Propwalk

[sailaway21]

sab30,
You've just stated why port side-to is the most desired way to tie up. Prop walk is going to fight you every inch of the way in your case. You're best off getting a forward spring line out asap and then working against it. Then put your helm to port and come ahead dead-slow on the engine. The prop wash will walk your stern right in to the pier.

[teshannon]

Sab,
Unless I read wrong most of the discussion has to do with backing into a port side slip. If you're going bow first into a starboard side slip the process is exactly the same as described in these responses.

[FrankLanger]

Sab, I also have a bow first, starboard finger docking situation, with very little room between fingers and between our dock and the next dock (off my stern when docked), so it is a tricky slip. Also, I often have significant crosswind hitting the starboard beam, compounded by tidal currents. There are no cleats on the dock to snag a line or boathook (a springline would help, but not an option there).

Although I'm also only still learning, the technique that has worked best for me so far is:

1) I ensure that I have all lines, fenders and a boathook ready before I enter the marina.
2) I motor slowly, with my goal being about 0.8 knots as I reach my slip (fast enough to still have "way" and steerage, but slow enough that I can control/adjust and not hit the forward dock when I've entered the slip.
3) I have determined the best "line" to take in the channel before turning into my slip, that allows me to take about a 90 degree turn into my slip--depends on the turning radius of your boat (mine best line is about 15 feet off the stern of the boats on my dock as I head down the channel toward my slip)
4) When I am 1 1/2 boats (about 15 feet) away from my slip I start my turn to starboard and put engine in neutral. The turn slows my speed somewhat as I enter the slip. As I enter, I turn the rudder slightly to port to stop the boat continuing to turn to starboard and bring the stern into the slip (ie. to straighten the boat in the slip).
5) If I have done all this correctly, I can now step off the boat (quickly) to grab lines and secure them before the crosswind blows the boat away from the finger.

You'll note that by going at this speed, and only in forward, with only a simple turn into the slip, I didn't mention (and don't use) prop walk in any noticeable way to accomplish my docking. However, it is very helpful on my leaving my slip: I put the engine in reverse and give it a good bit of throttle which moves my stern to port (away from the finger) and backs me out of the slip. I put the rudder even more to port to back out further into the channel (like backing out of my driveway at home). When the boat is nicely centered in the channel, I put it into forward and drive out.

I would welcome any suggestions for improvement, but so far this works for me most of the time.

Frank.

[gc1111]

Just to add a quick note - if you have a left handed prop, the stern walk in reverse is in the other direction. On my boat reversing when approaching a dock wlll pull the stern to starboard. So I tend to prefer docking starboard side to. Head into the dock at a pretty good angle, then put the helm hard to port, reverse the engine and hit it with a burst of power.

[christyleigh]

Originally Posted by gc1111

Just to add a quick note - if you have a left handed prop, the stern walk in reverse is in the other direction. On my boat reversing when approaching a dock wlll pull the stern to starboard. So I tend to prefer docking starboard side to. Head into the dock at a pretty good angle, then put the helm hard to port, reverse the engine and hit it with a burst of power.

Me too. All the following is about Head In Docking. For years I had (normal in the US) right turning props with port walk in reverse and having to dock to starboard and back out to starboard - with propwalk fighting me coming and going Now with a left turning prop on my NC reverse slides me right up against my starboard dock when I come in and when I back out the now right walk in reverse does the turning for me

[xtatico1404]

Learing to use prowalk is essential to handling a sailboat and mooring. Every boat will handle differently, with more or less prowalk. Of course, find out to which side you boat walks to. I have learned to use it to my advantage when mooring....and of course, when mooring...slow is the way to go. I usually go in at a speed, that once i put it in reverse, will be enough to set the boat on a straight path to my slip, and my slip (port side mooring) has considerable stardboard side wind, but I just learned to deal with it. The bottom line is that I love my propwalk.

[sailingdog]

If you know the boat and how it deals with propwalk, then propwalk can be very useful for maneuvering the boat in close quarters. If you don't know how to deal with propwalk or don't know the boat, then it can get you into a lot of trouble.

[Brezzin]

http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/pivot_turn.htm

Here you go
A back and fill vid. by US sailing

[gc1111]

Originally Posted by Brezzin

http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/pivot_turn.htm

Here you go
A back and fill vid. by US sailing

Unfortunately this video works only if you are 100% Windows, it requires Internet Explorer and the WMV plugin. As a Linux user, I have no access to it.

[sailingdog]

Gc1111-

They have a Real Media version there.