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My version of a "dock-o-matic" - Pics added

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/29/2011 : 08:45:01

I've made up my own version of the Nauti-dock-o-matic, based on an item I saw recently here on the forum that someone put a link to.
The parts are:
One 3' section of 1" PVC pipe.
Two end caps for above.
Three ft. of 3/8" clear tubing, cut 1 ft. and 2 ft.
Approx. 10 ft. of 5/16" stiff line.
Make sure the tubing is completely round, no flattened out spots.
The objective is to have a smaller loop on one end of the pipe and a larger loop on the other end.
Drill 2 holes in each end cap for the 5/16" line.
Directions:
Insert one end of the line through the PVC pipe and through one hole in an end cap, pushing enough line through to make the loops at each end of the pipe. Push the line through the 1' piece of clear tubing and bring it to the end cap. Insert the line through the 2nd hole in the end cap and bring both ends of the clear tubing up snug to the end cap and push the cap onto the PVC pipe. This will be the handle/winch end of the device.
I suggest cutting the 2' piece of tubing dow to 115-18". Insert the longer end of line through the 2nd end cap and push the line through the tubing. Here I brought the other end of the line up through the end cap and, temporarily, tied the line together outside the pipe next to the end cap. It is now ready to use.
With the knot outside of the pipe, it is not necessary to glue down the end caps. However, it would look cleaner to knot the line just under the 2nd end cap and glue them both down. I'm working toward that.
The idea, of course, is to snag the cleat coming into the slip, but it can be used as a reaching tool also.
I enter the slip bow first so the cockpit is close to the cleat at the end of the finger. I snag that cleat and put the "handle" end over the jib winch. It works very well, as long as we are coasting in very slowly. I may try placing the device over the winch first and snagging the cleat second when I go out next time.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/14/2011 10:27:48

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 09:29:45

I thought about doing this as well after seeing the pictures. Did you take any of yours that you can share? We have a modified dock-a-matic that I created (adds a smaller loop to the large loop solely for the boot hook), but it's hardly perfect. Rita struggles with it, either the loop drops off the end of the boat pole, or it gets stuck, either one is problematic, so I'm looking for a better solution.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 10:01:42

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nBhdKU-81Y

you guys kill me.. Wonder how they do it in Texas...

In Florida ( or the part I'm from ) we would leave a rather long line high on the piling and grab it with the boat hook.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 10:24:03

We don't have pilings on our finger piers, so that's not an option. I've thought about rigging a fiberglass pole somehow, but that might interfere with my neighbors getting in and out, so I haven't done so.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 12:26:26

I'm noodling on making one with somewhat flexible (probably heavy vinyl) tubing around the "neck"--the part between the two loops--so it can be bent to adapt to different lengths between the boat cleat and the dock cleat before it goes taut, but still has enough rigidity to help in "lassoing" the dock cleat. I'm thinking of about 6' total length. I guess it would be sort of a compromise between your rigid design and Randy's "limp" version.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/29/2011 12:30:47

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 18:46:49

First, I meant to type 15-18" on the larger piece of tubing. Sorry. If I made it 6' long, it would not stop the boat before the bow hit the front of the dock. In fact, 3' of PVC pipe is almost too long for me. I'll try to take a pic and post it next week. I'm on a floating dock, so we do not have pilings in the water. I'm out near the end of the pier, so I also have good water under the boat, usually 23'25' deep.
With mine, I do not need the boat hook. The pipe provides enough rigidity. As we come into the slip, if we are going slow enough, a practiced person could just hold the device, loop it over the cleat, and hold on to the handle end and stop the boat. If we are coming in a little too fast, the handle loop could be laid over the winch first, then holding the pipe snag the dock cleat. That's the idea anyway.
The hardest part in making it was getting the line through the tubing. If there is any flattening of the tubing, you won't get the line through, too much friction. Also, I used 5/16' line because I had a scrap piece on hand. It you want to use 3/8" line, you will need 1/2" tubing, and maybe 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" diameter PVC pipe.

Edited by - dmpilc on 06/29/2011 18:50:44

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 20:09:09

I figured that with the semi-flexible vinyl tubing, if I couldn't pull the rope through with a smaller messenger, I'd slit the tubing open. I've done the same thing for chafe guards.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/29/2011 20:09:55

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 20:41:18

Patent infringement. You'll be hearing from my lawyers - Dewey, Cheatum and Howe.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2011 : 20:53:05

Have them contact my business manager in Bayonne. I think you'll find that the "issue" is resolved "expeditiously."

