Ep 18 Solo Sailing: How I Dock My 40' Sailboat 4 Examples and a Blooper
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Four examples (and a blooper) under various conditions of how I dock my 40' Bavaria sailboat while solo. These occur in relatively light winds, but I use the same techniques (frequently) in 15-20 kts at my home port of La Rochelle, France (Les Minimes). Notice that in none of these examples do I use the bow-thruster. In reality, I use it more when departing (to help swing the bow at low speed in tight quarters) than on arrival.
It's funny how there are already so many sailing channels but you have posted one of the most useful videos on the web.
Very kind of you ck. I tried to find a volunteer in a bikini, but had no luck. :-)
Your advice is basic and will be much help to beginners who will never go offshore. But you will give them the courage to begin at all Well done.
I am delighted by your comment ck. It is e actly this that i wanted to achieve. Cheers.
Yes. Sailing for 30 years and I learned something as well! Will try this next time out. I back in, so some of this doesn't always translate properly.
Many thanks ISWK. I often back in as well --- so should have filmed that as well. I prefer that method actually, unless a hard X-wind is blowing (the bow can get away from you quickly if you delay at all or go too slow). I drive in bow first at my home base for reasons of privacy. Thanks for watching.
Absolutely perfect narration, you provide an extremely clear assessment of your situation and concerns as conditions change throughout your voyage. Immensely enjoyable.
Very kind of you Diane. Delighted you got something out of my modest adventure. Best regards
They say if your heart isn't beating faster while docking, your not doing it right
I'm amazed at how calm you are through such stressful manoeuvres. My boat is only 29 feet, and I certainly could not make coherent conversation while trying to dock her alone! The video is definitely helpful, thank you for posting.
Thanks Justin. Many people new to sailing don't realize how difficult/stressful docking a boat can be. And what is 'challenging' for a multi-person crew, becomes 'highly stressful' for a solo sailor. Believe me, I may look calm, but I am stressed, and I have botched many approaches due to a sudden gust of wind, or misjudging the turn radius into the slip. A beer in the port afterwards helps to forget the arrival!
I have always found that marinas and docking is the place most likely for damage or injury to occur. Docking is definitely the most nerve wracking part of a trip.
Probably the most informative sailing channnel i've found so far.
As pilots we always used to say that any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. Docking is the same. Any docking that ends with no damage, no matter how ridiculous it may appear is a good docking.
I think the equivalent saying in sailing is, "Any docking you can swim away from is a good docking!" :-) Very best to you Terrence.
Or any docking where the “equipment can still be fixed”. Excellent series discovered just at the right time for me. Thanks
;-) Thanks for watching Thomas, and good luck with your own sea-going project.
I say any docking where no paint is involved, is a good docking...
:-) Good one Edward.
You are a very brave man to travel out at sea alone. You obviously have learned a tremendous amount of skills and insight in the world of.sailing to have the confidence to be out alone at sea. I love your videos because you take your viewers through all your decision making; triumphs,; some defeats and the beauty surrounding you during your passages. Even when your tired and been up all night you have the strength to sit in front of your camera and give the viewer an update of your situation. Thank you for your dedication to making your videos!⚓️⛵️🐬
Oh no Donna. It's not about courage or bravery. Just about anyone can do this. Really. I'm embarrassed if I made it look too hard or dangerous. The objective is to show that this can be done, solo, without taking abnormal risks (and by someone who is far from being an expert). I'm glad you enjoyed watching. Cheers.
Biggest lesson. Never be overpowered.
Reef early, reef often. :-)
@@patricklaine6958 I saw another sailing channel recently that said "If you've even thought about reefing then do it"
You're the man Patrick. I love your encouraging attitude!
I feel like I should be paying you for these sailing lessons. Thank you.
Thank you Patrick for this series. I enjoyed it immensely, and have learned a lot. I am not yet a sailor. Just thinking about possibilities for upcoming retirement.
I'm not a sailor yet but one day will be!, and I must say your channel is the best on the web re sailing, full respect Sir!
