Here’s some great advice from Skipper Tips about how to dock safely and securely even when the space you’re assigned is just a few feet more than the length of your boat.
We’ve all been there. The face or fuel dock is full of large boats, or at least the space you’re aiming for is flanked by two of the largest, most expensive yachts in sight, and you know that a lot of people nearby will be looking to see how you pull this off. Not exactly the time to brush up on your docking skills.
Here’s what to do, and what to practice in advance, so you’ll look like a pro when the time comes. When you’re still off the dock a bit, pick an “aim point” that’s about one-third of the distance aft of the forward docked boat. The idea is that when your bow arrives at that point, you can pivot and work your way into the space with a spring line.
To keep your boat on track for the aim point, find something behind it – a piling, a flagpole, a mountaintop – and create a mental range or transit. Keep these two points lined up to allow for any wind or current, and you should be home free.
You can practice this on an empty pier on a day without wind or current, so that you, and your crew, will know what to do later on. Keep your speed down – less is more – so you have just enough to maintain control, and have your spring lines and fenders ready. Once you’re arrived at the aim point, the spring line is crucial. Read more:
https://www.skippertips.com/public/How-to-Dock-Your-Boat-Like-a-Pro-With-an-AimPoint.cfm
