You mastered the art of the short, direct and to the point explanation. As a college professor, I can appreciate simple and direct as you demonstrated.
Thanks mate. That is one fo the nicest compliments I have received -- especially from a career college professor. I do endeavor to graciously accept coaching and mentorship when my content or style is off the mark. I have many coaches and mentors and have learned a lot from viewers comments. All the best.
Nicely shown. We do it this way, too, with minor variations, even when not singlehanding. And when landing, that's the first line to go on, helping to stop the boat and using the engine to keep it in position while the others go on. Thanks for posting.
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. For sure, I am still learning my craft as well. Some great suggestions and coaching have come from viewer's comments.
@@tarekabdel-hamid2226 You can do it either way. Play around with the rudder to watch for how it impacts the angle of the boat at the dock. I have starboard prop-walk -- so I typically put the rudder to starboard to move the stern as far away from the dock as I can. Then, when I untie, and begin reversing out of the slip, my prop-walk straightens the boat out. Once the boat is moving slowly in reverse, I put the boat in neutral to get the rest of the way out. So the rudder angle can become a tactic to pin the stern to the dock or move it away. Good luck and happy docking! :)
Nice. I do much the same but I first turn the stern line into a slip line so there is no need for a line on the winch. Also in this case I would put the wheel hard over to starboard and lock it. This helps keep the boat held on to the dock.
Met Bernard Many years ago he had come in to Sausalito California Anchored out and gave a talk at the library. And as you know he did not like coming into harbors and tying up to docks if he could help it. Blessings to you and yours
Wow. That is really awesome! I wish I had a chance to meet Mr. Moitessier in person. He remains one of my favorite authors and singlehanders and has inspired me over many years. Thank you for sharing that with all of us! On a total aside, I was berthed in Sausalito over a winter in 2012 while I was making my way south singlehanded from Victoria to Cabo San Lucas in a Contessa 26.
Thanks for posting. May your posts reduce steepness of learning curves and retention !!! Having flashbacks to earlier days, ie me solo vs twin Detroit 871s. Cheers, SV Good Karma as Grins.
That works good. If that was me, I would have the helm turned to the starboard side to keep the bow pushing the wharf instead of more throttle. That would help with stronger wind issues. Cheers
I’m a deck hand on sea going tugs . We have been using two part lines for centuries. Mooring , casting off, generally resisting a strong current at a pier. I am constantly surprised by sailors who have never heard of 2,3 and more part lines.
That is very interesting. Yes, it is fascinating that sometimes commercial boat tactics take a long time to translate into recreational boating. Do you have any other suggestions? We would all love to hear your thoughts. All the best! Thank you.
Been doing stuff like this for years in schooners, small boats, and now in my regular career on tugs and ATB’s. Works great. It’s a method as old as you can imagine for sure. It’s not that it’s taken time to trickle down from commercial to your boat but just that we can’t all know all the things at the same time. Which is where UA-cam and magazines and books come into great effect at disseminating knowledge. You’ve done that here to help spread knowledge to those who would have otherwise missed out on it. So thank you. I’m a professional mariner and I still watch these videos because I never know what I might learn.
You can credit who you want but My dad was a commercial fisherman running a 65' boat with my mother as crew. He then got his capt. license and ran tugs for years. I watched him do this for years. Many times we would come to a dock to drop off or pick up some thing and a stern quarter line was all that was used, along with the boat in gear
Wow. That is really cool. Thank you for sharing that anecdote. A few folks have said the same thing regarding tugs or commercial boats. It's great to hear that. I first read about the tactic in one of Bernard Moitessier's books where he described its usefulness. I had never heard of it before that. Thanks for the note!
I use this method to single-hand as well. I use a modified version when backing out of the slip when the wind and prop walk are pushing the bow towards the dock: I pull in on the line while backing and use it to hold the stern towards the dock and the bow away. cheers...
An old timer gave me the best advice when I first started and was having trouble leaving solo in my Cal 34 - "reverse her like you stole her!" I immediately mastered it after that.
I've been doing this on my Sparrow 16 trailer-sailer for many years. It is super handy because I'm using an old outboard that only has forward and no neutral. For me, I retie the stern-line by having it wrap around the cleat or bull-rail and bring it back to my mooring cleat. Then with the motor on and turned to push the bow in a bit, I can undo the rest of my mooring lines at my convenience. Then I get in the boat and when ready, undo the stern mooring line and go. My outboard is one that can be turned 360 degrees so that if I need to back out, I can do that easily too.
Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes I use these techniques especially when there is a strong wind blowing me on the dock and I'm single handed in vessels over 50 ft long. The helms are obviously hydraulic which is a big help in holding position. Keep safe in your travels
Thanks, nicely done. I always pass a short double end through the dock and use another quick release rope to tie it to the winch...This provides little chance of any rope catching on something when I least need it to while pulling away - you know, just when the wind blows the bow a little and some other guy decides to leave and crowd you just then.....etc.
In UK usually have three cleats on each pontoon so only works if pontoon is longer than your boat and last pontoon cleat is behind your deck stern cleat/winch. My pontoon as many finishes well short of stern and all pontoon cleats are forward of corresponding deck cleats. I tried it running a spring forward to centre cleat with a traditional shaped boat the tapers significantly it doesn't hold it the same way.
That is an interesting challenge that we don't see here much. Usually the docks are as long or longer than the boats. I wonder if you had a tie forward, and put the boat in reverse, adjusting the tie point until it sits where you want it? Just a thought. I will try that when I am on the boat next.
One more thought I had for you -- if the engine is engaged in reverse, I would anticipate that prop-walk to starboard or port will impact where the tie goes. I am keen to try this myself to see how the boat responds. Best wishes!
Im thinking of getting a trolling motor to pull in and out. After further thought i have to do it with lines. The wind and the tide can beat that. Backing out with winds off aft port tide coming from aft the wind pushes bow and im 180 degrees from where i want to be.
Thanks for the video, I did this for 2 years when I had to get off the dock single handed in San Francisco. This work well until we have a strong (>10kt) crosswind breeze, which is about every summer afternoon in SF :)
@@respecttherisk2022 I turned the wheel towards the breeze to get some prop wash to help get the bow to the wind. It’s still quite tricky as I shift to reverse the wind still wants to quickly catch the bow, Usually I watch the marina water for ripple so I can anticipate the gust, and go when I see a lull. If the breeze is more than 10 knots, I will still need crew to help walk me out.
I was very interested to see another method of leaving dock solo as I sail solo. However I prefer my own method. As you said, getting off the boat with the engine running just makes my scalp itch. I take all lines off bar one, the midship line. It's tied to the midships cleat, goes to the dock cleat and takes only one turn around it, then back to winch. I can use the engine if I want to point the boat, then I simply undo the line from the winch and as I reverse, the lines comes off the dock cleat and I can quickly pull it on board.
One can also tighten the line and use it to start a turn around the end-of-quay bollard if space is tight. The name in french is: “faire croupiat". The great sailor Bernard Moitessier used it, but the maneuver has been known for ever and not used solely in harbors. When a (motorless) sailing vessel was anchored leeward of and close to a shore and the wind turned opposite, increasing to a gale, the crew could lower a rowboat and moor a spare anchor, the hawser of which would be tied to midships. With hawser taut and the sails ready to be hoisted, order would be given to cut the bow mooring: The vessel would pivot and take speed on a arc around the “croupiat anchor” and would thus sail her escape from the tight spot.
Thank you for this very useful and informative comment, not to mention the historical significance as well. There is a lot there to take in. Great information, and great advice for all of us. Thank you!
