[C320-list] Backing into slip

[Joe Barrett]

I use a product called a Deck Caddy available at West Marine. It is a
fiberglass pole with a hook on top. It is screwed into the dock at my bow to
hold the bow lines when out sailing. They are sitting there waiting for you
on your return.
Joe Barrett
-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David J Gleason
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:02 AM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Cc: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Backing into slip

Randy:

Welcome to the C320 list.  This is the greatest thing on earth, second only
to the 320 itself.

When backing, I have found the boat to be less maneuverable as the flow of
water over the rudder is much less.

Depending on what prop you have, there may be some difference in handling.
My previous boat had a two blade folding prop and in reverse wasn't worth a
damn.  My three blade will stop the boat in less than its length.

I do not back in, but can give you some of my thoughts.  Our slip faces
South with the cat walk on the starboard side.  We approach the slip from
the East, so our turn is to port.

I try to maintain about two knots speed when approaching my dock.  I turn
hard when the bow is about even with the first stern post, my slip is 14'
wide.  This kills some of the speed, but leaves me with about 1 knot to
maneuver into the slip.  Depending on wind direction, I may hit reverse in
idle when half way in the slip.  This allows my wife to catch the stern line
on the port post.  I shift into neutral until she has the bow lines.  I can
adjust boat position with the forward and reverse as needed.  If I have
another capable crew, they will grab the starboard stern line.  With both
stern lines attached, I can apply forward power as needed to adjust the
position of the bow.

A couple of things that help are:

I have permanent eyes spliced in all four dock lines.  It is only necessary
to drop them over the cleats and the boat is in its final position.  No
adjusting necessary.

The two bow lines are attached together with light line and a small float
between them.  There is a light line that extends back to the cat walk. 
This keeps the float in a position that is easy to grab with the boat hook.
They never sink or drift away.

I have the starboard fenders in place as we approach.  If there is a strong
cross wind, we catch the starboard stern line and attach it over the sheet
winch.  I can then apply forward power which pulls us up against the catwalk
so we do not drift down on our dock partner.  We then attach the bow lines
and can still reach the port stern line by standing on the stern scoop with
an adjustable boat hook.  Our dock is 40' in length.

Every boat owner seems to have their own way of doing things.  I have found
that the permanent eyes in the lines works for me.  The idea of tying the
bow lines together was something I picked up from another boater.  

Dave Gleason
Proud Mary, #150

On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:42:12 -0700 "Randy Averill" <randy at averillnet.com>
writes:
> Another new owner question.
> 
> I've had my 320 for less than a month and my biggest problem right now 
> is parking.  My previous boat was much smaller and lighter, and I 
> learned to maneuver it into the slip rather easily with its outboard 
> motor and tiller.
> Now I would greatly appreciate the voice of experience helping me out.
> 
> I approached my first couple times into the new slip with the 320 with 
> great caution.  This boat can coast a long way and I can't afford to 
> overshoot my slip (I'm at the end of the runway) so I slowed to a 
> crawl.  I used a "Y"
> approach in that I came forward down the runway to my slip, turned 
> hard to port (away from the slip), and then backed in after completing 
> a 90 degree turn to port.  I actually parked fairly well, but it took 
> forever because I was going so slowly.
> 
> Last time out was my first problem because there was some wind blowing 
> me into the dock.  I think if I came in faster the wind would have 
> less effect (i.e., it would have less time to blow me around), but I 
> don't know how fast is too fast.  Does anybody have a rule of thumb 
> you could offer?  If you're coming in a idle, how early do you put 
> your transmission in neutral?
>  How
> much time to stop the boat with reverse?  Any good way to get a better 
> feel for this on open water?  I'm not sure I trust my ability to 
> transfer the open water experience to the marina because it's so 
> tight.  Any good stories to make me laugh and relax?
> 
> 
> Randy Averill
> Tesoro (#29)
> 
>