Many thanks John. I'm far from being a qualified instructor --- but hope my practices will fill in some gaps and inspire others to take lessons and get out there. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you very much for your series. Already Subscribed and Alerted! Great videos and I am learning a lot. I am 65 and the cruising bug has bitten. Just need to save up to get a boat and also, importantly, learn to sail. You have motivated me even more than I was!
Many thanks Glen. I am sure you will enjoy the adventure once you get your feet wet.
Just spent 4hrs watching your venture(s) thoroughly enjoyed all - fair winds and happy sailing!
Wow, not even my wife can put up with me for that long David! Thanks for watching, and very pleased you enjoyed them. Best. Patrick
I wish i had seen these videos before i set off around Ireland, I must admit i spent a week in the Youghal bay practicing single handed mooring pick up and strong current docking, as i all ways say FAIL TO PREPARE, PREPARE TO FAIL and i also learned that on a boat if you are going to F%@K up, F@%K up slow. LOL got to go get more refreshments so i can catch up with the rest of your videos
Very kind. Thanks
I think one of the most important lessons to be learned is this:
make sure you know what the wind and the current is going to do with your boat. Think about what will happen and what you want to do about it.
Fantastic series Patrick. Very well done on the passages and the filming. You are a natural and your style relaxed with very clear descriptions. Please dont change!
All singlehanders have to develop their own docking and exit techniques. Thanks for sharing yours. Each boat is different and is shorter or longer with differing deck layout etc etc. Also the docks vary hugely from place to place. I would say to any sailor starting as a singlehander, practice, practice, practice not just docking but all evolutions and throwing lines to cleats etc. If you have a mate or crew aboard then ask them to stand by while you try a new move. This can build your confidence and avoid accidents if it goes horribly wrong. Never be afraid to go around and try again, or ask for help from shoreside if its there. Once you have mastered the first and last 50m of a passage the rest is usually straight forward if you are a competant sailor. Before my first singlehanded passage a friend of mine from La Rochelle told me to stop fretting about the boat. If I had done all my prep and had my spares then the weakest link is always the human. The ship is far more capable then the flesh n blood so trust her and your preparations so this will help your confidence.
Massive thank you for NOT fishing and explaining why. I feel the same way about killing endangered species at sea. I have unsubscribed from most sailing channels for this reason. Very refreshing to find another who has a conscience about humans damaging the oceans and their inhabitants.
Looking forward to your next series. More evolutions videos please! Happy moons'ls. Nick
Thanks NIck. You sound very much like my first flight instructor, "Once you have mastered the first and last 50m of a passage the rest is usually straight forward..." :-) I can only but agree with your comments. The only way to get confidence in these things is to get out and practice, and then again, and again. It is sad to see so many sailboats in marinas that never leave port. I think a large part of the explanation is that owners have lost confidence in their abilities to do the port maneuvers. Many thanks fro watching Nick.
Humble and smart, we need more of you Patrick!
Juan de Fuca would be nice sailing but the San Juan’s and Salish area are best sailed when the weather is changing between winter or fall or at least 15-20 “storm” forecast winds but motoring is always beautiful anywhere in here. Thanks again!! Your videos are quite informative and nicely done.
Great Videos. I'm an aspiring solo sailor and your videos give a great feel for what it is really like, very watchable, feels like you're bringing the viewer with you.
Great. Many thanks for the encouragement Chris. You bring up a good point being an 'aspiring solo sailor'. In fact, any sailor who wants to go out with friends and family should build confidence in their abilities to handle all situations from departure to arrival. Even if you are with other people, they often have very little experience and even basic line handling priorities often exceed their knowledge level. (I once went to help a boat arrive and the 'line handler' threw me the stern line first as they headed into the slip. If she had understood (and been well-briefed on) the maneuver, she would have realized that a stern line is next to useless when arriving in a slip. With either the midship line or the bow line, I could have helped control the boat into the slip.) Thus, I am delighted that you want to develop your 'solo' sailor skills, and that my videos may have been of some modest assistance. Thanks for watching.
