docking seamanship 213
- With the rudder toward the pier, the stern should swing away from the pier.
When the stern clears, place the engine into neutral long enough to cast off
the spring line and bring it aboard. Th en back away and clear the pier.
SEA-CRET TIP
X For short stops, keep the engine in gear to hold the boat against
a single spring line alongside a pier. When undocking, wait until
Step 5 to take the engine out of gear. Both docking and undocking
against a spring line require a combination of engaged engine and
turned rudder.
Working into a Slip under Main or Headsail
In case your auxiliary engine bites the dust, you should know how to sail your
boat back to her slip. Successful mooring under sail requires careful preparation
before you enter the marina.
- Estimate wind for the approach. Figure out what point of sail you will
be on as you enter the marina. Reaching or running works well in most
situations. Going in close-hauled might be out of the question if the entry
is through a narrow canal. Wind shadows and headers could cause loss of
control. If the wind is blowing straight out of the entrance, you might want
to anchor or beg a tow. Current adds to the challenge. In most cases, you
should wait for a mild or slack current before you enter.
When you make the turn into the slip, the wind will affect you in
one of four ways. If the wind is from ahead, the wind will help brake the
boat. Wind off the port or starboard side will set the boat downwind. If
it’s astern, you’ll need to use some method to stop the boat. - Preset two “braking” spring lines. Cleat two lines at the bow to use as
port and starboard spring lines. Lead the springs through the bow chocks
and outside all lifelines, stanchions, and shrouds on the port and starboard
sides, respectively. Pull the lines aft to about two-thirds the length of your
boat. Th e springs need to stop the boat well short of the seawall at the head
of your slip. Make a large 2-foot-diameter bowline (see Chapter 11) in the
end of each line to drape over the outer slip pilings. - Preset ground tackle. Set up your bow anchor so that any crewmember can
deploy it in under 10 seconds. Check the anchor line to make sure it runs
without jamming inside the locker or spill pipe.