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/29/2011 20:56:29

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 07:15:52

My spring line, with a spliced eye, is permanently attached to the dock (as all my lines are) which I simply place on my winch as I slowly enter the slip. To me, this seems way easier, and simpler, than trying to lasso a dock cleat.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 09:02:39

All my lines are left at the dock as well. So are my fenders. I grab the stern line as I slowly putt by. Simple and inexpensive. Of course different situations call for different protocol, but in most I'm thinking lines left at the correct length at the dock would be the way to go. I suppose it's a personal preference thing.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 09:51:10

I also have all lines set in my slip... My purpose for the Dock-o-Matic (or variation thereof) is to have it on board for marinas, gas docks, etc.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/30/2011 09:52:50

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 09:59:16

All of my dock lines are left at the dock when I go sailing, too. I wanted to rig up something so I don't have to step off of the boat and grab the spring line when I come in. also, I can use this if I'm docking elsewhere. When it's just the admiral and me, I don't mind stepping off as we enter the slip, but if I'm single handing or have a bunch of newbies on board, I don't want to have to get off myself or have them jump off. Also, I just wanted to see if I could make the thing!

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dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 14:25:19

The primary difference between my version and the "Nauti-dock-o-matic" is that I use PVC pipe between the loops instead of a line snubber, so my device does not have the shock absorbing abilities of the "Nauti" version, but it does offer a bit more rigidity and it can be used to reach for a cleat if you don't come in close enough to a dock.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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4024 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 16:13:52

So I've been thinkin about this idea of using two large electro-magnets, One on the dock and one mounted inside your hull. You approch your dock to within 10 feet, Pick up your remote control activator, Press the button and the magnets get charged drawing you into your slip like a pro...Hmmmm, Awww never mind, Just another one of my stupid ideas...

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 17:30:54

Depending on your dock set up, maybe you could use something to hold your springline within reach so you don't have to jump out of the boat to retrieve it.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2011 : 19:14:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by islander
 So I've been thinkin about this idea of using two large electro-magnets,...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...and a 350 hp genset on the boat. You could also use that to power your laser cannon to atomize PWCs...

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 06:03:58

They make a round dock wheel for the end corner that would be easy to get a line on.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/product.do?part=104239&NEXTAG

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John Russell
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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 07:34:10

I think it's a mistake to leave it on the dock if you miss, then you're done. If it's on the boat and in your hand, not on the end of a boat hook, you have a fighting chance to recover before the crash. My larger loop is sort of like a "lasso". No, I don't just throw it but, I swing it out keeping the loop open enough to grab the piling in my slip or a cleat elswhere.

[url="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shoreline-Inflatable-Fender/16627886"]This[/url] is what I have attached to my slip.

Edited by - John Russell on 07/06/2011 07:45:52

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 09:22:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I think it's a mistake to leave it on the dock if you miss, then you're done. If it's on the boat and in your hand, not on the end of a boat hook, you have a fighting chance to recover before the crash. My larger loop is sort of like a "lasso".<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've been using a fixed springline when docking since 1995 (actually, I have to since there are no cleats or pilings on the docks in my marina) and I can't recall ever having an issue. I'm having hard time fathoming how using a "lasso" somehow reduces the chance of error over simply placing a fixed dockline over a boat cleat or winch?

Edited by - dlucier on 07/06/2011 09:29:15

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 09:41:03

"Never approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it!"

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DaveR
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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 10:07:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">you have a fighting chance to recover before the crash.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
"Never approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it!"<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ha! My thoughts exactly.

I do agree that it would be great to have a DOCK-O-MATIC for transient dockage.

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redeye
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Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 10:09:57

I just jump on the dock with a line ( or two ) in my hand. I've had some interesting jumps in a storm.

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redeye
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Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 10:16:44

http://www.greatsouthbay.com/DDeckPFDC.htm

Wow... that would be fun.

Edited by - redeye on 07/06/2011 10:17:50

dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
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Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 10:32:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 I do agree that it would be great to have a DOCK-O-MATIC for transient dockage.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless you're a transient in my marina where there's not a thing to lasso. There's nothing like a fixed concrete and steel dock, without cleats, to make one more proficient at docking.

For transient docking, I wouldn't rely on stopping using an unfamiliar dock cleat, especially on wooden docks, as a six thousand pound boat with some momentum could ruin both the cleat and your day.

Edited by - dlucier on 07/06/2011 10:32:35

JohnP
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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2011 : 11:18:53

I feel lucky to have purchased my boat at a marina that just happens to be sheltered from waves, tides, currents, and most winds. It's on a small creek off a river off a bay.

I motor in at 2 knots, coast in neutral about 300 feet, turn the bow out at my slip, and back in. I shift to forward, stop the boat, and slip a short line over a port cleat.

Come visit! You can see how it works!

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