I just moved up quite a bit is size from a 27' with outboard and tiller to 35'6" with inboard diesel and wheel. I backed in smartly on on my first attempt. I credit watching your videos to give me the confidence and pratical examples. I want to thank you!
You've made my day Chuck. Of course, every boat and every marina will have their own personalities; the trick is to get out there and practice --- to learn those personalities well enough so that one has confidence going into the berth. Thanks for commenting.
Your videos are very well done and you an inspiration to all. Docking is like landing a plane, always be prepared to go around again. See you next season !
It is surprising how similar the final 20 seconds of sailing, and the final 20 seconds of flying are. I recall having great flight off the carrier; perfect rendezvous, excellent formation flying, professional radio calls, on-target practice bombing, and even a 'win' in dogfighting on the way home, only to have the overall memory of the flight tarnished by a mediocre landing. Same thing happens in sailing. Botching the arrival takes the shine off an otherwise excellent day. :-) Thanks for watching Len.
Good job I’m always afraid of braking and then powering stern to the finger the wrong direction
Thanks for sharing loved watching your journey
Many thanks for the kind remark Barry. Best to you.
I Should Think It Would Be More Descriptive, And Indeed, More Defining To Refer To Those As Bumpers Instead Of "Fenders."
Or shock absorbers in my case. :-)
Thanks Patrick. Your videos are very educational and clearly delivered. Looking forward to more!
Many thanks Mark. As an 'intermediate' level sailor, I made a lot of mistakes ---- but had great fun and learned a lot. Glad you got something out of them.
I'm a novice sailor, and have just purchased a 13m sloop. I confess that I was a little terrified about solo docking in a busy marina, so I studied your video thoroughly and purchased a bow fender. To my huge relief, by using your elegant technique, my first ever docking was effortless, I wanted to hug you! My terrified wife, who utilised your docking stick method as well, was very, very impressed by her excellent 'captain'! Thanks Patrick for your outstanding videos.
Wonderful Ian. You've made my day. Here's wishing for some great sailing adventures for you and you wife. :-)
Just excellent, I'm a new solo sailor & looking forward to feeding my passion... :-)
I've enjoyed your videos very much. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and candour..Cheers
Much appreciated Robert.
Could you set up three arresting cables across your slip? Go for the second wire! :D Greetings from NYC!
In the US Navy, we (almost) always targeted the 3 wire; in the French Navy we always targeted the two wire. On Isabelle, we're just happy to find the berth and crash into it any way I can.
@@patricklaine6958 ''we're just happy to find the berth and crash into it any way I can'' i laughed at that!
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the boat the next day, it's an outstanding landing. @@patricklaine6958
Best video ever Patrick. Well done and amazing tips you give here! WELL DONE!
Just like Captain Ron!
Nice job.
:-) Now there's a guy who has mastered the art of no stress docking! Thanks for watching Ojibway.
Patrick, you have one of the best sailing channels on TH-cam, very informative.⛵️👍
As a modest solo sailor in coastal waters I love watching your inspiring video's. (Modest meaning about 25 solo daytrips a year with my Winner 9.50 in the region of Westerschelde and Oosterschelde)
25 solo passages a year is a great number Kris. Very, very few people manage that. Good for you, and thanks for the kind words!
And so ends Season 1. Can't wait for the next Journey, although I would argue, Patrick, that your entire boating adventures are all one Journey, and your Destination is when you decide "no more"...
If you said you docked perfectly every time, I wouldn't believe you.
These videos are massively helpful thank you.
Best sailing video I have seen. And finally someone docking solo on a bigger boat without a crew or staff waiting for them. Excellent. subscribed. Going to go through all your videos!
A professional makes it look easy. Thank you Patrick. You are a true gent.
I agree with CK H: the most important point of moving- getting stopped. Well done Sir. Good sailing.
Wow! Just wow! Thank you for doing this Patrick!! Really enjoyed the series. Quite helpful to learn and live vicariously through more experienced sailors, as I am just a budding sailor. Thanks again!
