Docking advise please...

N

narcosis

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Joined
Jan 25, 2007
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24996
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My Dad and I keep our boats at the same marina. We're slipped next to each other and share the same dock finger. My boat is on the right side of the finger and my Dad's is on the left. Docking my boat in these conditions is really simple. I just bring the stern in and the wind pushes me up against the finger nicely.

Docking my Dad's boat is a completely different animal. The port side of the boat ends up pinned against the two port pilings, far away from the finger and the much needed springline.

I use the springline to control the bow and suck the boat up against the finger by putting the starboard engine in reverse as standard operating procedure. Ultimately, I have no "problem" getting her docked, but I'd like to figure out a more attractive way to do it.

If I could get that darned springline on early everything would be smooth and easy. The mid-cleat is hard to get to on the boat and requires walking up a super narrow gunnel.

dock.jpg


One idea is to move the spring line from the dock cleat to the bow line piling. Then, I'd be able to approach the piling with the bow into the wind, pickup the spring line, and place it on the mid-cleat while backing into the slip, sucking the boat nicely into position.

I'd like to make some changes so I can easily single hand the boat. Any suggestions?
 
Your idea makes perfect sense. I would only recommend you get a line hanger to make grabbing it off the piling easier.
 
An alternat I used at one of my docks was a midships line secured to the boat, used as an AFT spring.. If you are able to back down into the slip reasonably well before the wind catches the bow, you can drop the line onto a cleat and power forward to snug the boat to the finger. All depends on how much control you can maintain before the wind catches you..
 
Backing down on a spring from the outside piling should work fine. So will going ahead on a spring or a stern line.
 
I was in a similiar situation at my last marina and used the method you describe, worked flawlesssly every time. I actually had it set up mid dock for the stern cleat, run out and hung at the piling, the admiral would stand at the back corner of the boat, picks up the line as I back around it and hooks the eye on the cleat...done
 
"One idea is to move the spring line from the dock cleat to the bow line piling. Then, I'd be able to approach the piling with the bow into the wind, pickup the spring line, and place it on the mid-cleat while backing into the slip, sucking the boat nicely into position."

That should work just fine.
 
Narcosis, your plan is a good one, though I believe I'd leave the existing spring and add the one to the spile off the finger to add to your options in wind. I'd also consider running a line on both sides from aft dock cleats right out to the outer spiles. That will enhance manual handling contol when out of gear, and gives you better access to dock lines hanging from them where they are convenient.
 
I would just back into the slip and let the wind push your port side up against the pilings. Now use your boat hook to hook up the spring line from the starboard piling and finally back down. Use the wind and the port pilings to your advantage. If the wind is holding you there, you can use as much time as needed to set your lines before finally backing down.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I guess the easiest solution is get a boat with a 16 foot beam to fill up the 18 foot wide slip. :D

A stiff 20+ knot breeze down the fairway takes the bow pretty quick and it just feels awkward being pinned and reaching 8 feet for the spring line with a boat hook. Also, I've seen some docks with no pilings between slips. In that case I would be pinned up against the neighbor's boat.

I'm going to try a bunch of the different suggestions and just see what works the easiest. I think the bottom line is it can't be pretty every time depending on the conditions.
 
It is always pretty if nothing is damaged.
 
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