Good video - warts and all. I notice a lot of other solo sailors never actually show them exiting or entering their dock. Prop walk is your friend. My boat behaves the same way: reverse moves the stern to port. Consider this: come into your dock at more of an angle, straighten-out alongside, engage reverse to control momentum and let the prop walk the stern to the dock (if too far away), throw your stern line around the cleat, tighten in up, engage forward w/ tiller hard to starboard to swing bow in and you should be held against dock (as you were in your previous video). Have a bow line run aft and waiting where you step off. For solo casting-off I recommend the "bow bridle" technique. Also make sure you have a good understanding of how the tiller steers in reverse ("tiller as rifle" concept). Competent solo exit and entering a dock is a feather in the cap of a great solo sailor - you're on your way!
Thank you very much for very helpful comment! Coming in at a slight angle and then hard reverse to straighten the boat against the dock is the way I will now approach this. Having bow and stern lines run and ready just seems so obvious now. I'm curious about this bridle technique to get out of the slip. Wouldn’t you have a very long line in the water that could easily get tangled in the prop?
@@EdwardSeatonSailing This guy has done a nice video on casting-off with the bow bridle technique: ua-cam.com/video/eItnxls21H0/v-deo.html. Yes, it's a long line that dips in the water as it's hauled-in but, as the video explains, there's little risk to the prop for ... reasons. You can also haul-in in neutral once the boat is moving backward. If you're really stressed about it, use a floating poly line for this job. I set a bow bridle with the boat in reverse and throttle slightly above idle when casting off. The prop walk keeps the stern snug along the dock in all but the most blowy conditions (I'm on Lake Erie) while the bridle holds the bow in until I'm ready to depart. We have the same docking arrangement - complete with an expensive neighbor boat on our starboard side - it's important that we control our bows! One way to control the bow is to control the stern with prop walk when coming-in. Coming-in at an angle gives us space to do that. On departure, the bow bridle does the work until prop walk is overcome. I think you'll really dig the bow bridle technique once it's practiced.
@@30thcenturyman15 I will absolutely practice this. Thank you again for such a helpful comment! I lived in Chicago for many years, but didn't get to do very much sailing.
You could use a 'moving mid point' technique. Aim for mid point of the finger (or what you think is a good point) and when you get close enough, rotate into parallel to finger, and pick out a point in front of the boat and focus on that. It's a bit like how you land a plane, aim for a point 1/3 the end of the runway, and when you flare to fly parallel to the runway you watch the horizon. Prop walk is a product of the angle of the prop shaft (it points up at the hull) and the props rotation basically creating a 'thruster' as only one side of the hull has water moving against it.. As long as the engine is in reverse, and you have no speed, you will pivot around the keel as the rudder has no water flow to 'anchor' the stern (keel and rudder are 2 points to help the boat track true). To minimize prop walk, put the helm over slightly to counteract the rotation, and use reverse in an on/off pattern until the boat is moving well enough to steer. Let the momentum of the 'on' reverse have a chance to move the boat before engaging reverse again. Finally finally :) ask your neighbour to put out some fenders, and try to leave/enter the slip in a direction you always put the anchor over your slip. That way you won't have to worry about hitting him. Not always practical, but reversing down the channel is perfectly acceptable, and may even be safer if the winds are high. You also had room to turn around in the channel. I had to go past the slip and turn around and come back to enter my slip for years. Takes a bit longer by waaay less stressful.
@@peterbyrne652 fantastic comment! Thank you. I used to fly hang-gliders so I'm somewhat familiar with the "approach" phase. Unfortunately my "neighbor" is a pompus prick and doesn't talk to me. Hopefully I'll be moving on from this marina soon. Thank you again for the informative comment. I will study it 😉
“See you guys later. You smell bad” at the seals. 😆 Gotta love the prop walk + keel pivot swing into your neighbor. Good practice. 🍻 Oh how I miss the peacefulness of sailing. Thank you for the chill 1.5 kn voyage.
@@EdwardSeatonSailing A boring day on the water is always better than an exciting day at work. I’ll gladly trade angry delusional Parkinson’s patients for disgruntled harbor seals. They may make as much noise, but at least they’re not throwing food at you. 😆
I think I what I like most about your channel is the humble fails... that in your case are ultimately creating success... I like that you are able to relish the fact that you are a beginner (as am I). there are many pros out there with there how to but I prefer learning by mistakes like you are... here's to safely making them!
