How To Dock Single Handed (Sailing Virgins) Ep.03 678 11

Sailing 6 years ago 48,985 views

From time to time you may need to bring a boat alongside with nobody but yourself. We find this single handed alongside method to be simple and efficient. For a detailed explanation of this method please check our blog post at: http://info.sailingvirgins.com/sailing-virgins-blog-dec2017/single-handed-alongside Support us and get free gear: https://www.patreon.com/sailingvirgins This is an advanced method for experienced sailors only. If you screw it up you can hurt yourself. Take care. The blog post outlines some of the risk areas. Here are the main parts to the method: 1. The Set Up (0:28) - which method you need to secure your bow and stern lines. 2. The Approach (2:41) - finding the slowest speed that still gives you steerage. 3. Securing (3:48) - going into reverse when about half a boat-length from your final desired position, having the boat inch forward, securing your stern line, locking it off, going into gentle forward, securing your spring, then walking forward and securing your bow line. 4. Finessing (5:00) - not really covered in this demonstration as there are so many different methods here. This method is about bringing your boat alongside and making it secure. We hope you get something out of this and look forward to your comments. Skipper James Kell is a Yachtmaster Instructor with the Royal Yachting Association. He runs Sailing Virgins, a Caribbean-based adventure sailing school dedicated to leveling up the sailing skills of people in their 20s and 30s. See https://sailingvirgins.com for information on courses.

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Erik Wahlström - 5 years ago

That was Level 1 - Elementary. The dock is empty with no other boats tied to it, the approach is upwind and the prop walk moves the stern to starboard as you reverse the engine, making it easy to step ashore. Now please give us a Level 2 video - Intermediate. You are for some reason forced to approach port side to the dock which makes your stern walk away from the dock when you reverse (that's the situation I have in my home marina). Lastly Level 3 - Advanced. There are already two boats at the dock and you have to tie up in the space between them. There is a brisk following breeze and your prop walk will force your stern away from the dock as you reverse. Now show us how to do it. My own advice would be: don't even try it. Anyway: the drone footage is superb.

Lolke Van de Witte - 5 years ago

Easy in light wind. Nicely done with the drone! Should have also mentioned propwash. Guess this ship has a left turning prop.

Lolke Van de Witte - 5 years ago

Sailing Virgins ah, sorry, propwalk. I’m Dutch, so I’m doïng my best with the language.
My prop turns left in forward. I do use propwalk when docking or sharp turning.
Nice video! Will also check out the other ones!

Sailing Virgins - 5 years ago

Thanks! Yes propwalk (as opposed to wash) can be a thing on some boats. This boat is saildrive, so propwalk is negligible. When propwalk isn't an issue (and even when it is) I prefer to use the momentum of the boat to help tuck us in.

bcbit01 - 5 years ago

Great job. Just goes to show that, with some general logical knowledge, prior planning, and PATIENT operation under power letting the momentum do the work, otherwise edgy maneuvers can be done quite calmly and confidently. Best thing about this approach, very easy to abort and try again. But.....gotta learn to tie a cleat hitch. Ha. Nice boat. Nice job.

Bjørn49 - 5 years ago

It`s easy in calm weather , but try this in strong wind and current !!!

Jay P. - 5 years ago

Thank you, but I didn't understand why leave it in gear?

Matteo - 5 years ago

He leaves in gear because he is mixing ub techniques. When you are short on crew, and you want to dock alongside you can rig a mid ship line. When you are at the dock you put that mid ship line on shore and (when the line is properly secure) you can engage forward (just engage at minimum) and put rudder off the berth (in this case with the berth to stbd would be wheel to port or tiller to stbd). When the boat is in this position, it stays like that as long as the rudder is blocked in the correct position. When boat is stable you can step on shore and sort the other lines and springs out. When you are done, disengage forward and turn off the engine.
Do not follow this guy, he made a couple of major mistakes (the angle of approach and the stern line first) in the easiest situation possible.

Winded Voyage Sailing - 5 years ago

You guys have my favorite how-to vids. Wished I'd seen you when I was starting out 3 years ago. I still watch to either comfirm my techniques with yours, and in most cases I end up learning more from you guys. Thanks!

