Docking

Posted By: Robin, 98 S25, Lovely Lady
Date: 3/23/09 11:54a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Which line first when singlehanding (JAT)

Once you get the hang of it, a rudder will give you a lot more control when docking than and outboard engine will. It's just a matter of what you are used to. As I wrote above I prefer to use a single line docking method, it's easy, it can be used alone or with crew, and port or starboard makes no difference as you are using the line to slow the boat, not the engine; so you don't have to worry about the paddle wheel effect. Being under power will also help keep the stern tight to the dock finger. If you are worried about smacking bow first, you can always pad the dock, or string a catch rope (That's a rope that goes across the finger, short of the dock to catch your bow and stop you from hitting the pier.) So in slow, run what you want to do through your head first, think about what could go wrong and what you need to do if those things happen, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to learn to dock our boats. Practice in calm weather, two or three times when you go out and again a few times when you come back in, soon wind and wave won't stop you from docking safely. There's another method of single handing your boat in dock, tie your bow and stern lines together (with some slack) so when you step off the boat you have control of both ends with one line. It's an old tried and true method. Then you can decide to secure stern or bow first. My .02, others most likely will have better ideas.