position to the bow. Don't worry if the stern drifts away some.

3. Once you have the line in place, power slowly forward with the wheel turned hard to starboard. The boat will go forward only until the bow line goes tight. Then the only movement the boat can make will bring the stern right back to the dock. You can even leave the motor in idle forward as you step off and secure the stern. The boat will stay perfectly in place while you secure it.

You can use this method to parallel park your boat in a really tight space between two other boats.

Also a variant can be use to get your boat away from the dock when boats are tight in front and behind or the wind has you pinned to the dock. Set the same forward spring. ( Again just a loop on the dock cleat then back to the bow cleat with a 30' dock line. This lets you slip the line when clear and it will just run free of the dock cleat.) Power forward against the spring with the motor turned hard to port. This will force the stern away from the dock. (Make sure you fender well forward as it will bring the bow into the dock. ) Once the stern is clear of the obstacle behind and you are at a good angle to the dock reverse away.

Spend some time practicing with spring lines and you will soon look like a wizard around the docks. I find the biggest challenge is to have the helpers handling the line on the dock understand how and where you want it most just stand there and hold it or immediately try and pull you in too tight and tie it. You are best off to have them loop it around a cleat and give the end back to you to secure.

Spring lines are a tried and true method to make a single screw boat do magical tricks around a dock. There are many more types of spring line methods involving eaither a bow and stern line used in conjuction with the engine in forward or reverse. Chapmans has a good section that cover all the choices.

mallardjusted · Post by **mallardjusted** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:59 pm

Looks like some real good ideas for helping with the problem noted. But I'm curious as to Jim's original post. He said he "loosened the bow line and reversed the motor with the wheel turned hard to starboard (away from the dock) ........" In that situation, wouldn't you turn the wheel hard to port to bring the stern in (when in reverse)???? Or does torque, or something else come into play?

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Docking with adverse wind

Docking with adverse wind

I have given thought

size, layout