Love this!!! I have a long bow sprit platform on my 38’ ketch rig.. when I leave the dock there is always wind coming off my Starboard Bow which of course makes her drift to Port.. I often ask a passerby to grab a Starboard bow line to keep me straight until I get safely backed out… your video will help me solve this problem… Thanks for sharing and I just subscribed to your channel..
Glad you liked it. It does help. Sometimes the current and wind grab the bow and even this tactic is not quite enough. The other day, I had to push the boat out of the slip by hand about 2/3 of the way, angle it to port about 30 degrees, climb aboard and back out the rest of the way with prop-walk pulling me back to starboard. I am still learning and perfecting my techniques!
@@respecttherisk2022 Good idea!! I have thought about doing that too.. Well it’s all part of the adventure as they say!! I have come to realize that arriving at and leaving the dock sometimes causes problems for seasoned experts too…. 😎⛵️🥢🏴☠️🤙
You can't control it so to speak, but you can prepare for it. I have starboard prop walk on my boat, so I can move the stern to port with the stern line in place by turning the wheel to starboard -- so the boat is now on an angle with the stern away from the dock. I then disengage the engine, pull the line, then reverse out with a short burst that pulls the boat back to starboard with the prop walk. Play around with that and see how it works for you. All the best mate.
this was worthwhile. I note you did not have to turn the wheel to starboard, kind of appears like you would have to if there was a stronger wind blowing from the starboard beam...wouldn't the bow want to drift off dock more? i'm gonna practice this maneuver. ty
Thanks for the note. Yes, if the wind or current was on the starboard beam, you would add starboard helm and/or throttle. Best wishes on this. I found playing around with the helm valuable to learn the sensitivity to the angle of the boat at the dock.
Thank you. Interesting -- I have not heard of the "thief's hitch." I will have to look that up. Thank you for sharing. I have learned quite a bit from other boater's comments.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. I love Poet's Cove as well and also love being at anchor in the harbor and hiking in the park. One of my favorite places :)
i have a sabre with an offset shaft that absolutely does not want to turn to port after backing out especially with any kind of breeze. she does not back and fill like a normal boat.. i take this one step further and pay out line for about 20' as im backing away from the slip then "trip" the stern by putting a wrap on which causes the bow to pull to port. i use polypro line that floats with the dock end put through a carabiner made fast to the dock cleat. then when im ready i just pull the line through and bring it back on board.
That is a great idea. I experimented with a technique very close to that in this video clip. I had a carabiner fixed to the dock on nylon webbing, and one on a stanchion -- then backed out and helf it fast so that the my prop walk pulled me to starboard to make the turn in reverse. Using a floating line would be a great idea. Have a look here and you can see some of my learnings. ua-cam.com/video/I_2bjWQ-ZZ0/v-deo.html
Nice...always good to learn a technique. I use a version of this to spring out of my dock. I have an Alberg 35, more or less full keel, and the fairway in my marina is only a little wider than the boat length. Fortunately, the turn is to port, same as my prop walk. But if the wind is over the stern I need help getting the boat to come around and that's when the same stern tie, gradually let out until the bow clears the dock, works for me.
Thanks for sharing that. My permanent birth has the same challenge, except I need to bring the stern to port if I want to go out bow first -- and my prop walk is to starboard. When I add in wind and current, it can be quite challenging. I have learned a lot from the suggestions of viewers. Thanks for the note.
I was shown this method by someone at the marina because I am often single-handed. It works very well however I would add that it is even more effective if you turn the wheel away from the dock and lock it down. At that point the boat is not going anywhere. When leaving, I place the line on a tall line holder made out of PVC, so upon returning I can easily grab the line and drop it on the winch.
There are typically four dock lines -- the bow and stern line, both of which end up roughly perpendicular to the dock when tied off: these are meant to keep the boat close to the dock, perhaps 6 or 12 inches. The other two are the "Spring Lines." They are to prevent the boat from moving forward or to stern in the slip. I am not 100% sure on the origin, but in my own mind, they prevent the boat from "springing" forward or to stern in the slip because of wind or current. In practice, they are perhaps 10 to 15 feet long so as to be almost parallel to the dock -- more rope out allows more stretching movement of the line, thus reducing the forces on the boat. Happy sailing and docking!
😅I've been doing similar with say a starboard bow spring to a dock cleat midships with rudder to full port but your method seem like less fuss. Also, your way one is right at the cockpit & controls. Good one!
Thanks for the note. Yes, I agree, the technique has many good features. I have been refining my techniques for varying conditions and continue to learn. I have received many good tips in comments on this channel which is pretty cool actually. Best wishes!
This is basically how we did it on towboats up and down the Mississippi River. They got their own words, but they would call them towing and backing lines. One of those doubled up was really all you needed for tying up. Then you can take your time getting the rest.
Me too except my line is from centre cleat and back around winch, the loop dropped around dock horn cleat as we ease in. Then other dock lines seized according to wind direction
Great video, thank you! 1. What about steering? Can tiller / wheel freely spin around until the moment you untie? 2. Does the process change with a different wind direction?
You're welcome. Great questions. I have left the Tiller free in this case and it worked fine with it loose and roughly centered. If I lock the wheel hard over for a port turn, the boat balances with the bow further from the dock. If I lock it hard over for a starboard turn, the boat balances with the stern further out from the dock. I suggest you experiment with this to optimize your boat position. This will also change with the location of your tie off point on the boat. You may need to lock the wheel or Tiller or engage wheel pilot to hold it fast.
The process is similar for different wind and or current conditions though you may want to adjust throttle or rudder position as above to accommodate. With a wind or current from the stern, you may not need any throttle at all. With wind or current from starboard, you will need to add more throttle to keep the boat pinned to the dock. With wind from Port, just enough throttle to keep the dock line tight. Once on the single tie, you can monitor for a few moments to see what combination of throttle and rudder puts the boat in the most favorable position to continue the exit.
Thank you. If the wind was abeam to starboard, you would notice the bow coming off the dock to port. You could add some throttle, and turn the wheel to starboard to help keep the bow on the dock (while stern line is still attached). I have starboard prop walk, so one of my challenges if the wind is abeam to starboard, is losing the bow to port as I start to motor out -- both from the wind abeam, and my starboard propwalk. I can counter this using the stern-tie by moving the stern away from the dock with wheel to make a 20 or 30 degree angle, bow on the dock, and then reverse out -- which helps but doesn't always work. (I can lose the bow to port and it can foul on the boat next to me if the wind is stronger.) In these instances, I have done a bit of a "cheat" tactic, where I walk the boat about halfway out of the slip with the motor in neutral, let the wind catch the stern and blow it to port slightly, climb aboard, and motor out. If the wind is too strong abeam to starboard, I would ask for help guiding the bow out from someone on the dock. Longwinded answer, but these can be challenging conditions singlehanded!
As a Frenchman who was a sailor and a teenager in the 60's I read extensively Moitessier and I must say I never heard of the expression "Moitessier tie". This method along with many others depending on wind, current and space was very well explained in the various booklets from PBO, or Practical Boat Owner published in the late 80's to the mid 90's. PBO nor Moitessier invented this tie : it's been in use since ever and it's been one of the subtleties of mooring and casting off to use it properly with all its variant as many parameters come in the picture (including the pitch propeller). As a matter of fact, although I fully understand the educational purpose of this video, I must say the "Moitessier tie" seems quite useless in conditions shown on video : weather is calm, apparently no current, very light wind … why not cast off all lines and just back off ??? the more so the area is quite empty. As for casting off the lines from the pontoon, this is quite surprising. It's been done by many amateurish crews these days and it certainly is not the way to do so. Crew remain in control of the boat when onboard! The more so when singlehanded. Mooring line are simply passed through the cleats without being tied so it's a matter of slipping lines. Simple and very efficient. Having sailed singlehandedly a lot during my time I thrive for simple, common sense, nobrainer methods : the ones that work with the boat I sail. Then again the conditions are so easy in this video tant either way work well… As for leaving lines dangling on the guardrails it's a "don't even think of it" for me, coil them and they will un coil very easily. Then again each one does as he likes. Live and let live !!!… Cheers ! … PS Moitessier is certainly a man to read when sailing singlehanded.
