Boat size VS Docking alone ???

[Nick_H]

When did I suggest that anyone "knowingly risk damaging other boats"? I've suggested there are some recognised techniques, some gadgets, and some help available, which together allow a competent boat handler to single hand most boats WITHOUT knowingly risking damaging other boats.

Didn't you single hand your boat around most of the UK coastline? You couldn't have known what conditions you would arrive in at each destination, so could well have ended up in exactly the situation that you say you wouldn't do??

 

[adey]

I'm almost single handed most of the time, no matter how many people are on board. The last time I gave my friend the boathook he stood on the bow, shouted 'I am Spartacus' and tried to slay an invisible lion.

 

[SnaxMuppet]

Nick, I did have a few problems getting in to one or two berths for the reasons I described and that is precisely why I am saying what I am saying. If I couldn't safely get in without leaning on another boat then I would have called for help or gone somewhere else and berthed temporarily until I could get help to berth in my allocated spot. I am happy to fender and carefully lean on another boat if I have a second person on board and that is a perfectly acceptable technique. But with just me it isn't possible to guarantee that the fenders are in all the right places in advance so as a rule I don't do it.

Is is also remembering that I only went to sea when the wind was not likely to be a serious issue... I was only ever at sea for 6-8 hrs on most days... and as I have said, in good conditons singlehanding is hardly ever an issue in a boat of that size. I only have difficulty when entering a finger berth with strong beam winds and then only if the berth is narrow. With 2 people it isn't a problem because the other person can fend off with a strategically placed fender but on my own I have to fender up in advance and even with 8 fenders on a 21ft boat there is still a risk.

There is also the fact that you might be a better boathandler than me.

 

[gordmac]

Not sure the length of the boat is that important. How easily the wind (and tide) move her is much more significant together with how quickly you can get to the ropes. Bow and stern ropes need to be run down the side to the cockpit area, being able to reach a cleat and tie onto the pontoon, maybe from an easily reached cleat (not handy with a tall boat!). If this is too near the stern then the bow can get blown away from the pontoon and make life difficult, if you tie a bow or stern rope on its own the boat can easily end up 90deg to the pontoon very quickly, springs first sometimes is the best option. I don't like getting off the boat unless she is tied to something, I have been almost pulled off the pontoon by the wind trying to pull a 25ft boat in, I have struggled with an 18ft boat in a strong wind blowing off the pontoon. I have been on a 35ft boat that isn't moved too quickly by the wind and wouldn't be too bad to tie up in a wind.
Be prepared with ropes etc, think through what and when, practice in your mind, think about what can go wrong and your response so nothing is a surprise, be quick but safe, don't be afraid to go back and have another go if things start to go wrong, if you are not confident put her somewhere easier and try and get help.

 

[oceanfroggie]

I single hand a lot and in all weather so know where you are coming from. Our last boat was a 42ft flybidge with walk around decks and I had no problem with her on my own. Current boat is a 38ft aft cabin aft cockpit with walk around decks and again no problem on my own.

I found the aspects that help a single hander are:

• Quick Easy access to decks from helm
• Good visibility from helm
• 360 degree walk around decks including side decks
• Medium to low free board (ie heigth of deck above jetty)
• Plenty of cleats
• Neat and available mooring warps
• Quick and easy deployment of fenders
• Bow fender for holding her onto a jetty beside a finger when wind blowing her off
• Use of "ball and spring" when being blown on by strong winds
• Good ropework, including ability to hold warps from helm position
• Bowthruster even on twin makes life easier
• Electric windlass, cockpit controlled for anchoring
• Bathing platform for ease of picking up a mooring buoy
• Practice, Practice, Practice, some rest and then more practice

 

[MVP]

On your boat insurance there's a box for "single handed sailing" - how much does this put the premium up?

It would be nice to go out on my own, but wondered how much this extra "tick" would cost me

MVP

 

[oldgit]

singled handed.

Ring them and tell them you boat on your own,there should be NO increase in premium,but advise them to cover yourself.

 

[Nick_H]

Back to the original question Nick, there is one instance when you'll find it very hard single handing, and that's mooring stern to when there are no boats either side of you. As you probably know, it can be a bit of a nightmare keeping the boat in position while a crew member gets the upwind stern line and bow line attached. With no crew this would be very difficult indeed in any cross wind, even if you had someone on the quay to throw your stern line to you and pass you the lazy line. This situation never occurs in the UK, as you're always mooring to a pontoon on at least one side.

 

[Nick1150]

Well to be honest I used to do self docking my self too with my 27 ft windy, so I was very curious if with a bigger boat that would be possible... Now I see it is

 

[John100156]

Targa 34 is a good boat to single hand! Now why do I say that (Ignoring signature)

Excellent access to the stern from the helm...

I have single handed (and night sailed) to Pollenca (Majorca) to a stern-to berth with no problem at all, although as said, good advance preparation of fenders and lines is the key.

I have also docked single handed on finger berths in UK and Spain.

I suppose it depends on familiarity with boat, sea and wind conditions, berth configuration, confidence and of course competance levels.

If single handed I would always call for help if it was available.

For me I am happy to handle my 34ft boat single handed, I feel I could probably cope with a larger boat but would need lots of practice with it first!

 

[Hurricane]

I feel I could probably cope with a larger boat but would need lots of practice with it first!

Maybe you'd like to try shafts as well - I'm hoping to blow the cobwebs out JW in the next few weeks.

BTW - as you know I'll be on my own til SWMBO gets down after the Bank Holiday.

Perhaps I'll have a go at single handing a 20metre 50 tonner!!!

Actually, it isn't that different from handling something smaller. As Nick says - its only when you actually get to the berth that someone else is any help. I've got remote wireless controls for both thrusters so I'm sure that if it isnt too windy, I will manage it myself anyway.

I think the procedure (our home berth is a nice big pontoon) would be to manoeuvre the boat as usual and then nip down to the bathing platform - tie off the short low level line that keeps the stern in whilst keeping an eye on the bow and keeping it in place with the bow thruster. My home berth lines are fixed to the pontoon so I would probably have previously riged a spare bow line (already made off to a bow cleat) - I could then nip up to the bow and chuck it off whilst still tweeking the bow thruster. The fore / aft movement would have been checked by my short stern line. So, by then a casual walk down to the stern - step off and tie the bow line in. From then on, it would only be a matter of reconnecting my permanent lines.

Maybe - I'll have a go sometime and you can stand by in case it all goes pear shaped!!!

 

[John100156]

Maybe you'd like to try shafts as well - I'm hoping to blow the cobwebs out JW in the next few weeks.

BTW - as you know I'll be on my own til SWMBO gets down after the Bank Holiday.

Perhaps I'll have a go at single handing a 20metre 50 tonner!!!

Maybe - I'll have a go sometime and you can stand by in case it all goes pear shaped!!!

Now why does the name Gunga Din come to mind?.....

When I was last on your f/b it frightened me to death to see all of that lovely new boat around me! 67ft single handed , you need at two good crew or perhaps one Mary!

Happy to take your lines, you know where we be, pop around anytime. Several Brits out here at the mo, lots of thunder and lightening too today! Its been so very hot recently. Not complaining though.....