At 14:05 your solution appears. Rig a dockline with a loop on the end. Run the bitter end around your winch. As you approach snag the cleat at the end of your finger pier and pull snug. Keep the engine in FWD Idle. This tension between the cleat and your winch pulls the boat right up to your dock. Keeping the engine in FWD Idle and making sure your bitter end is made fast you can now step off the boat, tie up, step back aboard and shut down. Nice video.
Excellent suggestion. Perhaps steer boat to port, towards dock also, this will keep the bow into the dock as the spring line you've suggested holds the stern in and arrests the forward motion.
Went through exactly this yesterday. First time taking out my boat. Between prop walk and the wind, took three tries to finally land her. Thanks for sharing.
I highly recommend filming your practice. Even if don't plan on posting them here on UA-cam, the video is the best learning tool I got. Thanks for watching 👀 and commenting!
I think this is one of the most challenging things when starting sailing (like I am). Great vid. Good to try and work out the way my boat handles prop walk now!
When you abort the docking, get out and start over. Fender up and watch Patrick Laine's docking videos. I love this video--you did a great job. Power boat should have a fender out, too.
I use the backwinding technique every time I tack. I'm wondering why not "back-in" instead of going in forward into the slip. That way, the prop walk would put you closer to the dock on the slip rather than the neighboring boat. I've seen the reverse-in method a lot on UA-cam. I don't have a slip, so that what I say with a grain of salt. The explanation of coming in with momentum rather than power (where the prop turns) is a good one. Nice video!
Could be right, but then I'd have my ass end facing the dock and everyone who walked by could see into the boat. I live aboard so this would get old real fast. I should practice it a few times though cause I don't plan on staying here forever 😀 thanks for the comment! The new speed controller for the trolling motor comes this week... I may have questions 😉
I singlehand a Bristol 39 and "enjoy" all your departing and arriving moments😂 I've been using a long line attached amidship, ran outside everything back to my cockpit winch. It is long enough that with 2 hands i can throw it onto the dock past the cleat in a wide arc. Then i haul it in tight, turn the wheel all the way towards the dock, idle forward. And if course once snug complete my tie up. Another sailor dips his line into the drink to make it heavier and easier to throw accurately. Still working on it. Love your video, your sharing the pitfalls and mistakes.
I am a newbie like you, but glad to see, that you kept your cool and when things didn’t work the first time, you turned around and gave it a a clean finish the next attempt. So, pointers here for you and me: 1. Go in and out of gear to see the boat momentum. 2. As my captain used to say, go only as fast as you want to touch the dock. 3. Be aware and point into the wind and current. 4. Have the fenders ready on the finger pier side. 5. Loop the bow line and stern line in ‘elephant ear’ over the lifeline and bring it towards the helm, for you to tie up after landing 6. Having a aft spring line from mid ship cleat to loop around a dock cleat to stop forward movement and use the engine throttle (slight) to hold you against the pier
Good training video. I can pull in to my slip great, it's reversing out that turns into a shit show. Lot of pushing off other boats to get lined up to exit the marina. Add a little wind and it's slow motion chaos.
Hi nice video, I mostly solo sail as well. My main way of docking is to have a loop line at the stern cleat. Put it over the first cleat on the dock shorten it as I and motor forward. The line will stop your boat and hold it against the dock in most situations. The stronger the wind the more you motor against the line. You can also use prop wash to push the stern away from the dock and the bow will move in more. In this situation turn into the dock and the water from your prop will flow over the rudder and bring in the bow. You can then take your time to secure the other lines.
@@EdwardSeatonSailing Clyde Scotland. 23feet 4.5 ton, gaff cutter, long keel and 11 foot of bowsprit out front. To add to the mix 10hp outboard. I normally anchor.
I single hand an Allied 36 ketch. I don't know if your marina will allow it, but I leave my spring lines attached to the dock. I use a single line for both forward and aft springs. That line has a spliced loop in the center. The line is 8 strand "brait" and it is easy to do a brummel splice for the center loop with that kind of line. Now as far as the docking technique is concerned. My finger pier, like yours is a port side tie up. I come into the dock bow in about 10-15 degrees. I generally do my final approach in neutral at 1.5 knots or less. When I am not quite to where I want the boat to end up I put the engine in reverse to stop the boat. Like your boat my boat prop walks to port in reverse. The pulse of reverse power does three things: 1) it stops the boat, 2) it pulls the stern toward the dock and 3) it straightens the boat out relative to the finger pier. When the boat is stopped, I toss the stern line onto the dock (one end is attached to a stern cleat. I then WALK forward and STEP off the boat onto the dock. Once on the dock I attach the spring line to the midships cleat. Then I walk aft and tie the stern line up. Finally I walk forward and tie the bow line off. If, when the boat stops, the boat is too far from the dock to step off, I use a boat hook to get the spring line and put it on the cleat. Then I walk aft, turn the helm to starboard and put the engine in gear. That, combined with the aft spring line, pulls the boat against the dock so I can step off and attach the stern and bow lines at my leisure. I couple of notes. I never jump off the boat or run. Leaving the spring line on the dock means it is both in the right place and the right length. The biggest tips I have are come in slow bow in. Use prop walk to pull the stern in. Take your time.