Thanks for the many thoughtful and considered points.There is a lot there for all of us. It sounds like we share an affinity for Mr. Moitessier's books. I have read them all multiple times and always learn something new after every read! That is interesting re the PBO reference -- good to know. I called the "Moitessier Tie" as that was where I first heard of it. My sailing courses had never covered it! Totally agree: Simple, common sense is always best! All the best. Cheers.
If you want you can put the engine in reverse while still tied to the winch which will swing bow away from the dock pointing you in the right direction. Release line when desired angle is reached and away you go.😊
If there was wind from the starboard side on the bow would that not push the bow out? what makes the bow hug the dock at the bow, that's the bit I dont understand.
No worries mate. The engine is in slow forward so the thrust from the propellor pushes the boat forward from the center-line of the hull. With the stern tie tight, that force pins the boat to the dock. The boat is pivoting on the tie-in point. If the dock was not there, say, the boat would just go around in circles to starboard on that pivot point. The more wind there is from starboard, the more thrust is required from the propellor.
That's a good idea. Just make sure it is "bomb-proof" so to speak, and there is no danger of someone or you upsetting the tail by kicking it or upsetting it in any way -- it would be regrettable to have it come undone and thus run your boat into the dock while it was in forward gear. That said, I like the idea that it can be undone under load easily.
Right on. Thanks for sharing that. I have also heard that other commercial skippers us it as well. I had never heard of it in recreational boating until I read about it in Moitessier's book.
Thanks. I do find it works well. While I have tried other options, I do keep coming back to this and a combination of walking the boat out about halfway before I step aboard. All the best.
I will often use this for short stops. Just get a stern line on, leave idling ahead and the boat will sit there while you sort things out … only on one occasion for someone to come and tell me the boat was still in gear 😂
Right on. Thanks for sharing that. I call it the "Moitessier Stern Tie" only because that was where I read about it first -- in one of his books published in the 60's. I suspect he picked it up from someone else along the way.
The thing ist, good seamanship evolved over centuries by experience, but in Modern Times much of it is forgotten. So i applaud you for making this excellent video. Thank you for keeping tradition and knowledge alive.
As she's laying some starboard helm locked on helps stop the bow blowing off. The way I do it is to use a spliced eye on top of the winch, neutral or a touch astern then neutral, flick off the line instantly and away. Before you've thunk it, the eye just doesn't catch and you could flick it off with ease anyway. Try it.👍
Due to prop walk, one side would result in pulling your stern toward the dock, while the other side would push it away from the dock. In anticipation of this, while still in forward gear, You would want to turn the wheel so that your stern was against the dock or away from the dock. Then, once in reverse, the prop wash would work to your favor in straightening the boat.
Yes -- great answer Thfe. I agree. My boat has starboard prop-walk -- and depending on the slip geometry I can adjust the wheel to either have the stern against the dock, or away from the dock in preparation for the exit. In this case, I had a lot of room behind the boat, and the wind pushed me almost straight back right away. I only learned that tactic recently with help from my boat neighbors and viewers.
@@respecttherisk2022 BTW. My strange channel name??? Years ago, I had a video clip I wanted to text someone, but it was too long to send. It would fit on UA-cam, so I simply created a quick and dirty account to share it. I never intended to use it again, so just slammed the keys to create my channel name! Now I’m stuck with it.
Nicely done video; I liked the pace and your narration which both underscore how drama free this method can make undocking. I just subscribed and am looking forward to many more shorts on how to handle a sailboat under power 😉.
All very calm and in control which is what we like. For me, taking off the spring lines and stowing them is no.1, converting the stern line to a highwayman's hitch or similar so that I can stand aboard and release the knot from the safety of the vessel using the working end is no.2. And then removing the bow line is no.3. No.4 is removing the tension on the stern line and leaving the dock. On a slack tide I'd store all my lines including the bow line whilst moored by the stern line leaving only the stern line to store once I was off the dock. On a rising/falling tide I'd improvise dependant upon wind etc...But that is just me, and I don't even own a goddam boat and never have. How weird is that. HA!
Thank you for sharing that. I like those ideas. I had not heard of the "highwayman's hitch" so I had to go look it up! (And I am a bit of a "knot-guy" as a lifetime rock climber and sailor!) That looks like an elegant approach. Thank you for sharing that! All the best!
This same technique works in catamarans and trimarans and is especially important to know since they can typically only be boarded at the stern, so you definitely need everyone onboard before you untie. You can of course double back a bow tie so that you're on the boat when you untie it and never need to run from the dock and catch the boat before it drifts too far to reach.
Use the wind and or current to benefit when you can. You may have to walk the boat out by hand, hop aboard at the last second, and use a boat hook to benefit as well. Likely will need favorable wind perhaps under jib alone to get out of the marina.
I’m curious as to why you take the dock lines with you ? I cast my lines to the dock from the boat then use a boat hook to snag them when I come back in
That's a great idea. I should definitely explore that concept some more at my regular marina berth. In this particular video, I am not at my regular berth but visiting Poet's Cove on Pender Island in the Gulf Islands in British Columbia -- I was not going to come back to this slip. When I am singlehanded, I leave the dock lines "elephant eared" over the lifelines leaving and approaching the dock -- it makes it easy for people to help from the dock as I come in, or, if I mess up myself, it is easier to grab from the dock. If conditions look too tricky with wind and/or current for me to come in alone, I have radioed in to have someone on the dock to give me a hand -- once I get close enough, they can grab the "elephant ear" and help control the bow. Happy sailing!
Good eye. It's a 1984 Contessa 38. Basically a stretched Contessa 32 with all the same ratios and design, just longer. This one was manufactured in Britain to Lloyds of London Spec and then brought over to North America. You can see a short introduction to the boat on one of my videos here: studio.ua-cam.com/users/videopLDEcN04_Vc/edit
In this video I am using a tri-pod for every camera angle. It is sitting on the dock at first, then later it is on top of the dodger. In other videos, I haul the tri-pod and camera upside down to the top of the mast on a halyard. All the best mate.
Haha, fair point. I bought True North in 2016. She is a 1984 hull. I kinda have left the cosmetic stuff til last. Redid all electronics, new radar, VHF, AIS, chart plotter, depth sounder, wiring, new panel, House and Cranking battery banks, battery charger, voltage and current meter, added Hydrovane, new wheel pilot, new life raft, Watt and Sea Power generator, all new running and standing rigging, new diesel heater, dingy, added a bilge pump, new reefable storm and 100% jib, refurbished my genoa. I added a cutter stay and backstays for the storm jib. I am booked for a full engine replacement in a couple of weeks. The 1984 Volvo Penta 2003 is still running ok, and doesn't burn a ton of oil, but it seems there are a few things about to fail that would almost be the price of a new engine. (The drive spline already failed two years ago, and I did a repair with a SureDrive Spline kit -- Sheesh -- so I am constantly anxious about something else failing on the old Penta engine, it seems) Since this video was made, I replaced the dodger (crazy expensive!) and did some touch-up sanding on the teak. I have been purposefully letting the bright work varnish peel off on its own. I like the plain teak look (and I am lazy!) The cockpit seats are still in rough shape and I have been exploring how to do that. I did my first haulout on my own this spring and did the bottom paint, cutlass bearing, and replaced the Dripless Shaft Seal. (What a learning experience for me!) I did buy a small power washer that I now keep aboard -- that was a game changer for quick deck cleaning for sure -- and helped strip some of the last bits of varnish on the deck grab rails. I have lent it to my boat neighbors and they agree! My dock lines are a bit tired too. Laughing, I do tend to be a bit lazy with general tidiness until the wind and water conditions warrant "clearing the decks!" There is never "nothing to do" on a boat! Thanks for the nudge tho, lol, I still have to get after the teak and the veneer on the cockpit seats :) The upholstery on my salon seats is also starting to go.... I guess that means I have been living aboard quite a bit! :)
haha, yeah for sure. I should have said, "it happens at the worst possible time!' I wrapped the prop one time in 30 knots or so of wind... in the marina... it was a bit of an epic to get the boat back into the slip!
