Ways solo sail into slip safely

[DavidMRea]

Originally Posted by mglonnro

Strong recommendations for this book: https://www.amazon.com/Stress-Free-S...dp/1472978420/

It describes a lot of techniques for single-handed docking.

Agree this book is excellent. I used to use the method of a loop on a central cleat. But I learned a better method - you loop a line from an aft cleat, over to the central cleat and back to where you're steering. Throw the loop over a dockside cleat, and pull the line. That way it's controllable from the rear of the boat.

[nortonscove]

Most boats will give a few seconds even in the windiest conditions. Having a springline rigged midships will work if there's anything available to tie to in a hurry. Once that line is secure turn the boat off under minimal power and secure your remaining lines at your leisure. I normally put out a decent compliment of fenders in ample time to settle my mind to the task at hand.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by arch007

Thinking of ways to solo sail into a slip safely.

1. Tie a fender with each fender end to a cleat so the boat hits the fender rather than the slip end if coming in too fast.

2. Prepare a line with a loop. Line is attached to boat mid ship so can just slip over cleat.

What other ways ?

Thanks in advance.

I saw one guy who repurposed a blown out fender to the bow of his boat to mitigate any hard crashes/bumps.

[Lionshooter]

OP said "solo sail" not solo motor. Most folks, even a novice, can motor in adeptly. Sailing in is a different ballgame, one I would not trust a novice to play.
I back out and bow into my slip under sail quite regularly but it depends a lot on wind direction. Backing out when the wind is on the bow is simply done by backwinding the jib. If the wind is behind me, I have to use the motor, obviously. Sailing in using jib alone, I let the jib free to luff at the appropriate time to allow the boat to glide in slowly and I simply step off and attach the spring line. Here again, it depends on wind direction. My dock is several hundred feet long and the dock behind me is the same. That is a long channel that is about 30' wide. If you have the wind on the bow coming into the channel, there is no way to tack unless you drive a 10' Sunfish, so the sails come down and the iron sail cranks up.

[Don C L]

A couple of these could be nice to have.

[arch007]

I mean using a motor to get into my slip.

Thanks for all the replies.

Will try running a fender across the slip and see if that will stop the boat.

See any problems ?

[Kiwi.]

Originally Posted by Lionshooter

OP said "solo sail" not solo motor. Most folks, even a novice, can motor in adeptly. Sailing in is a different ballgame, one I would not trust a novice to play.
I back out and bow into my slip under sail quite regularly but it depends a lot on wind direction. Backing out when the wind is on the bow is simply done by backwinding the jib. If the wind is behind me, I have to use the motor, obviously. Sailing in using jib alone, I let the jib free to luff at the appropriate time to allow the boat to glide in slowly and I simply step off and attach the spring line. Here again, it depends on wind direction. My dock is several hundred feet long and the dock behind me is the same. That is a long channel that is about 30' wide. If you have the wind on the bow coming into the channel, there is no way to tack unless you drive a 10' Sunfish, so the sails come down and the iron sail cranks up.

When sailing in under genoa only, don't forget to take the knot out of the end of your genoa sheets so that the genoa can fly like a flag straight out in front of the yacht. With a full race crew of 9 we used to sail our Farr 38 (Dynasty) into Westhaven Marina all the time, but it's a much harder trick when sailing solo.

[Lionshooter]

Originally Posted by Kiwi.

When sailing in under genoa only, don't forget to take the knot out of the end of your genoa sheets so that the genoa can fly like a flag straight out in front of the yacht.

Absolutely or you'll be in big trouble quickly.

[Don C L]

BTW Arch, what kind of boat are we talking about here?

[Christian W.]

arch007 if it is your permanent berth look up 'Mr Mooring'. It is a Norwegian-made flexible stand with two hooks at the top. You can leave your midship line permanently tied to the berth, and when leaving just loop the line over one of the hooks, and when entering the line is at hand height to bring aboard. For solo manoeuvring Mr Mooring is a brilliant aid.

[Christian W.]

...Correction - Mr Mooring is Swedish made, not Norwegian.

[Nico Domino]

My preference, installed a cleat mid ship. When docking use a line from midship to first available cleat on the dock. Attach bow /stern ( depending on entry) to final cleat on dock and walk the boat slowly into the dock. A bit time consuming but fairly easy when alone. Only using the engine if wind too strong to walk the boat.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by arch007

I mean using a motor to get into my slip.

Thanks for all the replies.

Will try running a fender across the slip and see if that will stop the boat.

See any problems ?

Maybe check on your post now and then.
Everybody here thought you wanted to know how to sail into your slip.
Not motor!
Thanks!
SV Cloud Duster

[Rockinar]

Docking Stick.

[David B]

Originally Posted by arch007

Thinking of ways to solo sail into a slip safely.

1. Tie a fender with each fender end to a cleat so the boat hits the fender rather than the slip end if coming in too fast.

2. Prepare a line with a loop. Line is attached to boat mid ship so can just slip over cleat.

What other ways ?

Thanks in advance.

If it's your regular dock, arrange a line across it to act as a cradle. Slowly ease onto it, then leave the engine ticking over holding against the cradle while you tie the stern lines

For any dock, a stern fender horizontally across the stern, and another vertical fender on each quarter. Ease back onto the fenders, keep the engine ticking over, and arrange your stern lines.

The above cases assume of course that you have plenty of fenders down each side of your hull(s).

Once you have a pair of stern lines on, go into fwd against them, adjust the steering, and you are very stable.

The bowlines, springs etc, can then be put on at your leisure.