GOOD TECHNIQUE. I run the bow line towards the stern and hang the end of the line over the top of the lifelines so it can easily be grabbed from the dock. I have found that when stepping off of the sailboat I have the stern line in one hand and a mid-ship spring line in the other I drop the stern line on the dock and quickly secure the spring line highly shortened. This keeps the boat close to the dock, then I secure the stern followed by the bow. A few adjustments and you're done. If given a choice, I prefer a port tie up because prop walk causes me to swing toward the dock.
I've been using one line from the waist cleats and not having to get off the boat. I can have the loop in the cockpit with me, catch the first or second dock cleat, turn the helm to the opposite side with the engine in forward at idle and, the boat snugs up to the dock on the bumpers and sits there quite still. I can exit and adjust the boat at my leisure. But, I've never thought about adding a snubber to the landing line. That's a good idea! There are times in difficult wind when I'm a bit faster than I'd like to be in order to maintain rudder authority. The snubber would cushion the landing. Thank you!
Those are excellent suggestions. Thank you for sharing! I have learned quite a lot from viewers and continue to try to improve my docking skills and tactics. I know what you mean about "coming in hot" when there is stronger wind and current.
Hi, thanks for the video. If it were me, and this was my usual slip, I'd have a line ready to go at the dock post, which I'd grab with a boathook. Upon grabbing the line, I'd give it a couple quick wraps around the winch and put the motor in light forward with the wheel all the way to starboard. The prop kicking water over the rudder along with the line held fast to your winch should work to keep your bow pinned to starboard. From here, I'd complete tie up. I agree with those who caution against stepping off of your boat while docking. Of course, you know your boat/situation better than I. I'm just advising based on observing. Best!
Those are great suggestions. I have begun incorporating a few of those ideas in my permanent slip -- I've also been working at my entry, and trying to bring boat to full stop before stepping off. I still have lots of room to improve my singlehanded docking technique. Thanks for sharing!
Great video; drawing helped clarify your technique. I now use the same technique but with a docking pole. Snubber is a very good idea that I need to adopt; just have to allow enough room so that the line doesn’t stretch far enough to let the bow hit the walkway.
Thanks for the note. I also now try to use a docking pole whenever I can based on some other videos I watched on TH-cam: it is an excellent technique, and, when possible, it is great to not have to step off the boat. Some of the docks around my new home berth, however, don't have cleats -- they have wooden planks that you have to step off and thread -- so I end up using a version of this technique. Some of the other sailors on here have pointed out that I should attempt to stop the boat completely before I step off -- I have been trying to do that as of late -- it helps lessen the risk of getting fingers caught in the rope for sure. The other item that was suggested to me by a sailor on here is to also step off with a mid-ship line to help control the bow as required. I have started doing that now as well when I have an extra technical docking scenario with wind and current. Happy sailing! And docking! Thanks again for the note.
I made my own docking stick with two sections of PVC pipe. One section is 18” long Another is 12” and is sliced apart lengthwise, but one half is about 210 degrees and the other (waste portion) is about 150 degrees. The 210 degree section snaps onto the end of the dock pole, and is pop-riveted to the 18” pipe. It works great.
Glad it helped! I continue to work on my solo docking technique as well. A few folks offered some great tips for me on here. I recently made another solo docking video that incorporated many of their suggstions. They include bringing the boat to a dead stop before stepping off; stepping off with a stern and mid-ship docking line in case there is wind and/or current; having a pre-tied line on the dock for the line to the winch; and having pre-established fenders on the dock. You can watch it here if you like: th-cam.com/video/HcCHcMQd9k0/w-d-xo.html The video also shows a technical turn using prop walk that i also just recently learned from another youtuber. All the best!
I have a different technique. I have installed fender cushions all around my marina berth (the long side I berth against and the shorter side that my bow faces. I drive in forwards and let the boat gently stop itself as the bow nudges the fender cushion on the marina. Speed depends on wind conditions. Once the boat ‘lands’ on the bow cushion I engage slow ahead and turn the helm hard to starboard. The bow stays pushed into its cushion and the engine thrust over the rudder pushes the stern firmly to port against the cushions on that side of the marina. I don’t use a rope or boat hook for this procedure. I have a 50ft / 15m / 15 ton boat and I do this alone. I reverse the process to leave the marina.
That sounds like a great set of tactics -- thank you for sharing them. I can see that they could really help reduce the stress of entry and exit -- and that is a BIG boat that you are single handing!
Very efficient technique to secure the boat with a stern line and the engine in forward. Unfortunately in many marinas where I happen to dock my 39' boat, the dock ("fingers") are generally too short to apply this technique correctly...
Thanks for the note. Good comment. I have learned a lot from viewers comments on this video. I would suggest coming in to you short slip, bringing the boat to a dead stop, walking forward slightly with a mid-ship and stern dock line and go from there. The methond I used in the this video link might work well for you in your short-finger scenario -- th-cam.com/video/RsaGM1SHcxg/w-d-xo.html Good luck.