You can start with the rudder centered and see where the boat lies against the dock. In this case, if I turn the wheel to starboard, the stern will settle further away from the dock. If I turn the wheel to port, the stern will settle closer to the dock.
This is the ONLY way to leave the dock in an unfavorable wind! Here in the States, we’re lucky because we have cleats instead of rails. That makes this much easier. You simply take a short line with a spliced loop in the end, slip it over ONE horn of the cleat, and tie the other end to a cleat on the boat. Now, you simply back out of the slip and the dock line falls off the cleat without any effort on your part. The line falls in the water, but it’s too short to reach the rudder or prop. Both hands are free for the wheel and engine controls. Once safely clear of the dock, you can pull it in by hand, or use a docking pole, or even pull it in with another dock line bowlined to it.
Oh wow! That is a great idea. I will keep that in mind for when I am at a marina with cleats. An excellent suggestion! Thank you! I agree, it is always a struggle with an unfavorable wind -- especially singlehanded -- so easy to lose the bow against a neighboring boat! Thanks for tip!
@@respecttherisk2022 Just be careful that the eye splice doesn’t slip over BOTH cleat horns; then you’re not going anywhere! The smaller the eye, the better! Been there; done that! Sure glad there were no witnesses!
A floating or buoyant line might help this issue. I haven't seen one with the suppleness and feel that I like. So far, just a bit of care and attention has kept my dock line out of the prop except on one notable occasion when I was distracted by several other variables!
@@respecttherisk2022 depends on how much suction your prop generates and depth, it could still get pulled in. Sometimes I feel props and lines are just drawn to each other, like insect zappers and some bugs.
Haha, yes, that is correct -- I should have said, "it always happens at the worst possible time..." I once wrapped the prop with a dock line trying to leave my birth in gusts up to 30 knots -- I lost control of the boat, and had to get two people on the dock help me wrestle the boat back upwind into the slip. It was terrible! And totally a mistake I made letting a dockline fall into the water.
To put a boat in gear, with no one on board, is just too much of a risk for me. There is no way to stop the boat if things go wrong. Here is my way to undock single handed. I prep one center slip line, that runs from my cockpit to the middle of my boat, to the dock and same way back into the cockpit. So both ends are in the cockpit (or your winch). With the fenders in front and back of the center line, the boat is firmly secured to the dock for the moment, with no option go to back or forwad (even with shifting wind, or tide). After this line is set, I can untie all docking lines. For departure, I have all the controls in my cockpit - undue the centerline and bring it in, shift into gear and take her out. So at the end, it is just the same procedure as your method. Give it a try as an alternative method. Always a hand's breadth of water under the keel and greetings from Germany
I also have not seen it used much by recreational boaters. I also use it for docking as well when the need is right. That said, mce the boat has stopped, I have started stepping off the boat with midship line and a stern line and tying them off without the stern spring line. Seems i do that the most these days.
That would work if you are moving within the marina, maybe. Singlehanding with all those lines just draping the railing is begging for Murpy’s Law to invoke itself.
![Can You SINGLE HAND a Big Sailboat? | Sailing Wisdom [S4 Ep4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/S-U3AoplnTM/mqdefault.jpg)
You mastered the art of the short, direct and to the point explanation. As a college professor, I can appreciate simple and direct as you demonstrated.
Thanks mate. That is one fo the nicest compliments I have received -- especially from a career college professor. I do endeavor to graciously accept coaching and mentorship when my content or style is off the mark. I have many coaches and mentors and have learned a lot from viewers comments. All the best.
Nicely shown. We do it this way, too, with minor variations, even when not singlehanding. And when landing, that's the first line to go on, helping to stop the boat and using the engine to keep it in position while the others go on. Thanks for posting.
Good stuff! Thank you for sharing that.
Always good to learn another dock "trick". Thanks, Capt.
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. For sure, I am still learning my craft as well. Some great suggestions and coaching have come from viewer's comments.
Thank you! Very well demonstrated and very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
What a simple, ELEGANT strategy!!!
Many Thanks.
You are welcome! Glad you liked it.
@@respecttherisk2022 quick followup question: would you also advise to turn rudder to port… to pin stern to dock?
@@tarekabdel-hamid2226 You can do it either way. Play around with the rudder to watch for how it impacts the angle of the boat at the dock. I have starboard prop-walk -- so I typically put the rudder to starboard to move the stern as far away from the dock as I can. Then, when I untie, and begin reversing out of the slip, my prop-walk straightens the boat out. Once the boat is moving slowly in reverse, I put the boat in neutral to get the rest of the way out. So the rudder angle can become a tactic to pin the stern to the dock or move it away. Good luck and happy docking! :)
good theory, good camera angles, good narration. Not too long, not too short.
Thanks you!
Nice. I do much the same but I first turn the stern line into a slip line so there is no need for a line on the winch. Also in this case I would put the wheel hard over to starboard and lock it. This helps keep the boat held on to the dock.
That sounds like a great approach. I must try that. Thank you!
Brilliant balance of wind, thrust, tension, and fenders. Equally brilliant filming and voiceover. Thank you!
Thanks mate.
Thank you share this. I been out this week singled handed and used this technique. Even other people around the dock were amazed how well it worked.
Right on. Glad it worked for you. I use it quite regularly as well.
Met Bernard Many years ago he had come in to Sausalito California Anchored out and gave a talk at the library. And as you know he did not like coming into harbors and tying up to docks if he could help it. Blessings to you and yours
Wow. That is really awesome! I wish I had a chance to meet Mr. Moitessier in person. He remains one of my favorite authors and singlehanders and has inspired me over many years. Thank you for sharing that with all of us! On a total aside, I was berthed in Sausalito over a winter in 2012 while I was making my way south singlehanded from Victoria to Cabo San Lucas in a Contessa 26.
Thanks for posting.
May your posts reduce steepness of learning curves and retention !!!
Having flashbacks to earlier days, ie me solo vs twin Detroit 871s.
Cheers, SV Good Karma as Grins.
You are welcome! Thanks mate. Cheers and good karma to you as well!
That works good. If that was me, I would have the helm turned to the starboard side to keep the bow pushing the wharf instead of more throttle. That would help with stronger wind issues.
Cheers
Excellent suggestion. Thanks for the note. I continue to learn from other boaters with comments here -- thank you!
@@respecttherisk2022 we are all connected 🙏 thanks for posting your video
I’m a deck hand on sea going tugs . We have been using two part lines for centuries. Mooring , casting off, generally resisting a strong current at a pier. I am constantly surprised by sailors who have never heard of 2,3 and more part lines.
That is very interesting. Yes, it is fascinating that sometimes commercial boat tactics take a long time to translate into recreational boating. Do you have any other suggestions? We would all love to hear your thoughts. All the best! Thank you.
Been doing stuff like this for years in schooners, small boats, and now in my regular career on tugs and ATB’s. Works great. It’s a method as old as you can imagine for sure. It’s not that it’s taken time to trickle down from commercial to your boat but just that we can’t all know all the things at the same time. Which is where UA-cam and magazines and books come into great effect at disseminating knowledge. You’ve done that here to help spread knowledge to those who would have otherwise missed out on it. So thank you. I’m a professional mariner and I still watch these videos because I never know what I might learn.
