#81: How to Dock Single-Handed
Sailing 7 years ago 372,933 views
If docking has ever been a sore spot for you and your significant other or if the inability to dock the boat alone has hindered your cruising, Phillip and I hope this video demonstration can help. Being able to bring a boat in safely single-handed is a crucial skill for any sailor both for ease of docking and in case of an emergency where the Captain or a crew member is somehow unable to assist with docking. Plenty more "How To's" at https://havewindwilltravel.com, and thank Pam Wall at http://www.pamwall.com, as well, for this easy single-handed docking trick. Give it a try and let us know if this handy trick works for you in a comment below.
“How to dock single handed at a long dock with a small boat and no wind “ would be a more appropriate title
10. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed
20. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed
Carb settings
30. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed
I liked the bowline demo...haha. I nearly fell asleep though.... Took half a vid just to get to the action....
50. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed
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!
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.
You can learn a lot from watching how excursion boats, ferries or fishermen are doing it. Most use spring lines first.
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.
Mary + Tharon - www.svtipsygypsy.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheet_bend
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23105746@N07/with/30348803235/
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8alNxLjCBJc
100. comment for #81: How to Dock Single-Handed
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!!!
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.
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.
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.