Much appreciated John. Formal lessons with a professional (either solo, or as a member of a crew) will greatly accelerate the learning process and enhance security. But once you build a bit of confidence, you just have to cast off the lines and go for it. That's what I did, and I'm having a great time. Fair winds to you.
I love your videos Patrick. I think it is the old world charm with which you present them that's a real draw. Well done indeed. I have done some solo sailing and boat handling with a Bav 41 - similar situation to yours and it can sometimes be very challenging to get the mooring/docking just right. Especially Med-mooring in Greece. It is essential to think through and prepare every line and fender carefully, then plan out exactly how you are going to execute the manoeuvre. You give great demonstrations, with articulate, fluent commentary. Bravo!! Once thank you.
Far too kind Capt. My Bavaria was a very forgiving boat, and took good care of me as I climbed a steep learning curve. I recently sold the Bavaria for a smaller, but much faster boat. I am in the process of converting it into a fast, but uncomfortable cruiser. I'm looking froward to getting underway on this next chapter. You are cleared to descend and maintain 6 feet, slow to 5 kts, squawk VFR and monitor Ch 16. ;-)
@@patricklaine6958 Very good!! Hahaha!
@@patricklaine6958 Roger that Skipper, I am not far behind you... line astern, heading for the horizon ;-)
This video was so encouraging for someone aspiring to solo sail. Thanks!
Thank you Patrick for the fantastic video. Great demonstration and explanation of your method. I will be busy practicing this.
Very good and helful videos. The only thing that I am missing is a wind indicator so that we can actually see where the wind is blowing (sometimes there are no flags around)
Good job Captain ,amazing technique.
Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Hawaiian islands.
I find your material absolutely riveting, and I was glued to my seat for the Azores series. Awesome style of teaching. Thanks so much Patrick!
Thanks for the kind feedback David. Much appreciated.
Thoroughly enjoy watching these and I’m learning a lot, so YES PLEASE keep making these. They are very helpful and educational!
Very kind of you Perry. Thanks
Love your videos, Patrick. I'm a singlehander myself and I really appreciate the hints an tips you give to us viewers...especially docking maneuvers! Always stressful, usually needing two or more attempts in my case. Can't wait to see your next series!
Very kind of you Patrick. Many thanks.
This was magic! Exactly what I needed!!!!
Sounds like you described a Captain Ron docking :) from the Kurt Russell movie see the TH-cam video trailer
Just found you Patrick, merci boucoup. Very helpful, we are new to “big” boat sailing and are having difficulty at dock. Good tips even if not single handed.
Great video!
Just solo sailing a 40' yacht is impressive enough. The docking solo is something else entirely. Nice!
It's been great fun learning how to do this JD. Get out there on your own!
Interesting docking tactics! good things to add to the tool belt. Lately I've been experimenting with backing into the wind slow almost not moving, with the rudder cut hard to walk the back end up to things like mooring buoys and docks. I like the spring bow bumper technique. -Chad
I took lessons from an instructor once who uses the 'backing in' (against the wind) approach for almost everything, including picking up a mooring ball. It does work very well on certain boats (like mine). Not sure I understand what you are doing with the rudder, but if it is a sharp turn just as you arrive to capture the cleat or mooring ball, I got it. That's what I like about backing in --- perfect control. I reverse in in Episode 25 and again in 32. I probably should do it more often. Thanks for commenting Chad.
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience! I sail a 25ft and docking is always a stressful moment, but you gave me some valuable insight, I'll put it into use! Thanks again and godspeed!
Super Yuri. Many thanks for watching and the kind words of encouragement.
Great video, I sail alone, my boat is only 29 feet, so generally I can get a line on the cleat and motor forward on that. I have often considered a bigger boat but docking solo has always put me off. The method you clearly demonstrated I will practice and who knows, maybe i will get a bigger boat. very useful video and very well made. Thank you.
Excellent docking lessons, any advice on mounting the bow bumper?
Really great video. It would help to know what the boat speed is. 2-3 Knots? I singlehand a 45' boat with no bow thruster and have a crosswind single slip. Lassoing cleats is a true art form. Why is it when you do it perfectly, no one is around & when you screw up there is always a crowd on the dock?