That's pretty much how I do it. My dock is also on the starboard side But I have to approach my dock the other direction. I have a permanent line secured to the dock hanging up on the piling that has been made the perfect length with a loop. I grab it from the cockpit and lay it over the winch which is my brake. Once that's on I hop off and secure additional lines. But I'm prepared in the event I miss the break line or miss putting it on the winch.
That is an excellent suggestion! Thank you. I have recently added a permanent line secured to the dock in my permanent slip -- so thank you for this suggestion! What a great idea! Fair wind friend! Steve
Good technique, but if you take one hint from me, never ever ever jump off your boat, especially if single handed. Learn to throw the line from the boat on the cleat (throw a large ring and as you pull it will tighten. then cleat off on the boat.). Imagine you fail, you have no chance ever to get back on your boat and correct/stop its movement
I don't even allow as a rule, myself or passengers to "jump" off...only a normal step off when stable. Any jump off in the hopes of stopping/cleating a boat is a Hail Mary maneuver in my book. As mentioned "lassoing" and with one end pre-cleated on the boat from your most accessible point will usually get you secured safely and often elegantly. But I never go for show, I go for any gentle landing we can walk away with no damage or severe embarrassment. And...I'm a big fan of using the dock as a safety net, meaning kissing it is perfectly good technique. Usually it comes off as a good landing but when it doesn't I debrief and learn. I'm also not against radioing ahead for a dock hand in severe conditions. Still to put in water a 26000lb long keel with wheelhouse helm and a narrow companionway so I expect some anxiety and learning curve, hopefully no damages.
Great overhead camera angle! How did you do that? I do something similar but while on the dock, I tied a dock line with a large bowline loop. I set the line from the midship cleat, mine is closer to 1/3 from the stern (46’ Beneteau), back to a dock cleat at the stern. By pre-measuring I can adjust the loop and line length so that I can precisely stop the bow 2’ short of the end of the slip. The loop has 2 benefits, I don’t need to take time to tie it off, just drop it over the cleat. Second the loop acts like a snubber / shock absorber with extra line length. When approaching the slip I have actually been able to stay on the boat while I hang the loop over the edge of the boat and catch the cleat. I don’t even need to get off. Great video, thanks for sharing.
That is an excellent concept. I must try that. Staying on the boat and looping the cleat from there would be a huge benefit, especially in a strong off the dock breeze or current. This would also reduce the risk of injury to fingers when tying off a cleat when/if the boat is still moving. A real risk with my technique. For the camera, I used a selfie stick with a tri-pod end on it. I tied the main halyard to the vertical shaft at the bottom of the tri-pod, and the dead end of the halyard to the top, closer to the camera -- then I hoisted the whole rig upside down with camera pointing downward, and the the three tri-pod legs deployed. Once at the top of the mast, the tri-pod legs helped to stablize the rig against the mast, and then I tightened up the halyard to keep the whole thing in tension to help prevent it flapping around. I was surprised how will it worked!
I watched some of the commercial skippers gently nudge their boats against the dock or a piling so that they can have a little more control to get lined up on the dock . having something to "push against" is like having a spare crew member when you are single handed . sometimes I wish they just had big foam padded spring loaded arms in the berth and a padded gate that closes snugly behind the boat wedging it in so you don't even need to tie up lol .
That is an interesting concept. I will definitely think about how to use that tactic. I have learned a few things from viewer's suggestions since I made this video. One thing was to bring the boat to a full stop before stepping off. A second is to step off with a midship dock line and the rear line around the winch so that I have full control of the boat after I step off the boat. The third was to use a docking stick to wrap the dock line from the winch around the cleat on the dock without leaving the cockpit -- and then put in slow forward using the "Moitessier Stern Tie." And if I miss the cleat, I can still step on the dock with the stern and midship lines.
Nice video. Can see sailor are using different styles to dock single handed. I am using the dock stick and never leave the cockpit until the boat is alongside with the engine running. If it's windy (crosswinds) I use a line from midship to the stern cleat not to short and not to long. The end of the line to the winch to make the final adjustment if necessarily. Keep going and fair winds.
Those are great tips. After I published this video a few sailors have suggested a docking stick -- and not leaving the boat until it is alongside. I have been experimenting with that technique with good success so far. With the feedback from folks i try to use the docking stick as first choice if conditions warrant it. But if it is windy, or I have current fighting me, or I have a very tight turn and end up too far from the dock to use the docking-stick, I have a line tied midship and to the winch and step off with both in my hand once the boat is alongside. So thanks to all of you for the great tips!
Best way to learn how to dock a boat is watch a commercial guy with a single screw no bow thruster boat do it. Good idea to put boat in neutral before getting to dock and see if the wind or tide will be the biggest influence before you get to the dock and adjust approach accordingly
Those are excellent suggestions. Thank you. I will try that. I have found it a bit of a struggle coming into a dock to discern what the current is doing at times -- even after consulting the tide tables. Great suggestion! Thank you!
My father was handicap and could not move very fast but could dock a boat like Jack Sparrow. I learned how to do the same in Washington State wind and currents.
