Backing into slip with crosswind??!!

[Jerry in Michigan]

Hello Skippers

I'm new to the twin engine maneuvering technique and found it impossible to get into my slip with a 15-17 mph crosswind. I have a 310 Sundancer and found out under difficult conditions that the bow swings easily in the wind. What is the prescribed procedure for getting into the slip in strong winds?

 

[HUMPH]

I believe the best method I have heard is to go past your berth then back up, swing the bow against the wind and back in. It keeps the bow from blowing down wind as much. I was going to try it last weekend but the wind switched directions and came right at me so it was real easy.

 

[magster65]

My grandfather told me once... he said, "It's important to use the 3 golden rules for a perfect docking every time... unfortunately, nobody knows what they are."
He was a wise man.

My marina has a similar effect... the wind comes down the 'alley' and pushes the bow where I don't want it. I start backing in with the bow into the wind too far and stay in reverse as it swings into position. Windy conditions require a more aggresive docking procedure too. Bottom line though... play it safe... keep your cool and have all your bumpers in place and your pike pole handy.

 

[Lady Ashley SR560]

if poss. go past the slip just enuff to put the stern aginst the pole. back aginst the wind / tide and pivot off the pileing as you backin.

 

[chumbley]

I find it easier to let the bow "weathervane" and point the boat downwind. Then I use the engines (or a pivot point if necessary) to bring the bow back into the wind to line up with the slip. This way it is all under my control and timing.

If you try to hold the bow into the wind, then let the wind push the bow around, you have to adjust your timing to how fast the wind blows the bow, and it doesn't stop when you are lined up, it just keeps blowing. It's really hard to get the timing right.

 

[Odyssey]

Hi Jerry - we all have dealt with that situation and I wish there was a perfect answer to your question. I second Ashley's advice to use the dolphin piling to help regardless of the wind direction.

Here in south Florida, we have marinas that are right next to ocean inlets so now there is a second variable to deal with.... strong current. The current may be going with the wind or against it but unless you get there at slack tide, holy crap!

My next statement is applicable to those who are experienced in docking and understand their vessel. I do not suggest docking a boat this way without the knowledge and confidence to do it - the faster you can get your boat into position and into the slip, the better. I have seen it countless times where a boater takes too much time to position his vessel, trying to line it up perfectly, only to have the wind/current push him out of position and make him start over.

I'll never forget watching an experienced captain docking his 60 foot sportfish (no bow thruster) in the Miami Beach Marina in a very strong current and cross wind (current outweighs wind every time). In one continuous motion, he pulled his vessel in front of the slip, spun it 90 degrees and backed into the slip, all in a matter of 7-8 seconds. He used more throttle than I would ever try but because he knew what he was doing, it worked perfect and he took the wind and current out of the equation.

The piece of advice I will give you is to practice, practice, practice. Try it in poor conditions when the marina is not busy. The more you practice, the more you'll learn about you boat and what it can do.

good luck and enjoy the summer!

Randy

 

[wetpaint]

in·er·tia

   /ɪnˈɜr

ʃə, ɪˈnɜr-/ Show Spelled[in-ur-shuh, ih-nur-] Show IPA
–noun 1. inertness, esp. with regard to effort, motion, action, and the like; inactivity; sluggishness.

2. Physics. a. the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force.


Inertia plays a key role along with using enough speed.....In a cross wind you must back into your slip putting your stern into the wind and usingthe force of your swing to push your bow close to 45 degrees into the wind.....At that stage use plenty of throttle to back in.....If you do not put your bow past the parallel point, the wind will take your bow too quick and you will lose it.......PRACTICE, PRACTICE......Some days I just go out and practice docking.....If you go on a windy day and practice, all the other boats will be in their slips and there will be plenty of hands to help......

 

[electricaldoctor]

I find it easier to let the bow "weathervane" and point the boat downwind. Then I use the engines (or a pivot point if necessary) to bring the bow back into the wind to line up with the slip. This way it is all under my control and timing.

If you try to hold the bow into the wind, then let the wind push the bow around, you have to adjust your timing to how fast the wind blows the bow, and it doesn't stop when you are lined up, it just keeps blowing. It's really hard to get the timing right.