I tip my hat to you 7381, because you understand how difficult the x-wind slip approach is. (Prevailing wind where i live is about 12 kts into the other boat.) And as you say, when you do it well, the only witness is a seagull, and when you miss it........
Re the speed, i think you are right--about 2-3 kts. The truth is, i have never made a major mistake by going too fast, but have really messed things up by going too slow. Also, i almost never use my bowthruster going into the slip. I don't find it particularly helpful then, but i often use it on departing to help swing the bow when i am going too slow. Thanks again for watching.
Looking for advice. If you have 30000 to spend on a liveaboard that u will sail solo, which 3 boats would you get. I would like a wide berth
Spoke to soon ... You covered that later.
Like your style, very humble and approachable....
👍💪👌
Merci. Useful channel and pleasant personality. Fly Navy !
Nice video Patrick.
Practice makes champ. Obviously you have been practised ;-)
The last throw you had there,,, was to late anyway ? ;-) ?
Fair wind
Well done Patrick. Very calmly executed and good to see grey hair and lack of bikini teeny boppers in every scene. What area of France were you sailing in? Bon chance ! Tom. Just read your info I see you are based in New Rochelle, beautiful. Home of Amel !
Thanks tom. I think i'm past the age where young women in bikinis will want to grace my videos. Darn! I live on the west (atlantic) coast of france in a lovely port city called La Rochelle. My home is 5 minutes from my boat. Heaven.
Yes. Home of amel (and a couple of others). There is no end to the grief i catch because my boat is a german-built Bavaria. :-)
I live in North Saanich, Vancouver Island BC and I too am five minutes from our boat , which is, as you say, is heaven ...
Ahh. Vancouver. Such a beautiful area --- and so close to your boat. We are indeed fortunate tom.
I like the way you leave it in FIRST gear. I sometimes use second but; to each his own…
do you have to go bow in there? In Sydney its customery to back into a marina slip, which i personally found easier especially if you have to do it alone
Well done Patrick, a real world method. André in Sydney
You're a cool sailor, Patrick!
Super helpful videos. Wishing you fair winds, sunshine and gentle seas. Thank you.
What is that little catamaran at 3:32? I don't think I've seen one like that except maybe a tiki...
Thank you for this video!
It's awesome!
I notice you speak quietly in Port. Is this the equivalent of sailboat trailer park?
Hello from The Netherlands Patrick! Thank you for your excellent videos. I've watched them all in one go! Amongst all the sailing channels out there on TH-cam yours have an unique quality about them. Informative, authentic, calm, kind,.. I hope you keep them coming!
That's very kind of you Henk. I made them for my daughters (who are not sailors). One of them persuaded me to put them on line. I'm certainly no expert (and was nervous that real pros would attack every comment/decision i made), but figured there were others out there who might benefit from my errors..... Again, thanks for the comment.
I'm looking at learning to sail and eventually sail solo so this is super helpful.
Excellent! Thank you captain. I often go out alone in my IP38 which is actually a bit over 40’.
Very useful info, presented wonderfully.
Thanks, every boat and every marina will have its own personality ----- I guess the key is to go out and practice in all types of conditions. Fair winds.
Thank you for showing this technique. I have joined the club of 'crashing into the dock' and it works wonders. Like a ferry docking.
My raked bow helps bring my 11 tonne boat to a stop as I slide a foot or two up onto the dock and slowly slide back down again...
I'm kidding, it's all about timing and judging distances. Docking my 36 foot sailboat solo is difficult at best, I just didn't have the time to do what needed to be done and then leave the helm and cockpit to jump onto the dock. And like your video, the finger is too short to lasso a line over a cleat. This works well.
Thanks PeatSakes. I've taken quite a bit of heat for that expression 'crash method'. :-) I wish I had said something scientific like, 'variation on the international space station differential docking method'. :-) Anyway, like you said, for the layout of my boat,, the responsiveness of my engine, and the type of fingers I dock against, this works just fine for me. Thanks for the kind feedback.