Your father sounds like quite the skipper! I love hearing anecdotes like that. This video was shot at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, Wasthington. As you may know, the wind can rip through there, especially in winter, and make leaving and arriving at the dock very challenging, and stressful! I'm still learning, and struggling a bit, when high wind and strong current are present.
Sure -- what i call a "snubber" is basically a dock-line with shock-absorbing rubber attachment to minimize shock loading on the boat when it comes under load. Many boaters use them as kind of a shock absorber on their dock lines even when sitting idle at the dock. Notwithstanding that, since I made this video, I have learned a few things, and now try to bring the boat to a complete stop before I step off. This reduces the need for the snubber, shock absorber, though it can still be helpful in reducing forces on the boat in general.
Know whether you have a floating dock or rigid because your fender height matters. Rig TWO Lines. One stern and one bow. Lay the ends neatly across the life lines where you’re going to step off. Try to dock against the side your prop favors. Usually your port side. But a lot depends on what slip you’re given and the wind. How fast you go depends on the wind too. Docking on no wind and no current is a cakewalk. With current and wind is not.
Great suggestions. Yeah, I think I got into the habit of perhaps coming in a bit too fast because of wind and current. I probably could have come in slower in this instance. I do "kiss" the dock with fenders in place typically upon entry . I could improve my entries, I think, and try to come in perfectly alongside (and have the fenders there just in case) -- and come to a full stop before stepping off. Agree, however, in wind and current, I can lose the bow, or the boat off the dock in those couple of seconds. It's still a work in progress for me! Lots of room for me to improve. Thanks for the ideas.
Wow! Never step off the boat when it is underway and you are alone. You should be able to reach the dock cleat from the cockpit with a large bowline and pole.
I sail a lot solo and in general it is impossible to dock safely to guest harbours etc. without going to the dock with a line. You will go and tie a line to a cleat and then back to the boat. Operating a 3 meters long pole to try to lasso a cleat is not possible in any wind.
Barely forward and into a dock slip involves little risk here. Many have done this or something like it for solo with power and sail boats for a long time. I can see your preference but this isn’t too “Wow” level for me at least.
@@JENewportI've seen too many people slip getting onto the dock and be unable to tie up before the bow hits the main dock. No need to ever be off the boat with the in Forward.
Never leave your boat to tie up. Lasso the stern (or any) shore cleat with a prepared (one end tied off) midship cleat line. Nip back to the helm and drive fwd on the line. But the approach was sweet. Add a starboard quarter and midship fenders in case you fail to stag the shoreline.
That is great feedback, thank you! I continue to advance my skills in docking -- I have been experimenting with the "lasso" style recently with some encouraging results.
@@respecttherisk2022 Thanks. My feedback was a little harsh because I'm also an ex-systems risk manager. There are more risks in that you could be being blown off (and that's a big gap to your neighbors gelcoat) and the finger maybe shorter than your boat in an unfamiliar port.... so no cleat for your prepared stern line. Both risks are mitigated by reversing in (which is easier anyway) and capturing a portside dock cleat with your prepared stern line before driving forward on that. Reversing means they dock you're reversing at is both near and visible so your thruststop accuracy can be inches. Great vid btw. Cheers. Bill. PS. We are always learning and there are always other ways to learn.
Every video of this nature on TH-cam shows singlehanded docking to a floating pontoon along the side, which is easy. Not one showing tying up to pilings, which is extremely difficult.
I agree - box berthing is not as easy and berthing in a running river between two piles even harder. A friend of mine can do it alone. He is the master :)
Hi, i do my single handed docking between two piles exactly as shown here. Fix the line at the windward pile and adjust the thrust and rudder according wind. This needs some practice and it is essential to find the pivot point of your boat to fix the block with the mooring line there. Put that line on the winch and release slowly until the bow is close to the pier. I only have to admit, that i don't need to deal with current, only cross winds.
@@Themothershipsailing Big difference between marina berthing (like this) vs. going between piles in a running river is that in a running river you can go against the current, whichever way it is flowing. Going into a marina, you have to go the direction the berth points which on occasions may mean going with the current - much more difficult!
@@martincrick2158 Agree rivers are ok - cross winds -that’s the killer that adds the complexity, lose the bow and its back to square one and hoping you don’t catch the slime line between the piles on your way around. I berth my 38ft regularly in a variety of marinas in Northern Europe and with her long lines but big tumble home, the box berths almost always make me hold my breath as the ones for her length are sometimes barely wide enough especially with a cross wind getting her belly in and I wish I had rubbing strakes! I’ve now started a technique which is more akin to getting a big dining table through a cornered door way..
Thanks for the note. For the camera, I used a selfie stick with a tri-pod end on it. I tied the main sail halyard to the vertical shaft at the bottom of the tri-pod, and the dead end of the halyard to the top, closer to the camera -- then I hoisted the whole rig upside down with camera pointing downward, and the the three tri-pod legs deployed. Once at the top of the mast, the tri-pod legs helped to stablize the rig against the mast, and then I tightened up the halyard to keep the whole thing in tension to help prevent it flapping around. I was surprised how will it worked!