Are you "Chumbley" from "Pawn Stars"?? :grin:

 

[billnpat]

QUOTE: BY RANDY


ll never forget watching an experienced captain docking his 60
foot sportfish (no bow thruster) in the Miami Beach Marina in a very strong current and cross wind (current outweighs wind every time). In one continuous motion, he pulled his vessel in front of the slip, spun it 90 degrees and backed into the slip, all in a matter of 7-8 seconds. He used more throttle than I would ever try but because he knew what he was doing, it worked perfect and he took the wind and current out of the equation.

Thats exactly the way my captain docked my boat
in the wind after my first lesson on the boat last month

amazing to watch........

 

[JohnEGraham]

I have the same problem with a heavy crosswind plus being a Single screw makes it worst. I installed a Large wood re-enforced hook ( line holder) on the up-wind pole which we lasso with a line that we run around my up-wind mid-ship cleat. We are able to hold the boat from swinging as I back it in. May sound crazy but works for us

 

[billnpat]

I have the same problem with a heavy crosswind plus being a Single screw makes it worst. I installed a Large wood re-enforced hook ( line holder) on the up-wind pole which we lasso with a line that we run around my up-wind mid-ship cleat. We are able to hold the boat from swinging as I back it in. May sound crazy but works for us

HEY! As long as it works great :thumbsup:

 

[Tonka Boater]

I do as everyone else mentioned....bow downwind. I also hug the corner of the dock (or piling) and use it to pivot. It just takes practice to learn how your boat handles in wind, current, etc. I'm still learning my boat to a large degree.

The other thing that will test your nerves is a single screw, tight channel, no wake zone, heavy crosswind and another vessel coming in the opposite direction.

 

[billnpat]

I do as everyone else mentioned....bow downwind. I also hug the corner of the dock (or piling) and use it to pivot. It just takes practice to learn how your boat handles in wind, current, etc. I'm still learning my boat to a large degree.

QOUTE:

The other thing that will test your nerves is a single screw, tight channel, no wake zone, heavy crosswind and another vessel coming in the opposite direction.

JUST YELL HELP?????:smt089:smt089:smt089

 

[sbw1]

I'll never forget watching an experienced captain docking his 60 foot sportfish (no bow thruster) in the Miami Beach Marina in a very strong current and cross wind (current outweighs wind every time). In one continuous motion, he pulled his vessel in front of the slip, spun it 90 degrees and backed into the slip, all in a matter of 7-8 seconds. He used more throttle than I would ever try but because he knew what he was doing, it worked perfect and he took the wind and current out of the equation.

This is right on the money. You back stern to the wind starting from the down wind side of the slip. You slip the down wind tranny out of gear as soon as your rub rail touches the outboard piling and pivot into the slip using the trannys and the amount of power required to pivot and true up the bow. It helps to have spring lines on both sides of the boat so you can hand a line to a knowledgable dock hand. This type of docking becomes second nature with practice to the point where you just do it without overthinking things.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I don't know what your marina and slip set up are, but have you considered using spring lines to get the bow to move upwind or against the current?

Basically the way a spring line works in this usage is you get to a point where your boat is at the end of the finger dock (or pole) on the downwind side of your slip. Take a line that is fastened to your stern cleat to a cleat on the dock, but do not secure it to the dock cleat. Just go once around the backside of the dock cleat and have someone on your boat hold the bitter end of the line. You do NOT do a full circle around the dock cleat because that might make it hard to get the line off the cleat.

In the situation above, put your stbd engine in reverse and have the person hold tight to the line, not letting it slip around the cleat. That will give you a pivot point and the bow will start to swing into the wind as it comes to stbd. Depending on how strong the winds are you may need to give the engine some gas to get it to bring the bow around.

As the bow comes around and the stern starts to align with the slip, stay on the gas. At the exact moment that the bow is aligned with the slip, have the person who is holding the line release it and remove it from the dock cleat. MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT DROP THE LINE IN THE WATER OR IT WILL FIND YOUR PROP.

Timing on when to give the command to release the line from the dock cleat is critical. Too early and your bow will just drift downwind again.

