#81: How to Dock Single-Handed

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Most popular comments
for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

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Nick Sugar - 6 years ago

Very interesting:) Will try sometime. Not a fan of 05:25 where she is grabbing the line with her fingers in between the cleat and the line. Old Murphy swings by when you have body parts between metal, line and thousands of pounds is just asking for a bad day.

Kevin Day - 6 years ago

https://youtu.be/v7gBrN-dVq8

K. IJsvogel - 6 years ago

Yes, works only when dock is long enough (or your boat short enough), but not if dock length equals (or shorter) than boat length.
“How to dock single handed at a long dock with a small boat and no wind “ would be a more appropriate title

stanthology - 6 years ago

Blondie is quite a babe! Skilled in handling the sailboat too! Your old man is lucky.

Richard Rose - 6 years ago

The dock I most recently had to dock with had bull-rails on the edges....can't just loop over a cleat on the dock. Little more exciting, yeah?

ade rumbold - 6 years ago

You seem to have made that a lot harder than it should have been but each to their own.

Samson1999 - 6 years ago

Good job!

GrumpyOldMan - 7 years ago

What is a "continuous loop"?

imdamanherexo - 7 years ago

less knots and more boobs :L

10. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

Ferdinand Lehner - 7 years ago

who don't know how to do the knot (which is called Palstek) should not go sailing.

Josue Zuniga - 7 years ago

im here just for the boobs

Ask The Pro DJ - 7 years ago

Hard to see your little titties, very deceptive picture for video.

Tim Tester - 7 years ago

That seems like an overly complicated method and relies on coming in quite close which can be difficult in a blow of with counter-productive cross-wind. You can just coil your rope and split in half, throw the two halves either side of the cleat/bollard keeping hold of the bitter end between thumb and forefinger then secure the bitter end, the result looks like a stern line ready to slip. This can easily be thrown pretty much as far as you can throw a line to a dock handler.

Homefront - 7 years ago

Cowboy Sailing! Yee-haw!!!!!! Thanks for the vids!

Renown31 - 7 years ago

Everybody knows that the pivot point is not at the rudder. If you attache the docking line at the real pivot point which is normally close to the beem or the middle of the boat, you do not need to turn the wheel at all, the boat will move to the dock under forward slow power and stay parallel to the dock.

MrJerryheffer - 7 years ago

What a load of Bollocks, perhaps they should learn proper boat handling first before taking a boat to sea, let alone being so arrogant as to try and teach others how to do things.

Bedlam Homesteading - 7 years ago

If you made a large enough loop to easily drop on the dock cleat and used a single line you could cleat it off at any time on the boat and not have to guess how long the loop should be. Cleating off one side of a continuous loop doesn't make the line shorter.

Henk Koopmans - 7 years ago

Lets see ..so you need about a 50 foot dockingspace to Dock a 30 foot boat....

nobody46820 - 7 years ago

Like a Boss!

20. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

Emily Young - 7 years ago

1966. Chevy caprice
Carb settings

Andrew Jighunter - 7 years ago

You like heavy older women on board, you missed the whole idea of having a boat LOL LOL

John Smith - 7 years ago

like your vids but this one makes a simple task look hard

Utkan Salman - 7 years ago

Can you add a video where the wind is blowing 20 knots off the dock and there are two boats for and aft? love to see that. When the boat standing with no wind I can drink a beer before tying .

LazlosPlane - 7 years ago

Couldn't focus on that knot. . . .

Edward Hart - 7 years ago

Wow you made something very simple look very complicated.

isctony - 7 years ago

Nice video - Thanks!

RastusFuckhai - 7 years ago

I see the usual ' my way is the only way ' pack of cunts have turned up. Good tips, whether used or not

David Owen - 7 years ago

RastusFuckhai haha I like it... Couldn't have put it better...

Thomas Elliott - 7 years ago

I think this is extremely important advice. It is so important I just keep watching it. Those slow methodical movements are essential.

David Tangye - 7 years ago

Bowline is tied incorrectly... just I I used to do for years :-). The loose end should end up on the outside, not inside, the bight. "Bunny comes up through the hole, round the back of the tree THE OTHER WAY, then back down the hole.

30. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

jacques dubois - 7 years ago

Hey sweet thing.. I've got a rather large pivot point for you !!!

Robert Findlay - 7 years ago

watch you fingers when handling the lines

Red Herring - 7 years ago

that is not single handed with a another person on board. I think this is La La land, sorry.

santa mulligan - 7 years ago

Another good idea thanks I lead my forrad mooring back like a spring for both a buoy and a pontoon so I don't leave the cockpit

Larry Kramer - 7 years ago

really good professional vid, except that I still don't know how to tie a bowline because you kept distracting me (pleasantly).

