Docking in 25-35 Knots -- Your Technique?

[NCC320]

In my area, the winds are typically 5-20 kts. and when the wind gets to 30 knots, no one (out of maybe 500 boats on the creek) goes out. With a very shallow bottom, the short, high choppy waves that result would make the ride very uncomfortable in any event, and if the wind blows long like this, there's a good chance that you would not get back to the dock as the water is blown out making the docks unaccessable. Occasionally, someone returning from a cruise will need to dock in high wind conditions, and it's always a somewhat out of control crash since these landings are frequently downwind and crosswind. Yet on this list, I read that people in the SF bay area routinely sail in 25-30 kts. in the summer, and some people (there and elsewhere) even claim they look forward to going out in 40-50 kts. (I believe the SF summer winds are frequently 25-30 kts....I'm not so sure about intentionally going out in 40-50 kts.) Someday, I'm going to be faced with the 25-35 kts. docking and would like to be as prepared as possible.

So SF bay sailors, what are your docking conditions (real wind at the dock, not necessarily the same as out on the open bay) and how do you handle it, especially if single handing, without beating your boat to pieces? I have seen aerial photos of one large bay area marina, and it was oriented so that most docks were either upwind (most expensive) or downwind of the prevailing wind direction, which simplifies the situation if there is little crosswind (I almost always have crosswind). It was noteworthy that all the upwind and downwind slips were filled and most of the crosswind slips were empty. Sailers in other areas beside the SF bay area that encounter similar or worse conditions, please join in also. Precisely how do you do it? Is your slip sheltered so you get less wind and how much? What prearranging of lines and fenders on the boat or slip are in place? Are you going into to floating docks or fixed pilings? Some will say, you just have to experience it, but that's not that helpful the first few times one actually does it. Newbies and fair wind sailors need all the in-advance, pre-event guidance that they can get in addition to storm conditions know how for open water. (And taking a sailing course on SF bay, while helpful, is not practical for most of us that live a great distance away).

So, experienced high wind sailors, how do you do it, and more importantly, how should the rest of us do it when we get confronted with such a situation?

[smackdaddy]

I'll start, but...

Take this with a huge grain of salt NC - because I've only been sailing for 8 months or so (on a lake). So I look forward to the same advice. Because I've found that it's freakin' hard!

I've had 2-3 outings where we were having winds in the range you mention (25-30). And I still suck at it - but, thanks to a lot of the tips I've gotten around here - am starting to get a bit better.

Our marina is very sheltered by surrounding hills (which causes a lot of swirl) - but the blows I've mentioned above were coming straight in off the water - pushing us toward the slip. This inevitably leads to serious cotton-mouth in my case.

So during these times, I've tried to practice on balancing the momentum between the wind and the motor to keep the speed as slow as possible, yet maintain enough forward momentum to avoid crabbing (or being pushed leeward) and to keep the rudder fully engaged. The trick for me has been trying to figure out when to completely power down/reverse as I'm coming into the slip (floating docks with "fingers" BTW). And I'm finding I often wait too long.

We have I guess what you'd call a "newbie catcher" (a fender at the water line with lines strung horizontally to the forward cleats on the dock). This helps slow us down if we come in a bit hot so we don't punch the bow into the concrete. So far, we've not busted anything - but we've definitely come in too hot sometimes. At those times, it was critical to have a bow monkey ready to jump onto the dock and help slow us down. I'm way too green to try a singlehanded attempt like that.

So, that's all I really know at this point. It's probably not helpful - and you'll get much better answers from the salts around here. But those are the things I'm practicing because I LIKE going out in heavier winds. So it's great knowledge to have.

The hardest part for us has not been the docking - but actually getting OUT of the slip on fresh days. Trying to build that momentum (especially if you're backing out of the slip) is a nightmare. So we always flip the boat now and motor out forward instead of trying the reverse thing. Just more cotton mouth as far as I'm concerned.

Welcome to Sailnet dude!

[bubb2]

The way I do it is. I wait till I am just inside the marina and make a radio call on channel 16 that i am coming in to the docks. This way I get a good view of the other boaters running from the docks screaming in terror. Then at the last moment, when I perpendicular with the slip, I spin the wheel, close my eyes and pray like a bad Nun on Sunday morning.

All situations are different. I do have to dock in cross winds routinely. I have found that when the wind is really blowing that many times it is better to back down into the slip then come in bow first.

I make a U-turn in the fairway and keep the bow pointed in to wind. I do this as the bow has less windage than the stern. Depending on witch side of the dock you have to bring the boat in on, up-wind or down-wind. You either bring the stern in short or long. You are trying to use the wind to you advantage. Try to keep the bow in to the wind or as close to the wind as long as possible. One of the reasons to do this is you have more power in forward (if you have to pull out and try again) then you do in reverse.

I hope this helps.

[Giulietta]

NC...each case isa particular one..

Normally, when docking in high winds, either against, behind or cross, the trick is to use the boat's turning momentum, to slowly crawl or get into your space. Granted it takes some practice.

The principle is easy, when the boat turns, it allways carries enough momentum, that can conuteract the wind.