This alll happens pretty fast once the bow starts to come around. You should practie using spring lines in this setting when the winds are calm so you will become familiar with how the boat reacts to the spring line and how it pivots.

It's also critical that you explain in great detail what you want your line helper to do BEFORE you get into the fairway. If I'm using my Admiral I offer a pretty complete description of my expectations even though she's used spring lines many times. I also have her repeat back to me what I've told her so I know she knows what I want.

If I'm using someone to handle the line who has never done that before, I will stop the boat well away from the marina and draw out on paper what I've shown above. It's critical they understand what their role is, how the boat will respond and what your command will be when you want them to release the line from the dock cleat. It's up to you to make sure they understand so have them repeat it back to you. You want NO mistakes at this point. You will be stressed enough at this point due to the high winds. You don't want to add to that stress by having to wonder if your deck hand is going to do his/her job right.

Releasing the line from the dock cleat must happen very quickly and smoothly when you give the command. That's why they only take a turn around the backside of the cleat.

Now, these spring lines only work if the boat in the slip next to you does not hang out past the end of their slip or if the end of the finger dock (or pole) is not padded so it doesn't scratch your boat. In that situation you may need to back your boat down your fairway, keeping the bow pointed into the wind. Stay centered on the fairway as you enter it and only when you get near the area of your slip do you start to move to that side of the fairway.

As your boat gets to your slip opening, start to let the bow swing downwind and, in one smooth motion, guide the stern into the slip. When the boat is aligned with the slip give it some gas on both engines and go straight back.

BTW, resist the tendency to use the wheel to turn the boat. At this point you should only be using the shifters and giving it a LITTLE gas if needed to move a little faster.

The final rule--there's no shame in taking a "missed approach". If the boat is not lining up as you want it to, go back out of the fairway and make a second approach. Pilots do it without shame, boaters should do it more often. We all get out of position from time to time. In strong winds or unfamiliar dock settings I've taken missed approaches several times to reposition the boat.

There IS shame in hitting the boat next to you.

 

[Jerry in Michigan]

Thanks All,

I had thought that I would have to be more aggressive on the throttles but lacked the experience. I had visions of smashing up against the two boats in the adjacent slip, one of which sticks out past the pilings. As Mr Graham does, I lasso'd the upwind piling and tied off to the up-wind cleat and let the wind pivot me in. It's not an elegant way to go but it worked despite my complete embarassment.

Thanks everyone!
Jerry

 

[Gofirstclass]

Jerry, instead of tying off to the piling, why not have someone hold the bitter end and release it on your command. If you're tied off and things go horribly wrong, you may not have a way to undo in a hurry if you need to.

 

[tobnpr]

if poss. go past the slip just enuff to put the stern aginst the pole. back aginst the wind / tide and pivot off the pileing as you backin.

X2

Maneuvering is always into the wind when possible.

 

[magster65]

A while back there were 2 of us in 26' boats in a 70' slip at this fancy marina (Port Sidney). Our neighbor there, a retired charter captain of 40 years has a 60' Hatteras. One day he's returning to the dock and it's really blowing... it was super windy. I saw that big tuna tower coming in and thought what the hell is he doing out in this!? He made more than several attempts trying to back in cross wind from his convenient cockpit station (no bow thruster, he says they're for wussies). After another failed attempt he warns us all to stand back. The last attempt he gets out front and comes back in quickly... we stood back all right... what a sight. Here he comes... nice and straight in to the dock and then with a quick forward blip of the throttle creates a tsunami out the back, stops the boat and his wife calmly steps off to secure the stern line. The wash went right over the docks... we all looked like we were surfing trying to keep our balance.
The moral of the story is that the aggresive docking worked perfectly.
We were pretty amazed at how much water those big detroits moved with just a blip of the throttle... awesome!

 

[Creekwood]

Our marina has two boats per open slip, with no pilings between. Last summer my slip mate and I were both around 12ft beams in a 30 ft wide slip. With fender widths on each dock, it leaves about 4 ft between each others hullsides. At least you get lots of help when you start to back in!!!. Very unnerving in a wind if its pushing me off the dock. A piling to pivot on when necessary would be nice.