Would you change anything with a wind off the dock? pushing you out of the slip or away from dock? In this example the wind is holding you where you want to be. At 4:21 you say, "...can now take your time to tie off the bow..." I would imagine with a wind off the starboard, in this method, you would get a mid-ship dock line on first. I always focus on mid-ship dock line cause then the bow and stern are in control single handed.
Thanks for the note. When wind and/or current is off the dock, this is the most challenging case for sure. I have found that I do step forward earlier, and then onto the dock while the boat is still moving slowly forward, I quickly tie off the cleat with the other end on the winch, then step back aboard to put the engine in forward. (I call this "coming in hot" and it is quite stressful, and even a bit dangerous, since the boat is still moving, and you have to tie the cleat off and ensure that you don't pinch your fingers. I have tried a docking stick a couple of times but in the end felt more comfortable stepping off the boat) The stronger the wind and/or current is, the more speed I need on the engine to hold it against the dock -- and if I start to lose the bow to port in the wind, I just apply more thrust on the engine. For my boat, the winch is placed perfectly for this -- with the engine engaged in forward, the boat sits nicely against the dock. (I first read about this technique in one of Bernard Moitessier's books) The engine thrust counter acts against the wind and current -- it sits there quietly in a kind of equilibrium. In this case of strong wind and current, I have found that if I attempt to stop the boat dead in the slip with the engine, I am already losing the bow off the dock, and it can hit the other boat alongside to port. All that said, I am certainly still learning, and trying to improve my techniques. I may experiment some more with a docking stick -- especially for the case of strong wind and/or current off the dock, "coming in hot" when timing is most critical.
With a rudder that is well in the prop wash, the midship dockline - adjustable from the cockpit - is also my preferred option. However, my boat has two rudders and only one prop. With the sternline I can hold the boat against the dock up to about Bft 5. With the midship dockline and wind off the dock the stern will tend to move away from the dock and touch the neighbour.
Thanks for the comment. Noted on the music! I have a few other videos on my channel where I used that camera angle as well. It is a cool angle for sure.
Nice and Quiet. But not much Wind and it seems as if the Wind is towards the Dock? Good for training, but later try more difficult situations. By the Way please use less noisy Music or consider to use natural sounds and your spoken comments
I don't know the size of the vessel. But, I've done this many times in a 26' boat under sail without using power and not come in this fast. The key is to know your boat, the current, and the wind. This boat came in way too fast and hit way too hard. The goal is to reach the slip with minimal forward speed and not need the fenders. The fenders should only be there for protection after docked. If done right, the boat arrives at dock without touching a fender to the dock or straining a springline. I've seen a 60' twin masted schooner do this at Port Aransas, TX arriving under sail. Know your boat, know the current, know the wind. And manage sail, steerage, and timing to arrive at dock with no forward headway.
@@respecttherisk2022 I made it sound real easy didn't I. It never is. But when you get it right and the marina is filled with people, you can almost count on a standing ovation. I have found current to be the most difficult part to read.
Nice camera angle, rubbish music. I run the spring line up through midships cleat and then back to the stern. No need for a snubber as the line will take any shock. I aim to be just making way as I make the turn then a blast of reverse to stop the boat, deploy the line and click into tickover. Tie up and time for a pot of tea.
Excellent demo, thanks for posting! Your timing to pause the camera footage and show the diagram was perfect.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words and complement.
GOOD TECHNIQUE. I run the bow line towards the stern and hang the end of the line over the top of the lifelines so it can easily be grabbed from the dock. I have found that when stepping off of the sailboat I have the stern line in one hand and a mid-ship spring line in the other I drop the stern line on the dock and quickly secure the spring line highly shortened. This keeps the boat close to the dock, then I secure the stern followed by the bow. A few adjustments and you're done. If given a choice, I prefer a port tie up because prop walk causes me to swing toward the dock.
Thanks for the note. Those are excellent suggestions. I will have to incorporate something like that. Thank you.
I've been using one line from the waist cleats and not having to get off the boat. I can have the loop in the cockpit with me, catch the first or second dock cleat, turn the helm to the opposite side with the engine in forward at idle and, the boat snugs up to the dock on the bumpers and sits there quite still. I can exit and adjust the boat at my leisure. But, I've never thought about adding a snubber to the landing line. That's a good idea! There are times in difficult wind when I'm a bit faster than I'd like to be in order to maintain rudder authority. The snubber would cushion the landing. Thank you!
Those are excellent suggestions. Thank you for sharing! I have learned quite a lot from viewers and continue to try to improve my docking skills and tactics. I know what you mean about "coming in hot" when there is stronger wind and current.
The equivalent of a carrier landing for your sailboat. Nice video!
Glad you enjoyed it. Many thanks! It is a cool angle for sure. Check out some of my other videos where I filmed from the same spot.