Winded Voyage Sailing - 5 years ago

@Sailing Virgins ur welcome. I got a channel too. I'm Cape Verde. Awesome here! Good to confirm your sailing stamina.

Sailing Virgins - 5 years ago

Thanks for the feedback!

SV Impavidus (Ant & Cid Sailing) - 5 years ago

Whats your thoughts on the mid cleat first method. When we were in the UK with big tides, strong winds fast flows it was the only way we taught our peeps to moor to docks and maintain control. Sail Safe Ant & Cid xx

Sailing Virgins - 5 years ago

Yes I agree Ant & Cid, when there's a decent tidal flow running, this method isn't effective, and you need to resort to mid-cleat method. The only bummer with that is it no longer becomes a single-handed method, as nobody I know is able to work the helm as well as jump to midships to deal with the cleat. In that case I'd set up with elephant-ears over the guardrails at midships, do a pass of the dock and see someone there can take a line, then come in. Or get the timing right on the tides so you can perform the maneuver when there is no flow. Hope that helps!

koroskaforever - 5 years ago

Nice job!

Neil Ewins - 5 years ago

Great vid. i decided to watch this has yesterday doing the dock leap to tie off I slipped and went between the boat. Luckily i grabbed the guard rail and pulled my self up with out getting wet. But lesson learned. I love the elephant ears and the loop, much safer thank you.

Sailing Virgins - 5 years ago

Jeez Neil, glad to hear you're OK! Glad we can help.

10. comment for How To Dock Single Handed (Sailing Virgins) Ep.03

Cindy Reid - 5 years ago

Great work! Most of my friends have their own boat so I'm single handing a lot and we meet up and raft off at anchor. I would like to see another perspective on how you handle rafting off if possible. I really enjoy your videos they're awesome!

WSario - 5 years ago

Another great job...thanks for sharing...

Tim Fenton - 5 years ago

These are good videos - well made and, as far as I can see, based on a high level of experience and skill. And great to see some old haunts. One thought - centre cleat would be better for single handed docking, especially when wind not conveniently on the nose.

Thompson BMX - 5 years ago

This will definitely help prepare me to pop my single hand alongside cherry.

Mo River - 5 years ago

Great video! The drone shots are awesome. I too do this but always take one of my hook poles with me in case of a wind gust mess up my dock plan, sometimes using the second pole from the bow to work the bow to the dock and bumpers before stepping out. Great job.

Mark de Loose - 5 years ago

great video's. Good to see the basics again reminding me of the details on how to do it.

Charlie McGrain - 6 years ago

I single hand all the while. Just a couple of points might help: 1 always lead the forward docking line all the way aft to the cockpit so I have two lines ready to take ashore with me. On larger boats the forward line I lead aft is a spring line, cleated aboard midships. 2: Only leave the engine in gear if the bow is going to get blown off the jetty. Wait until you have secured your stern line, in a breast line position is best, then turn the helm toward the dock (tiller would be "away" from the dock) and put the engine in forward gear. This will try to push the stern away from the dock, thus levering the bow back toward the dock, turning on your aft fender. 3: Using your video as our example: If you had a strong wind blowing from the dock it would have pushed you away on your angle of approach. Keep in mind our boats turn from the stern and pivot around our center line, so you can approach the dock (very slowly) as if you were going to t-bone it, straight on and then, as you get close begin your turn. 4: Lastly. If the wind had been blowing strongly from the left of the shot in the video, onto your bow as you were approaching, then come along side the space at the jetty, almost as if you were about to parallel park a car, but lined up with the space, and slowly, using your helm let the bow fall off toward the jetty, then use the power of the wind blowing on the bow and a little "port" helm, in your case, with controlled engine power you can let the boat crab across the water right into the space at the jetty. The whole boat can be made to crab sideways quite easily. I have had quite a few rounds of applause from jetty watchers for that maneuver. It is very satisfying. Single handers should always try and do everything from the cockpit and as you say set up is key. Picking up a mooring buoy, deploying drogues and sea anchors, even throwing the anchor overboard (on smaller boats) are all best done from the cockpit. Just lead the necessary lines aft. Great videos. Love your work. Beautifully shot too!

