Could you dock your sailboat under bare poles?
by Captain John Jamieson on 5 Nov 2015
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Captain John_Jamieson_Do you know your sailboat's emergency docking capabilities? Here's one little-known technique you'll want to know! Captain John Jamieson
http://www.skippertips.com
Imagine that you enter a marina and all of a sudden--your engine sputters and dies. Too late to turn around! What now, skipper? How does your sailboat sail with the wind abaft the beam? Do you have enough manoeuvrability to turn left, right or even make a hard 90° turn to port or starboard?
Let's take a look at sailing up to a pier under bare poles. Before you do, you must have ample space alongside a pier. Practice this technique in a wide open area well away from other boats. Check with the dockmaster or owner to use an open pier space. Follow the five steps below.
1. Rig Fender and Lines
Line the intended docking side with fenders. Attach two docking lines to the quarter on the docking side. That way, if you drop a line overboard or it slips out of your hands, you have another ready to go right away. Note in the illustration, we attach the spring to the port quarter; we are docking port-side-to.
2. Approach at a Slow Pace
If possible approach on a long, straight course. Aim for a point along the pier that will take you close aboard to the point where you can belay a line (cleat or piling). In the illustration, we will belay the spring to a dock cleat.
If you find yourself going too fast, feather the rudder back and forth fast. Move the tiller hard to the stop on one side; then shove it hard to the stop on the other side. Make this fast and smooth from one side to the other in a continuous motion.
Duplicate the motion if you have a wheel, but take care not to allow the wheel to hit the 'stops' with force. Keep your hands on the wheel to maintain control.
3. Brief Your Crew on 'First Line Over'
Use the after quarter spring. Make sure that your sailing partner or crew knows just where to attach this as you slide by the piling or clear. Note in the illustration to the right that no piling exists. So, in this case, you must use a dock cleat. You often have one shot. That's it.
Make the line long enough and practice putting on a full round with finesse (if you use a dock cleat). Keep hands clear of the cleat horns as you wrap the line. In the case of a piling, make a huge eye in one end so that it's easier to drape the eye over a piling as you slide past (if single-handed).
If you put someone ashore in this maneuver, realize that the boat will be moving. This must be done with extreme care. You must decide and make the call based on the risks involved and crew capabilities.
4. Belay the Line to Avoid Crew Injury
With momentum, you must get a full round turn onto the cleat and hold the line (see top illustration). No need to make up the cleat with figure-8s. But that full round turn will be critical.
Make sure your crew understands the difference between a turn and a full round turn (illustration). The full round turn forms a complete, overlapping circle that locks the line onto the cleat base so that it cannot slip under tension.
As soon as the momentum has been stopped, put over other docking lines to control the bow. Short- or single-handed sailors often use a breast line (a temporary short line perpendicular to the centerline). This will hold your boat flush alongside the pier until you can tie up with other docking lines.
5. Know Your Boat's Capabilities
We described feathering earlier, but you may need to bleed off even more speed. If you have sufficient room, you could make a tight 360° turn. This will slow the boat in a dramatic way. Regain control and steady up as soon as you come out of the turn.
Practice this maneuver in an open area. Your boat may or may not have this capability. To get through the turn requires a lot of speed and a highly maneuverable vessel (i.e. fin keels with large rudders will often be able to do this).
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