Docking or coming alongside...

[tonybarebones]

It has been said that the first rule of boating is, “Approach the dock at the speed at which you are prepared to hit it.”

Great rule! But, before we hit the dock, just how do we plan and maneuver to get there? Here are some tips that will make docking, if not a thing of beauty, at least not a memorable event.

First, we need a plan. To put together a plan, we need to look at the environment. As we approach the dock have a good look around. Here are some of the items we want to check:

The condition of the dock where it will contact the boat.
Are there any nails or other obstacles that could cause damage?
Are there fenders on the dock? (They are air filled rubber bags that keep the boat from contacting the dock.) If not, then lower your own fenders.
What kind of devices is present to tie off the boat (cleats or wooden pilings)?
Is there anyone on the dock to assist with docking?
Which way is the wind blowing and the current flowing?
Are there other boats on the dock that we must maneuver around?
Are the docking lines ready to be used – that is, attached to the boat on the docking side.

Once these questions have answers, you can proceed with the plan. First, approach the dock with the lowest speed relative to the dock. (Remember the rule above.) What this means is that you normally want to approach the dock into the wind and/or current. (There is very little current on our lake but it can be awesome along the coast.)

An example would be if the dock is running north and south and the wind/current is from the north, then you want to approach the dock from the south – going north. While wind and currents affect boats differently, unless something extraordinary is present, always dock into the wind/current.

Proceed toward the dock at the slowest speed you can manage, still being able to steer the boat. Do not go in fast and expect to use reverse to stop! It is not worth the potential consequences.

The first goal is to get a line (Remember that a rope once aboard a boat becomes a line.) attached to the dock. Usually this means someone from your boat throwing a line to someone on the dock. When you do this, throw them the end of the line that has a loop on it. Then it is easy to ask them to put it around a cleat or piling.

Once this has been done and the line is tied to your boat’s bow and the dock, it is a simple matter to bring the stern into the dock. If the dock in on your right side, engage the throttle forward a little and turn the wheel to the left – remembering that you steer the stern and the bow goes the other way. This turns the stern of the boat toward the dock, making it easy to attach another line there. The bow line keeps the bow from turning left.

If the wind is pushing you off the dock, it is best to approach the dock at a good angle. In situations where the wind is really blowing, I have approached the dock almost head on. Whatever works to get a bow line attached to the dock. Once that is done, the rest becomes easy.

Often you may have no help on the dock. If that’s the case, approach the dock close enough for one of your crew, or sometimes just yourself if you are alone, to either attach a line or jump onto the dock and do that. (Being oh so careful on the jump!)

Always remember that you are the Captain! You have the responsibility for what happens to your boat and the dock. Thus, you have sole authority and don’t let anyone talk you out of it!

Happy Docking!

 

[single]

Not sure i agree with the slow speed but i suppose that depends on boat design and personally i hate people taking lines.

 

[Bluepoolneil]

It has been said that the first rule of boating is, “Approach the dock at the speed at which you are prepared to hit it.”

Great rule! But, before we hit the dock, just how do we plan and maneuver to get there? Here are some tips that will make docking, if not a thing of beauty, at least not a memorable event.

First, we need a plan. To put together a plan, we need to look at the environment. As we approach the dock have a good look around. Here are some of the items we want to check:

The condition of the dock where it will contact the boat.
Are there any nails or other obstacles that could cause damage?
Are there fenders on the dock? (They are air filled rubber bags that keep the boat from contacting the dock.) If not, then lower your own fenders.
What kind of devices is present to tie off the boat (cleats or wooden pilings)?
Is there anyone on the dock to assist with docking?
Which way is the wind blowing and the current flowing?
Are there other boats on the dock that we must maneuver around?
Are the docking lines ready to be used – that is, attached to the boat on the docking side.

Once these questions have answers, you can proceed with the plan. First, approach the dock with the lowest speed relative to the dock. (Remember the rule above.) What this means is that you normally want to approach the dock into the wind and/or current. (There is very little current on our lake but it can be awesome along the coast.)

An example would be if the dock is running north and south and the wind/current is from the north, then you want to approach the dock from the south – going north. While wind and currents affect boats differently, unless something extraordinary is present, always dock into the wind/current.

Proceed toward the dock at the slowest speed you can manage, still being able to steer the boat. Do not go in fast and expect to use reverse to stop! It is not worth the potential consequences.