All the posts are about people who know about it....
That was excellent. Thanks. I’m going to try that soon in my Cal 22.
Right on. Good luck! Thanks for the note.
You can credit who you want but My dad was a commercial fisherman running a 65' boat with my mother as crew. He then got his capt. license and ran tugs for years. I watched him do this for years. Many times we would come to a dock to drop off or pick up some thing and a stern quarter line was all that was used, along with the boat in gear
Wow. That is really cool. Thank you for sharing that anecdote. A few folks have said the same thing regarding tugs or commercial boats. It's great to hear that. I first read about the tactic in one of Bernard Moitessier's books where he described its usefulness. I had never heard of it before that. Thanks for the note!
Fishers know and use lots of skills & knowledge for which they haven't been credited! I love it when I hear: "I learned this from a fisher."
I use this method to single-hand as well.
I use a modified version when backing out of the slip when the wind and prop walk are pushing the bow towards the dock: I pull in on the line while backing and use it to hold the stern towards the dock and the bow away. cheers...
That's a good idea. Thank you for sharing that. All the best mate.
Line In the prop always happens when you don't want it to: Yeah, 100% of the time is the time you don't want it to.
True That! I should have said, "at the worst possible moments!" :)
When would you want it to?
Yup that’s right 😮
@@timhohmann7545maybe fouling the prop on a runaway boat.
Gold. I am a beginner. Perfect.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you for the comment. Good luck with your journey on this. I am still refining my techniques as well.
An old timer gave me the best advice when I first started and was having trouble leaving solo in my Cal 34 - "reverse her like you stole her!" I immediately mastered it after that.
Great tips for all solo sailors
Glad it was helpful! Thank you.
Poet's Cove! Love sitting in the upper hot tub and enjoying the view. Thanks for the dock lesson!
Oh yeah! One of my favorite places! Love the hot tub too!
I've been doing this on my Sparrow 16 trailer-sailer for many years. It is super handy because I'm using an old outboard that only has forward and no neutral.
For me, I retie the stern-line by having it wrap around the cleat or bull-rail and bring it back to my mooring cleat. Then with the motor on and turned to push the bow in a bit, I can undo the rest of my mooring lines at my convenience. Then I get in the boat and when ready, undo the stern mooring line and go.
My outboard is one that can be turned 360 degrees so that if I need to back out, I can do that easily too.
Thank you for sharing that detail. That sounds like a great and flexible approach.
@@respecttherisk2022 You are very welcome. Like most innovations/inventions it came out of necessity! 🙂
Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes I use these techniques especially when there is a strong wind blowing me on the dock and I'm single handed in vessels over 50 ft long. The helms are obviously hydraulic which is a big help in holding position. Keep safe in your travels
Thanks for sharing that. Wow. I have never singlehanded on boat larger than mine at 38 feet. Very impressive! You too -- all the best!
Moitessier always had it dead right so no need to muck about with the process at all! Congratualtions for a great video and well shot.
Thanks mate. Yeah, Moitessier remains a real hero of mine and a singlehanded icon.
Thanks, nicely done. I always pass a short double end through the dock and use another quick release rope to tie it to the winch...This provides little chance of any rope catching on something when I least need it to while pulling away - you know, just when the wind blows the bow a little and some other guy decides to leave and crowd you just then.....etc.
That's a great idea! I am going to try that. Thank you!
Excellent filming angles with the cameras. I have a fairly small sailboat, but I think this will be useful.
Glad it was helpful!
In UK usually have three cleats on each pontoon so only works if pontoon is longer than your boat and last pontoon cleat is behind your deck stern cleat/winch. My pontoon as many finishes well short of stern and all pontoon cleats are forward of corresponding deck cleats. I tried it running a spring forward to centre cleat with a traditional shaped boat the tapers significantly it doesn't hold it the same way.
That is an interesting challenge that we don't see here much. Usually the docks are as long or longer than the boats. I wonder if you had a tie forward, and put the boat in reverse, adjusting the tie point until it sits where you want it? Just a thought. I will try that when I am on the boat next.
One more thought I had for you -- if the engine is engaged in reverse, I would anticipate that prop-walk to starboard or port will impact where the tie goes. I am keen to try this myself to see how the boat responds. Best wishes!
Im thinking of getting a trolling motor to pull in and out.
After further thought i have to do it with lines. The wind and the tide can beat that.
Backing out with winds off aft port tide coming from aft the wind pushes bow and im 180 degrees from where i want to be.
That is a really interesting idea.
Thanks for the video, I did this for 2 years when I had to get off the dock single handed in San Francisco. This work well until we have a strong (>10kt) crosswind breeze, which is about every summer afternoon in SF :)
Right on. Yeah, a strong cross breeze would be tough tough tough! How did you manage it? We would all love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.
@@respecttherisk2022 I turned the wheel towards the breeze to get some prop wash to help get the bow to the wind. It’s still quite tricky as I shift to reverse the wind still wants to quickly catch the bow,
Usually I watch the marina water for ripple so I can anticipate the gust, and go when I see a lull. If the breeze is more than 10 knots, I will still need crew to help walk me out.
Well done! Near perfect conditions always help.
Thanks. Yes, it was not a tuff day for it.
I was very interested to see another method of leaving dock solo as I sail solo. However I prefer my own method. As you said, getting off the boat with the engine running just makes my scalp itch.
I take all lines off bar one, the midship line. It's tied to the midships cleat, goes to the dock cleat and takes only one turn around it, then back to winch. I can use the engine if I want to point the boat, then I simply undo the line from the winch and as I reverse, the lines comes off the dock cleat and I can quickly pull it on board.
That sounds like a very elegant approach. Thank you for sharing that -- I will give it a try!
One can also tighten the line and use it to start a turn around the end-of-quay bollard if space is tight. The name in french is: “faire croupiat". The great sailor Bernard Moitessier used it, but the maneuver has been known for ever and not used solely in harbors.
When a (motorless) sailing vessel was anchored leeward of and close to a shore and the wind turned opposite, increasing to a gale, the crew could lower a rowboat and moor a spare anchor, the hawser of which would be tied to midships.
With hawser taut and the sails ready to be hoisted, order would be given to cut the bow mooring: The vessel would pivot and take speed on a arc around the “croupiat anchor” and would thus sail her escape from the tight spot.
Thank you for this very useful and informative comment, not to mention the historical significance as well. There is a lot there to take in. Great information, and great advice for all of us. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. I’m always looking for ways to make single handed sailing safer and simpler
Glad it was helpful! Myself as well. :)
Great video...and what looks like a technique that I will use moving forward.
Glad it was helpful!
Love this!!! I have a long bow sprit platform on my 38’ ketch rig.. when I leave the dock there is always wind coming off my Starboard Bow which of course makes her drift to Port.. I often ask a passerby to grab a Starboard bow line to keep me straight until I get safely backed out… your video will help me solve this problem… Thanks for sharing and I just subscribed to your channel..
Glad you liked it. It does help. Sometimes the current and wind grab the bow and even this tactic is not quite enough. The other day, I had to push the boat out of the slip by hand about 2/3 of the way, angle it to port about 30 degrees, climb aboard and back out the rest of the way with prop-walk pulling me back to starboard. I am still learning and perfecting my techniques!
@@respecttherisk2022 Good idea!! I have thought about doing that too.. Well it’s all part of the adventure as they say!! I have come to realize that arriving at and leaving the dock sometimes causes problems for seasoned experts too…. 😎⛵️🥢🏴☠️🤙
Very interesting & informative. 1 query - When you reverse & slacken the "M" line, how do you control the prop walk?