Hi, thanks for the video. If it were me, and this was my usual slip, I'd have a line ready to go at the dock post, which I'd grab with a boathook. Upon grabbing the line, I'd give it a couple quick wraps around the winch and put the motor in light forward with the wheel all the way to starboard. The prop kicking water over the rudder along with the line held fast to your winch should work to keep your bow pinned to starboard. From here, I'd complete tie up. I agree with those who caution against stepping off of your boat while docking.
Of course, you know your boat/situation better than I. I'm just advising based on observing. Best!
Those are great suggestions. I have begun incorporating a few of those ideas in my permanent slip -- I've also been working at my entry, and trying to bring boat to full stop before stepping off. I still have lots of room to improve my singlehanded docking technique. Thanks for sharing!
I like the snubber idea, definitely food for thought.
Great video; drawing helped clarify your technique. I now use the same technique but with a docking pole. Snubber is a very good idea that I need to adopt; just have to allow enough room so that the line doesn’t stretch far enough to let the bow hit the walkway.
Thanks for the note. I also now try to use a docking pole whenever I can based on some other videos I watched on TH-cam: it is an excellent technique, and, when possible, it is great to not have to step off the boat. Some of the docks around my new home berth, however, don't have cleats -- they have wooden planks that you have to step off and thread -- so I end up using a version of this technique. Some of the other sailors on here have pointed out that I should attempt to stop the boat completely before I step off -- I have been trying to do that as of late -- it helps lessen the risk of getting fingers caught in the rope for sure. The other item that was suggested to me by a sailor on here is to also step off with a mid-ship line to help control the bow as required. I have started doing that now as well when I have an extra technical docking scenario with wind and current. Happy sailing! And docking! Thanks again for the note.
I made my own docking stick with two sections of PVC pipe.
One section is 18” long
Another is 12” and is sliced apart lengthwise, but one half is about 210 degrees and the other (waste portion) is about 150 degrees.
The 210 degree section snaps onto the end of the dock pole, and is pop-riveted to the 18” pipe.
It works great.
Thanks RtR, just spent an evening solo docking and the video was a good tutorial. I like your camera work.
Glad it helped! I continue to work on my solo docking technique as well. A few folks offered some great tips for me on here. I recently made another solo docking video that incorporated many of their suggstions. They include bringing the boat to a dead stop before stepping off; stepping off with a stern and mid-ship docking line in case there is wind and/or current; having a pre-tied line on the dock for the line to the winch; and having pre-established fenders on the dock. You can watch it here if you like: th-cam.com/video/HcCHcMQd9k0/w-d-xo.html
The video also shows a technical turn using prop walk that i also just recently learned from another youtuber. All the best!
excellent explanation. very valuable information.
Glad it was helpful!
Very nicely done.
Thanks.
Really don’t need the music. Very informative thanks
Haha thanks. Yeah, a few folks have said that lol. You're welcome!
Nicely done. The masthead camera angle is a nice touch.
Glad you enjoyed it
I have a different technique. I have installed fender cushions all around my marina berth (the long side I berth against and the shorter side that my bow faces. I drive in forwards and let the boat gently stop itself as the bow nudges the fender cushion on the marina. Speed depends on wind conditions. Once the boat ‘lands’ on the bow cushion I engage slow ahead and turn the helm hard to starboard. The bow stays pushed into its cushion and the engine thrust over the rudder pushes the stern firmly to port against the cushions on that side of the marina. I don’t use a rope or boat hook for this procedure. I have a 50ft / 15m / 15 ton boat and I do this alone. I reverse the process to leave the marina.
That sounds like a great set of tactics -- thank you for sharing them. I can see that they could really help reduce the stress of entry and exit -- and that is a BIG boat that you are single handing!
hi Very good demonstration video, thank you for the effort and time. bye
Thanks for watching!
thanks for the explanation.
You're welcome!
Very efficient technique to secure the boat with a stern line and the engine in forward.
Unfortunately in many marinas where I happen to dock my 39' boat, the dock ("fingers") are generally too short to apply this technique correctly...
Thanks for the note. Good comment. I have learned a lot from viewers comments on this video. I would suggest coming in to you short slip, bringing the boat to a dead stop, walking forward slightly with a mid-ship and stern dock line and go from there. The methond I used in the this video link might work well for you in your short-finger scenario -- th-cam.com/video/RsaGM1SHcxg/w-d-xo.html
Good luck.
That's pretty much how I do it. My dock is also on the starboard side But I have to approach my dock the other direction.
I have a permanent line secured to the dock hanging up on the piling that has been made the perfect length with a loop. I grab it from the cockpit and lay it over the winch which is my brake. Once that's on I hop off and secure additional lines.
But I'm prepared in the event I miss the break line or miss putting it on the winch.
That is an excellent suggestion! Thank you. I have recently added a permanent line secured to the dock in my permanent slip -- so thank you for this suggestion! What a great idea! Fair wind friend! Steve
Good technique, but if you take one hint from me, never ever ever jump off your boat, especially if single handed. Learn to throw the line from the boat on the cleat (throw a large ring and as you pull it will tighten. then cleat off on the boat.). Imagine you fail, you have no chance ever to get back on your boat and correct/stop its movement
Good tip! A I am working at incorporating a few of those items into my technique.