Amazing comment. Thank you! You've put into words what I was trying to accomplish. I've moved on from that slip now but this same technique has been working well for me as I explore other docks.
An important element is thinking about the boat pivoting around the keel. When you backed out and the bow went toward the neighbours boat you needed to bring the stern to starboard which will pull the bow to port away from the boat. Your instincts will be to do the opposite. Glad you are understanding the boat needs to be moving to be under control so coming in with some speed allows you to steer where you want to go rather than drifting without control. Another very counterintuitive element of docking is to remember that when you go into reverse while gliding in the rudder is still controlling the turn so don't countersteer like you might with an outboard which actually pulls directionally when in reverse. Keep practicing.
I used to fly hang-gliders and the speed issue is very similar except if you go to slow in a hang-glider, you fall out of the sky, so... I'm making progress! Weeee. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
When docking keep your options open. Have Fenders on both sides. If you had then you could have rested against your neighbour and sorted your bow line and pulled the boat to the port side. Also have lines forward and aft ready. As I said you have more options then and in unfamiliar marinas you would be glad to have choices.
Well done for trying something new. I recommend “steer, throttle, neutral” Always approach approx bow to 1st third of dock and come in at 35 degrees angle.. Secure your line as you did. The only time you come straight in is with wind up your stern.. And finally, don’t be afraid of using the power of your engine
I can’t see any fenders down on either boat!! Why is this? Surely it’s inviting damage? Thanks for posting… really illustrates the effect of prop walk … subscribed!
@funkyfender1 fenders! Why didn't I think of that! I only have the smallest of fenders. Should probably get some of those big round ones... but they're ugly and where do you put them?
@@EdwardSeatonSailingnew sailor here and I’ve bought one to put nearer to the bow when coming in to buffer against my neighbours boat. Put it off the back when not using it
Well done Edward, from a beginner to another beginner: use fenders, specially on the stb side, considering that you can hit your neighboor when you come in. It will give you peace of mind. The other thing: I learnt the hard way that for me the best way to leave the dock is by having the boat secure to the pontoon with just the bow line/s. Engage the engine in reverse, slow. The boat is not going anywhere. Walk to the bow (yes!, leave the cockpit) and wth the BOATHOOK in your hand release the bow line/s. The boat will start to leave the dock going in reverse; the stern will kick to port and the bow will go to stb. All you have to do now is WALK THE BOAT WITH THE BOATHOOK from the bow: put the stern of the boat where you want it by controlling the angle between the bow and the dock pulling yourself in or away from the dock with the hook depending on what the stern is doing. When you are happy with the position of the boat go back to the cockpit, get hold of the tiller, engage forward and off you go. Good luck mate!
Have you tried using a long line from an amidships cleat (can be improvised) on port. Fenders either side. This is how I would do it if I wanted to dock "bow to". Approach the dock and throw the loop over the Walcon cleat on shore, take it back and pull in against the engine. The boat will be instantly under your control and zero danger of coming anywhere near the neighbor. Then you have all the time you need to tie the boat up nice and secure. This trick should work with wind from three directions. The long line would have to be on starboard for wind coming from that direction, but in that case there's little danger of hitting the neighbor anyway.
I just thought of another great tip: "The art of Stress Free Sailing" by Duncan Wells is really great and gives you lots of tips for all sorts of docking situations and solo and short handed sailing in general. Its worth its weight in gold.
I will certainly check out this book you mention 😀 thanks so much for your comments! Quick question; what is Walcon cleat? I'm ussuimng that you're talking about the dock cleat?
What I do when docking (solo) is have a line ready on the mid cleat. I come in with enough way to be able to maintain steerage, then do a reverse thrust when the midship cleat is level with the middle dock cleat. I jump off with the line and secure the midcleat. The boat is not now going anywhere and not spinning so I can take time to tie up the other lines. If you are very good at lassoing then you don't need to jump off just lasso the dock cleat but have the line ready to pull in and secure the boat.