I'm going to count it as a blessing that my first mooring is between a couple of boat barns. only paint for me to scratch is my own.
And I thought docking a 14’ Jon boat was a challenge
Hi Patrick. I'll add my thanks to the rest. We just bought a Hanse 415 and have a prevailing crosswind in our slip that can often get up to 15 knots. Fortunately, it tends to push us onto the finger but sometimes not... This video has been super helpful for us. I'll be ordering a bow fender very soon! I appreciate your calm and clear description of the maneuvers.
Congrats on the Hanse 415 ---- very nice boat. Every boat and every marina will have its own personality for docking/undocking. These videos might help you in testing various different techniques. You'll eventually become confident in some method that works for you. After that, just smile politely when 'experts' tell you that you are doing it all wrong. :-)
LOL only this is the exact same thing when flying. getting in the air is pretty straightforward, its always the reconnection with terrafirma that present the biggest challenge.
:-) You got it Bo. When I was (re)learning how to sail a few years ago, there were always 4 or 5 people on the boat. It really wasn't too hard to dock. You just got somewhere near the pontoon and one or two people would step off with lines in hand. When I started solo sailing ----- it became a completely different challenge --- degree of difficulty x 10. Wow. But, just as my first landings on the aircraft carrier were not pretty, I eventually (with lots of practice), became proficient enough to safely walk away from every landing. ;-) I'm hoping I'll eventually get that way with my boat as well. Thanks for watching.
Patrick - thank you, great videos and YES! Please post more next season, I really enjoyed these a lot.
Bon voyage!
Good to see some techniques to try next time I'm out alone. Thanks!
Well done great info we love your channel keep sailing
Many thanks AVM. Much appreciated.
Ha! Practicing your single-handed berthing techniques! What a useful thing. And sharing them with us. Thank you. Bravo! Well done.
Much appreciated Michael. Thanks for watching.
So glad to have found your channel. Future solo sailor here. Your videos have provided great info and fill me with an added confidence to do this myself. Thanks Patrick.
Very kind of you. Many thanks BitJam.
Relly good stuff...
Many thanks for the kind feedback John.
Docking and boat handling in close quarters. Rule 1. Go very slowly......Rule 2. Go very slowly. Rule 3. If you hit another boat try to hit a cheap one.
I don't know about the go slowly part, but it is great advice to aim for the cheap one! :-)
That was great! DO MORE! THANKS!!!
Prepare ahead, be mindful of wind direction strength as well as currents. Practice in your mind what you are going to do. Have fenders available, and make sure your engine and transmission are in good working action! Then Go For It!
When it is windy you have to do everything at a higher speed!
Yeah -- that's the starting point. If I practice enough, I'll get good at this. :-)
Hi Patrick, I just bought a 40' and I'm learning a lot from your vids. I'm a retired fighter pilot myself, and am looking forward to practice my aerodynamic knowledge and skills on the water. Check six mate!
Break right. Chaff and flares. ;-) I have found it to be a great follow-on activity. Hope you have as much fun as I have had. Fox 2.
I don't know how Bow Thrusters work so forgive me if it's a stupid question. On your final docking example, where you had to go around, Would it have not possible to "set" the Bow Thrusters to gently keep your Bow pushed into the Jetty. In a similar way you use a little forward power on your other examples to hold yourself against the jetty . Or are Bow Thrusters simply on or off with no sensitivity, with a dead-man's-switch/non-latching switch?
Good question Badger. Bow thrusters are 'on-off', and only work while you are pushing the lever (or button). Moreover, you can usually only operate them from the helm station. Thus, if a solo sailor goes forward to grab the mooring line and thinks "Geez, a shot of bow thruster would be good here," it's too late. :-) Bow thrusters are a great tool to have aboard, but not the cure-all that many people think. To be honest, I use mine more when LEAVING the pontoon, than when arriving. They are especially helpful when you have no way on and you need to reorient the direction the bow is pointing. Thanks for watching.