You can't control it so to speak, but you can prepare for it. I have starboard prop walk on my boat, so I can move the stern to port with the stern line in place by turning the wheel to starboard -- so the boat is now on an angle with the stern away from the dock. I then disengage the engine, pull the line, then reverse out with a short burst that pulls the boat back to starboard with the prop walk. Play around with that and see how it works for you. All the best mate.
Very explicit...Thanks!! I see not one comment on the ova size of your boat.
Thanks for the note. 38 feet overall. 15,000 lb displacement.
this was worthwhile. I note you did not have to turn the wheel to starboard, kind of appears like you would have to if there was a stronger wind blowing from the starboard beam...wouldn't the bow want to drift off dock more? i'm gonna practice this maneuver. ty
Thanks for the note. Yes, if the wind or current was on the starboard beam, you would add starboard helm and/or throttle. Best wishes on this. I found playing around with the helm valuable to learn the sensitivity to the angle of the boat at the dock.
Impressive concept and application.
Thanks mate. It does work very well.
Tks for sharing ! Pretty interesting.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Nice job!! I also use the thief's hitch which is very similar...
Thank you. Interesting -- I have not heard of the "thief's hitch." I will have to look that up. Thank you for sharing. I have learned quite a bit from other boater's comments.
@@respecttherisk2022 It works well on docks that have cleats... I single hand a lot of boat deliveries, sometimes you have to get creative!!
Nice job and good clear explanation. We love Poet's Cove, it was great seeing it in the background. :)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. I love Poet's Cove as well and also love being at anchor in the harbor and hiking in the park. One of my favorite places :)
Very good demo and info... thanks
Thanks for watching!
Good stuff, Cap'n! (And bonus points for anything Moitessier.) I need to post a link to this on the website. 👍
Right on mate. Sounds great. All the best.
i have a sabre with an offset shaft that absolutely does not want to turn to port after backing out especially with any kind of breeze. she does not back and fill like a normal boat.. i take this one step further and pay out line for about 20' as im backing away from the slip then "trip" the stern by putting a wrap on which causes the bow to pull to port. i use polypro line that floats with the dock end put through a carabiner made fast to the dock cleat. then when im ready i just pull the line through and bring it back on board.
That is a great idea. I experimented with a technique very close to that in this video clip. I had a carabiner fixed to the dock on nylon webbing, and one on a stanchion -- then backed out and helf it fast so that the my prop walk pulled me to starboard to make the turn in reverse. Using a floating line would be a great idea. Have a look here and you can see some of my learnings. ua-cam.com/video/I_2bjWQ-ZZ0/v-deo.html
Nice...always good to learn a technique. I use a version of this to spring out of my dock. I have an Alberg 35, more or less full keel, and the fairway in my marina is only a little wider than the boat length. Fortunately, the turn is to port, same as my prop walk. But if the wind is over the stern I need help getting the boat to come around and that's when the same stern tie, gradually let out until the bow clears the dock, works for me.
Thanks for sharing that. My permanent birth has the same challenge, except I need to bring the stern to port if I want to go out bow first -- and my prop walk is to starboard. When I add in wind and current, it can be quite challenging. I have learned a lot from the suggestions of viewers. Thanks for the note.
@@respecttherisk2022 use a two Part spring one the Port transom and turn around that spring.
@@respecttherisk2022 use a two Part spring one the Port transom and turn around that spring.
I was shown this method by someone at the marina because I am often single-handed. It works very well however I would add that it is even more effective if you turn the wheel away from the dock and lock it down. At that point the boat is not going anywhere. When leaving, I place the line on a tall line holder made out of PVC, so upon returning I can easily grab the line and drop it on the winch.
Excellent suggestions. Thank you.
Beginner Canadian sailer here.. Why do they call it a Spring Line? Thx.
There are typically four dock lines -- the bow and stern line, both of which end up roughly perpendicular to the dock when tied off: these are meant to keep the boat close to the dock, perhaps 6 or 12 inches. The other two are the "Spring Lines." They are to prevent the boat from moving forward or to stern in the slip. I am not 100% sure on the origin, but in my own mind, they prevent the boat from "springing" forward or to stern in the slip because of wind or current. In practice, they are perhaps 10 to 15 feet long so as to be almost parallel to the dock -- more rope out allows more stretching movement of the line, thus reducing the forces on the boat. Happy sailing and docking!
Well done, Skipper.
Thanks mate!
This also works good coming in, and. If you just need to snub up hard against ths dock while loading stuff or passengers
Thank you. Yes, I have used it that way as well.
Simple and elegant!
Thanks mate. I find it works well.
Your are only 9 subscribers away from being monitized ...so I subscribed for you.... 👍
Hey Thanks! Thanks for the support to get to that milestone!
😅I've been doing similar with say a starboard bow spring to a dock cleat midships with rudder to full port but your method seem like less fuss. Also, your way one is right at the cockpit & controls. Good one!
Thanks for the note. Yes, I agree, the technique has many good features. I have been refining my techniques for varying conditions and continue to learn. I have received many good tips in comments on this channel which is pretty cool actually. Best wishes!
Well done sir.
Thank you!
In reverse order, this is the way I flawlessly land on the dock.
Awesome. Thank you for sharing that.
This is basically how we did it on towboats up and down the Mississippi River. They got their own words, but they would call them towing and backing lines. One of those doubled up was really all you needed for tying up. Then you can take your time getting the rest.
Me too except my line is from centre cleat and back around winch, the loop dropped around dock horn cleat as we ease in. Then other dock lines seized according to wind direction
Great video, thank you!
1. What about steering? Can tiller / wheel freely spin around until the moment you untie?
2. Does the process change with a different wind direction?
You're welcome. Great questions. I have left the Tiller free in this case and it worked fine with it loose and roughly centered. If I lock the wheel hard over for a port turn, the boat balances with the bow further from the dock. If I lock it hard over for a starboard turn, the boat balances with the stern further out from the dock. I suggest you experiment with this to optimize your boat position. This will also change with the location of your tie off point on the boat. You may need to lock the wheel or Tiller or engage wheel pilot to hold it fast.
The process is similar for different wind and or current conditions though you may want to adjust throttle or rudder position as above to accommodate. With a wind or current from the stern, you may not need any throttle at all. With wind or current from starboard, you will need to add more throttle to keep the boat pinned to the dock. With wind from Port, just enough throttle to keep the dock line tight. Once on the single tie, you can monitor for a few moments to see what combination of throttle and rudder puts the boat in the most favorable position to continue the exit.
good stuff. what would you do for scenarios where you have wind abeam starboard?
Thank you. If the wind was abeam to starboard, you would notice the bow coming off the dock to port. You could add some throttle, and turn the wheel to starboard to help keep the bow on the dock (while stern line is still attached). I have starboard prop walk, so one of my challenges if the wind is abeam to starboard, is losing the bow to port as I start to motor out -- both from the wind abeam, and my starboard propwalk. I can counter this using the stern-tie by moving the stern away from the dock with wheel to make a 20 or 30 degree angle, bow on the dock, and then reverse out -- which helps but doesn't always work. (I can lose the bow to port and it can foul on the boat next to me if the wind is stronger.) In these instances, I have done a bit of a "cheat" tactic, where I walk the boat about halfway out of the slip with the motor in neutral, let the wind catch the stern and blow it to port slightly, climb aboard, and motor out. If the wind is too strong abeam to starboard, I would ask for help guiding the bow out from someone on the dock. Longwinded answer, but these can be challenging conditions singlehanded!
@@respecttherisk2022 interesting. thanks a lot for the info! very helpful😃
Good technique. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks :)
I just use a spring line from amidships with the rudder out from the dock and the engine in idle forward.