I deal with these docking issues almost all the time i been really lucky never bump into any boats yet. I very very slowly aim my boat into my slip and turn my engine off and slowly coast/float up to my dock not sure if it the correct way but it so far works for me now dealing with prop walk and going completely sideways which ive done very embarrassing in the past 😊
@@EdwardSeatonSailing You should initially point at the center of your dock when you first turn in and "round up" as you close- keeps you closer- think of how you parallel park...
A docking lune from your mid cleat looped around the dock cleat as you go past it then with the engine just in forward it will pull the boat into the dock and hold you there while you sort out the rest of the lines.
Nice video . Have you herd of the docking stick ? check it out I think its use full for single handed sailing . I made my own a couple of bits of plastic pipe and use plastic pipe cement to join them .One yo got one line on your boat is not going anywhere.
Brother you had it the first time in! Instead of the boat hook you should have had that mid cleat line in your hand. You could have dropped it over that dock cleat and pulled her over.
watched the first part of the vid and thought, " where is the fail". then saw the second bit. what i would have done, is when u were sitting still abeam the dock, just throw a line around the cleat and then pull urself to the dock. would have been done from ther very first docking
Another variation on the docking method you were trying is to use a longer line that you toss over the cleat and then immediately take up the slack. ua-cam.com/video/vt0wI5DlbWM/v-deo.html The adva'ntage of this method is you can snag the cleat from significantly further away than using your method with the boathook, but you have to use a longer line and can't use your premade loop with the exact length needed. This usually works better if you have a midship cleat the line is secured to, toss the line over the cleat at the very end of the dock and have the free end of the line secured to a winch. After you've taken up the slack you can maintain slight forward with your engine and it will pin the boat against the dock with tension on the line, and you can step off and secure the other lines at your leisure as at the end of your video. As your boat doesn't appear to have midship cleats I'm not sure if this method would work, if you use the stern cleat for this the bow of the boat would still have freedom to swing towards the other boat in your slip. Nice video though and good job talking through your troubleshooting!
Cousin! Thanks for watching 👀 gotta keep calm and carry on. I hope to sail over to your side of the planet... one day. I've got a lot of learning to do.
Cousin! Thanks for watching 👀 gotta keep calm and carry on. I hope to sail over to your side of the planet... one day. I've got a lot of learning to do.
Good video - warts and all. I notice a lot of other solo sailors never actually show them exiting or entering their dock.
Prop walk is your friend. My boat behaves the same way: reverse moves the stern to port. Consider this: come into your dock at more of an angle, straighten-out alongside, engage reverse to control momentum and let the prop walk the stern to the dock (if too far away), throw your stern line around the cleat, tighten in up, engage forward w/ tiller hard to starboard to swing bow in and you should be held against dock (as you were in your previous video). Have a bow line run aft and waiting where you step off. For solo casting-off I recommend the "bow bridle" technique. Also make sure you have a good understanding of how the tiller steers in reverse ("tiller as rifle" concept). Competent solo exit and entering a dock is a feather in the cap of a great solo sailor - you're on your way!
Thank you very much for very helpful comment! Coming in at a slight angle and then hard reverse to straighten the boat against the dock is the way I will now approach this. Having bow and stern lines run and ready just seems so obvious now. I'm curious about this bridle technique to get out of the slip. Wouldn’t you have a very long line in the water that could easily get tangled in the prop?
@@EdwardSeatonSailing This guy has done a nice video on casting-off with the bow bridle technique: ua-cam.com/video/eItnxls21H0/v-deo.html. Yes, it's a long line that dips in the water as it's hauled-in but, as the video explains, there's little risk to the prop for ... reasons. You can also haul-in in neutral once the boat is moving backward. If you're really stressed about it, use a floating poly line for this job. I set a bow bridle with the boat in reverse and throttle slightly above idle when casting off. The prop walk keeps the stern snug along the dock in all but the most blowy conditions (I'm on Lake Erie) while the bridle holds the bow in until I'm ready to depart.
We have the same docking arrangement - complete with an expensive neighbor boat on our starboard side - it's important that we control our bows! One way to control the bow is to control the stern with prop walk when coming-in. Coming-in at an angle gives us space to do that. On departure, the bow bridle does the work until prop walk is overcome. I think you'll really dig the bow bridle technique once it's practiced.
@@30thcenturyman15 I will absolutely practice this. Thank you again for such a helpful comment! I lived in Chicago for many years, but didn't get to do very much sailing.