Nice technique for boats lacking a bowsprit. My boat has a bowsprit which is supported, in part, by rigging from its underside to the bow just above the water line... any contact with the pontoon would strike this rigging likely resulting in substantial damage. Do you have a technique for docking to starboard that does not require pivoting against the pontoon?
I really only see three options DJC: 1) you reverse into the slip (which is a very popular choice, and not exceptionally difficult for most boats); 2) you have a crewperson who can step-off once alongside the finger, or 3) if the finger is long enough, you drop a midship line over the first cleat on finger as you enter, and allow it to pull you into the finger without touching the pontoon with the bow. Not particularly easy if one is solo, I admit. Fair winds to you.
Great stuff, very helpful, thinking about buying a yacht ... myself. Very informative Thank- you so much Patrick.
Thanks for the kind feedback John. Much appreciated.
Patric, no need to say that i watched ALL your videos and enjoyed them..:)
There is a philosophy behind your work: "I am not perfect, but this is how I do it! Why don't you check it out?"
Thank you and respect!!
Many thanks for the kind feedback George. Fair winds to you.
Brilliant videos, really enjoyed watching them. Understated educational enjoyable. Please make lots more
Many thanks for the kind thoughts David.
I’m a beginner and you’ve given some really practical examples. Docking always plays on the nerves.
Do you keep the bow fender on all of the time? I didn’t know they existed.
Thanks very much.
Thanks John. I leave the bow fender on when I just go out for the afternoon in the relatively sheltered bay near my marina. When I go out into blue water, I detach one of the quick release shackles where it attaches to the stanchion, pass it around the bow, and pull the fender up onto the deck. I then re-attach the shackle to a fitting on the deck to hold the fender there when waves come over the bow. It takes about 20 seconds to do this (in calm waters as I exit the marina). Thanks for watching. Good question.
Are you joking?
There are tons of videos, tutorials, HowTos that clearly demonstrate HOW to use the ropes.
Crashing into the land by purpose - is a bad joke!
You demonsstrate how you crash into it, and you dont use any ropes. I mean, do you have two hands, or dont you? If not, then I am sorry.
1. You need to prepare the ropes before you enter the harbour
2. you need to throw the upwind rope and tie the boat safely (bug or rear, depending on the direction)
3. use the engine forward (in this scenario you show) to boil into that upwind aft rope
Dont crash into the land by purpose!!
Great suggestion. I never thought of using ropes. Thanks.
Thank you for the honest and patient advice, docking worries me more than most of the sailing! Would live to see your approach to reversing in too. Nothing like learning on the fly with a busy marina audience haha!
I've said it before, if you do a PERFECT docking, the only witness is a seagull, but if you provide some 'entertainment' everyone and his brother are there to watch (and give lots of advice). :-) Thanks for watching Barry.
Here here! Awesome! Love your videos. And your docking techniques are spot on. Thank you, will employ.
Thanks Scott. Every port has its own unique quirks, so obviously, no solution will be universal. Things can get complicated quickly when you are trying to dock or depart solo, so for me, any strategy has to be simple. I'm delighted you may have picked up an idea or two here.
Great vid. Lots of fun!!!!
Can you do a, leaving the dock video, aft first? This is very good to watch and compare to my own techniques. I don't see you using your prop walk or wash to an advantage... maybe there isn't one.
Thanks SubPatrick. In Episode 19, at 2:26 I demonstrate my technique for leaving the pontoon solo. The technique is first to ease the lines a bit so that the bow touches the pontoon fenders. I then start the engine and put it in forward gear with the helm turned away from the finger. (This locks the boat against the bow fender and side finger.) I then remove ALL lines from the shore cleats. To leave, I put the engine to idle, and very quickly center the helm, followed immediately by a strong burst of reverse power to give me sternway immediately. Seems to work for me in almost all conditions. Good point about prop walk. My boat has a saildrive. Thus, the prop is much further forward than a traditional 'shaft and prop' set-up. The effect is that my prop walk (to port when reversing) is only about 1/3 of what a traditionally configured shaft/prop has. It is a factor, but not a huge one.