50-55ft Fly docking-mooring with only 2 persons?

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hkikis

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I am looking to buy a 50-55ft Fly bridge but I am not sure if I can maneuvering with only my girl for help.
I will have bow and stern thrusters ofcourse and for even more less stress I will fit dockmate or yacht controller.
I feel that if I will have wireless controller with engines and thrusters it will be easier for me.

My first thought was to buy a 40ft fly to learn easier but I like very very much boats around 50-55ft!!
I don't want to be risky so I am thinking a lot about that.

I would like to read your opinions and your experience if there is anyone that started with bigger.

This wouldn't be my first boat. I had a 33ft 2 engines boat without neither bow thrust but only for 1 year :)
 
With bow and stern thrusters you should have few problems in reasonable conditions. We manage it very well in the boat you see in my avatar but we did get to 55 feet in easy increments. I would recommend some professional own boat tuition as soon as you get your new boat.
 
we went through the 38 - 42- 45 - 50 foot route with various boats.The 50 footer was the easiest to park, big and docile. They don't get blown around as easily. Takes a few goes to get used to where the corners are, but with two you should be OK with a bit of practice. Definitely need a bow thruster. A stern thruster helps out but you can live without it.
 
I agree with others... a bit of tuition and you'll be fine. With thrusters I can't see the need for any other gizmos.. they'll just give you more to learn. A throttle station in the aft cockpit is useful if you are mooring stern to.
 
hkikis said:
This wouldn't be my first boat. I had a 33ft 2 engines boat without neither bow thrust but only for 1 year
Click to expand...
I also had a 34 ft sportcruiser (with twin outdrives and no thrusters), before moving to a 53' trawler.
Again twin engines (on shafts), but no thrusters, remote controls, cameras, nothing.
Most of the time, we were only myself and my wife onboard, and we managed to never have any maneuvering accident in 17 years with the boat.
Admittedly, with a bit of luck, in a few cases. Then again, that's essential, with boats.
As Napoleon and Eisenhower said, a lucky general is better than a good one...
Bottom line, good luck! (y)

PS: Keep us updated on your search. Here in the asylum, we love to read about that, giving all sort of confusing suggestions and their opposite! :p
 
With your twin engines, rudders, bow and stern thrusters, you will have all the control you could even want. With tuition to show you how to move the boat sideways, how to lasso cleats from your boat. and how the breast warp is your best mooring friend, you'll be well away. No need for dockmate or yacht controller. Just learn the skill yourself. My wife and I have managed our Fleming 55 for many years in all manners of wind / tide and 'only just big enough' mooring spaces.
 
Agree wth all the comments above, once you are confident holding the boat in place your crew can have all the time in the world to do the lines. we are 58 feet with bow and stern thrusters and have never had a problem, just be aware of all the factors such as wind and tide.
 
Operating a boat of this size with 2 people is the norm.

All you need is a helm that can drive the boat and a crew who has been taught what to do ( not shouted at).

I use seasonal crew as well ( not this year I suspect) and unless it is the home berth I briefly brief every mooring so everyone knows the plan. In the med this is usually pretty simple ( stern to mooring is a darn sight easier than port/ stbd/ fender height/ spring lines) but fuel berths do need the port/ stbd/ fender height/ spring lines explanation or it will go wrong - the crew are not psychic - sadly!

I would concentrate on boat handling. You have thrusters so you can position it to the inch ( literally). You will only need the remote if you are single handed and for now I would not bother.
 
Yep, as above, you should be fine with the 2 of you. Plan well, take it easy and slow and allow extra time for every action from your crew, things don't happen in a split second and your instructions can easily get misinterpreted or changed by the actions of someone on the dock "helping" so be fluid. One thing to consider that will make the whole communication and teamwork thing much easier would be one of the Bluetooth Headphone sets. This has been well covered on here, there are some excellent proprietary makes out there, Sena, Jabra etc but I've got to say we're still utilising the ones I made at home using eBay motorcycle intercom sets (many thanks to Hurricane for that). The whole concept of being able to talk (peacefully) to each other with these wherever your partner is on the boat is really a game changer and totally overcomes the shouty skipper/crew syndrome.
But in essence ,what you're considering is what so many of us do without issue so I'm sure with a bit of time at it you'll both handle that size boat perfectly well.
 
Ask the broker to find a guardian and let him / her show you both the ropes .
Sunseeker did this with me ( 37 ft twin outdrives from Poole btw ) .When the boat arrived in the SoF for the first 3 days I had a mornings tuition .
Started with wider berths then gradually shrinking until your own , theres the aisles to negotiate too .
I remember the first was as wide as the boat a SY berth , skill was keeping it parallel and centred .
I had several sailboats before in the U.K. .
With the bigger current boat I negotiated a Del skipper who taught me how to close manoeuvre a twin shaft .
I thought I new it before ,,,,,but on the test drive from Naples to Capri it was obvious this baby was way more powerful , bigger pitched props and quite stubborn to turn .

I often see newbies go out with brokers or guardians for the first few times it’s pretty normal .
 
