Crosswind Stern to Mooring with a Power Boat

[driver0606]

This should start a lively discussion. When reversing into a Mediterranean style mooring in a crosswind, I try to set myself up slightly upwind of the required spot, with the bow angled into the wind so that as things start to line up, the wind is helping the bow to line up also. Then its tidying up with the twin engines and the bowthruster, and reversing into the berth perhaps a little faster than I would choose, before it all goes pear shaped.
However, now I hear that the correct method, is to reverse up into the wind, so that as you turn into the mooring, this swings the bow towards the wind (which I find difficult to believe). I have seen sailing boats do this very well, but they have big rudders and a keel. I have no keel and my rudders would be hard put to cover a postage stamp.
My hat is in the ring, so its over to you guys.

 

[superheat6k]

I always work to the principle that if a method works for you, then it is probably the right method. Generally all boats sterns will seek the wind when going astern, so this gives good control on an approach, but you are right about the possible reluctance of the bow to behave especially on a Mobo with little keel grip, and possibly a long wind blown bow area.

Getting it right before it all goes pear shaped is just about the technique many use most of the time, it just needs confidence as when this shudders is when I find the pears falling !

 

[vyv_cox]

Not having driven a power boat I don't feel very qualified to comment but those I watch seem to be extremely competent, I suppose having twin screws and thrusters enables these boats to be put almost anywhere. Many modern sailing yachts are as easy to manoeuvre as a car.

Conversely, my sailing vessel has very particular characteristics that dictate how we berth. Going astern we can turn to port but almost never to starboard. If there is any crosswind on the starboard side the boat will not turn to port, might turn to starboard but depends on wind strength. Much more likely not to turn at all until we are shielded by adjacent boats. My technique in stronger winds, space permitting, is to make a circle going astern to build up speed, then head straight in to the berth at a couple of knots. My wife will stand on the foredeck to tell me when our position is correct to drop the anchor, which I control from the helm. Once the anchor is down its drag keeps us straight and I mostly don't need to worry, except that the whole boat may be blown sideways. Fenders usually cope but there have been occasions when I needed to stop the procedure and begin again.

 

[driver0606]

Thanks for your replies. However, I admit I expected a lot more, especially after seeing this on U tube -

https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/v...ube.com/watch?v=OtC2FI81OuE&tit=Wind+Docking+[HD]&c=5&sigr=11bfmlv95&sigt=10h6v91hc&sigi=11re78ff2&age=1342340381&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&&tt=b

The comments that followed went on and on, were wildly different and it seemed that it would all come to blows were it not for the electronic separation of the participants.

Come on guys, there must be more opinions and expertise out there!

 

[NormanS]

With twin screws and a bow thruster, I wouldn't have thought it too challenging.

 

[Portofino]

I've recently seen that vid
1st it's obvious he,s never really experianced much Med Marina mooring in a blow + tight spacing between the jettys .
With some the channels between pulpits and sharp projecting anchors may be 10-20 ft more than your boat length .You enter bow first .
When it's blowing you have ONE chance . Or tie it up side on @ visitors ,or anchor off untill after sunset -wind drops .

You do indeed start your turn up wind often 1/2 of even 2/3 rds up from your place ,as the boat turns and the wind hits the full beam as you start to get the arse in you actually need the thruster to hold it AGAINST the wind not turn it in the same direction .And give the throttles some " welly "
Yes a faster than average reverse when all lined up helps when 1/2 in you are home , it bounces off all the fenders -yours + neighbours as it goes in , normal in a tight beam wise place -crew have roving fenders which help at initial line up
I,am talking from experiance here birthing in the Med - France / Itay /Corsica etc in all weathers .

You use the wind to your advantage -let it help .
That vid in my book was not real X wind -that why it worked .

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

A bow thruster helps, but did you notice that they did not pick up the "slime line"?

 

[tudorsailor]

One thing I was taught, was to reverse into the space in such a manner so that if it all goes horribly wrong it is easy enough drive out bow first. So in this case I would have reversed in from the sea direction and not from within the marina.
Going into a nice tight space is infinitely preferable to a wide open space, as once you are in, you are in.
The worst space is the bigger one that they passed on the way in where the quay dog legs out. There it is all too easy to be blown onto bit that is sticking out.
Marina staff always want to give you the bow line before taking a stern line. When its windy with a cross wind, I prefer to get a stern line on as I can then drive against it, but I also can control my bow with the bow thruster.
It is good to keep a midships line rigged so that once alongside a moored vessel, it is easy to tie to that vessel and sort things out at ones leisure

TS