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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Success with docking

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2004 : 15:52:39

Hi All,

Docking has always been a stressful time for me. Since I've gotten my boat back, I have been able to keep our boat in a slip for the first time, so prior to last week I had never docked the C25 before. Needless to say, in my Cal 21 I was certainly not very graceful, often impacting the dock, leaving ugly black marks on the gelcoat and so on.

However, since visiting Steve Milby and receiving instruction from him my docking abilities have improved tremendously. I've taken the boat out four times since she's been in her slip (Friday), and each time I coasted right into the slip I share with a big Hunter 260. I have not touched the Hunter or hit the dock at the bow at all. Last night I was out with my little brother and my wife and on our way in I'm coasting in with the engine in neutral when one of my dock neighbors saw me (we're all really helpful to each other when docking) and came over to catch the bow pulpit so I wouldn't hit the dock. So I coasted in, jumped out and secured the docklines to the boat. I thanked my "helper," he said I was welcome, but that I certainly didn't need his help as he ended up not having to do anything. Made me feel like I knew what I was doing.

Thanks again Steve. Everytime I dock, I think to myself, "Steve's the man!" I hope I can keep my streak going. Patience is the key.

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2004 : 17:20:15

First (or maybe second or third) rule of docking:

Neutral Is Your Friend

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2004 : 21:05:00

Developing a gut sense of "way on" is a major step. It allows for sailing in which is a real pleasure, (and a necessary skill). It also keeps people from being messed up by a tow. Often people who are towed into the slip area do not know when to cut themselves loose, and you do want to be the one who determines when you are cut loose, do not trust the tow boat.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2004 : 21:31:36

Ben,

You're a lot quicker learner than I was. It took me 15 years to figure out how to dock without panicking.

I'm glad to hear your boat is back in the water, and hope you have fair winds for the rest of the season!

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2004 : 07:32:19

Thanks Steve, and all, while I am by no means a pro and each new docking incident is handled very carefully, I think I'm on the right track. I'm curious to see how I do when I have a wind on my beam, which will probably not happen too often since my slip is in a pretty well protected area of the cove.

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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 11:57:26

Ben,

You did not mention use of fenders on the dock-side.

On Hey Jude I use three along the midship beam, about four feet apart. Usually I can get in just touching against those. It is a side tie. But still sometimes I bang the bow or stern and have to clean off the crud from the dock.

I have tied up both bow in and stern in. I actually prefer backing into the slip. It is easy to see and having both the outboard and rudder you can maneuver well.

At our marina, the wind usually is at right angles to my dock finger, meaning if I can get close it will push me into the dock, a good thing.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 15:15:46

Hi Jim,

We do use fenders, but not dock fenders. Instead we hang two fenders from the middle-most portside stanchions. So far this has served us well and we have not bumped the dock or neighboring boat. Last night was the first night we docked where there was considerable wind on the main lake, probably 15-20 mph (we dusted all the other boats btw), so was a real test for coming in while conditions were iffy. I did well but was not flawlessly. What threw me, actually, was that for the first time my slip neighbor (a Hunter 260) was not on his side so I had a LOT of room. Subsequently, I didn't take a wide enough turn, putting more in the middle of open slip, so I put the boat in reverse and went at it again, this time nailing it. The trick, I've found, is keeping your speed low enough that you coast right into position while maintaining steerage.

Regarding backing in, I've often thought about that and the ease with which it must be when heading out. So far, however, I have not tried it. Perhaps that will be something I try in the future.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 15:26:17

Always know which way the wind is blowing.

Only fast enough to maintain steerage.

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capn rick
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 15:35:36

two words:

Rubber bumper. After taking home a sliver of wood as a souvenir from last summers doc encounter, I bought a flat rubber 'dock bumper' at a
sporting goods place and nailed it in the middle of the slip. the Mariner 9.9 doesnt like any low power setting and will croak nearly every time I make the turn into the slip. Now I estimate how much 'way' is on-put the engine in neutral (usually kills it) and aim for the black spot. often as not I barely ding the rubber and have yet to 'land short'. single handing is not much fun at times.
Capn Rick
"Cavale"

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 20:55:33

A wiser man than I once told me, "Don't approach the dock any faster than you want to hit it." We were sailing 24 ft. boats without auxillary power.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 21:15:48

Another factor to remember is prop-walk. If you gun the engine a little in forward gear, it will push the transom to starboard. If you juice it in reverse, it will pull to port. Either can actually kill your ability to make the turn you want, and contribute to your running into something. A solution is to generate the very small amount of speed you need for steerage, and then idle down or even shift into neutral--steering with the rudder. Then, if you use the engine to stop, keep in mind which way the prop-walk will push you in the process. You can correct for that somewhat by turning the engine.

Also (although it probably goes without saying) with a swing keel or centerboard, if at all possible, keep it down!

Edited by - on

Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2004 : 23:02:44

I have one tip and a suggestion:

The tip is that you can dump a great deal of velocity with a wiggle of the boat. If you feel you are moving too fast on the approach, instead of trying to hit reverse for a second (very tricky), just put the tiller over hard on one side, the as the boat starts to turn, go hard the other side. This slight wiggle of the boat will take away as much as 1 knot of boat speed. Doing it a couple times can take you from 3 knots to 1 knot quicker than trying to shift into reverse and then out again.

The suggestion is to go off to an undisturbed shallow section of your lake or bay and set one or two fenders out on anchor. Using those as an imaginary dock, try docking. Spending 45 minutes trying to dock upwind, down wind, sideways, and a dozen other ways is a great learning experience. There is nothing to hit, fewer people watching, and you can practice all day long if you like.

G. Jackson

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.