Go Away - 7 years ago

Hi, a lot of valid comments on this technique especially wind and current considerations ( and I also am not sure I would abandon my vessel in gear) but have to say very nice effort on the demo well presented

David Sullins - 7 years ago

Thanks nice idea I single hand a lot will be trying this out soon

MrDave9111 - 7 years ago

I singlehand a lot and my boat is similar in size. I advise against using a complete loop. If you get into trouble, you will have no way to ditch the line and power away from the dock. I make a bowline loop in the end of the dock line and approach the dock as slow as possible while maintaining control and put the boat into neutral. (This is not a race) Get the bowline loop over a dock cleat - using an extended boat hook works well, put the loop over the hook. Its made for that. Once the cleat is looped, wrap the line around a cleat on your boat for almost one turn and hold the end of the rope back away from the cleat. As the rope gets tight pull on the rope and brake the boat... the rope may slide for a foot or two as the boat slows. When the boat stops moving, fasten the rope to the cleat. Put the boat into forward and idle... This will drive the boat against the dock and prevent the wind from blowing you around. Once the boat is held against the dock, go forward and toss a line around another cleat on the dock from the bow. Secure. Return to the cockpit and put the trans into neutral and shutdown the engine. If you do this correctly, you can do this in a slow and methodical way and not have to run or move really fast which greatly improves your odds of success. If for some reason you are going too fast as you approach the dock and you can't brake the boat.... let the rope slide over the side. It will be hanging from the cleat when you try it again. On attempt #2 you can use another rope or grab the hanging rope with your boat hook. If you have a fixed loop and you get into trouble you have no way to escape without cutting the line... which takes too much time. You always need a plan B in case you get into trouble. I have done this at night, singlehand several times. Its not hard.

Laura Ladenheim - 7 years ago

We tried this today on our boat, it worked so well and we were amazed at how easy it was!! Thanks for the video!!

Salvatore Shiggerino - 7 years ago

How about wearing some clothes.

David Owen - 7 years ago

Salvatore Shiggerino but you clicked it!! You were baited!! Don't let the missus see what naughty stuff you've been watching.

Salvatore Shiggerino - 7 years ago

Because it's a health and safety issue and a public decency issue. And it's really lame click bait that has nothing to do with the video. What do her tits have to do with docking a boat single-handed?

David Owen - 7 years ago

Salvatore Shiggerino why bother dickhead? What a lame comment...

Top UK Photographer - 7 years ago

Can't see why the long loop is needed. What's up with using a large loop on the mooring line and having rest on the winch (to the block)?

C Austin - 7 years ago

Great video, nice to see how to dock a smaller pleasure vessel, I sail on a large sailing barge and we tans to use I spring on the bow to being the back end in, especially if ur on your own, but every one has a way that is suitable for them, but I would recommend using a cleat to take up some of the line as it'll put less stress on the rope and makes it easier to let line out

Epsilon Silver - 7 years ago

The rabbit comes out of the hole. goes around the tree, and back into the hole.

Dammit Boy - 7 years ago

I let all the deck hands dock my dinghy.

Paul Renny - 7 years ago

Amazing how noobs are so eager to tell everybody how to do something that they themselves have only just learned. This is a basic maneuver.

David Owen - 7 years ago

Paul Renny I'm a newb too.... And I could tell they were newbs....haha.
I liked the bowline demo...haha. I nearly fell asleep though.... Took half a vid just to get to the action....

Mike Santis - 7 years ago

Your last footage in the video seems like the audio is slightly out of sync?

Rum Reach - 7 years ago

Good tip, but if anything breaks your boat will continue forward.. Might want to shut off before leaving the boat..

Greg M. - 7 years ago

10 mins of my life I'll never get back.

alex tworkowski - 7 years ago

What was that middle part again?

Life at Six Knots - 7 years ago

Awesome how to video. I knew there had to be a better way than jumping off and scrambling for lines.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Thanks! And thank Pam Wall for this fabulous trick. It works very well for us in most docking situations. Best of luck with it!

50. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

Glen Trest - 7 years ago

thx great video

Son of Neptune Sailing - 7 years ago

I have always docked my sailboat single handed. I think your method is brilliant! It is how I have always docked have docked heavy displacement powerboats; using the prop walk and a stern line to bring them in.
On my sail boat I typically attach my stern line to the dock as I power the boat into reverse to stop the boat then jump off the boat with a boat hook and pull the bow in. I can typically make it work. However, I think your method will work better. I am looking forward to attempting it!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Great, I hope it helps you. We've definitely found it to be an easy way to bring the boat in single-handed. Phillip really likes using it when docking alone.

Joseph Stone - 7 years ago

your head is in the way of your knot tying lesson

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

I know ... sorry. But you can see the finale shot!

nitoman nito - 7 years ago

Thank you for a great demo....

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

You bet!

