Here’s some solid advice from Skipper Tips about how to dock when the wind its coming off the dock. Read on, it works:
Imagine that you need to dock your boat in a gusty off-the-dock wind. But that’s not all. You’ll have to squeeze between two big power yachts. What three steps will you use to make this docking challenge easier?
Preparations ahead of time top my list for building sound seamanship skills before taking your boat into a marina (including your own). Rig fenders and lines on both sides of the boat. If the engine stops working or a line gets wrapped around the prop, you are ready to drift over to a pier on either side and stop the boat.
Assign one of your crew members to a roving fender (the red fender in the illustrations). The crew walks (roves) to any point on the boat that needs cushioning during the docking evolution. If sailing solo, rig a roving fender and keep it next to you near the helm station.
As in all boat docking, it’s best to practice in an open area, clear of other boats. Pick a day of the week when you have minimum boat traffic to contend with. Ask the dockmaster or person in charge for permission to use an open pier space, if available. Follow the three steps below, along with the illustrations above.
1. Approach with the bow as close as practicable into the wind. This gives you maximum control and provides an ’emergency escape path’ if you need to abandon the approach.
2. Loop a spring line (rigged near the beam or in the bow section) around the cleat (or dock fitting), then lead it back to the boat cleat and hold it with a round turn. Turn the wheel hard away from the pier or hold a tiller toward the pier.
3. Use idle ahead propulsion to place constant, moderate tension on the spring. Avoid ‘snubbing’ the spring (making it too short, which can prevent the boat from coming alongside). Ease the spring as needed to bring in the stern, and check to ensure you clear the boats moored ahead or astern. Attach other docking lines before shifting into neutral and securing the engine.
