Dock Your Boat
Are you thinking about purchasing a boat but nervous about docking it? These easy to follow tips will help anyone dock a boat the first time, every time.
Steps
- Powered boats with spring lines can dock quite easily depending on size. Either way, docking is essential.
- Plan Ahead - Know the area and water you plan to dock in.
- Stop well away from the dock.
- Look at the wind and tide to formulate your game plan.
- Set your lines and fenders accordingly, remembering that you want bow, stern and one spring covered at the outset.
- Tie the line to your mid-ship cleat with a loop on the dock end.
- Before tying off to the cleat, guess how long you'll need the line to be to give a modest scope.
- Come up to the dock slowly and as you pass the dock cleat where you want your spring line attached, drop the loop over the cleat.
- Continue slowly forward with your wheel straight.
- Know that when the spring comes tight, your boat will swing sideways right up to the dock and stay there.
- Quickly hop onto the dock and attach your bow and stern lines.
- Sailboats must dock accordingly with the wind
- Head toward the dock
- Find where the wind is coming from.
- When the boat is close enough, turn into the wind
- Let out your sails
- Cleat your boat