Fiarati - 7 years ago

The only trouble I've had with making a long continuous loop using a bowline is that it seems to cause rope chafe.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Ahhhh, did not know that. Good point to add. We'll look out for that when using this technique. Thanks!

Jimmy Z - 7 years ago

Single handed means Phillip needs a hook on his other hand. Try it....if you can do it with wind....you will have no worries.

Sail Fanatics - 7 years ago

Very nicely done video. I would worry that the procedure you demonstrate works fine only whenever the wind or current is not blowing the boat off the dock. I think if you use a midships after spring line instead of a stern spring line, the maneuver would work 100% of the time, plus you don't have to worry about running out of slip length and hitting the dock. With a midships spring line you do need to carefully adjust your rudder angle so the boat stays parallel to the slip while you use the throttle to overcome any wind pressure (or current) and force the boat to the dock.

FWIW the term "pivot point" means the point that the boat rotates around when you change direction , on your typical sailboat the pivot point is approximately the mid-point of the keel.

Steve S - 7 years ago

I love the instructional and mechanical repair,,I crashed a pontoon into a dock at about 2/3 mph about 3 months ago and was totally ashamed! But there were no lines aboard, fighting 30 mph winds 45 deg towards the dock, I hadn't been on a boat in over a year, in my defense, and apparently no one cared or noticed. :-) ,,,But I did :O

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Totally understand. It's easier to do than people think. Winds have such an impact on the boat's movement and capabilities. Sorry that happened to you but we hope this video can help next time! I need to practice this maneuver myself so I get better at it!

Gary Souza - 7 years ago

This wouldn't work with my boat. It's an old IOR boat with pinched ends. I'd have to stand almost at the widest beam to hook a dock cleat, and I wouldn't want to leave my boat in gear if I'm not nearby. I found the balance point where I can pull my boat parallel to the dock and just come in slow in neutral, step off at the widest part of the boat, and wrap the midship cleat on the dock to come to a stop. Then I cleat off bow and stern with dock lines I've run and led to midship. Hasn't let me down yet in all conditions I've encountered. What ever works for you best.

Paul Skilleter - 7 years ago

Gary Souza q

TheArozconpollo - 7 years ago

I have to agree here completely. Same issues. I single-hand almost exclusively. Never had a single issue docking with my line amidships at the center of turning effort. Then tie stern and bow lines.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Couldn't agree more. Every boat is different and handles differently. Thanks for sharing this Gary.

Confidential Male - 7 years ago

very interesting video and liked it very much

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Thank you!

D. Mullins - 7 years ago

Docked single many times. Weather makes it very challenging but the key is planning ahead, a radio is well worth the investment also. Hell It once took two of us more than an hour just to set anchor out of the navigation channel on a 30 footer in river current when a gust front surprised us followed by a squall line coming through. Wasn't really frightening but definitely got some adrenaline going.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Thanks Damien. Boats are definitely never boring (to me). Always an adventure.

ScubaTony Anschutz - 7 years ago

this is a good tip! always looking for hints and tips like this one!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Thanks Tony. I hoped folks would find it helpful, just for every day use if they like to take the boat out on their own or don't have crew that can help coming in and out of the slip or in case of an emergency where you have to dock the boat alone. I need to work on it more myself so I feel more comfortable docking. Thank Pam Wall as well for teaching this to us. Appreciate you watching!

Paul Merron - 7 years ago

Good demo guys, the more you practice the easier it will get and your confidence will grow so you can do it with the wind blowing you off the dock. Easiest way of determining the pivot point of your boat is to observe what happens as you steer the boat in open water. If you turn hard to port you will observe that the bow will go to port but the stern will go to starboard. This is an extremely important thing to know when docking or coming alongside. Most fin keel boats are designed to and will have a pivot point (while moving forward) that is in line with the mast and on the leading edge of the keel. In reverse the pivot point is the trailing edge of the keel and just aft of the mast. Long keel boats are slightly different but only slightly. Your docking procedure works well but you are not using the steering pivot point you are just using a spring point. For your docking procedure you need the attachment to the boat to be well aft. I do something similar using my mid ship cleat with just a long loop that I slip over a dock cleat from the helm as I slowly pass, I do not need to do anything with the steering. Try this exercise when you get a chance, it is great fun and will demonstrate the pivot point of your boat. In some open water, bring the boat to a stop and while keeping the helm dead ahead, give a blast of reverse and watch which way the boat turns, it will turn slightly. Its called prop walk and is very useful. With a prop walk to port, that is the stern going to port in reverse, you can with practice, turn the boat in its own length going to starboard. With a prop walk to starboard the turn should be to port. Here is how you do it, with the boat dead in the water put the helm hard over to starboard and leave it there. Now give a short blast of forward just until you feel the helm wobble and then take the power off. The bow will now be turning to starboard and the stern will be going to port but the boat should NOT be going forward (much). Now give a short blast of power in reverse, this will stop any forward motion you have and the prop walk will make the stern go to port and the bow to starboard thus continuing the turn. See how this is going? so just keep the helm hard to starboard and give short blasts of power alternating between forward and reverse (without crashing the gearbox) and you will amaze people with your skill. Developing this skill can get you out of a whole heap of trouble. Good luck, fair winds and sunny days.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 7 years ago

Thanks Paul. Appreciate the input!

