Docking monohull sideways advice wanted

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by deblen

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note: Your bow will NOT hit the dock.

Len's right. That's why they made the bow skinnier.


If you want, put a fender far forward.

[jmh2002]

That is very boat dependant in my experience and results in a different maneuver, not a direct parallel sideways walk to or away from the dock.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Len's right. That's why they made the bow skinnier.


If you want, put a fender far forward.

By all means,use a fender or fenders if it will make you more comfortable.
Do whatever gives you extra confidence.
But you must have a plan & confidence that plan works.The videos show what can be done safely with practice & forethought. Cheers/ Len


Notice: This "professional" uses sufficient speed to overcome normal wind or current. Idling in or out of a tight situation will get you in a mess in many cases. Again-practice somewhere safe,learn how your boat maneuvers-so you can be confidant of its abilities.

[deblen]

Couple more videos of a "professional" single handing .
What makes a professional? You don't learn to do this in a classroom.
You learn the techniques maybe.
The actual physical ability comes with practice in actually doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47dxEG05lDU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCY1XVkZhy0&t=18s

[TrentePieds]

Admirable, but as in so many of these "demo"s there is neither wind nor current to speak of. This young man has obviously done it often enuff in THAT boat, in these conditions, that he has developed the requisite confidence in both the boat and himself :-)

TP

[deblen]

Originally Posted by TrentePieds

Admirable, but as in so many of these "demo"s there is neither wind nor current to speak of. This young man has obviously done it often enuff in THAT boat, in these conditions, that he has developed the requisite confidence in both the boat and himself :-)

TP

Q.E.D.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by taxwizz

Two words....

"Bow thruster"

Thank you.

3 word response:

20 foot boat.

[emoji79]⛵️

[jmh2002]

Good, but it's all easy when there is no wind...

In general to search videos I think that the RYA instructors in the UK are the best at this stuff.

They do it with wind, they do it with tide, and they do it well. Personally it's not my favourite place to sail, but at least there is normally a good pub at the destination to try and make up for it.

However if you really want to learn or hone skills I couldn't suggest anything better than doing some RYA practical courses in the UK. Preferably in winter when it is additionally unpleasant, cold, wet, and difficult.

Why? Because they focus on real, practical skills. You actually have to do it. Like the video above but with wind and tide. Or hunting down an unlit post on a sand bank through blind DR navigation - you are below navigating, and issuing instructions to the helmsman on deck (Bramble Bank anyone?).

After that type of learning experience most things will seem much easier by comparison.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

Good, but it's all easy when there is no wind...

In general to search videos I think that the RYA instructors in the UK are the best at this stuff.

They do it with wind, they do it with tide, and they do it well. Personally it's not my favourite place to sail, but at least there is normally a good pub at the destination to try and make up for it.

However if you really want to learn or hone skills I couldn't suggest anything better than doing some RYA practical courses in the UK. Preferably in winter when it is additionally unpleasant, cold, wet, and difficult.

Why? Because they focus on real, practical skills. You actually have to do it. Like the video above but with wind and tide. Or hunting down an unlit post on a sand bank through blind DR navigation - you are below navigating, and issuing instructions to the helmsman on deck (Bramble Bank anyone?).

After that type of learning experience most things will seem much easier by comparison.

UK actually expects you to be capable of operating your boat in other than "ideal" conditions eh? / Len

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by deblen

UK actually expects you to be capable of operating your boat in other than "ideal" conditions eh? / Len

Yes I know, odd isn't it...

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Watch this video and learn... it works. We’ve been using this method for over ten years, several years before I saw the video. Come in with confidence and momentum at 90 degrees, don’t concern yourself with the dockside people looking a little freaked out, crank it in reverse and spin the wheel, have a margarita after you secure the midship sping line loop.

The people on the dock are always impressed. I’m dead serious... it works every time.

Ken I don't know whether you are joking or not, but there is more than a grain of truth to following Captain Ron's approach.

As a single hander I find myself having to dock solo quite frequently. Being decisive and quick about it has some serious advantages. Coming in hot can largely eliminate the effects of wind and current. If you know what your boat can and cannot do it's a viable approach.

I often get "helpful" bystanders yelling at me to slow down, only to have them mutter "Oh. Ok." when it's obvious I know what I'm doing, have a plan, and am successful at executing it.

In the OP's case I would probably come in bow first on the port side at an angle of 30 degrees..or basically so that my bow was about to kiss the dock as my stern is passing overlap with the boat behind. I would have shifted into reverse a bit before and would work the throttle to balance slowing/stopping the boat with pulling the stern into the dock with prop walk, with the bow yawing out a bit. Done properly you should be laid up perfectly. Of course wind and tide in that sort of maneuver with 5' in front and behind the boat determine whether it's even possible or not on any given day.

[jmh2002]

Ken was not joking. It's a standard technique.

[RaymondR]

Pretty well tried it all during the past 30 odd years.

My favorite technique now is to run a line with a large loop in the end from a point aft, forward through the midship cleat and back to the sheet winch.

I maneuver the boat as close as I can and parallel with the wharf then drop the loop over the aftish cleat on the jetty then pull the slack out on the sheet winch. I can then generally get and hold the boat against the pontoon or jetty using the engine in forward and the rudder whilst I put the bow and stern lines on.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by jmh2002

Ken was not joking. It's a standard technique.

Here’s another video showing the same swing the stern in technique using a single engine powerboat, just like Captain Ron. Remember.. momentum is key.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uwX_xtc2jpU

[deblen]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Here’s another video showing the same swing the stern in technique using a single engine powerboat, just like Captain Ron. Remember.. momentum is key.

Nice job! Lovely "fenders". / L