Single Handed Docking Techniques

[Tom Spohn]

We have tried many ways and have found approaching the dock the way Andy describes, then hopping off with a line through the center stantion the way Chip describes is the easiest. We keep a 20' looped dockline on board just for that manuever.

Best control is with all foils down. No one hops off until the Captain says "OK". If more than an easy step I back out and try again till it is any easy step.

[aya16]

I have found it very helpfull to come into the dock slowly with very wide eyed expression on my face and screaming at the top of my lungs for help, this will make for a smooth docking. This works very well when there are other boats at the dock that costs more than your house.

Slow is the key and all boards down tanks full, dont wear a self inflating vest and no matter how good you get there will be days that just dont work out for you.

And practice this in a couple differant languages, " Hey buddy grab that line will ya"

There is also the option of sailing with another person, Two people on board screaming into a dock at half throttle close to half million dollar boats gets more help then when your by yourself. For some reason people need to process the fact that your in a large boat that is a little hard to handle even with two people, why you would be trying to do such a risky thing before they spring in to help you.

Launch and trailer I do it all the time alone even when someone is with me, most of the time, but there is nothing better than to have someone on board with you to yell at if something goes wrong.
when your alone and screw up everyone knows it was you who did it.

Another favorite way of docking without hurting my boat is to look for inflatable boats docked at the ramp and use them to cussion the blow to the dock. Like a bumper.

Or you can try just coming in at night so no one will see what you do.

Or untill you get good at it you can launch your boat tie it up and then pretend you just got back.

If things are a little tuff you might try and tie old tires all around your boat like the tug boats have.

or you can go to west marine and buy a couple hundred thousand yards of good rope and keep it tied to the dock when you go sailing, then when your ready to come back in just haul the rope in.

hope this helps

[Mark Prouty]

This has been a great topic and I have read every post. I have yet to sail the boat alone and docking this unwieldy boat has been a major concern of mine. I'll study this thread again before I go it alone.

Does aya16 have the best solutions? Great advice

[Zoran]

I am almost always single handed and I trained hard for docking. After a lot of practice I can leap up to 6 feet from the boat to the dock. Ask all people on the dock, especially kids, to move away from your landing point. Keep lines in your hands, having them between you teeth can lead you to additional expensive visit to your dentist.
Now seriously, slow is the key. If everything is calm I can park it like a car to a full stop just touching the dock, if there is a wind involved than approach has to be planned carefully. If I am docking with the wind I will just get the boat to a full stop couple a feet away and parallel to the dock and wind will nicely push me in. Than slowly you just step from the boat and tie your lines. If the winds are pushing me away from the dock when single handed I will dock in reverse, keep the bow line in my hands, step out, step on the bow line while tying stern line and than pull the boat in with the bow line. If I have help then into the wind I will dock with bow first, passenger will step out, tie the bow line, than I will shift forward turn away from the dock and engine will push me in.
All this have not work last week. I was dropping off some passengers, docks were full and I have about 9 feet at the end of the dock. Since there was some wind I decided to come in bow first and have all my passengers leave and I will reverse and continue to the anchorage. I was approaching very slowly and as I thought in neutral last 50 feet. In the last 15 feet I shifted in reverse still idling, then I and noticed that boat is not slowing down. In last 5 feet I automatically shifted further in reverse and boat just jumped forward. I hit the dock and slided into the big sailboat already docked. What I realized when I stopped (I shut off my engine since it was still pushing me forward) was that the shifting cable "tube" (what is the proper word for actual protective tube around the cable) was detached from its connection and engine was stuck in forward. My attempt to slow down by pushing the control lever all the way backwards actually made me accelerate forward. There are some bends on my bow railing and a dent on the other sail boat. Now I am waiting for insurance to call me back with the estimate for the other boat. Depending of the costs I will see if I will trow my damage in too. So guys check your cables connections next time on board.

Zoran

[Mark Prouty]

Zoran,

Sorry to hear about your mishap and I'll keep your cables connection advise in mind. but you've actually done use all a favor.

I have found it very helpfull to come into the dock slowly with very wide eyed expression on my face and screaming at the top of my lungs for help, this will make for a smooth docking. This works very well when there are other boats at the dock that costs more than your house.

If anyone nearby saw your mac docking, they'll remember when they see mine approach.

I'll have to train my dog for this docking technique.

[John Skardzius]

My dock is starboard, the same techniqu applies. I poer in ballasted, all fins down all the way.
... Approach the dock at whatever angle
... As I approach the dock I prepare the starboard aft dockline in hand. .
... As soon as a pass the last dock bollard, I tie off the aft line and turn hard to port
... giving the motor as much thrust as is needed to keep the bow tucked to the dock

Sorry John, but I have no idea what you're describing there.

If your dock is to starboard
and you tie-off starboard aft line,
and you turn to port & accelerate,
the bow will not tuck to starboard ???

See...cutting and pasting is bad for you! (especially on a PDA on the boat!)

Meant to say turn to starboard, or toward the dock.

[James V]

Practice is the Key to good boat handling. You might try to put two empty water bottles (weighted down with a rock to the bottom) in the water and try to put your boat next to it. No damage, no fuss, no body around and is fun for the entire family.

[mtc]

All excellent ideas, thanks.

My biggest problem is the hard shifting and subsequent excitement when i'm plowing into the dock because i can't get my @#$! out of forward and into rev. Gotta change that shifter soon.

Haven't tried the line tied fore and aft - like that one. Just drop it over the ballard, cool.

Haven't actually hit the dock, yet, but with the engine possessed, it's only a matter of time before she leaps from the water and parks herself on the dock!