John Chance - 8 years ago

Photographer has selected perfect camera angles.

Huisjongste - 7 years ago

You mean at the end of the boob...euh... sorry I meant at the end of the loop! ;o) Anyway, it always helps to get some attention. She certainly grabbed mine. Altough this complete manouvre is not useful for me. My boat doesn't have a toerail where I can choose that point, and it also has no wheel but a tiller and joystick. Also is the distance between the prop and the rudder to big to make it work at all. And the response of a folding prop (Flexofold two blade) when put into reverse can be scarifying long... (I sail a Dehler 33 by Judel/Vrolijk)

Jason Kimmel - 7 years ago

John Chance I think what you were trying to say is "nice Tits" great camera angles. I'm not even sure what this video was about but I watched the whole thing.

John Chance - 8 years ago

Oh. Hmmm. Ok.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

She's got a good eye. ; )

mystafied m - 8 years ago

I did this on my own for the first time the other day. It was great for my confidence!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Oh, wow! So cool. Thank you for sharing. We are really glad to hear this and hear that it worked well for you. Appreciate you posting here and congrats on a safe, stress-free single-handed docking! : )

JAMES EDWARDS - 8 years ago

Awesome demo. Great tip.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

+JAMES EDWARDS Thanks James. My pleasure!

philipkenneth24 - 8 years ago

Thanks for the useful tip. My apologies in anticipation if this has already been asked or answered but would a midship line not be of use in a singlehanded docking situation? My preference is to get a midship line ashore first with the motor idling forward which springs the boat alongside, even if you are being blown away from the berth. One can then secure bow and stern lines at your leisure. Thanks for sharing your tip. Kind regards and fair winds.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey Philip! Not a bad question at all. Several people have mentioned this. The only problem I see with a true "midship" line would be the fact that it would be forward of the pivot point and would have the potential to pull the bow into the dock (just as in the example in the video where I pulled the bow of our boat into the dock by pulling in fast on a midship line). This is basically the same technique but using a line that is affixed at the aft pivot point of the vessel. Hope this helps!

zzzx xzzz - 8 years ago

Showing knot tying is better when the visor of a hat doesn't block the view. ☺

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

I know, I'm sorry. I have a bad habit of not always checking the camera angle. But I think it showed clearly at the end. Hope it helped some.

John Donaldson - 8 years ago

I like it. Thanks. I often dock my runabout alone. This method will help a lot.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

You bet John!

Ron Baker - 8 years ago

Good tips you have shared. I have seen troubles with two things that would be helpful to add. 1. Never step over the lifelines!!! Very dangerous. 2. Always tie the dingy tight on the opposite side of docking.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey Ron. Thanks for watching. Good tips here as well. Our dinghy is always tied tight on port when we dock. We cinch it up as tight as it can go to ensure the painter line does not get in the prop. I'll have to watch the video again to see if Phillip stepped over the lifelines in the docking video. I thought he had opened the gate, but I'll check again. Thanks.

Kim Wiltz - 8 years ago

Hi this is Kim The Cajun Goldwing Rider . Great video love all the advice on how to dock your boat. I have just a subscribe your channel I would appreciate if you subscribe to mine. Kim The Cajun Goldwing Rider . Thanks again . Be safe

Greg Sneddon - 8 years ago

Great stuff Annie and Phillip - thanks for sharing. Still havnt watched the catamaran video. Cant open it on ipad? Looking forward to that one.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Huh, hate you are having trouble. If you still have issues, let me know and I can upload the MP4 to a Google drive folder for you. You'll be glad to know, too, that I just finished a spur-of-the-moment delivery on another cat - a 2013 Leopard 48 so stay tuned for a boat tour (offshore!) video of that one soon.

Kim Kardashian west - 8 years ago

Do,you have jobs how do,you,pay for things and sail ?

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey there! We sure do. Thankfully they just go with us where we go as our goal is to make travel a priority and make money creative ways remotely. I did a whole video on it. Check it out! https://youtu.be/DPzAiiKARic

Comet Jockey Dave - 8 years ago

An even simpler technique I use is to get a wood, or aluminum hoop about 12 to maybe 15" across, and tie essentially a stern line, and a bow spring line to it. as you arrive at the dock all you do is toss the hoop on the dock's cleat you would use to tie off the stern line. The stern line will hold the bow off meaning you won't have to steer to hold it off, the bow line will hold the boat from moving forward, and no lines will have to go aft of the boat meaning you won't have to rely on the dock extending past the stern. Of course you will still need to keep the engine in gear, and at idle just as with your technique to keep the boat in place against the lines until you get the stern spring, and bow lines in place.