Last edited:
We (SWMBO and I) jumped straight in to a 51ft flybridge.
But, like you, I had experience of handling boats - just not of that size.
I understand your concern but, as long as you take time to understand, it really isn't a problem handling boats of that size.
Now days, we handle our 67 on our own - often on longer passages as well as manoeuvring.
When manoeuvring, I always try to think about speed - if you are going to crash - a slow crash would be better than a fast one.
Think about momentum as well - the swinging bow might not be moving fast bit it creates a momentum which needs to be under control - especially on the bigger boats.

I wouldn't worry about fitting a Yachtmate controller - you already have the understanding.
Thrusters are great - especially for stabilising that momentum I mentioned above.
I find that a wireless remote for the thrusters is also useful - it means that as soon as we are at our berth, I can pop down and help SWMBO with the lines whilst still having some control over the boat.
The wireless bit for thrusters is only a couple of hundred quid so a "no brainer" really.

A few years ago, I started a thread on this forum about communicating with the wife whilst manoeuvring the boat.
On bigger boats, the problem is not being able to see each other during the final manoeuvre.
My solution was to build a couple of Bluetooth headsets.
The idea was that you pop something on your head that enables to to talk quietly between each other and keeps your hands free to handle ropes etc.
They were so successful that I ended up researching and then buying SPH10 sets made by Sena
This was the thread:-
In boat communications
The solution started at about post #38
I even did a write up in MBY
In the write up, I explained that I built a set for a blind friend who liked them so much became the UK distributor for them.
This is his website:-
Sabre Leisure - Sena headsets for marine use

Lots of people on this forum bought them and, like me, found them very helpful in handling the boat with just two people.
Since then, I believe that there has been a bit of an issue with the internal batteries but I think my Sena sets are still working.
Just a thought - maybe it would boost your confidence.

Anyway - from my point of view - don't worry about getting the bigger boat - I'm sure you will be able to handle it.
 
Our boat is smaller but the principle is the same, the most important consideration is the wind.. before we reach the port i judge the wind direction and force. I then make a plan, if i know where I’m going to park then it’s much easier to figure out where I’m going to have to compensate for the wind.
I then explain my plan to the wife. I also go over any safety considerations, like asking her not to jump off the boat without warning me etc. If the wind is very strong I will say which line I want tied on first and second etc. Just before we arrive I let her know we are getting close and give a pep talk about staying alert and being on our A game.
But my wife also has her routine, when we reach sheltered water she puts out all the fenders. She has her boathook where she wants it and is good at lassoing cleats.
Make sure you have a good sized fender on a rope that can be used in an emergency (or rather to avoid an emergency).
All the above sounds like a lot but pretty soon it’s just a couple of minutes .
And don’t worry about it going wrong because it will . And always remember that after you have tied up, the wind will drop to zero.
 
Bouba said:
Our boat is smaller but the principle is the same, the most important consideration is the wind.. before we reach the port i judge the wind direction and force. I then make a plan, if i know where I’m going to park then it’s much easier to figure out where I’m going to have to compensate for the wind.
I then explain my plan to the wife. I also go over any safety considerations, like asking her not to jump off the boat without warning me etc. If the wind is very strong I will say which line I want tied on first and second etc. Just before we arrive I let her know we are getting close and give a pep talk about staying alert and being on our A game.
But my wife also has her routine, when we reach sheltered water she puts out all the fenders. She has her boathook where she wants it and is good at lassoing cleats.
Make sure you have a good sized fender on a rope that can be used in an emergency (or rather to avoid an emergency).
All the above sounds like a lot but pretty soon it’s just a couple of minutes .
And don’t worry about it going wrong because it will . And always remember that after you have tied up, the wind will drop to zero.
Click to expand...
If you substitute “fenders “ for condoms it all makes sense :)
 
markc said:
I agree with others... a bit of tuition and you'll be fine. With thrusters I can't see the need for any other gizmos.. they'll just give you more to learn. A throttle station in the aft cockpit is useful if you are mooring stern to.
Click to expand...

In Greece all marina are with stern mooring. When you are traveling to islands are with anchor at bow and stern with ropes.
In the permanent marina position of my area I have ropes for bow too.

So without aft cockpit it will be a little more difficult stern mooring. Most 50+ boats have 3rd throttle station on at aft cockpit. Of course it is not worth to pay for 3rd station, it is better to pay for a wireless controller like dockmate/yachtcontroller.
I believe that it will be easier to control the boat from aft cockpit when you are ready to stern mooring.
That's why I want a dockmate!
 
MapisM said:
I also had a 34 ft sportcruiser (with twin outdrives and no thrusters), before moving to a 53' trawler.
Again twin engines (on shafts), but no thrusters, remote controls, cameras, nothing.
Most of the time, we were only myself and my wife onboard, and we managed to never have any maneuvering accident in 17 years with the boat.
Admittedly, with a bit of luck, in a few cases. Then again, that's essential, with boats.
As Napoleon and Eisenhower said, a lucky general is better than a good one...
Bottom line, good luck! (y)

PS: Keep us updated on your search. Here in the asylum, we love to read about that, giving all sort of confusing suggestions and their opposite! :p
Click to expand...

