Sealine s23

[out of the blue]

I have just purchased a Sealine s23 and am finding it almost impossible to come onto my berth in any wind, I have many years experience in handling different boats but this Sealine has the better of me at present, anybody any helpfull ideas on how to sort this problem out

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[Ianj68]

I went through pretty much the same problems that you're going through right now when I had a 24ft cruiser. Bearing in mind that this was my sixth boat I was of the opinion that I 'should' have been able to manage it. After bumping and marking it several times I decided to get my self some tuition specific to berthing. I spent a day with a local instructor, and with his help developed a technique for berthing it under a load of varying circumstances. It was the best £200 I've spent.

 

[duncan]

can you draw us a picture of the circumstances, including any tide or current and wind directions please.

I have a similar overall set up 24ft hull, significant windage and single outdrive....sometimes it takes planning, in extreme it can take a second pair of hands ropes more/bigger fenders and a boat hook!

 

[jparham]

A 20-30 ft boat tactic I am hearing is you strategically place some fixed fenders close to the corner in your berth, nudge the boat up to them bows in and leave the boat in drive while you do the mooring lines. Supposed to be a pretty 'robust' solution.

 

[rafiki_]

We used to have a 25 ft american cruiser, which was also difficult to berth and manouevre at low speeds. Solution was to trade up to a larger boat, with twin diesels and a bow thruster.

 

[CX54WEK]

Do you have a difficult berth to enter?

We also have an S23 but have never had any real problems berthing her. The wind in our marina almost always blows us onto our berth so we turn well in advance and let the wind carry her onto the pontoon with a quick squirt of reverse at the right moment to get her to the pontoon.

If the wind is blowing us off we ensure we are well fendered and let the wind blow her onto the adjacent boat gently before one of us takes the stern rope ashore (we moor stern in) ties it off to the rear most cleat on the pontoon, then put the boat gently into forwards gear and it pulls itself onto the pontoon.

We have found our S23 to be highly manouverable and easy to handle, however she is our first boat of our own (we hired for many years before buying) so we have little experience of the handling of other boats. It may just take time and a bit of practice to get used to your particular boat.

 

[out of the blue]

Berthing

Thank you so much for your input I will have to try and get her in backwards this may well be the solution

Cheers

 

[duncan]

I wasn't going to get into general techniques, but I have to say I wouldn't normally look to reversing in to a marina pontoon as a working solution to a berthing problem - not least because your outdrive might extend beyond the rear of your boat and will loose in any contact with pontoon chains!

With your experience you will be well aware of rule 1 - stop clear of the berth first to see what the elements are doing to the boat before factoring them in to your approach. With no effective keel, and only the passive outdrive skeg to hold the water, it can take remarkably little wind going one way against a tide or current going the other to 'spin' the boat. With a single prop you have some additional options but with a duo prop on a drive there are others.

 

[AndieMac]

I have just purchased a Sealine s23 and am finding it almost impossible to come onto my berth in any wind, I have many years experience in handling different boats but this Sealine has the better of me at present, anybody any helpfull ideas on how to sort this problem out

​

Its an awkward size of boat (any brand) to handle in a windy, close quarter situation, as others have mentioned.
The idea of permanent pontoon fenders all round is good, and also a couple of portables hanging on your neighbours side just in case.
When its windy, don't hesitate or you will get blow off course. If this happens, get out and start again.
It doesnt pay to fight the wind, just go with it to a degree, and if you start to spin (and have the room) keep going, while you think of a plan B.
Quick, short, sharp blips on the throttle to hold station and re-assess the next move, preferably with the stern to the wind where you have space in the channel.
Have long bow and stern lines attached, leading to the cockpit where you would normal exit the boat to step onto the pontoon.
The beauty of these smaller boats is that once you are on the pontoon with the bow and stern lines in your hand, you can just pull them where you want to quite easily.
You don't have to moor them like a ship, just like a big dinghy really.

 

[adey]

When it's a bit windy I always find it easier if I unzip the canopy to stop it acting like a sail.

 

[ricky_s]

There is some good advice on this thread.

I have a Larson 240 sports boat which is my third boat and had the same prolems as you with this one.

I have found the best way for me is to have a rope on a midships cleat and get the back near the pontoon.

Once someone is off the boat with this rope the boat is then in a good position to be pulled in or at least held while the bow and stern ropes are tied off.

As mentioned before, this sort of boat tends to turn in the wind quite badly when not in gear.

I find it is best to scrub off most speed before getting to my pontoon which allows me to then use quick bursts to get me in.

As someone mentioned above, it is worth getting training on your boat for a day.