You could use a 'moving mid point' technique. Aim for mid point of the finger (or what you think is a good point) and when you get close enough, rotate into parallel to finger, and pick out a point in front of the boat and focus on that. It's a bit like how you land a plane, aim for a point 1/3 the end of the runway, and when you flare to fly parallel to the runway you watch the horizon.
Prop walk is a product of the angle of the prop shaft (it points up at the hull) and the props rotation basically creating a 'thruster' as only one side of the hull has water moving against it.. As long as the engine is in reverse, and you have no speed, you will pivot around the keel as the rudder has no water flow to 'anchor' the stern (keel and rudder are 2 points to help the boat track true). To minimize prop walk, put the helm over slightly to counteract the rotation, and use reverse in an on/off pattern until the boat is moving well enough to steer. Let the momentum of the 'on' reverse have a chance to move the boat before engaging reverse again.
Finally finally :) ask your neighbour to put out some fenders, and try to leave/enter the slip in a direction you always put the anchor over your slip. That way you won't have to worry about hitting him. Not always practical, but reversing down the channel is perfectly acceptable, and may even be safer if the winds are high. You also had room to turn around in the channel. I had to go past the slip and turn around and come back to enter my slip for years. Takes a bit longer by waaay less stressful.
@@peterbyrne652 fantastic comment! Thank you. I used to fly hang-gliders so I'm somewhat familiar with the "approach" phase. Unfortunately my "neighbor" is a pompus prick and doesn't talk to me. Hopefully I'll be moving on from this marina soon. Thank you again for the informative comment. I will study it 😉
Recently I’ve started just walking my boat about half way out and pushing off before jumping on. It’s been working great
I agree. This is now my favorite method.
Videos like these are such valuable stepping stones for beginners like me. Thanks for making and posting.
Thanks! That is encouraging to hear. Thanks for watching 👀 🙂 🙏
“See you guys later. You smell bad” at the seals. 😆
Gotta love the prop walk + keel pivot swing into your neighbor. Good practice. 🍻
Oh how I miss the peacefulness of sailing. Thank you for the chill 1.5 kn voyage.
Most welcome 🙏 thanks for the comment. Some days are gonna be boring.
@@EdwardSeatonSailing A boring day on the water is always better than an exciting day at work. I’ll gladly trade angry delusional Parkinson’s patients for disgruntled harbor seals. They may make as much noise, but at least they’re not throwing food at you. 😆
I think I what I like most about your channel is the humble fails... that in your case are ultimately creating success... I like that you are able to relish the fact that you are a beginner (as am I). there are many pros out there with there how to but I prefer learning by mistakes like you are... here's to safely making them!
Hizah! Here's to not breaking anything 🙂
At 14:05 your solution appears. Rig a dockline with a loop on the end. Run the bitter end around your winch. As you approach snag the cleat at the end of your finger pier and pull snug. Keep the engine in FWD Idle. This tension between the cleat and your winch pulls the boat right up to your dock. Keeping the engine in FWD Idle and making sure your bitter end is made fast you can now step off the boat, tie up, step back aboard and shut down. Nice video.
Thanks! It's a work in progress ✨️
Excellent suggestion. Perhaps steer boat to port, towards dock also, this will keep the bow into the dock as the spring line you've suggested holds the stern in and arrests the forward motion.
Well done old chap. We have all had some sketchy landings but you sorted it out! Best wishes
Went through exactly this yesterday. First time taking out my boat. Between prop walk and the wind, took three tries to finally land her. Thanks for sharing.
I highly recommend filming your practice. Even if don't plan on posting them here on UA-cam, the video is the best learning tool I got. Thanks for watching 👀 and commenting!
Glad to see you're still persevering with that docking. Thats determination for you 👍
it was your comment that started it. Thanks again.
I think this is one of the most challenging things when starting sailing (like I am). Great vid. Good to try and work out the way my boat handles prop walk now!
Great stuff. Enjoyed the video. Nice calm enjoyable watch 😊
Gideon! I'm just seeing this comment! Love to go sailing with you one day!
Keep praticing, you are learning a lot about how your yacht reacts to different inputs.
How interesting. I just noticed that your name is Edward Owens? My middle name is Owen!
@@EdwardSeatonSailing not surprised with a Welsh ancestry. If you ever make it over here we'll have to go sailing.
When you abort the docking, get out and start over. Fender up and watch Patrick Laine's docking videos. I love this video--you did a great job. Power boat should have a fender out, too.