Yvan Roy - 7 years ago

I need to try this, our dock is barely longer than my boat.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Huh, interesting technique. Thanks for sharing Dave.

popsi kopper - 8 years ago

Instead of using a stearn line, it's a lot easier using a spring line and some fenders up front. In calm weather, the difference might not be big, but as soon as wind and wave are added, with spring lines the boat is better under control.

You can learn a lot from watching how excursion boats, ferries or fishermen are doing it. Most use spring lines first.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Popsi.

Lee Cummings - 8 years ago

What other "Nifty" things can Phillip do with a rope? That's a joke no need to reply.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

No reply. ; )

Adventures of an old Seadog - 8 years ago

Nice video. I sail solo and I got a few ideas from your video. Not sure about getting off the boat with it still in gear though.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Barry. I had another follower tell me that too, so it seems to definitely be a concern. I'm just passing off the Pam trick. Maybe if you feel the boat is still enough. Go back to neutral or kill the engine and get off quickly with another line in hand. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

David Parkhurst - 8 years ago

Communication and a plan always help!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Well said David. Always important to know who's doing what before you get to the dock.

Greg Roberts - 8 years ago

BTW, those docking lines get expensive. Whip the ends of your lines. LOL! Great video!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

I know! I need to whip it! All others are but that one (our usual midship springer) needs some TLC!

Greg Roberts - 8 years ago

I always dock at my slip using a premeasured line. I, however leave my slip lines at the dock. I have other lines on board if going to another dock, etc. The slip stern line has a loop on the end and a tennis ball tied behind the loop five or ten inches. When I leave the slip I toss the stern line in the water. The tennis ball floats and keeps the stern line where I can easily get it with my boat hook. I just put the stern line loop over my winch and ease the boat into the slip. Works great for me.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Awesome idea about the tennis ball Greg. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like your plan is like ours in the reciprocal as you attach from the dock to the boat but same principles. Good tips here. Thank you!

David Richards - 8 years ago

cool content, thanks for running through it for us.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thank you for watching David. My pleasure!

Horst Kotte - 8 years ago

Thanks for the vids!

I prefer bridles for that situation, same concept but different. On my boat I run a long loop from the midship cleat (or chainplate bc I lack midship cleats) to the sheet winch. Coil the loop, split the coils between both hands and throw in a Y shape. With some practice you can catch a cleat from quite far. Then just haul in the line via the sheet winch and steam forward. Because of the triangle shape the stern is kept in check. Now step off the boat. I never leave my boat without a line attached somewhere. And yeah, it works in windy conditions as well.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Awesome. Thanks for sharing Horst. I would imagine the triangle shape, as you call it, would be a great way to spread the force to keep the boat parallel to the dock. Thanks for watching and commenting!

The Wind Catcher - 8 years ago

Good lesson!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks!

ForSeTi Trimaran - 8 years ago

sweet tutorial. One to remember

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks ForSeTi!

SV Tipsy Gypsy - 8 years ago

Hey Annie! Excited to say that we're starting to add videos now too. Hope you'll enjoy them :D
Mary + Tharon - www.svtipsygypsy.com

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey Mary! Hey Tharon. Wow, that's great. Very fun videos you've got there. Kudos! I subscribed!

MrTatts64 - 8 years ago

Rather than tying a bowline in that rope to make the loop[, you may want to have a look at a sheet bend. VERY simple (run the bitter end thru the loop twice if extra security is wanted) and pretty much forms the shape of a bowline anyway. Hope this helps some and well done!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheet_bend

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Cool, thank you!

MrTatts64 - 8 years ago

You're most welcome. Its the same knot I used to use to connect long lines when I worked on a fishing boat over here.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Mr. Tatts. I had another follower tell me about this as well so I will definitely try it. Appreciate you watching and commenting.

The Davis Group - 8 years ago

try a snubber works much better

kevin cosgrave - 7 years ago

The Davis Group 9

BeachBow - 8 years ago

Docking and anchoring will only lead to fights if the captain doesn't know what they're doing! LOL! You and Phillip have done this enough that yall are a well oiled machine! And that makes it even more fun!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks BeachBow. We have our moments too but they're getting to be fewer and farther between the more we dock, and this trick in particular is a handy one.

Loanword Eggcorn - 8 years ago

Thanks for the video! A couple quick comments: always step off a boat, especially smaller ones. Never jump. You should whip or tape or heat shrink the bitter end of the lines. You can use a sheet bend or double sheet bend to make a loop out of the dock line. It's quicker than a bowline and quite secure. If both ends of the line were plain, a reef knot would work. Sheet bend may be a little more secure in that use. Also, steering away from the dock is to have the motor thrust push the stern towards the dock. The stern line levers the whole boat into the dock due to the forward part of the motor thrust.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Loanwood. All very good points to add. Appreciate you watching and chiming in.

