[C320-list] FW: Docking

[Koen Bennebroek]

During our Basic Cruising class we learned it the James Bond way (bonus):
 
- approach slowly close to the side where your slip is
- when approx 2 boats away, shift into reverse and turn hard away from the shore. The idea is that your boat, while turning 90 degrees, continues moving toward your slip (but probably also slightly away from shore, so you need to approach close to shore, but with enough space to let your stern swing out without hitting anything)
- if you time it well, your boat is turned 90 degrees at the point where you line up with your slip. At the same time, both your forward and your sideways movements have stopped
- apply a short but strong boost of reverse power to get going without too much propwalk and back your boat into your slip
 
Looks very cool.
Disclaimer: "don't try this at home" (practice in open water)

----- Original Message ----
From: allan.field at comcast.net
To: C320-List <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 12:00:42 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] FW: Docking


As soon as I start to turn-out, I shift into reverse and start to increase RPM's.  By the time the boat is lined up with the slip, I am at about 2,000 RPM's, the prop walk has been neutralized and the boat is moving backwards in a straight line.

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Greg Battersby <gjbattersby at probatter.com> 

> I recently stepped up to a 320 from a C-30 which I had had for a number of 
> years. I’ve been sailing a variety of different sailboats for more than 25 
> years. 
> 
> 
> 
> The configuration with a swim platform on the back seemed conducive to 
> backing into my slip rather than going in head first as I had done over the 
> years with the C-30 and other boats. I share a slip with a 28’ powerboat and 
> when I back in, the finger pier is on my port side and he is on my starboard 
> side. There are no pilings. It’s pretty tight and there isn’t a tremendous 
> amount of room between me and my neighbor. 
> 
> 
> 
> The first couple of times I came in I was able to back the boat in with 
> minimal problems. I approached from the starboard side, slowed down, 
> swung to starboard as I was passing my neighbor; came to a dead stop, kicked 
> it into reverse, and backed in with a little help from the dock wheel and 
> prop wash that took me to starboard--against the dock. Today there was a 
> little more wind than before and it was a disaster. After about 5 tries and 
> thoroughly embarrassing myself (Happy Father’s Day!), we finally made it in. 
> Fortunately, my neighbor was out or else the disaster would have been a 
> catastrophe. 
> 
> 
> 
> Anyone have any sage advice on docking, particularly the backing in type? 
> I’m struggling enough with a couple of able body hands on board--the thought 
> of trying to single-handedly dock this boat is now intimidating. 
> 
> 
> 
> Greg Battersby 
> 
> C-320 #210 
> 
> Windeage 
> 
> Westport, CT 
> 
> 
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