I use the backwinding technique every time I tack. I'm wondering why not "back-in" instead of going in forward into the slip. That way, the prop walk would put you closer to the dock on the slip rather than the neighboring boat. I've seen the reverse-in method a lot on UA-cam. I don't have a slip, so that what I say with a grain of salt. The explanation of coming in with momentum rather than power (where the prop turns) is a good one. Nice video!
Could be right, but then I'd have my ass end facing the dock and everyone who walked by could see into the boat. I live aboard so this would get old real fast. I should practice it a few times though cause I don't plan on staying here forever 😀 thanks for the comment! The new speed controller for the trolling motor comes this week... I may have questions 😉
I singlehand a Bristol 39 and "enjoy" all your departing and arriving moments😂 I've been using a long line attached amidship, ran outside everything back to my cockpit winch. It is long enough that with 2 hands i can throw it onto the dock past the cleat in a wide arc. Then i haul it in tight, turn the wheel all the way towards the dock, idle forward. And if course once snug complete my tie up. Another sailor dips his line into the drink to make it heavier and easier to throw accurately. Still working on it. Love your video, your sharing the pitfalls and mistakes.
It gets easier and easier! So far anyway.
Oh man, I've been there ... wait, what am I saying: I'm still there! Ha ha ha. Solidarity brother ✊
It gets easier!
Nice One captin.
Good job finally, congratulations
Thanks 😊
I am a newbie like you, but glad to see, that you kept your cool and when things didn’t work the first time, you turned around and gave it a a clean finish the next attempt. So, pointers here for you and me:
1. Go in and out of gear to see the boat momentum.
2. As my captain used to say, go only as fast as you want to touch the dock.
3. Be aware and point into the wind and current.
4. Have the fenders ready on the finger pier side.
5. Loop the bow line and stern line in ‘elephant ear’ over the lifeline and bring it towards the helm, for you to tie up after landing
6. Having a aft spring line from mid ship cleat to loop around a dock cleat to stop forward movement and use the engine throttle (slight) to hold you against the pier
In the UK we'd call that a breakwater. They 'break' the force of the incoming waves.
Of course! My brain farted. They are obviously breakwaters. 🙄
In Australia they are called sometimes a training wall, ie they train the sea to behave😮. Also called a breakwater. Where is your sailing area?
@@dreamtimesv I'm in northern California 😀
Nice!
Thanks!
Great vid, thanks for sharing
most welcome! thanks for watching and commenting!
I enjoy your humility
I sincerely appreciate that. Thank you
looked like success to me! all these moments is when you learn! so propps for keep on trying!
thank you!
Good training video. I can pull in to my slip great, it's reversing out that turns into a shit show. Lot of pushing off other boats to get lined up to exit the marina. Add a little wind and it's slow motion chaos.
Slow motion chaos! That'd make a good title for a video!
Hi nice video, I mostly solo sail as well. My main way of docking is to have a loop line at the stern cleat. Put it over the first cleat on the dock shorten it as I and motor forward. The line will stop your boat and hold it against the dock in most situations. The stronger the wind the more you motor against the line. You can also use prop wash to push the stern away from the dock and the bow will move in more. In this situation turn into the dock and the water from your prop will flow over the rudder and bring in the bow. You can then take your time to secure the other lines.
This is exactly the technique I've been practicing. Did you see my other video? I've been getting batter, but very slowly. Where do you sail?
@@EdwardSeatonSailing Clyde Scotland. 23feet 4.5 ton, gaff cutter, long keel and 11 foot of bowsprit out front. To add to the mix 10hp outboard. I normally anchor.
Excellent learning lesson. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Great video…great tips. Thank you!
I single hand an Allied 36 ketch. I don't know if your marina will allow it, but I leave my spring lines attached to the dock. I use a single line for both forward and aft springs. That line has a spliced loop in the center. The line is 8 strand "brait" and it is easy to do a brummel splice for the center loop with that kind of line. Now as far as the docking technique is concerned. My finger pier, like yours is a port side tie up. I come into the dock bow in about 10-15 degrees. I generally do my final approach in neutral at 1.5 knots or less. When I am not quite to where I want the boat to end up I put the engine in reverse to stop the boat. Like your boat my boat prop walks to port in reverse. The pulse of reverse power does three things: 1) it stops the boat, 2) it pulls the stern toward the dock and 3) it straightens the boat out relative to the finger pier. When the boat is stopped, I toss the stern line onto the dock (one end is attached to a stern cleat. I then WALK forward and STEP off the boat onto the dock. Once on the dock I attach the spring line to the midships cleat. Then I walk aft and tie the stern line up. Finally I walk forward and tie the bow line off. If, when the boat stops, the boat is too far from the dock to step off, I use a boat hook to get the spring line and put it on the cleat. Then I walk aft, turn the helm to starboard and put the engine in gear. That, combined with the aft spring line, pulls the boat against the dock so I can step off and attach the stern and bow lines at my leisure.
