Imagine that the dockmaster has told you...
to tie up on the far end of a crowded pier.
But there's just one problem...
the space will be shorter than your sailboat...
What now, skipper?
How can you do this single- or short-handed smooth and easy?
Follow these steps to handle this docking challenge like a pro.
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Docking a boat will always be a challenge. But what happens when you need to moor your boat in a space at the end of a pier that's shorter than your boat length?
Sometimes the only available berth will be at the end of a pier or seawall. When we tie up, the bow will stick out from the end of the pier. Make sure that anchors at the bow or a bowsprit extend past the pier pilings at the corner to prevent damage.
It will often be easier to land the boat on the far end of the pier, and then warp (pivot and back) your boat around the corner into the available space (see illustration and steps below). You will need to use a forward-leading spring line led from a cleat located amidships or just aft of amidships.
You can use a similar approach to work your boat around an outside piling and back into a slip. This keeps your boat under good control throughout the maneuver and will often be easier when short- or single-handed. Follow the easy steps described below to perform this little-known docking technique.
Use a forward spring line to pivot your boat around a corner back into a narrow space. You can perform this maneuver short-handed with careful preparation. Note in the illustration how you will need to avoid contact with another boat already tied up near the end of the pier. Follow the easy steps below to master this technique.
Use a forward spring line to pivot your boat around a corner back into a narrow space. You can perform this maneuver short-handed with careful preparation. Note in the illustration how you will need to avoid contact with another boat already tied up near the end of the pier. Follow the easy steps below to master this technique.
1. Locate a cleat near the beam of your boat, but not too far aft. You want to keep control of the bow.
2. Attach a long springline, two to three times the length of your boat to the cleat. Loop the spring around a piling at the corner of the pier (illustration 1).
3. Place fenders all along the pier side of the boat. Assign one of your crew to work a roving fender to cushion contact points.
4. Turn the wheel toward the pier; in a tiller-steered boat, hold the tiller away from the pier. Shift into idle astern propulsion. Keep the engine engaged throughout the maneuver (illustration 2)
5. Ease the springline as needed to allow the boat to twist around the pier corner (illustration 2 and 3). Once flush alongside the new berth, keep the engine engaged to maintain slight tension against the springline. This will hold the boat alongside until you can set the rest of your docking lines (illustration 3). Secure the engine when done.
Learn more tips and techniques like these to dock your boat smoother and easier. Skippertips members have instant access to our highly popular eBook "Dock a Boat Like a Pro", filled with step-by-step docking tips and illustrations. Click on the image to the left to download it now!
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Captain John
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