Thank you for sharing that. I will give that a try.
As a Frenchman who was a sailor and a teenager in the 60's I read extensively Moitessier and I must say I never heard of the expression "Moitessier tie".
This method along with many others depending on wind, current and space was very well explained in the various booklets from PBO, or Practical Boat Owner published in the late 80's to the mid 90's.
PBO nor Moitessier invented this tie : it's been in use since ever and it's been one of the subtleties of mooring and casting off to use it properly with all its variant as many parameters come in the picture (including the pitch propeller).
As a matter of fact, although I fully understand the educational purpose of this video, I must say the "Moitessier tie" seems quite useless in conditions shown on video : weather is calm, apparently no current, very light wind … why not cast off all lines and just back off ??? the more so the area is quite empty.
As for casting off the lines from the pontoon, this is quite surprising.
It's been done by many amateurish crews these days and it certainly is not the way to do so. Crew remain in control of the boat when onboard!
The more so when singlehanded. Mooring line are simply passed through the cleats without being tied so it's a matter of slipping lines. Simple and very efficient.
Having sailed singlehandedly a lot during my time I thrive for simple, common sense, nobrainer methods : the ones that work with the boat I sail.
Then again the conditions are so easy in this video tant either way work well…
As for leaving lines dangling on the guardrails it's a "don't even think of it" for me, coil them and they will un coil very easily.
Then again each one does as he likes.
Live and let live !!!…
Cheers ! …
PS Moitessier is certainly a man to read when sailing singlehanded.
Thanks for the many thoughtful and considered points.There is a lot there for all of us. It sounds like we share an affinity for Mr. Moitessier's books. I have read them all multiple times and always learn something new after every read! That is interesting re the PBO reference -- good to know. I called the "Moitessier Tie" as that was where I first heard of it. My sailing courses had never covered it! Totally agree: Simple, common sense is always best! All the best. Cheers.
If you want you can put the engine in reverse while still tied to the winch which will swing bow away from the dock pointing you in the right direction. Release line when desired angle is reached and away you go.😊
Great suggestion mate! Thank you - I am going to try that! :)
Very informative. When you say "undo" I assume you mean cast off.
Yes, that is what I mean.
If there was wind from the starboard side on the bow would that not push the bow out? what makes the bow hug the dock at the bow, that's the bit I dont understand.
No worries mate. The engine is in slow forward so the thrust from the propellor pushes the boat forward from the center-line of the hull. With the stern tie tight, that force pins the boat to the dock. The boat is pivoting on the tie-in point. If the dock was not there, say, the boat would just go around in circles to starboard on that pivot point. The more wind there is from starboard, the more thrust is required from the propellor.
Nicely done.
Thank you! Cheers!
Great method! I would be quite tempted to just use the self trailer on my winch to hold the line, thoughts on that?
That's a good idea. Just make sure it is "bomb-proof" so to speak, and there is no danger of someone or you upsetting the tail by kicking it or upsetting it in any way -- it would be regrettable to have it come undone and thus run your boat into the dock while it was in forward gear. That said, I like the idea that it can be undone under load easily.
I call holding the boat like that the 'ferry method' as it is used by the ferries in Sydney and elsewhere.
Right on. Thanks for sharing that. I have also heard that other commercial skippers us it as well. I had never heard of it in recreational boating until I read about it in Moitessier's book.
Excellent tip - thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Smooth manouver!
Thanks. I do find it works well. While I have tried other options, I do keep coming back to this and a combination of walking the boat out about halfway before I step aboard. All the best.
I double up the bow & stern lines then remove the springs, start the motor remove the bow line then the stern line & drive away.
Thank you for sharing that. Sounds like a good approach.
Well done.
Thank you!
Hi there. Good video. I'm new here. Is this Horseshoe Bay?
Thanks. It's Poet's Cove Resort in the Gulf Islands.
I will often use this for short stops. Just get a stern line on, leave idling ahead and the boat will sit there while you sort things out … only on one occasion for someone to come and tell me the boat was still in gear 😂
Right on. Thank you for sharing that. I have also been "scolded" for stepping off the boat with it in gear also.... Happy sailing and docking!
Fabulous
Thanks mate.
I have seen it first done by a fisherman in Denmark and used it ever since. Super easy, but i am sure it was not invented by Moitessier.
Right on. Thanks for sharing that. I call it the "Moitessier Stern Tie" only because that was where I read about it first -- in one of his books published in the 60's. I suspect he picked it up from someone else along the way.
The thing ist, good seamanship evolved over centuries by experience, but in Modern Times much of it is forgotten. So i applaud you for making this excellent video. Thank you for keeping tradition and knowledge alive.
As she's laying some starboard helm locked on helps stop the bow blowing off. The way I do it is to use a spliced eye on top of the winch, neutral or a touch astern then neutral, flick off the line instantly and away. Before you've thunk it, the eye just doesn't catch and you could flick it off with ease anyway. Try it.👍
Great idea mate. I like it. Thank you for sharing that.
Any difference in procedure port-to dock as opposed to starboard-to dock?
Due to prop walk, one side would result in pulling your stern toward the dock, while the other side would push it away from the dock.
In anticipation of this, while still in forward gear, You would want to turn the wheel so that your stern was against the dock or away from the dock. Then, once in reverse, the prop wash would work to your favor in straightening the boat.
Yes -- great answer Thfe. I agree. My boat has starboard prop-walk -- and depending on the slip geometry I can adjust the wheel to either have the stern against the dock, or away from the dock in preparation for the exit. In this case, I had a lot of room behind the boat, and the wind pushed me almost straight back right away. I only learned that tactic recently with help from my boat neighbors and viewers.
@@respecttherisk2022
BTW. My strange channel name??? Years ago, I had a video clip I wanted to text someone, but it was too long to send. It would fit on UA-cam, so I simply created a quick and dirty account to share it. I never intended to use it again, so just slammed the keys to create my channel name!
Now I’m stuck with it.
Nicely done video; I liked the pace and your narration which both underscore how drama free this method can make undocking. I just subscribed and am looking forward to many more shorts on how to handle a sailboat under power 😉.
@@torstenhansen4308 Thank you!
All very calm and in control which is what we like. For me, taking off the spring lines and stowing them is no.1, converting the stern line to a highwayman's hitch or similar so that I can stand aboard and release the knot from the safety of the vessel using the working end is no.2. And then removing the bow line is no.3. No.4 is removing the tension on the stern line and leaving the dock. On a slack tide I'd store all my lines including the bow line whilst moored by the stern line leaving only the stern line to store once I was off the dock. On a rising/falling tide I'd improvise dependant upon wind etc...But that is just me, and I don't even own a goddam boat and never have. How weird is that. HA!
Thank you for sharing that. I like those ideas. I had not heard of the "highwayman's hitch" so I had to go look it up! (And I am a bit of a "knot-guy" as a lifetime rock climber and sailor!) That looks like an elegant approach. Thank you for sharing that! All the best!
That was great, Gonna have to try that!
Thank you! It is definitely an amalgamation of learnings both from experience and from suggestions from other boaters and viewers. Give it a go!
This same technique works in catamarans and trimarans and is especially important to know since they can typically only be boarded at the stern, so you definitely need everyone onboard before you untie. You can of course double back a bow tie so that you're on the boat when you untie it and never need to run from the dock and catch the boat before it drifts too far to reach.
Thanks for the note. I did not know that about catarmarns and trimarans! Great tip as well. Thank you!
You solved me (and Metessier) a lot of scratches and sweats 😅
Right on. Glad it helped.
How do you come off the dock with no motor?