I couple of notes. I never jump off the boat or run. Leaving the spring line on the dock means it is both in the right place and the right length. The biggest tips I have are come in slow bow in. Use prop walk to pull the stern in. Take your time.
Amazing comment. Thank you! You've put into words what I was trying to accomplish. I've moved on from that slip now but this same technique has been working well for me as I explore other docks.
An important element is thinking about the boat pivoting around the keel. When you backed out and the bow went toward the neighbours boat you needed to bring the stern to starboard which will pull the bow to port away from the boat. Your instincts will be to do the opposite. Glad you are understanding the boat needs to be moving to be under control so coming in with some speed allows you to steer where you want to go rather than drifting without control.
Another very counterintuitive element of docking is to remember that when you go into reverse while gliding in the rudder is still controlling the turn so don't countersteer like you might with an outboard which actually pulls directionally when in reverse. Keep practicing.
I used to fly hang-gliders and the speed issue is very similar except if you go to slow in a hang-glider, you fall out of the sky, so... I'm making progress! Weeee. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
When docking keep your options open. Have Fenders on both sides. If you had then you could have rested against your neighbour and sorted your bow line and pulled the boat to the port side. Also have lines forward and aft ready. As I said you have more options then and in unfamiliar marinas you would be glad to have choices.
Be prepared. Good advice 👍
Well done for trying something new.
I recommend “steer, throttle, neutral”
Always approach approx bow to 1st third of dock and come in at 35 degrees angle..
Secure your line as you did.
The only time you come straight in is with wind up your stern..
And finally, don’t be afraid of using the power of your engine
Really good advice 👌 👍 I've been doing all of that since the making of this video and so far so good.
I can’t see any fenders down on either boat!! Why is this? Surely it’s inviting damage? Thanks for posting… really illustrates the effect of prop walk … subscribed!
@funkyfender1 fenders! Why didn't I think of that! I only have the smallest of fenders. Should probably get some of those big round ones... but they're ugly and where do you put them?
@@EdwardSeatonSailingI came here to be shocked at the lack of fenders too 😂 do you have a back rail you could tie them to when underway?
@@EdwardSeatonSailingnew sailor here and I’ve bought one to put nearer to the bow when coming in to buffer against my neighbours boat. Put it off the back when not using it
No fenders? Good that it finally worked.
Fenders are there, just out of sight, but they're there 😀
Well done Edward, from a beginner to another beginner: use fenders, specially on the stb side, considering that you can hit your neighboor when you come in. It will give you peace of mind. The other thing: I learnt the hard way that for me the best way to leave the dock is by having the boat secure to the pontoon with just the bow line/s. Engage the engine in reverse, slow. The boat is not going anywhere. Walk to the bow (yes!, leave the cockpit) and wth the BOATHOOK in your hand release the bow line/s. The boat will start to leave the dock going in reverse; the stern will kick to port and the bow will go to stb. All you have to do now is WALK THE BOAT WITH THE BOATHOOK from the bow: put the stern of the boat where you want it by controlling the angle between the bow and the dock pulling yourself in or away from the dock with the hook depending on what the stern is doing. When you are happy with the position of the boat go back to the cockpit, get hold of the tiller, engage forward and off you go. Good luck mate!
Have you tried using a long line from an amidships cleat (can be improvised) on port. Fenders either side. This is how I would do it if I wanted to dock "bow to". Approach the dock and throw the loop over the Walcon cleat on shore, take it back and pull in against the engine. The boat will be instantly under your control and zero danger of coming anywhere near the neighbor. Then you have all the time you need to tie the boat up nice and secure. This trick should work with wind from three directions. The long line would have to be on starboard for wind coming from that direction, but in that case there's little danger of hitting the neighbor anyway.
I just thought of another great tip: "The art of Stress Free Sailing" by Duncan Wells is really great and gives you lots of tips for all sorts of docking situations and solo and short handed sailing in general. Its worth its weight in gold.
I will certainly check out this book you mention 😀 thanks so much for your comments! Quick question; what is Walcon cleat? I'm ussuimng that you're talking about the dock cleat?
