Trying to get into the slip in the wind

[airdvr1227]

Winds were honking at Lake Erie yesterday. Hauled the rig up to it's new summer home on East Harbor. Obviously I need some tips on maneuvering in close quarters when the winds are up. Didn't hit anyone else's rig but came close. Would have never gotten cleanly into my slip without some dockside catchers.

Any hints? I felt like a complete noob.

 

[rbh]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

Come into the wind, not with it.

lots easier to push your way in under power, than to be pushed by the wind.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

there was a detailed discussion recently on this, but two points top the list: work against the wind/current, and remember that the boat steers from the stern--the stern turns, not the bow, opposite of a car. (My first fender banger was when I was 15 and backing the car out; had been driving boats for several years and learned the difference the hard way.)

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

Practice. Lots of it. Now that you're there, on a very calm day maybe take a few runs at pulling out and backing in. Know how the boat maneuvers when it's calm so you can properly adjust once the wind kicks up. If you have trim tabs, make sure the are retracted up for when you are reversing. If you have a finger pier that you pull next to, I would recommend lining it with pool noodles. They make great little bumpers to soften the blow if you hit.

My slip is right in between two ridiculous Worldkat's, both of which are 7 feet longer than my boat. The one without the finger pier between us is painted with designs from stem to stern. I back in with the premise that I am not going to touch his boat at all. If I feel I'm going to contact it then I pull out and do it again. My slip is about 35' across to the boats on the other side of my channel. I need to make a hard right out of my slip then another to get into the main channel. To accomplish this I pull straight out of my slip right up to the tip of the boat across from me. I turn the wheel all the way to port and reverse slowly. That reverse turns me perfectly to align me in the channel so I can pull into the main on easily. To back into my slip takes a little more skill. I can't just back in on any angle because the two worldkat's stick out to far and I will clip them. What I do is turn into the channel about dead center of it, Hard to starboard, then as the boat begins it's turn I go to neutral, hard to port, then reverse. It swings my rear like a pendulum. When I am lined up perpendicularly to the channel I bump hard forward with the wheel still to port to just stop the swing, then I go light reverse and back straight in. Sounds harder than it is to be honest. The suicide knob on my steering wheel with hydraulic sterring makes this alot easier.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

Suicide knob....gonna have to get me one of those. My problem was I could not get set up. Wind was blowing at me with a slight cross to the left as I was pointing at my slip. That meant I had to battle a cross wind coming down the lane. I could never get set up and stopped. After that experience we changed slips so I can at least nudge my way in agains some strategically placed fenders. Yea I know it's cheating but I'll take that over puching a hole in somebody's rig.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

Nothing is cheating, friend. If that works for you and keeps you from damaging the boat next to you, then by all means I'd love to be your slip neighbor. I watch guys who just shut down and pull their boats in by rope. Nothing wrong with that, the hell with the snicker's from jerks who think they're experts. My theory at the docks is if you ain't helping, then you shouldn't be talking. Enjoy the season!

 

[partskenn]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

Nothing is cheating, friend. If that works for you and keeps you from damaging the boat next to you, then by all means I'd love to be your slip neighbor. I watch guys who just shut down and pull their boats in by rope. Nothing wrong with that, the hell with the snicker's from jerks who think they're experts. My theory at the docks is if you ain't helping, then you shouldn't be talking. Enjoy the season!

I agree, nothing is cheating if it works. If I get it in the slip on a windy day with no damage, I consider it a success. I'll take help from people on the dock, (gladly), or luck, doesn't matter.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

I agree, nothing is cheating if it works. If I get it in the slip on a windy day with no damage, I consider it a success. I'll take help from people on the dock, (gladly), or luck, doesn't matter.

Any way you can do it without damaging anything, is right. I don't compare my skills to boaters, commercial or otherwise, who've spent all day every day boating in all conditions for 20 years. I've seen some pretty impressive 'dockers' and I'll never be that good.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

There are days that no matter how good you may be, a helping hand at the dock is invaluable. Regardless of the weather, if I'm in my slip and one of the neighbors is pulling in, I'm on it to help catch a line or a bow. My example has caught on, we look after each other at my dock nowadays.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

a boat hook car really help snag the dock or push you off anorthet boat

 

[Beefer]

Re: Trying to get into the slip in the wind

The things needed for successful docking under any conditions are; practice, fenders, practice, boat hook, practice, a mate to push off things, practice, and of course, more practice.

There is no cheating in docking, and as long as you get in there without causing damage to property, or loss of limb or life, it was a successful docking maneuver.

And remember, no body parts between the boat and anything, and never let anyone jump to the dock.

Docking is like chess. Plan everything that you're going to do way ahead of when you need to do it, and expect your opponent to throw you a curveball. If you have a wife/mate/partner who is a fixture on the boat, give them instructions as to what their role is during docking, and stick to it. If you have guests, tell them the best way to help is to stay seated and out of the way.

You'll get it, and look like a pro in no time.