Dick Dixon - 8 years ago

It was great meeting you guys at Pirate's Cove a few weeks ago. If you would like to see a couple of photos of your boat please follow this link to my Flickr photography site..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23105746@N07/with/30348803235/

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Dick. Appreciate it. Was fun seeing you too!

Tony Ewing - 8 years ago

I have not an will never get off of my boat with the engine running in gear but I guess that's just me

ushoys - 6 years ago

Then you will never dock singlehanded without help from shore

Fred Read - 7 years ago

Tony Ewing when single handing sometimes you have to. Nothing wrong with that.

A Conneely - 7 years ago

argotittilius "should never " the famous words of somebody that knows fuck all

argotittilius - 7 years ago

you should never need to leave the boat when docking any small craft. If you get one line ashore led aft from the quarter the boat will hold itself forward, allowing you to get a head line ashore from the bow. Then and only then, when both stern and head lines are tight, should you step ashore to do the springs.

A Conneely - 7 years ago

So whats your answer for those that sail alone and are required to dock where there is no help available. . ?

sail fast - 7 years ago

I got an earfull from a dock master when I was younger,Still to this day I or anyone on my boat will not leave the boat until is 100% secure.

A Conneely - 7 years ago

OMG a spinning prop , panic panic

Tony Ewing - 8 years ago

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Agreed. Thanks Tony.

Tony Ewing - 8 years ago

If you guys choose to dock like this at least be as careful as you can because there is a spinning prop under the boat an no one would to see one of you guys hurt :/

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Oh, you mean AFTER it's docked? Yeah, that is so he can set up the other lines. The forward idle is needed to hold the tension against the aft springer. But, I completely understand if it's not something you feel comfortable doing. This is just the trick Pam taught us, so we're sharing it with others.

Tony Ewing - 8 years ago

Step four around 8:00 mins

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

There was no getting off Tony, that's the great part about it. You just step out of the cockpit to drop the line, but you most definitely stay on the boat! What made you think the helmsman ever stopped off the boat?

Mike Sedinger - 8 years ago

great info thank you

Jean Robillard - 8 years ago

Congrats! Now, what in your opinion would be the technique when winds are blowing and pushing you away from the dock? Remember that whatever mass your boat has, you would have to adjust the impulse of your motor pushing you away from the dock while attached to it (wherever that may be), and this means that your boat,s velocity has to be greater than that of the winds. And by doing so, you are increasing the amount of energy that your boat accumulates in the process. So, what do you do? (Crashing into the dock is thus a lot more highly probable.)

Walter - 8 years ago

Very interesting technical Question. BUT if you look at the video a few more times,,,,, it clearly shows you how to answer your own question. Either you have never been in a mariner or Highly Probable that your dog posted the comment.
Now the serious stuff,,,, to the Dog,,,,,
there is always wind in a mariner,,,,,,
Some boats have thrusters.....
DROP all sailsssss, that helps the accumulation of energy!
THE wind will be buffeted by lots of other boats,,,, because you are in a mariner!!!!
If the Marina is in a windy location we drop lots of pebbles into the water and create a blooody rock wall.
ANd you put those things on the side of your boat so you do not damage other boats.
Prop wash helps.
Other yacht person (man r woman) will always help you. THAT is what we do!

Your Question is fairly condescending and disrespectful.

Now get off the computer,,, Jean will be home soon.

Roy Clare - 8 years ago

Thanks for the demo. As a long-time single-hander I'm a great advocate of techniques that make docking ('berthing') easier. There are probably as many ways of doing it as there are economists with solutions to the national debt, but the principle is one that mariners for generations have known as 'using a spring'. It's possible to spring on, or to spring off. A rope attached to a cleat on the boat near the stern or the bow and run along the dock can be used to spring on or spring off. Best of all, however, especially when singlehanded or lightly crewed is a spring secured to a midships cleat, which uses a technique similar to the one you have demonstrated, but with greater versatility if the wind is blowing off the berth or if there is a cross-berth current. My own preference is not to obsess too much about the pivot point - but instead to focus on the merits of a system that keeps the line clear of the propellor; that is as short as possible once secured; and as near the mid point of the boat as possible. That way the boat can be held snugly against the dock and wind or current can't lever the boat off the berth at one end while the permanent lines are rigged. One other tip is to check out the range of boathooks available on the market that enable a loop to be placed on a dock cleat or the mooring eye of a buoy without leaving the boat or leaning over the side - the best of them work really well and once tried you'll wonder why you never had one earlier. In fact, more than one .... so that lines at both ends of the boat can be placed using the device. Anyhow, good sailing to you guys ..... and please keep the tips coming. None of us is too experienced to learn new tricks! Here's one of those boathooks that works well: https://youtu.be/3zhPsTtLy4c

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Great, thank you for sharing Roy!