@@EdwardSeatonSailing Yes, the dock cleat. Over in Europe most of them seem to be made by Walcon.
@@sail4life how interesting! Thank you.
What I do when docking (solo) is have a line ready on the mid cleat. I come in with enough way to be able to maintain steerage, then do a reverse thrust when the midship cleat is level with the middle dock cleat. I jump off with the line and secure the midcleat. The boat is not now going anywhere and not spinning so I can take time to tie up the other lines. If you are very good at lassoing then you don't need to jump off just lasso the dock cleat but have the line ready to pull in and secure the boat.
I did a video last week where I practice this a bunch with various degrees of success. I'm trying to practice not jumping out of the boat if possible.
@@EdwardSeatonSailing You can loop line around a dock cleat from the boat and lock it off. No need to jump off the boat! :-)
Good job
Thanks, Mate!
Looks like you have the same prop walk to port that I do!
Yar!
I deal with these docking issues almost all the time i been really lucky never bump into any boats yet. I very very slowly aim my boat into my slip and turn my engine off and slowly coast/float up to my dock not sure if it the correct way but it so far works for me now dealing with prop walk and going completely sideways which ive done very embarrassing in the past 😊
I learned in my ASA 103 course to come into the dock in idle- establish a line and coast in- slowly.
What's an Asa 103 course? More importantly, how much does ot cost? Thanks for watching 👀 🙂 and commenting!
@@EdwardSeatonSailing You should initially point at the center of your dock when you first turn in and "round up" as you close- keeps you closer- think of how you parallel park...
@@EdwardSeatonSailing American Sailing Association. They provide an accredited sailing program used by many sailing clubs and schools around the US.
@@mochifanta yes, but how much does it cost 😉 youtube is free
@@EdwardSeatonSailing Agreed, definitely not free and not necessary unless someone needs to see a piece of paper, like a charter company.
A docking lune from your mid cleat looped around the dock cleat as you go past it then with the engine just in forward it will pull the boat into the dock and hold you there while you sort out the rest of the lines.
Unfortunately, I don't have a midship cleat.
Nice video . Have you herd of the docking stick ? check it out I think its use full for single handed sailing . I made my own a couple of bits of plastic pipe and use plastic pipe cement to join them .One yo got one line on your boat is not going anywhere.
@@Gordon-n3q made another video about just that. I used my boat hook. Thanks so much for watching!
Thought about going in stern-to?
No. Haven't tried that yet. Sounds complicated.
Brother you had it the first time in! Instead of the boat hook you should have had that mid cleat line in your hand. You could have dropped it over that dock cleat and pulled her over.
Easier said than done 😉 I'm new at this.
watched the first part of the vid and thought, " where is the fail". then saw the second bit. what i would have done, is when u were sitting still abeam the dock, just throw a line around the cleat and then pull urself to the dock. would have been done from ther very first docking
as failures go... it was pretty tame
The rock formations are called jetty's
Back in
@@RustyKnorr seems like that would be trickier.
Another variation on the docking method you were trying is to use a longer line that you toss over the cleat and then immediately take up the slack. ua-cam.com/video/vt0wI5DlbWM/v-deo.html The adva'ntage of this method is you can snag the cleat from significantly further away than using your method with the boathook, but you have to use a longer line and can't use your premade loop with the exact length needed. This usually works better if you have a midship cleat the line is secured to, toss the line over the cleat at the very end of the dock and have the free end of the line secured to a winch. After you've taken up the slack you can maintain slight forward with your engine and it will pin the boat against the dock with tension on the line, and you can step off and secure the other lines at your leisure as at the end of your video. As your boat doesn't appear to have midship cleats I'm not sure if this method would work, if you use the stern cleat for this the bow of the boat would still have freedom to swing towards the other boat in your slip. Nice video though and good job talking through your troubleshooting!
No midship cleat. Correct. I'll check this out. Thank you.
fenders?
Check!
I don't get it. You were in the slip. Just grab a dockline.
Hard to see just how far away from the dock I was and also I mention this in the video 📹 😊 😀
aviation hint: LANDING DOESN'T LOOK GOOD?
GO AROUND...TRY AGAIN.
Great stuff. Enjoyed the video. Nice calm enjoyable watch 😊
Cousin! Thanks for watching 👀 gotta keep calm and carry on. I hope to sail over to your side of the planet... one day. I've got a lot of learning to do.
Cousin! Thanks for watching 👀 gotta keep calm and carry on. I hope to sail over to your side of the planet... one day. I've got a lot of learning to do.