A few examples:

a) Boats that dock in reverse in slips with cross winds, for example, the idea is to get in the lane that goes to your slip space, already going in reverse, AND against the wind. This serves two purposes, one keeps the boat moving rearwards, providing some speed and momentum that will improve steering, second, that will be the last turn into your slip.
Then, as you motor and you approach your slip, turn the wheel abruptly, into your space. This will cause the bow to slowly rotate into the wind, which will slowly reduce the momentum and at the same time stop the movement. Once aligned, shift in forward to stop the boat and tie the boat. Off course having preset spring lines helps.
If you are coming from where the wind is coming, go past your slip, (overshoot it), in forward, pass the slip, then, return in reverse, and get some momentum going.

b) Boats that dock bow first in cross winds, the idea is to reduce the amount of side exposed to the wind..don't come in large and wide on your last turn, and use the momentum of the turn to your advantage.
Come in along the lane that gets to your slip, thin, meaning, as close as your turning radius allows, to your slip side (if your slip is to port, then come as close to port as possible). Then as you approach it, turn abruptly, into your space, but sail into the pier side or finger side, turning at last minute to paralel the boat, as the stern roatates, it will start rotating into the wind, which will in turn stop the boat paralel.
You really need to carry the boat as close to the side of the pier as much as possible, then turn sharp. The idea is that sharp turns cause more turning momentum, which is good in strong winds.

DO NOT COME IN SLOW AND LARGE.

I will write more, need to do somethng now. be back with more cases..

[JT1019]

1-Call every friend you have at the marina (this is assuming you have friends)
2-Beg ˝ them to get on your boat to hold fenders and throw lines for you (pick them up at the fuel dock or on an outside dock)
3-Convince the other ˝ that they will be safer on the dock receiving lines.
4-Take a shot of rum
5-Get the longest casting lines and largest fenders you have ready in all positions
6-Take another shot of rum and say to yourself “I have insurance and it’s only money”
7-Depending on where the wind is choose if you need to head in bow first or transom first
Note-If the wind is going to push you into the boat next to you then head in bow first as the aft is going to follow the bow when docking.
8-Throtle up the engine so the prop will bite the water. You do not want to dock under low RPM!
9-If you feel like things are out of control then they are and you should pull out and start again. If it takes 100 tries no one cares.
10-Throw lines as fast as possible!
11-Utalize the pilings, dock or anything else you can to get into the slip. If you must fend-off another boat use a boat hook and fender, never your arm.
12-Give the rest of the bottle of rum to your friends and thank them.

[chucklesR]

First choice: Drop and anchor outside the marina and wait.

Seriously. Lasso a piling as best you can and spring it in with fenders as slowly as you can.
I've found it helps to back up to piling because you can always accelerate away in forward better than you can slow down. I single hand a lot so backing it to a piling means I don't have to leave the helm to put a rope on the pier/piling. It also means my view is better. Backing up to mooring ball in a catamaran is another trick we use to make it easy, just walk down the steps and and get the pennant then walk it forward.

I'm on the end of a T and make a U turn and drive into my slip, just hit reverse to stop, reach over and grab a line. Normally it's a simple thing, but being a catamaran I get caught in cross winds and pushed more than most (more windage). Unlike most cat's I don't have two engines, just the one; but it is steerable just like a outdrive (turns with the rudders about 20 degrees). I can walk the boat sideways in about 1.5 boat lengths, no wind, no current.
The number one rule should be the same for all docking.
Go as slowly as you can and still maintain control, get a line around the first thing you can and then using fenders as necessary pull it in, don't drive it in.

It will be ugly, but not as ugly as the repair bill for ramming it home. Any dock mates that give you grief you can pay back by going sailing when they come down to the piers to fix their gelcoat on a good sailing day.

[Cruisingdad]

I routinely go out in high winds. I was out yesterday in 20+. I was out the time before that (solo) in stronger gusts. My slip is "beam-on" AND I back in. The trick? Speed.

Go faster. You have to maintain your leeway and minimize it from the bow dropping off. This varies on current and winds. I also always look at the wind direction when coming in to "over-compensate" to get back in. Not a big deal, just takes practice and a few scratches!

- CD

PS getting out is harder than getting in (when backed in).

[Giulietta]

c) Boats that dock stern first into the wind..Again, the trick is to use the wind to turn the boat. Come in along the lane in reverse, as close as possible to the side of your slip. Then as the slip approaches, start turning the stern to the slip, and try to slow down the boat, The wind will slowly strat to push the bow away from the wind, just use enough power, to prevent the whole boat from being pushed with the wind, and use to use the wind to rotate you. Once you're aligned, just reverse with confidence.

d) Boats that go bow first into the wind...come in wide and large with moderate speed. Turn inot the wind slowly and just park it easy.

[Cruisingdad]

e) Speed.

- CD

[Dick Pluta]

Personally, I think trying to shoot into the dock is dangerous and likely to result in a semi-controlled crash. I have to dock here in Nassau in a marina in the harbor, where the tide runs fast and reverses twice daily, so first, I try to time my docking for slack tide. If the wind is blowing across the slip I approach upwind as slowly as possible. I try to catch the outboard piling with a spring line and stop the boat perpendicular to the slip so the spring line is holding the boat in place. Then slow ahead with appropriate rudder and she rotates slowly into the slip. Another line on a windward piling as you come in and you're good to go with final tie up.

With wind from astern It's like a crosswind, except easier. The wind holds the boat against the piling. Work against the spring line and you're in. Wind from ahead just roll on in, allowing for drift while approaching the turn.

Obviously, these all require capable crew on the bow handling the lines. If you've ever been in Venice you can see the masters of the art of using the motor against a line when a vaporetto comes into a stop. The crew ties a spring line off on a dock cleat with a quick loop, pilot goes slow ahead and the boat snuggles against the dock just a pretty as you please.

Finally, it's important to know how your boat turns. My old Pearson, with fin keel, would rotate on the keel so I could just come almost past the slip, turn hard and slide right in. My Islander Freeport 41, with an old fashioned long keep, makes swoopy turns that would put me into the third slip down if I tried to dock that way.

Good luck,

Dick Pluta
AEGEA
Nassau, Bahamas