Use the wind and or current to benefit when you can. You may have to walk the boat out by hand, hop aboard at the last second, and use a boat hook to benefit as well. Likely will need favorable wind perhaps under jib alone to get out of the marina.
really good video - thank you!
Thank you.
Great message, excellent boat! lol.
Thank you.
I’m curious as to why you take the dock lines with you ? I cast my lines to the dock from the boat then use a boat hook to snag them when I come back in
That's a great idea. I should definitely explore that concept some more at my regular marina berth. In this particular video, I am not at my regular berth but visiting Poet's Cove on Pender Island in the Gulf Islands in British Columbia -- I was not going to come back to this slip. When I am singlehanded, I leave the dock lines "elephant eared" over the lifelines leaving and approaching the dock -- it makes it easy for people to help from the dock as I come in, or, if I mess up myself, it is easier to grab from the dock. If conditions look too tricky with wind and/or current for me to come in alone, I have radioed in to have someone on the dock to give me a hand -- once I get close enough, they can grab the "elephant ear" and help control the bow. Happy sailing!
Is that a contessa 42?
Good eye. It's a 1984 Contessa 38. Basically a stretched Contessa 32 with all the same ratios and design, just longer. This one was manufactured in Britain to Lloyds of London Spec and then brought over to North America. You can see a short introduction to the boat on one of my videos here: studio.ua-cam.com/users/videopLDEcN04_Vc/edit
@@respecttherisk2022 very cool I wonder if it is gonna be similar to the rustler 42
Very cool. Ill be trying that..
Thanks for the comment. I have had good luck with it in many situations.
Thank you. Didn't know that one. ❤
You’re welcome 😊 It's a good tactic for sure.
I am curios how do u install the camera.
In this video I am using a tri-pod for every camera angle. It is sitting on the dock at first, then later it is on top of the dodger. In other videos, I haul the tri-pod and camera upside down to the top of the mast on a halyard. All the best mate.
What about a little cleaning and painting?
Haha, fair point. I bought True North in 2016. She is a 1984 hull. I kinda have left the cosmetic stuff til last. Redid all electronics, new radar, VHF, AIS, chart plotter, depth sounder, wiring, new panel, House and Cranking battery banks, battery charger, voltage and current meter, added Hydrovane, new wheel pilot, new life raft, Watt and Sea Power generator, all new running and standing rigging, new diesel heater, dingy, added a bilge pump, new reefable storm and 100% jib, refurbished my genoa. I added a cutter stay and backstays for the storm jib. I am booked for a full engine replacement in a couple of weeks. The 1984 Volvo Penta 2003 is still running ok, and doesn't burn a ton of oil, but it seems there are a few things about to fail that would almost be the price of a new engine. (The drive spline already failed two years ago, and I did a repair with a SureDrive Spline kit -- Sheesh -- so I am constantly anxious about something else failing on the old Penta engine, it seems) Since this video was made, I replaced the dodger (crazy expensive!) and did some touch-up sanding on the teak. I have been purposefully letting the bright work varnish peel off on its own. I like the plain teak look (and I am lazy!) The cockpit seats are still in rough shape and I have been exploring how to do that. I did my first haulout on my own this spring and did the bottom paint, cutlass bearing, and replaced the Dripless Shaft Seal. (What a learning experience for me!) I did buy a small power washer that I now keep aboard -- that was a game changer for quick deck cleaning for sure -- and helped strip some of the last bits of varnish on the deck grab rails. I have lent it to my boat neighbors and they agree! My dock lines are a bit tired too. Laughing, I do tend to be a bit lazy with general tidiness until the wind and water conditions warrant "clearing the decks!" There is never "nothing to do" on a boat! Thanks for the nudge tho, lol, I still have to get after the teak and the veneer on the cockpit seats :) The upholstery on my salon seats is also starting to go.... I guess that means I have been living aboard quite a bit! :)
It probably “happens when you don’t want it to happen” because there is no time you want it to happen.
haha, yeah for sure. I should have said, "it happens at the worst possible time!' I wrapped the prop one time in 30 knots or so of wind... in the marina... it was a bit of an epic to get the boat back into the slip!
Does this work on port side too?
Yes, it will work on the port side as well when the engine is in Forward.
Good video, thanks
Glad you liked it!
Where's the rudder?
You can start with the rudder centered and see where the boat lies against the dock. In this case, if I turn the wheel to starboard, the stern will settle further away from the dock. If I turn the wheel to port, the stern will settle closer to the dock.
Cheers from San Juan Islands
Cheers mate. I am not too far from you in the Gulf Islands! I had True North at Anacortes Cap Sante Marina for many years. All the best.
This is the ONLY way to leave the dock in an unfavorable wind!
Here in the States, we’re lucky because we have cleats instead of rails. That makes this much easier. You simply take a short line with a spliced loop in the end, slip it over ONE horn of the cleat, and tie the other end to a cleat on the boat.
Now, you simply back out of the slip and the dock line falls off the cleat without any effort on your part. The line falls in the water, but it’s too short to reach the rudder or prop. Both hands are free for the wheel and engine controls.
Once safely clear of the dock, you can pull it in by hand, or use a docking pole, or even pull it in with another dock line bowlined to it.
Oh wow! That is a great idea. I will keep that in mind for when I am at a marina with cleats. An excellent suggestion! Thank you! I agree, it is always a struggle with an unfavorable wind -- especially singlehanded -- so easy to lose the bow against a neighboring boat! Thanks for tip!
@@respecttherisk2022
Just be careful that the eye splice doesn’t slip over BOTH cleat horns; then you’re not going anywhere! The smaller the eye, the better!
Been there; done that! Sure glad there were no witnesses!
Nice!
I used to do this with a Hunter 46 that I sailed by myself a lot.
Cool. Thanks for sharing that.
"Line goes into the water, the props in the water, our prop". 😁
A floating or buoyant line might help this issue. I haven't seen one with the suppleness and feel that I like. So far, just a bit of care and attention has kept my dock line out of the prop except on one notable occasion when I was distracted by several other variables!
@@respecttherisk2022 depends on how much suction your prop generates and depth, it could still get pulled in. Sometimes I feel props and lines are just drawn to each other, like insect zappers and some bugs.
'It always happens when you don't want it to'.
I think that would be always, no?
Haha, yes, that is correct -- I should have said, "it always happens at the worst possible time..." I once wrapped the prop with a dock line trying to leave my birth in gusts up to 30 knots -- I lost control of the boat, and had to get two people on the dock help me wrestle the boat back upwind into the slip. It was terrible! And totally a mistake I made letting a dockline fall into the water.
To put a boat in gear, with no one on board, is just too much of a risk for me. There is no way to stop the boat if things go wrong. Here is my way to undock single handed. I prep one center slip line, that runs from my cockpit to the middle of my boat, to the dock and same way back into the cockpit. So both ends are in the cockpit (or your winch). With the fenders in front and back of the center line, the boat is firmly secured to the dock for the moment, with no option go to back or forwad (even with shifting wind, or tide).
After this line is set, I can untie all docking lines. For departure, I have all the controls in my cockpit - undue the centerline and bring it in, shift into gear and take her out.
So at the end, it is just the same procedure as your method. Give it a try as an alternative method.
Always a hand's breadth of water under the keel and greetings from Germany
That sounds like a very elegant approach. Thank you for sharing that. I will give that a try!
An aft leading spring line from the quarter is the best line to rig both for docking and undocking. Very unappreciated.
I also have not seen it used much by recreational boaters. I also use it for docking as well when the need is right. That said, mce the boat has stopped, I have started stepping off the boat with midship line and a stern line and tying them off without the stern spring line. Seems i do that the most these days.
That would work if you are moving within the marina, maybe. Singlehanding with all those lines just draping the railing is begging for Murpy’s Law to invoke itself.
You might be right mate. You might be right.