The first goal is to get a line (Remember that a rope once aboard a boat becomes a line.) attached to the dock. Usually this means someone from your boat throwing a line to someone on the dock. When you do this, throw them the end of the line that has a loop on it. Then it is easy to ask them to put it around a cleat or piling.

Once this has been done and the line is tied to your boat’s bow and the dock, it is a simple matter to bring the stern into the dock. If the dock in on your right side, engage the throttle forward a little and turn the wheel to the left – remembering that you steer the stern and the bow goes the other way. This turns the stern of the boat toward the dock, making it easy to attach another line there. The bow line keeps the bow from turning left.

If the wind is pushing you off the dock, it is best to approach the dock at a good angle. In situations where the wind is really blowing, I have approached the dock almost head on. Whatever works to get a bow line attached to the dock. Once that is done, the rest becomes easy.

Often you may have no help on the dock. If that’s the case, approach the dock close enough for one of your crew, or sometimes just yourself if you are alone, to either attach a line or jump onto the dock and do that. (Being oh so careful on the jump!)

Always remember that you are the Captain! You have the responsibility for what happens to your boat and the dock. Thus, you have sole authority and don’t let anyone talk you out of it!

Happy Docking!

It's a very entertaining day out watching people trying to come alongside in Tawe lock at Swansea where the wind is usually blowing you into the lock at a fair rate. They mostly adopt the bowline first line to shore tactic and seem very surprised when the stern keeps swinging round away from the dock! If I'm single handed I use a midship line led back to a cockpit winch and haul it it as quickly as I can, this stops the stern swinging out to far giving you time to get the other lines ashore. If I've got crew l get the windward line ashore first, or still use the midship spring and motor against it, depending on wind strength/ direction.

 

[trapezeartist]

If there's much wind about, I always put the the line at the windward end on first. If not, midships-to-midships makes sure the boat is not going to go far.

If I'm singlehanded I'll usually try to lassoo a cleat on the pontoon. 99% of the time I can make it land in the right place. But 98% of the time it then bounces off again.

I like the idea of motoring against a spring as the first point of contact. The problem I find is persuading the crew to secure the line fast enough. they always seem to want to stand and look at it until the boat is totally stopped or maybe even going astern. Then by the time they've locked the line to the cleat the boat is drifting off and needs a big lump of welly to be pulled back into line.

 

[Bluepoolneil]

I tie a large loop in the end of the first spring line and have the working end onboard led through a block on the mid ships cleat back to a cockpit winch so all my crew have to do is drop the loop over a bollard or dockside cleat,(easier said than done) then I can adjust the line length from the cockpit. Works most of the time!! If I'm single handing, I have the same set up but the loop end is also led back to the cockpit out side of the rails and shrouds l then drop it over a shore side cleat close to the cockpit, reverse gear to slow down if needed, haul in to trim the spring line, make it fast, then I can motor forward against it tiller pointed at the pontoon till I can get more lines ashore

 

[tatali0n]

When we first took our Griffon out for her trial sail about a year ago now, coming back in to Tawe Lock the broker, Mark, said whenever he's short handed he made a point of looping a stern line onto a cleat first, after which he could just motor gently forward against it whilst he sorted everything else out.

Over the last year, almost all of our sailing has been with just myself and Dad, and when coming alongside, Dad's always taken the helm and I've managed the lines. That advice Mark gave me has proven invaluable and, thus far, infallible.

I'm still very much only a newbie with anything too big to launch by hand off a trolley, so far be it from me to judge, but I'm continually surprised by how many other short-handed boats seem to prioritise getting the bow line on first, and then have trouble with the stern swinging out, caught by wind or current.

 

[Bluepoolneil]

Sounds about right unless there's a strong head wind blowing the bow off. ''Tawe lock is fun on a northerly locking back into the river. When the inner lock doors open the whole dimamic changes. I've seen boats cast off their bow lines first and end up broadside in the lock before they can get the stern line off! Lesson of the day, Windward line first on and last off. ( most of the time)

 

[nemodreams]

Yes - I came out of Cardiff backwards ( sluices - it was the sluices ! )

I usually get onto my river axe mooring when the flow is with me - by going slightly past and reversing into it. You stay very straight in reverse when there is current heading onto the transom - and streaming away from the bow.

Its either that or go past and turn. Then however - if singlehanded you have to pick up at the stern - and as soon as you do the current will stream the bow around - usually the wrong way over the guest line !

I've now made a grappel iron - have not yet put it to a real test as I'm on pontoons right now at Uphill.

Marinas are easy - great big wide berths - and water that suddenly does not all disappear at a rate of 3m an hr !