LA Roberts - 8 years ago

Excellent tutorial. I too would have been a mid-ship springer, until now!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Lyle!

Robert Rafter - 8 years ago

such a sweet calming voice and yours isn't to shabby either Annie , well done on another great vid.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Ha ha. Hilarious. Good one Robert.

Frank LoGrande - 8 years ago

We rented a pontoon boat, and yes docking a boat for the first time ever was pretty darn intimidating, but I did have help from another person. Never knew about pivot points. Probably none on a pontoon boat , but good to know. Also did not know docking could be done with only one person. Yes, I have a lot to learn. I will learn more as I get closer to getting my own boat. You guys are really turning me onto sail boats. This is a great tip!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Ha ha. Will do! He likes to dock ... and all that jazz. : )

Frank LoGrande - 8 years ago

Tell him, I love his Jazz hands. Success is sweet!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Ha ha haaaa. "Mr Chatty." That was awesome!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Frank. Not sure if it will work quite the same on a pontoon, but maybe that means you should look more into sailboats. Just saying! Ha! Thanks for watching!

Mazda rx7 - 8 years ago

Thats the hard way, this is the easy way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8alNxLjCBJc

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Ha ha. I NEVER get tired of watching that scene. Phillip and I often hop off the boat, say "Hey!" and start dancing. Total tribute to Ron.

tazmun - 8 years ago

I have dumb question...once you reversed how do you avoid getting your dinghy's tow line caught in the boats prop? I see dinghy's long term towed so often...or at least so it appears and I can't help but wonder how this can help but happen.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey Tazmun. There are no dumb questions here. That's a good one and one that I was worried about when we first started towing our new dinghy a couple of months ago. When coming into the dock (the same time we're getting our dock lines out and ready), we pull in the painter line on the dinghy and cleat it as tight as it can so it goes straight from the chalk to the dinghy, just barely touching the water. That way it doesn't have enough slack to go below the water and foul the prop. Definitely a great question and something to be mindful of when you're coming into the dock while towing a dinghy.

Shaggy Wizard - 8 years ago

coolness :)

Shaggy Wizard - 8 years ago

LOL

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

+Shaggy Wizard Dockness!

100. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

pk13910 - 8 years ago

Wow. A whole lot different than docking an 18ft runabout on a lake.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Yeah. Ours is 35 feet, which is not really that big but definitely more weight and physics to think about than a small boat. Docking freaks a lot of people out (me, included in certain situations) so we hope this can help lower some heart rates, including my own, when nearing the dock. Thanks for watching!

Jorge Concheyro - 8 years ago

Hi Annie! Great video.
For your long continuous loop, you might try a Sheet Bend or a Double Sheet Bend
(www.animatedknots.com it's a great resource for knots), way more easy to tie than the Bowline, very useful in this case that you are tying 2 ends of rope, basically...
Although I wanted to tell you, over there in Pensacola there's a great YouTube creator who's a great machinist, Adam Booth (Abom79), check his channel (if you already haven't) so you can contact him maybe for some project (lathe, milling, welding) ... I guess. Cheers!!!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Cool, thanks so much for the tips Jorge. Much appreciated. I'll definitely check Adam out. Just cool to know someone else around here is creating YouTube content as well. I was fascinated by a lot of the machining work we had done during our re-fit. Amazing how precise those machines are! Thanks for watching.

Capt Chef Mark SV Alcina - 8 years ago

Hi Annie, l know how to get Phillip to talk more,give him rum. Nice work on docking, I will be doing some docking vlogs when I buy some new camera and other thing for it. Then I will show you about 4/5 ways to dock and I will I guarantee you it will open your mind up and you can not find theses on YouTube, just give me some time.And that was one of then you just did.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Oh cool, thanks Mark. We'll look forward to seeing them. Docking is such a huge stressor for people so it always helps to practice maneuvers. And, you are so right, I'm just now editing next week's film (don't tell anyone ... other than whoever reads this) it's going to be from our recent Boozer Cruiser out on the hook and I can assure Phillip is the very vocal star of the show. Want Video Phillip? Add rum. : )

Joshua Zeegers - 8 years ago

Well done Annie.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Sweet! Sounds like a great plan!

