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Big problem for a rookie sailor

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Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/01/2006 : 21:14:28

I made a huge mistake docking last week and almost drowned in 45 degree f water (Lake Michigan). I missed a jump from my C25 to my stardock, landed in the water and my boat drifted away. I know, dont jump, where a life jacket, etc... I just got careless and didnt respect the water.
Now for my question: Does anyone have a recommendation for docking in a stardock single handed in gusty winds? The problem was I lost my forward momentum approaching the dock and and would have started to drift if I didnt get the boat tied down quickly. Thus the jump.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2006 : 21:27:03

Not entirely sure what you mean by a star dock...

First, the drift or jump doesn't mean you will be strong enough to keep the boat even if you do land the jump.

Try this method, While at the dock, get a half inch diameter dock line and set it as a spring line from the aftermost spot on your dock to the winch. This is your brake. Next, get a sternline from the aft cleat to the aft end of the dock.

As you approach, keep your speed up (most days you'll be in neutral)and have your dockside fenders out. your only concern is to grab the spring line, and attach it to the can under the lifeline. Once you do that kill the engine, push your tiller over into the dock. The spring line will keep you from going forward and the tiller will cause the wind to push you into the dock. Attache the stern line then get off and walk your way up to attache the dockside bow line. from there it's just a matter of grabing the other lines, but your really completely set with just the three.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 05/01/2006 : 22:18:44

I learned the hard way to not go too slow. In conditions with current and wind you need enough speed/momentum to counter contrary forces.
I Practiced.
I practiced docking maneuvers until I had confidence in my ability to quickly get the OB controls from forward into reverse. I have confidence in my OB to bring my boat to a quick stop. I Practiced until I had a very good feel for the abilities of the boat.
Get as many Big fenders as you can afford. I have a big ball fender that I keep on my foredeck close to my boat hook. If a collision is imminent, I can flip that big 'ol ball over the side that its needed on.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2006 : 22:40:59

What's a stardock? Is that where Billy Joel keeps his Hinckley? [:-)]

Like Duane says - set some lines that can be grabbed easily when approaching the dock. Like Mike says - practice...a lot. Also, have a boathook handy in gusty conditions.

There's also no shame in aborting the attempt, going around and trying it again - it beats falling in the water. Obviously, you don't want to shut the motor off prematurely so that you can back-off or power-up as needed.

Just noticed your name...maybe it was just Murfy's Law in action. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 05/01/2006 22:43:12

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2006 : 22:43:23

Edited by - on

EAbrams
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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 07:52:35

Wow Don

Starboard tack with about a 10 percent heel. I don't think you would be eligible for the Nationals though? And that is a really deep keel

Edited by - EAbrams on 05/02/2006 07:53:09

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 08:49:40

This link takes you to a handy maneuvering guide written by Capt. Jack Klang. We saw him at the Strictly Sail show in Oakland and he does a great job of explaining docking techniques.

http://www.quantumsails.com/pdf/maneuvering.pdf

Edited by - on

Cloudveil
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 10:09:21

Hey Jmurfy - I recommend Jack Klang's procedures.
I learned the system from him a couple of years
ago, and it works. (But only with practice.)
When you get comfortable with his system, you
never have to do the jump from the boat deal.
Jack lives in Michigan, and sails Lake Erie when
he is not traveling for New England ropes doing
his seminars.

Pam - We were also at the Oakland show, and watched Jack do his
deal there. The problem with the show is, I fell in love with
the Catalina 470 they showed!
John
'89C25WK 5973 "Uzumati"

Edited by - on

Trust Me
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 11:40:09

Having single handed a lot on lake michigan and superior I understand the need to make a quick secure tie to the dock by yourself. Before attempting I deploy fenders on the side of the boat I know I must use in meeting the dock (or in your case the end of the star dock). Sometimes I will actually motor by once to measure the influence of the wind on stopping. I then prepare by attaching a dock line to the bow cleat on that side and bring it back to the cockpit along the outside of the stanchions with a few loops around the winch to get it ready. I then tie off another dock line (same approach side) on the stern cleat and coil it in the cockpit. When approaching the dock I slow the motor to almost a stall remove the bow line from the winch and flip it over the closest dock cleat and tighten it back on the winch to bring the side of the boat into the dock. Once touching the dock I cleat the bow line while still on the winch. The boat may move forward a little more but will gradually tighten as the boat moves against the dock. Once I am against the dock I kill the motor and tie up the stern line and reset the bow line. In some cases I must walk the boat from the end of the dock into the slip but that is usually much easier to do standing on the dock and the boat secured.
This technique can be done under sail but you need to have your main at the ready to be dropped just before you flip your dock line over the cleat. Practice gives you a feel for what the boat will do in different wind speeds. Practicing this technique on a mooring is a great excercise.
Yours,
Ron