53ft boat without any thrusters you are hero!! Haha! You can mooring with stern easily? With anchor at bow?
 
Piers said:
With your twin engines, rudders, bow and stern thrusters, you will have all the control you could even want. With tuition to show you how to move the boat sideways, how to lasso cleats from your boat. and how the breast warp is your best mooring friend, you'll be well away. No need for dockmate or yacht controller. Just learn the skill yourself. My wife and I have managed our Fleming 55 for many years in all manners of wind / tide and 'only just big enough' mooring spaces.
Click to expand...

In Greek Islands most spaces are very narrow.. You have to push the other 2 boats away to put your boat haha
For example a 55ft boat is around 4.7m wide and you will have a space 4m and you need with fenders to push them a little. How to do it safe without aft cockpit throttle station or dockmate?
 
Hurricane said:
We (SWMBO and I) jumped straight in to a 51ft flybridge.
But, like you, I had experience of handling boats - just not of that size.
I understand your concern but, as long as you take time to understand, it really isn't a problem handling boats of that size.
Now days, we handle our 67 on our own - often on longer passages as well as manoeuvring.
When manoeuvring, I always try to think about speed - if you are going to crash - a slow crash would be better than a fast one.
Think about momentum as well - the swinging bow might not be moving fast bit it creates a momentum which needs to be under control - especially on the bigger boats.

I wouldn't worry about fitting a Yachtmate controller - you already have the understanding.
Thrusters are great - especially for stabilising that momentum I mentioned above.
I find that a wireless remote for the thrusters is also useful - it means that as soon as we are at our berth, I can pop down and help SWMBO with the lines whilst still having some control over the boat.
The wireless bit for thrusters is only a couple of hundred quid so a "no brainer" really.

A few years ago, I started a thread on this forum about communicating with the wife whilst manoeuvring the boat.
On bigger boats, the problem is not being able to see each other during the final manoeuvre.
My solution was to build a couple of Bluetooth headsets.
The idea was that you pop something on your head that enables to to talk quietly between each other and keeps your hands free to handle ropes etc.
They were so successful that I ended up researching and then buying SPH10 sets made by Sena
This was the thread:-
In boat communications
The solution started at about post #38
I even did a write up in MBY
In the write up, I explained that I built a set for a blind friend who liked them so much became the UK distributor for them.
This is his website:-
Sabre Leisure - Sena headsets for marine use

Lots of people on this forum bought them and, like me, found them very helpful in handling the boat with just two people.
Since then, I believe that there has been a bit of an issue with the internal batteries but I think my Sena sets are still working.
Just a thought - maybe it would boost your confidence.

Anyway - from my point of view - don't worry about getting the bigger boat - I'm sure you will be able to handle it.
Click to expand...

Straight to 51 from nothing? Very hardy!
As about communication for sure I will have some Bluetooth headset to talk all the time to avoid to yell and show to everyone at marina that I don't know very good haha.
 
hkikis said:
53ft boat without any thrusters you are hero!! Haha!
You can mooring with stern easily? With anchor at bow?
Click to expand...
Nah, no heroism involved, it only takes three things: practice, practice, practice.
When mooring stern to in the Med, it's extremely rare to need the anchor anyway, at least at this size.
The normal procedure is that your deck hand, after throwing the upwind line at the dock hand, takes care of the bow line.
Which most of the time must be grabbed at the stern and carried at the bow, unless the marina is kind enough to pass you the line directly at the bow.

That said, I did moor stern to in a few places where the bow line was not available, and I had to drop the anchor.
But that doesn't complicate the maneuver a lot, because if you position the anchor correctly, it works as a sort of bow thruster replacement, in the sense that it restricts the bow from swinging sideways in crosswind.
And for the stern, two engines give you a very decent maneuverability also with no thruster.

Mooring stern to with no bow line was more tricky when, due to forecast of very strong wind, the marina guys suggested me to deploy both anchors.
Obviously feasible only if the boat has such ground tackle, which is very unusual at this size, but that's how my old lady was rigged.
Not even worth explaining the sequence, also because as I recall it only happened to me twice in 17 years, so they were actually exceptions among exceptions. And you can't do that unless the boat has two anchors anyway, which as I said is rare.
But THAT was indeed challenging, even if I already had several years of experience, by the time I gave it the first try.
 
Piers said:
With your twin engines, rudders, bow and stern thrusters, you will have all the control you could even want. With tuition to show you how to move the boat sideways, how to lasso cleats from your boat. and how the breast warp is your best mooring friend, you'll be well away. No need for dockmate or yacht controller. Just learn the skill yourself. My wife and I have managed our Fleming 55 for many years in all manners of wind / tide and 'only just big enough' mooring spaces.
Click to expand...
In Greek Islands most spaces are very narrow.. You have to push the other 2 boats away to put your boat haha
For example a 55ft boat is around 4.7m wide and you will have a space 4m and you need with fenders to push them a little. How to do it safe without aft cockpit throttle station or dockmate?

Two answers to this. First, you comment makes me wonder how anyone managed to be done before 'aft cockpit throttle station or dockmate' were invented. Second, I say again, training will show you how to do it.
 
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