Dock End Ties – Returning
Wind blowing you off the dock
- Plan a fairly steep approach so that you are facing more into the wind. Ensure your speed is just adequate to overcome the effects of the wind. Ensure dock lines have been placed on the front and rear of the boat well before you enter the marina. Appoint crew members for tying off. Ensure you instruct your crew members not to jump to the dock, but to step off once the boat is at the dock.
- Aim toward the point on the dock where you want the center of the boat to end up. Usually, you can put it out of gear about here.
- Round out just before the dock. Engage reverse.
- Using a combination of reverse and forward, neatly slide the boat to the dock with zero forward speed. You’ll need to have your crew members act smartly to get the boat tied to the dock. In high wind conditions, you should use a spring line from the front of the boat to the center dock cleat. You can then easily turn the wheel away from the dock and engage forward. This will drive the rear of the boat to the dock. Use a fender on the front.
- Depending on which side of the boat you are docking and if you have an inboard engine drive, use prop walk to your advantage. Otherwise, use your stern or outboard drives to maneuver your stern sideways to the dock.
Oftentimes, you’ll be coming into a fuel dock or pump out station. View this animation to get into a tight spot.
Wind blowing you into the dock
The approach is similar to the above; however, it is a little flatter and your round-out is earlier. Allow the wind to blow you the last 10 feet (3 m) onto the dock. Use prop walk to bring the stern in if needed.
Wind from behind
This has potentially dangerous consequences of pushing you into other boats. It is therefore recommended that you reverse in.
- Position yourself downwind and facing downwind. Engage reverse.
- Back the boat toward the point on the dock where you want the center of the boat to end up.
- Round out and touch forward, if needed, to stop the reverse momentum. Ensure that the first dock line to be attached to the dock is the aft one leading aft.