Joshua Zeegers - 8 years ago

HaveWindWillTravel.com hopefully I will be all ready to sail. By March when I plan on buying and moving aboard my own sailboat.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Thanks Josh. Appreciate you watching.

csranch2000 - 8 years ago

Very informative! Glad you did this one for all cruisers. My wife and I use a set of "Marriage Savers" headphone/mics and it helps everyone dock a little less stressful. Ha Ha. Good Karma to you Annie!! Charles

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey CSRanch. Yes, Captain Yannick and Phillip (his chosen docking spouse) used those during our Atlantic crossing and they are incredibly helpful on a larger boat where it's so hard to hear one another from bow to cockpit. Thanks for watching and the kind words. We definitely try to put out content that is helps others get out and enjoy cruising more. Big thanks to Pam Wall as well for helping me with this.

paul stratton - 8 years ago

great vid annie,now try adding 5 knot current,(depending on which way the tide was flowing )and having a draw bridge bout a 100 feet from where you dock,annnnd ,a boat on ither end of your docking spot,lol,it was a trick getting a 20 ton 60 foot schooner to do what you wanted .there were times we had to get a spring line on a piling and back her down into the dock ,our prop would pull us in.,,plus add 20 feet of bowsprit into the mess,lol.it was the hardest job I ever loved ,we did day sails

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

I can only imagine. I know the conditions were pristine when we did this but according to Pam it can work in all conditions. I'm glad you found it helpful!

SAILING PAU HANA - 8 years ago

Have you seen the "Spring line at mis-ship" self docking technique? Ive seen it on you-tube somewhere, but cant find a good video of that. Great lesson you provided btw. Thanks for sharing.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Very cool. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure it won't take you long to rack up friends all over. Cruisers are some of the best people I've ever met. So friendly and like-minded.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Aha! Glad you pointed that out. s/v Plaintiff's Rest has a similar origin. That's when the attorney representing the plaintiff (which Phillip does) finishes putting on his case and can finally ... rest. The moment you say "Your Honor, Plaintiffs rest" is a good feeling. Thanks for sharing and nice to eMeet you and Maria. Glad to have you guys following along. Are you guys living on the boat now? Where are you located?

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Hey Paul. Thanks for taking the time to find this. I'm no expert but did you see how quickly his bow was pulled in toward the dock because the dock line is cleated mid-ship. That's exactly what happened in my "pivot point too far forward" example in my video and it brought the bow into the dock. Pam was adamant about me stressing this and I can now see why. When you're coming in forward or backward toward a dock, your pivot point is generally going to be 1/3 up from the stern or back from the bow, generally not mid-ship. For the technique we have shown in my video, as I mentioned and Pam Wall made me edit, edit, edit to stress (for darn good reason) the pivot point is generally near your rudder post or companionway but tie the boat off in this final position and motor forward and away from the dock testing various points on your boat to find your pivot point. Once you do, this should making docking very easy for you. Please try it and let me know how it works for you by sharing here. Thanks Paul.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

You bet. I haven't seen that one, but I know Pam was adamant (for good reason) about me demonstrating the need to have the spring line using this method at the pivot point of the boat NOT mid-ship. If you find a video of it, though, please feel free to send it my way. I'm always interested how others do it.

Pass Me By - 8 years ago

Well done! Hey Phillip, don't be shy man!

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Ha. He's not. He just hates being "video personality." (His words.) Video Annie lives on! : )

LIX 59 - 8 years ago

Great, now let's do another video with winds 15 gusting to 20kts .. LOL

Josef Roesler - 7 years ago

+Emily BH
You sail a 40' ten ton boat into my municipal marina and you'll be finding somewhere else to dock. That's why working engines are a prerequisite for leasing.

dehdeh55 - 7 years ago

And 5 knots of current.
But I like the way this is all adjustable from the boat with only a single line.
I think this could work with no engine, but only if the wind was not too far fwd or aft.

Terrence Bradley - 7 years ago

Bradley"s Law: The amount of embarrassment to be incurred during docking is related to and directly proportionate to the number of people watching.

Dogy_ Gaming - 7 years ago

LIX 59

Emily BH - 7 years ago

+btsmanman
It is important to know how to make a landing in a sailboat in as many conditions as possible. You can't always rely on the engine or ideal weather conditions. It would behoove people buying big sailboats to learn to sail well on smaller dinghy sailboats without engines before they even think about getting a big boat. Too many on YouTube, IMHO, try to do it backwards.
It has zero to do with "looking cool" and everything to do with competence and safety.

btsmanman - 7 years ago

i think the important thing is for everyone to determine the right way for them to do it. And not be pressured by what others thing looks cool. Congrats on being shown by your father how to do things, not everyone is lucky enough to have this.

Emily BH - 8 years ago

Exactly. Everyone should know how to sail their sailboat up to a dock or mooring withOUT an engine. My father taught us how. We never used an engine on our full keel sailboat.

HaveWindWillTravel.com - 8 years ago

Ha. No thanks! But, I hear ya. They were perfect conditions, although Pam Wall claims this trick will work anytime, anywhere. So, give it a go!

About #81: How to Dock Single-Handed

The "#81: How to Dock Single-Handed" video is part of the Sealing, tipps, boating category, which contains similar videos like this one.