I don't even allow as a rule, myself or passengers to "jump" off...only a normal step off when stable. Any jump off in the hopes of stopping/cleating a boat is a Hail Mary maneuver in my book. As mentioned "lassoing" and with one end pre-cleated on the boat from your most accessible point will usually get you secured safely and often elegantly. But I never go for show, I go for any gentle landing we can walk away with no damage or severe embarrassment. And...I'm a big fan of using the dock as a safety net, meaning kissing it is perfectly good technique. Usually it comes off as a good landing but when it doesn't I debrief and learn. I'm also not against radioing ahead for a dock hand in severe conditions. Still to put in water a 26000lb long keel with wheelhouse helm and a narrow companionway so I expect some anxiety and learning curve, hopefully no damages.
Great overhead camera angle! How did you do that? I do something similar but while on the dock, I tied a dock line with a large bowline loop. I set the line from the midship cleat, mine is closer to 1/3 from the stern (46’ Beneteau), back to a dock cleat at the stern. By pre-measuring I can adjust the loop and line length so that I can precisely stop the bow 2’ short of the end of the slip. The loop has 2 benefits, I don’t need to take time to tie it off, just drop it over the cleat. Second the loop acts like a snubber / shock absorber with extra line length. When approaching the slip I have actually been able to stay on the boat while I hang the loop over the edge of the boat and catch the cleat. I don’t even need to get off. Great video, thanks for sharing.
That is an excellent concept. I must try that. Staying on the boat and looping the cleat from there would be a huge benefit, especially in a strong off the dock breeze or current. This would also reduce the risk of injury to fingers when tying off a cleat when/if the boat is still moving. A real risk with my technique.
For the camera, I used a selfie stick with a tri-pod end on it. I tied the main halyard to the vertical shaft at the bottom of the tri-pod, and the dead end of the halyard to the top, closer to the camera -- then I hoisted the whole rig upside down with camera pointing downward, and the the three tri-pod legs deployed. Once at the top of the mast, the tri-pod legs helped to stablize the rig against the mast, and then I tightened up the halyard to keep the whole thing in tension to help prevent it flapping around. I was surprised how will it worked!
That’s what I do, but I use a docking stick to be 100% sure I lasso the piling.
I watched some of the commercial skippers gently nudge their boats against the dock or a piling so that they can have a little more control to get lined up on the dock . having something to "push against" is like having a spare crew member when you are single handed . sometimes I wish they just had big foam padded spring loaded arms in the berth and a padded gate that closes snugly behind the boat wedging it in so you don't even need to tie up lol .
That is an interesting concept. I will definitely think about how to use that tactic. I have learned a few things from viewer's suggestions since I made this video. One thing was to bring the boat to a full stop before stepping off. A second is to step off with a midship dock line and the rear line around the winch so that I have full control of the boat after I step off the boat. The third was to use a docking stick to wrap the dock line from the winch around the cleat on the dock without leaving the cockpit -- and then put in slow forward using the "Moitessier Stern Tie." And if I miss the cleat, I can still step on the dock with the stern and midship lines.
Nice video. Can see sailor are using different styles to dock single handed. I am using the dock stick and never leave the cockpit until the boat is alongside with the engine running. If it's windy (crosswinds) I use a line from midship to the stern cleat not to short and not to long. The end of the line to the winch to make the final adjustment if necessarily. Keep going and fair winds.
Those are great tips. After I published this video a few sailors have suggested a docking stick -- and not leaving the boat until it is alongside. I have been experimenting with that technique with good success so far. With the feedback from folks i try to use the docking stick as first choice if conditions warrant it. But if it is windy, or I have current fighting me, or I have a very tight turn and end up too far from the dock to use the docking-stick, I have a line tied midship and to the winch and step off with both in my hand once the boat is alongside. So thanks to all of you for the great tips!
Masthead camera is great teaching technique. thank you.
Glad you think so!
super easy when no wind and no currents. this does not help too much without a follow-up video of doing this in wind (> 10 knots)
Thanks for the note. Well said! Leave that one with me! I have it on my "to do" list! All the best.
Best way to learn how to dock a boat is watch a commercial guy with a single screw no bow thruster boat do it. Good idea to put boat in neutral before getting to dock and see if the wind or tide will be the biggest influence before you get to the dock and adjust approach accordingly
Those are excellent suggestions. Thank you. I will try that. I have found it a bit of a struggle coming into a dock to discern what the current is doing at times -- even after consulting the tide tables. Great suggestion! Thank you!
Will this work exactly the same if you are berthing the port side instead of the starboard side shown in the video?
Yes, it can be used on both sides easily.
My father was handicap and could not move very fast but could dock a boat like Jack Sparrow. I learned how to do the same in Washington State wind and currents.
Your father sounds like quite the skipper! I love hearing anecdotes like that. This video was shot at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, Wasthington. As you may know, the wind can rip through there, especially in winter, and make leaving and arriving at the dock very challenging, and stressful! I'm still learning, and struggling a bit, when high wind and strong current are present.