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 14:52:41

I must admit that our first time out by ourselves we totally embarassed ourselves. Since we back out of our slip and I am more nimble than my wife, I elected to push the boat out and let her steer. We are about 3/4 of the way into a cove and must back out and then go forward to leave. My wife put the OB in forward after we cleared the dock, but forgot to move the motor to steer. By the time I made it back to the motor and tiller we hit the sailboat 2 slips down. I have never felt so bad in my life and my wife was just frozen. Luckily we didn't do much damage (more to our boat than the other one) and we went ahead and went out. My wife just can't get the the tiller operation straight in her head. We are thinking the same thing Practice, Practice and Practice. I guess we can't expect to know it all on the first sail.. Yes we have taken lessons and took the boat out twice before we purchased her.

Edited by - on

Cate
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199 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 15:19:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 I must admit that our first time out by ourselves we totally embarassed ourselves. Since we back out of our slip and I am more nimble than my wife, I elected to push the boat out and let her steer. We are about 3/4 of the way into a cove and must back out and then go forward to leave. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We have a similar departing situation and have not practiced as new owners. I was thinking we would put the autopilot pole on the tiller and keep it straight and just use the OB to steer out and back in. Will definitely read Cpt. Klang's docking techniques.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 16:05:06

When its windy you have to come in a little faster than normal. I'd suggest docking and undocking about 12 times each day just for practice. Start on a day thats not too windy and work your way up. Here is how I dock single handed under power I can also do it under sail no problem.

(1) enter fairway at about 2 knots with fenders deployed on downwind side. Have 1 dockline ready. I have a couple of fenders permanently installed on each dock end. (On the DOCK not the boat).
(2) shift to neutral
(3) go to forward and give the throttle a twist if you need a little more speed. The more wind and current the faster you go.
(4) Turn into dock. I pretend the dock is 5 feet longer than it is and constantly advance my aim point along it as I slide up. Rarely I need a blast of engine in reverse.
(5) Step off boat with dockline in hand. I use my stern line but the bow line would be better. Take a couple of wraps on the cleat, then go secure the bow.

If you can do this you can sail in, too. I do so under main, luffing it to keep speed under 2 knots. I'll drop it 1/2 way down the fairway if its really windy, else just let the mainsheet go.

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 19:57:14

I was at the 2006 Alameda boat show at Jack London Square and talked to Capt. Jack Klang during a demo and agreed with every thing he mentioned, this guy knows and has tried a lot of varyious situations,except letting go of the dock line and have it drop into the water.I thought it would wind up in the prop or around the rudder.
His fast reply to me was his dock line floats.

Capt. Jack Klang is on his hands and knees demoing with toy boats, dock lines and docks and sails going into detail on each move.
If you didn't under stand he did it over.

I'm in love too.....

paulj C250wk #719

Edited by - on

Paul
1st Mate

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57 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 20:50:08

There's no law that says you've got to get it right the first time. I put in today and it took me two tries to tie up comfortably.

Assuming star docks are unique to the Chicago harbors, we're from the same neighborhood. I'm also a new 25 owner, mooring in Monroe.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 20:55:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Duane Wolff
 ...Try this method, While at the dock, get a half inch diameter dock line and set it as a spring line from the aftermost spot on your dock to the winch. This is your brake...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I use this same technique and it makes docking simply effortless. As I'm gently gliding into the slip, I grab the dockline loop from the end of the finger dock and simply place it on the coaming winch. The length of this line is such that it will stop the boat before it touches the dock ahead. This technique makes docking so easy that I politely decline offers of help from guests aboard because they would only complicate things. My dock neighbors, who always assist other boaters coming in, don't even bother to ask me if I need help anymore.

Steve gave an important tip concerning having a boathook at the ready. I keep an extendable one in the cockpit locker and when pulling into a slip other than my own, I'll place it on the cabintop just inboard of the 7 loop handrails just in case I need it in a hurry. It can also be used after stepping off your boat to keep it from drifting away while you secure the docklines.

