Docking tricks

[teshannon]

Milthan,
That's exactly what I do now with no problems except I start the turn before the slip and use the prop walk to line the stern up so I can then back in. Works like a charm. There is a real good short blub in this month's Sail magazine on executing a 180 turn you just described. I'll practice that tomorrow. Thanks.
Tom Shannon

[KJUnder]

If you are commited to the slip long term and prevailing winds are on your beam, then I suggest dropping an anchor straight out from your slip. It should have a lot of chain and only a few feet of rode that does not float. Then cleat it off to your slip at a point nearest the the end as possilbe. When it's blowing hard to beam all you do is pick up the line, run it to your bow, tie it off, then dock stern-to. Add your dock lines and untie the anchor line and move it back to it's cleat. Double check that it's on the bottom.

Seems like extra work, but this is a great option and allows for single hand docking.

Kev....

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by KJUnder

If you are commited to the slip long term and prevailing winds are on your beam, then I suggest dropping an anchor straight out from your slip. It should have a lot of chain and only a few feet of rode that does not float. Then cleat it off to your slip at a point nearest the the end as possilbe. When it's blowing hard to beam all you do is pick up the line, run it to your bow, tie it off, then dock stern-to. Add your dock lines and untie the anchor line and move it back to it's cleat. Double check that it's on the bottom.

Seems like extra work, but this is a great option and allows for single hand docking.

Kev....

Many marinas would frown upon you leaving an anchor in the fairway.