Docking - What's the hurry?

[Tanley]

I'm not remotely adept at docking, in fact we're just getting started. But I do it as slow as I can while maintaining steerage. If I get laughed at for going too slow, so be it. I'm not risking life or limb in the process.

It's a beautiful thing to watch a captain control a vessel into port with skill and confidence. I'm not that person, and I only dream to be so one day.

We must have witnessed a dozen boats go crashing into their slips this weekend, fending off neighboring vessels, jumping onto docks and making an overall mess of the process. Nice boats too, but why are they trying to do it so fast? These boats were flying into their slips. It's a well sheltered marina with no wind or current to speak of. They were all under power, it wasn't like they were doing it under sail.

They were mostly between 30' and 35' (we're only 28'). Do larger boats need to go that fast to have use of the rudder?

[svsirius]

Slow us good. I go as slow as possible given wind current etc. There is no reason to go fast other than to show off. Just think if your shift cable fails as you come into the slip depending on reverse been there not fun.

[deniseO30]

If they are go fast boats of any type I thought it's near impossible for them to even idle slow.

[Tempest]

The Staten Island ferry lost reverse..going in too hot...it's not pretty..

[svHyLyte]

They were mostly between 30' and 35' (we're only 28'). Do larger boats need to go that fast to have use of the rudder?

Nope. Most boats will respond nicely to bursts of power and rudder angle and to prop walk. My 5', 105#, wife virtually always helms our boat into the slip while I handle lines and has learned that if we're not bored on the way in we're going too fast. Rudder hard to starboard or port and a shot of power ahead kicks the stern to port or starboard, and the bow to starboard or port, respectively, and a centered helm and a shot of power in reverse slows the yacht and walks her stern (in our case) to port and the bow to starboard. Gently powering the yacht forward against our starboard surge line holds the yacht's rail firmly against our starboard, well fendered, piling while I collect the bow and stern lines. (This exercise frequently elicits compliments and accolades of my wife by other husbands in the basin, particularly when there is a strong cross wind, making her happy and leaving me nothing to say but "Well I trained her!", but it makes her feel good, eh?))

I never cease to be amazed at folks who rely on their engines to neatly drop into reverse and slow them before they bang into the seawall or a piling and there are many bent and battered bow pulpits in our basin as testimony to the futility of that belief.

FWIW...

[Tanley]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

I never cease to be amazed at folks who rely on their engines to neatly drop into reverse and slow them before they bang into the seawall or a piling and there are many bent and battered bow pulpits in our basin as testimony to the futility of that belief.

FWIW...

This is a perfect description of what we saw! Transmissions slammed into reverse and the engines roaring to life at the last possible minute to avoid a bow on collision. The gentleman who taught me was adamant about short bursts of power. I might look like the old fart with a walker, but if/when I hit something, it's going to be at a crawl.

[tomwatt]

And then there's that scene from Captain Ron...

[painkiller]

I like a little speed when backing out of my slip to get some steerage, especially with a breeze. I have to back out of my slip and spin her a little to get out to the fairway. The breeze is usually blowing me back towards the slip or across it, so if I don't get out and turned quickly, I'm going to be laying up against the pilings. I did that a couple of times when I first got the boat and it was not pretty. I've come in too slow as well and that's not pretty either.

So I like a little speed. Steerage is a good thing and I have faith in my boat maintenance.

Of course, one man's "a little speed" is another man's "that guy's a maniac".

[T37Chef]

I have a somewhat difficult slip to get in/out of but I have managed to learn how to do it with confidence and no battle wounds to speak of. I take it slow but apply the throttle when needed ( I do about a 300+ degree turn around) to maintain steerage or to rotate the boat. BTW, from the end of our pier to the T head behind our stern is 38', our boat is 45' overall with the dingy and anchor, and less when a boat is tied up on the T...I get many nod's from onlookers...how'd they just do that?

[scottbr]

Only use as much power on the throttle to overpower the wind. Otherwise, use as much power to get into the slip and then enough reverse to stop.....
No need to do "leaps of faith" "hail marys" or any other drastic measures.