Edited by - on

Jmurfy
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USA
176 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 22:48:27

Thanks for all the great responses (including the laughs). FYI, a stardock is a finger dock. If you want to see mine and have Google Earth downloaded, my coordinates (at Belmont Harbor in Chicago) are 41 56' 43.72" North & 87 38' 22.62" West. I'm going to read over all the replies again and view the link from Pam.
My 1st year sailing and owning a boat for that matter was last season and I had a mooring at Monroe harbor in Chicago. I had that down to a science. I think that is why I got sloppy and didnt respect the the stardock maneuvering. I cant simply over shoot the dock like I could the mooring and there are other boats within a couple of feet instead of 25 feet so if I lose my forward momentum I also lose my steering abilty. I will definetly have a dockline cleated as a stern and spring line that I can grab off the pier as Duane recommended. I also will add some fenders to the dock. One thing I never will do again is step off the boat without it being tied down in some way to the dock!
Paul, good luck with your boat at Monroe. Hope to see you out on the lake sometime. My boats name is "My Joy" and is a 1985 Catalina 25 standard rig.

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2006 : 23:20:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jmurfy
 My 1st year sailing and owning a boat for that matter was last season and I had a mooring at Monroe harbor in Chicago. I had that down to a science. I cant simply over shoot the dock like I could the mooring...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Meaning that you had perfected a method for jumping off in order to retrieve the mooring line?

Just kidding!

Edited by - on

Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 06:58:56

So, where do you tie up your dingy? It doesn't appear that there is any connection between the stardock and land or other docks? Great view on Google.

Edited by - on

atgep
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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 08:36:46

Practice makes perfect with Docking. If you are using the outboard, you will will never loose directional control. When in close, I usually let the tiller go and steer just with the outboard. This has worked well for me and I have only used up one bow light! When backing up, I do hold the tiller to keep it as faired as possible.

Turing the outboard, It is possible to turn the boat in its own length.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 20:20:42

Lots of good advice here, Jeff. I'm just glad you're OK. A friend's wife made a similar jump, missed the dock, got hurt on the way down into the water, and then was almost crushed between the dock and the boat! BTW, I put a midship cleat on each of my genoa tracks--they can be very useful for spring lines and quick tie-ups. The winches are also good for throwing on a looped line that you leave hooked to the outermost piling.

Edited by - on

IndyJim
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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 22:03:13

Just piling on here... Ever year I go to Strictly Sail in Chicago and every year I devote about 2 hours to watching and listening and learning from Jack Klang at Quantum Sails. I learned a wealth of docking lessons in a very short time. And I put them to practice immediately. Jack is the best!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2006 : 22:12:20

When backing out of the rather tight quarters at my slip, I use the tiller and outboard independently for greater control of the boat. When I'm heading out, I first center both tillers and start backing straight out of the slip. As soon as I have enough steerageway, I put the outboard in neutral and push its tiller hard to port. After my bow has cleared the boat next to me, I gradually push the boat's tiller to starboard to move the stern to port. As my stern approaches the boats parked behind me and with the boat's tiller still to starboard, I put the outboard in forward and give it just a little throttle. The thrust of the outboard further pushes the stern to port as I'm still backing up and after I have my clearance forward, I gradually move both tillers to centerline and transition to moving forward.

Edited by - on

tomara
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 15:58:57

Jeff:
If you have some time just sit by the harbor and watch other stardock sailors move around and do their thing. Chicago is highly unique in the harbors and docking layout.
When I moved to Texas from Chicago I couldn't believe that sailing and docking could be so different.
I spend a lot of time watching the Cedar Mills sailors at Lake Texoma and am starting to figure this out. I've had one or two close calls but each time entering and departing gets easier.
So.......Sit,watch,and have fun!

Edited by - on

dlucier
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Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 17:26:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tomara
 Jeff:
If you have some time just sit by the harbor and watch other stardock sailors move around and do their thing. Chicago is highly unique in the harbors and docking layout.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Tommy,

What exactly is a stardock???

Edited by - on

tomara
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 18:25:24

Don:
This pic is overhead pic of Belmont Harbor in Chicago.
Note the typical vertical and horizontal docks all in rows...and then look at the sort of circular forms to the right of those docks. o..which are the stardocks.

Stardocks look like an Starfish with 8 legs. Between each leg 1 boat is able to dock..and therefore 8 boats total can dock at 1 stardock. 8 noses (bows) all pointing toward the center of the stardock.
Good ol Chicago...the city that works..that toddlin' town..generates revenue from every conceivable source. But the harbor is beautiful.

Edited by - on

tomara
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 05/05/2006 : 18:39:45

Don:
I forgot to mention: At Belmont Harbor and other harbors at Chicago's lakefront there is quite a variety of stardocks, stalls, docks, and moorings (cans).

The views of Chicago's lakefront and harbors are magnificent from the air, out on the lake, or on ground level at the harbors...especially during sailing season.
http://www.chicagoharbors.info/

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