I am enjoying watching your adventure. We were tied up at the exact same spot on March 27th as we made our way back north for the summer. I was curious as to when you were at Isle of Hope. It seems that it was colder for your stay than it was for ours. We only stayed one night, but we enjoyed it. The tide changes are pretty incredible. Not such an issue up here in the Chesapeake.
I noticed that your hull has a bow thruster opening. If this is usable then your docking stress should be relieved since being able to slide the bow left/right gives you control over the stern as well. And when the wind is on your beam pushing you into the dock, the thruster is another toll to soften the blow. Just suggesting. The last small point, tossing the dock lines is considered a no-no. You are supposed to be able to hand them off to the person waiting to assist. (IF I KNEW ALL THIS WHEN I WAS DOING IT I WOULD NOT HAVE ALL GRAY HAIR NOW).
Thanks for the advise Paul! Yes, our thruster works and it really is a saving grace. Most of it is just getting a feel for our boat and how it moves in the water alongside coming up with a good docking plan (w.r.t. current and weather). I bet most of the stress will be alleviated after we do this a few more dozen times... I wonder if we will have gray hair by then 😄
I’m not sure, what do you mean a single spring? Our typical process is like this (90% of the time) - we use two springs initially and first aim for a stern line, then bow line. Once we are on with those two we set up two springs and two normal lines. It has worked pretty well but we will be switching up and going stern first soon for practice so that might change the game
@@SchoandJo Rigging the forward spring first (leading aft) and laying the boat against it can work well. Rest of the lines can be rigged at your leisure. Make sure the spring is attached about 1/3 back from the bow, you are creating a lever arm to use the engine/rudder to push against the spring and bring the stern in. The key is slow movement of the boat, and you will need a fender under the spring to lean against. Using a very controlled approach, attach the spring to the dock, adjust the length to place the boat where you want it. Slowly use the engine to put pressure on the spring, this will pull the boat in, an you will use the rudder to push the stern to the dock. Idle against the spring, the boat holds itself against the dock while you complete the other lines. Once you have figured out the spring an lever arm, you will find it useful for other maneuvers such as pushing the stern out for departing the dock if you are close to others. Nothing is perfect, but give it a go.
Do you have recommendations for future stops along America’s Great Loop? Please share them with us here! forms.gle/WsnG16jUfMRYtCyp9
I’m just binge watching. 😮
Missed this one somehow. You’re old pros at docking nowadays.
Haha wouldn't quite say that but thanks Brad!
Thank you
Great job docking at Isle of Hope👍👍👍
Awesome job docking you guys 👏 Glad you get to reuse the boat 🛳
Pivot lives!
You got this
Thanks Harold!
Loved getting to see what the marina experience is like! Great job docking! I would definitely be anxious about it too 😅
Thanks! Every successful dock we “up” the good docking counter! 😀
I am enjoying watching your adventure. We were tied up at the exact same spot on March 27th as we made our way back north for the summer. I was curious as to when you were at Isle of Hope. It seems that it was colder for your stay than it was for ours. We only stayed one night, but we enjoyed it. The tide changes are pretty incredible. Not such an issue up here in the Chesapeake.
Thanks Robert - we appreciate you watching! We were in Isle of Hope around April 15th. We definitely enjoyed the stay though.
You forgot to mention they provide a courtesy car so you can provision, etc.
Right on - this is definitely an amazing offering!
I noticed that your hull has a bow thruster opening. If this is usable then your docking stress should be relieved since being able to slide the bow left/right gives you control over the stern as well. And when the wind is on your beam pushing you into the dock, the thruster is another toll to soften the blow. Just suggesting. The last small point, tossing the dock lines is considered a no-no. You are supposed to be able to hand them off to the person waiting to assist. (IF I KNEW ALL THIS WHEN I WAS DOING IT I WOULD NOT HAVE ALL GRAY HAIR NOW).
Thanks for the advise Paul! Yes, our thruster works and it really is a saving grace. Most of it is just getting a feel for our boat and how it moves in the water alongside coming up with a good docking plan (w.r.t. current and weather). I bet most of the stress will be alleviated after we do this a few more dozen times... I wonder if we will have gray hair by then 😄
Better move from up north. Gonna get a little windy.
Thanks
D
These videos are a couple months behind, but we are sharing everything from our Loop experience! Pivot is quite a bit more north now 👍
Am a bit behind, but have you ever tried using a single spring line for docking?
I’m not sure, what do you mean a single spring? Our typical process is like this (90% of the time) - we use two springs initially and first aim for a stern line, then bow line. Once we are on with those two we set up two springs and two normal lines. It has worked pretty well but we will be switching up and going stern first soon for practice so that might change the game
@@SchoandJo Rigging the forward spring first (leading aft) and laying the boat against it can work well. Rest of the lines can be rigged at your leisure. Make sure the spring is attached about 1/3 back from the bow, you are creating a lever arm to use the engine/rudder to push against the spring and bring the stern in.
The key is slow movement of the boat, and you will need a fender under the spring to lean against. Using a very controlled approach, attach the spring to the dock, adjust the length to place the boat where you want it. Slowly use the engine to put pressure on the spring, this will pull the boat in, an you will use the rudder to push the stern to the dock. Idle against the spring, the boat holds itself against the dock while you complete the other lines. Once you have figured out the spring an lever arm, you will find it useful for other maneuvers such as pushing the stern out for departing the dock if you are close to others. Nothing is perfect, but give it a go.
You guys are making a m ountian out of a mole hill on your docking