Single handing.......

Posted By: Robin, 98 S25, Lovely Lady
Date: 3/23/09 11:43a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Berthing (pic) (Robin, 98 S25, Lovely Lady)

My wife and I just use a special line we have, you can see it in her hand in the picture below. It's a 40' dock line, we use it for single line docking, either together or while I am out alone. She does not solo. The line is to the bow cleat through the hawse hole on the docking side. When you come in, loop it over a cleat no closer than halfway to the bow, leave the engine in idle and forward gear with the wheel turned as though to move the bow away from the dock. The line will snub down holding the bow close to the dock, and the force on the rudder will push the stern into the dock. The wrap on the cleat obviously keeps the boat from moving forward. Step off the boat, secure stern and bow lines, then shut down engine. It's our preferred way of docking. Simple stuff.