Good stuff thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Can you explain what a snubber is in this context please. A photo would be good. Thanks.
Sure -- what i call a "snubber" is basically a dock-line with shock-absorbing rubber attachment to minimize shock loading on the boat when it comes under load. Many boaters use them as kind of a shock absorber on their dock lines even when sitting idle at the dock. Notwithstanding that, since I made this video, I have learned a few things, and now try to bring the boat to a complete stop before I step off. This reduces the need for the snubber, shock absorber, though it can still be helpful in reducing forces on the boat in general.
Know whether you have a floating dock or rigid because your fender height matters. Rig TWO Lines. One stern and one bow. Lay the ends neatly across the life lines where you’re going to step off. Try to dock against the side your prop favors. Usually your port side. But a lot depends on what slip you’re given and the wind. How fast you go depends on the wind too. Docking on no wind and no current is a cakewalk. With current and wind is not.
Great suggestions. Yeah, I think I got into the habit of perhaps coming in a bit too fast because of wind and current. I probably could have come in slower in this instance. I do "kiss" the dock with fenders in place typically upon entry . I could improve my entries, I think, and try to come in perfectly alongside (and have the fenders there just in case) -- and come to a full stop before stepping off. Agree, however, in wind and current, I can lose the bow, or the boat off the dock in those couple of seconds. It's still a work in progress for me! Lots of room for me to improve. Thanks for the ideas.
Wow! Never step off the boat when it is underway and you are alone. You should be able to reach the dock cleat from the cockpit with a large bowline and pole.
That's great feedback. A few folks have made a similar suggestion -- I'll have to incorporate something like that.
I sail a lot solo and in general it is impossible to dock safely to guest harbours etc. without going to the dock with a line. You will go and tie a line to a cleat and then back to the boat. Operating a 3 meters long pole to try to lasso a cleat is not possible in any wind.
I agree never leave the boat with it in gear or untied.
Barely forward and into a dock slip involves little risk here. Many have done this or something like it for solo with power and sail boats for a long time. I can see your preference but this isn’t too “Wow” level for me at least.
@@JENewportI've seen too many people slip getting onto the dock and be unable to tie up before the bow hits the main dock. No need to ever be off the boat with the in Forward.
can do the same thing with a midship snatch block.
Thanks for the suggestion. A few fellow boaters have mentioned that idea. I will give that a try! Thank you!
More good info....
Glad you think so! Thanks for the encouragement.
Nice video. Thanks.
(The music is horrible though)
Just mute it. There's no narrative to hear.
Hi I'm looking for cheoy Lee ketch 45 to 53 project is okay to if you know any please let me know thanks 👍🙏.
Never leave your boat to tie up.
Lasso the stern (or any) shore cleat with a prepared (one end tied off) midship cleat line. Nip back to the helm and drive fwd on the line.
But the approach was sweet.
Add a starboard quarter and midship fenders in case you fail to stag the shoreline.
That is great feedback, thank you! I continue to advance my skills in docking -- I have been experimenting with the "lasso" style recently with some encouraging results.
@@respecttherisk2022 Thanks. My feedback was a little harsh because I'm also an ex-systems risk manager. There are more risks in that you could be being blown off (and that's a big gap to your neighbors gelcoat) and the finger maybe shorter than your boat in an unfamiliar port.... so no cleat for your prepared stern line.
Both risks are mitigated by reversing in (which is easier anyway) and capturing a portside dock cleat with your prepared stern line before driving forward on that. Reversing means they dock you're reversing at is both near and visible so your thruststop accuracy can be inches.
Great vid btw.
Cheers. Bill.
PS. We are always learning and there are always other ways to learn.
Every video of this nature on TH-cam shows singlehanded docking to a floating pontoon along the side, which is easy. Not one showing tying up to pilings, which is extremely difficult.
I agree - box berthing is not as easy and berthing in a running river between two piles even harder. A friend of mine can do it alone. He is the master :)
Hi, i do my single handed docking between two piles exactly as shown here. Fix the line at the windward pile and adjust the thrust and rudder according wind. This needs some practice and it is essential to find the pivot point of your boat to fix the block with the mooring line there. Put that line on the winch and release slowly until the bow is close to the pier. I only have to admit, that i don't need to deal with current, only cross winds.
@@Themothershipsailing Big difference between marina berthing (like this) vs. going between piles in a running river is that in a running river you can go against the current, whichever way it is flowing. Going into a marina, you have to go the direction the berth points which on occasions may mean going with the current - much more difficult!
@@martincrick2158 Agree rivers are ok - cross winds -that’s the killer that adds the complexity, lose the bow and its back to square one and hoping you don’t catch the slime line between the piles on your way around. I berth my 38ft regularly in a variety of marinas in Northern Europe and with her long lines but big tumble home, the box berths almost always make me hold my breath as the ones for her length are sometimes barely wide enough especially with a cross wind getting her belly in and I wish I had rubbing strakes! I’ve now started a technique which is more akin to getting a big dining table through a cornered door way..
I just want to know how you rigged your 'GoPro' on the halyard to stay so level & balanced?
