HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
So, here I was taking the boat out Saturday afternoon late to go to a guest dock at a marina I am thinking of moving to. My current marina is pretty sheltered so you don't notice the wind too much. I start out of my slip (I stern in) and give my 1st mate her marching orders, frankly not paying too much attention since I have done it the same way so many times, when I notice the wind is pretty strong and my bow is being pushed hard to port.
Now, I am only 4 slips in so there isn't much room to port so I start to try and spin her back to starboard to point her in the right direction but the wind has me. Since at the end of the dock we have another dock and not the shore I decide to let her drift into the dock and regroup. This pissed me off since it's the first mistake I have made in the marina and was somewhat embarassing.
I decided to just put my starboard engine in reverse and port forward to spin off off the dock. It worked bu I had a nice dock rash down much of my port side! :smt021
My question is from more seasoned captains, what is the best strategy for leaving your berth bow first when the wind is blowing from the direction you want to travel? BTW, we had huge winds yesterday for my trip back and she handled great in the rough conditions and the wind had changed directions so getting back into my berth was a piece of cake! (I proceded to remove the rash ASAP)
Now, I am only 4 slips in so there isn't much room to port so I start to try and spin her back to starboard to point her in the right direction but the wind has me. Since at the end of the dock we have another dock and not the shore I decide to let her drift into the dock and regroup. This pissed me off since it's the first mistake I have made in the marina and was somewhat embarassing.
I decided to just put my starboard engine in reverse and port forward to spin off off the dock. It worked bu I had a nice dock rash down much of my port side! :smt021
My question is from more seasoned captains, what is the best strategy for leaving your berth bow first when the wind is blowing from the direction you want to travel? BTW, we had huge winds yesterday for my trip back and she handled great in the rough conditions and the wind had changed directions so getting back into my berth was a piece of cake! (I proceded to remove the rash ASAP)