Skippers have a million things on his or her minds when docking a boat. This is especially true if you have a large boat and your sailing crew isn't sure what they're doing, does your crew know what they're doing? Make sure these seven tips are part of your normal check list before you enter any marina.
1. Preset Springlines
Get bow lines and stern lines ready on both sides of the boat. Make sure the spring lines are the same size as the boat, and then tie them to the boat cleats. You can tie up a boat of any size with just one spring line.
2. Roving Fender
Depending on how huge your boat is, you might need to attach a couple fenders along the side, but be sure to do not forget the roving fender. Usually you can get away with using a five foot line on each fender. You want to do this just to make sure your boat does not hit the dock and cause damage.
3. Bow and Stern Marine Anchor
Anchors are sometimes used for emergency reasons, you should be sure you have yours ready. Tie a 30 foot rope to your anchor and get it ready for use in case you may want to use it. If you've more than one anchor get them all prepared. If you lose power, you have your anchor "brakes" ready to stop the boat!
4. Make Sure You Check Your Small Diesel Engine
Check your small diesel engine (or gasoline engine) in all three gear positions. Bring the engine down to idle speed; then shift into neutral, reverse, neutral, ahead. Repeat this test twice. Once you do this you can have confidence that your gears all work and that nothing will go wrong.
5. Quiet, Clear Communications
You need to be sure you and your crew are in contact when starting to dock. Sometimes you might need to change the direction of the boat when docking, make sure your crew knows what you are doing. Crews on large yachts frequently use wireless headsets to interact. Or get your crew together and determine on easy-to-comprehend hand signals.
6. Don't Forget About Bare Steerage
Have you ever thought about what would happen if your engine died? You would probably drift really far. You need to be going slow enough so that you don't damage another boat. Maintain just enough speed so that you still have good control with the wheel or tiller.
7. Make Sure You Are Prepared For Emergencies
Look for any open slips or pier space on the way in. The reason for this is because you can dock your boat with those in case your engine does die. This is why it's exceedingly essential to have dock lines on both sides of your boat.
1. Preset Springlines
Get bow lines and stern lines ready on both sides of the boat. Make sure the spring lines are the same size as the boat, and then tie them to the boat cleats. You can tie up a boat of any size with just one spring line.
2. Roving Fender
Depending on how huge your boat is, you might need to attach a couple fenders along the side, but be sure to do not forget the roving fender. Usually you can get away with using a five foot line on each fender. You want to do this just to make sure your boat does not hit the dock and cause damage.
3. Bow and Stern Marine Anchor
Anchors are sometimes used for emergency reasons, you should be sure you have yours ready. Tie a 30 foot rope to your anchor and get it ready for use in case you may want to use it. If you've more than one anchor get them all prepared. If you lose power, you have your anchor "brakes" ready to stop the boat!
4. Make Sure You Check Your Small Diesel Engine
Check your small diesel engine (or gasoline engine) in all three gear positions. Bring the engine down to idle speed; then shift into neutral, reverse, neutral, ahead. Repeat this test twice. Once you do this you can have confidence that your gears all work and that nothing will go wrong.
5. Quiet, Clear Communications
You need to be sure you and your crew are in contact when starting to dock. Sometimes you might need to change the direction of the boat when docking, make sure your crew knows what you are doing. Crews on large yachts frequently use wireless headsets to interact. Or get your crew together and determine on easy-to-comprehend hand signals.
6. Don't Forget About Bare Steerage
Have you ever thought about what would happen if your engine died? You would probably drift really far. You need to be going slow enough so that you don't damage another boat. Maintain just enough speed so that you still have good control with the wheel or tiller.
7. Make Sure You Are Prepared For Emergencies
Look for any open slips or pier space on the way in. The reason for this is because you can dock your boat with those in case your engine does die. This is why it's exceedingly essential to have dock lines on both sides of your boat.
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