Capt Chef Mark SV Alcina - 5 years ago

Charlie McGrain , very well said as this is what I do.

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Hi Charlie, thanks for your comments. There are a few discrepancies we would debate here, but hey if it works for you, then that's all that matters. Enjoy!

No Regerts - 6 years ago

Hey gents, unreal videos. Content and editing. Was just wondering what sort of ropes you’re using and what length. Appreciate the teaching style. Cheers

hoofixrman martin - 5 years ago

Love your vids...not too long and well made!

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Thanks for the love Ben! We have a 40' boat so here's what we like: 15m (45') lengths of 14-16mm (5/8") diameter line. The line needs to have a bit of elasticity and is easier to handle when it is supple, so we like double braided nylon core line, even though this is more expensive than the old three-strand that you see on many boats. We find 15m lengths are a great balance, as they are long enough to keep the boat on the dock but not too long that they get unruly. And when we need longer we just double-sheet-bend them together (here's how to tie a double sheet bend: https://youtu.be/o8Vx6m8n4F4). Hope that helps!

Nigel Donald - 6 years ago

And keep the helm steering away from the dock when the rear spring line goes on keeps the boat nicely along side the dock & always ensure the first line to go on is rear of your boats pivot point.

Gonzalo Peñaloza - 6 years ago

Excelent video! I sail a smaller boat and I dock it very similar to what you've shown. My only concern is leaving the boat with the engine running, I rather prefer to do everything from onboard, spring and bow line, in a similar way to what you've shown for the stern line.
Again, thanks for the great shots and explanations. In my opinion, preparation in advance makes 90% of a successful docking...

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Gonzalo Peñaloza thanks for your comments. Great if you have developed a method that works for you. Let us know if you have any suggestions for new episode topics! Cheers.

20. comment for How To Dock Single Handed (Sailing Virgins) Ep.03

SAILING PAU HANA - 6 years ago

What position was the rudder in when you were in gear and off of the boat?

SAILING PAU HANA - 6 years ago

Awesome..thank you. We will try it

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

SAILING PAU HANA hi and thanks for the question! Rudder position is somewhat dependent on your boat and cleat position. It should always work with neutral rudder. In our experience on Libertas (a First 40) it pays to turn away from the dock a bit to straighten the boat out (ie to stop the bow pointing to the dock). We suggest trying neutral rudder and then refining it for your boat by playing with different rudder positions.

Nick E - 6 years ago

As about as good as it gets with the production and instruction. Keep it up! Subscribed:)

Giles Taylor - 5 years ago

I always hear comments like this in the voice of the actors on 'to catch a predator' when they read out the chat logs

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Nick Evertsen thanks! This motivates us hugely.

numberfool - 6 years ago

Really well done. A lot of practical tips and I like the line setup. May I suggest as a sailor your next knot is the cleat hitch :)

Kankudai - 6 years ago

Outstanding, very helpful. Well done.

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Thanks @Kankudai! Feel free to subscribe, we release a new episode every two weeks. :)

Darren Parsons - 6 years ago

Nicely done. Have tried something similar in my power boat - just left it in neutral. Will have to give it a go with her in gear - just have to wait about three months to get back on the water

JT Quinn - 6 years ago

Like a boss.

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

<3 cheers brother

Chris Hilger - 6 years ago

Great video! Question: @2:20 you talk about how it is best to "cleat on a cleat". That seems like the only reasonable way to do it. How else would you tie to a cleat? a knot??

Jack Karger - 6 years ago

Quite often people will start with a bowline on the cleat. If someone catches your line and locks it on at the dock and you suddenly need to leave you have no way of dropping the line!

Sailing Inspire - 6 years ago

Siick as guys keep it up

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Sailing Inspire thanks

Alex Lebegue - 6 years ago

Well done with the drone shot! Definitely helps for an alongside video!

Sailing Virgins - 6 years ago

Alex Lebegue thanks man

About How To Dock Single Handed (Sailing Virgins) Ep.03

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