Great Video! Mahalo from Hawaii
Thanks for the note. For the camera, I used a selfie stick with a tri-pod end on it. I tied the main sail halyard to the vertical shaft at the bottom of the tri-pod, and the dead end of the halyard to the top, closer to the camera -- then I hoisted the whole rig upside down with camera pointing downward, and the the three tri-pod legs deployed. Once at the top of the mast, the tri-pod legs helped to stablize the rig against the mast, and then I tightened up the halyard to keep the whole thing in tension to help prevent it flapping around. I was surprised how will it worked!
Brilliant! I have an old tripod that can go up my halyard so I will try it outside of Waikiki! Mahalo!
Would you change anything with a wind off the dock? pushing you out of the slip or away from dock? In this example the wind is holding you where you want to be. At 4:21 you say, "...can now take your time to tie off the bow..." I would imagine with a wind off the starboard, in this method, you would get a mid-ship dock line on first. I always focus on mid-ship dock line cause then the bow and stern are in control single handed.
Thanks for the note. When wind and/or current is off the dock, this is the most challenging case for sure. I have found that I do step forward earlier, and then onto the dock while the boat is still moving slowly forward, I quickly tie off the cleat with the other end on the winch, then step back aboard to put the engine in forward. (I call this "coming in hot" and it is quite stressful, and even a bit dangerous, since the boat is still moving, and you have to tie the cleat off and ensure that you don't pinch your fingers. I have tried a docking stick a couple of times but in the end felt more comfortable stepping off the boat) The stronger the wind and/or current is, the more speed I need on the engine to hold it against the dock -- and if I start to lose the bow to port in the wind, I just apply more thrust on the engine. For my boat, the winch is placed perfectly for this -- with the engine engaged in forward, the boat sits nicely against the dock. (I first read about this technique in one of Bernard Moitessier's books) The engine thrust counter acts against the wind and current -- it sits there quietly in a kind of equilibrium. In this case of strong wind and current, I have found that if I attempt to stop the boat dead in the slip with the engine, I am already losing the bow off the dock, and it can hit the other boat alongside to port. All that said, I am certainly still learning, and trying to improve my techniques. I may experiment some more with a docking stick -- especially for the case of strong wind and/or current off the dock, "coming in hot" when timing is most critical.
With a rudder that is well in the prop wash, the midship dockline - adjustable from the cockpit - is also my preferred option. However, my boat has two rudders and only one prop. With the sternline I can hold the boat against the dock up to about Bft 5. With the midship dockline and wind off the dock the stern will tend to move away from the dock and touch the neighbour.
I would suggest moving the tie point to midships would reduce extent of the bow blowing off in a big cross wind.
THANKS
Well done! Thanks.
Nice but wont work so well with a very short finger pier on the starboard side..Well done
Sweet
nice technique. Nice video and camera work and sketch. Didn't like the music. Too much drama. But good content, thanks.
Thanks for the comment. Noted on the music! I have a few other videos on my channel where I used that camera angle as well. It is a cool angle for sure.
Nice and Quiet. But not much Wind and it seems as if the Wind is towards the Dock? Good for training, but later try more difficult situations.
By the Way please use less noisy Music or consider to use natural sounds and your spoken comments
Roger that mate. Thanks for the comment. I have started doing voice-overs as I have progressed in my editing skills.
I don't know the size of the vessel. But, I've done this many times in a 26' boat under sail without using power and not come in this fast. The key is to know your boat, the current, and the wind. This boat came in way too fast and hit way too hard. The goal is to reach the slip with minimal forward speed and not need the fenders. The fenders should only be there for protection after docked. If done right, the boat arrives at dock without touching a fender to the dock or straining a springline. I've seen a 60' twin masted schooner do this at Port Aransas, TX arriving under sail. Know your boat, know the current, know the wind. And manage sail, steerage, and timing to arrive at dock with no forward headway.
Thanks for tips. That is great coaching feedback. I've working to incorporate the coaching into my technique. Thank you!
@@respecttherisk2022 I made it sound real easy didn't I. It never is. But when you get it right and the marina is filled with people, you can almost count on a standing ovation. I have found current to be the most difficult part to read.
Strange, most people in my marina dock stern in.
Nice camera angle, rubbish music. I run the spring line up through midships cleat and then back to the stern. No need for a snubber as the line will take any shock. I aim to be just making way as I make the turn then a blast of reverse to stop the boat, deploy the line and click into tickover. Tie up and time for a pot of tea.
That's is a great concept. A few folks have suggested something like that. I am looking forward to trying it! Thanks for the note and feedback!
I would never step off of my boat with the engine in gear!
Too fast into the alip
Good video. Unnecessary soundtrack.
Thanks. Haha yeah, a few folks don't like the background music. I thought I would try a "younger" track lol. All the best mate.
2:49 your boat is TOUCHING the dock.. Bad video as boat should never touch imho.
That's what the fenders are for, yeah?
@@MrJhchrist Look closer, there's no fender where it touches ;) And no, fenders are not so you can hit the dock willynilly.