[C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts - Docking

[Chris Burti]

Dennis,
I have a factory OEM three bladed prop, which gives me excellent control in
reverse in a cross wind up to about 20 knots...as long as it is clean. It is
amazing what a few barnacles do to the efficiency of this prop in reverse
though. When it is even a little fouled, good control is limited after about
10 knots.


On Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 8:18 PM, Dennis Harris <dharris02 at suddenlink.net>wrote:

> Chris,
>
> Thanks for your suggestions.  I normally back down the fairway and into the
> slip (in fairwind conditions), but this puts me in a down wind / cross wind
> configuration, which is limited to about 10 kts. wind (if there is much of a
> crosswind component) if the approach is to be made at low speed.  More wind
> can cause momentary loss of control and can spin the boat around to any
> undesired angle.  Your suggestion of going downwind bow first past the slip
> and then backing up wind and then into the slip is a good one and would help
> eliminate the tendency for the boat to fall off/spin which the down wind
> backing approach creates.  I'll try practicing this a bit also.  However, in
> high wind conditions, I believe that I will favor a bow first docking in the
> slip because I believe that I will have better directional control.
>
> My line set up is essentially same as you suggest: double braided lines on
> pilings, second set on boat, and additional lines on boat for doubling up.
> Also, I carry a good number of fenders.
>
> I am comfortable with backing the boat....I stand a little to one side as I
> steer it in reverse.  That puts me in a good position to keep a watch on
> both ends of the boat.
>
> Again thanks for you advice.
>
> Dennis Harris C320 #694
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Burti" <clburti at gmail.com>
>
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:56 AM
>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts
>
>
> To add to Jeff's good advice:
>>
>> In your situation as described and when in higher winds, don't turn in the
>> fairway at the slip and try to back straight in as the SW wind will blow
>> the
>> bow off every time as you transition from forward to reverse.
>>
>> Experiment in lower winds to get a feel for how she handles and learn
>> under
>> a lot less stress. don't forget to allow for current as well as wind if
>> applicable.
>>
>> Slowly pass by the slip a couple of boat lengths, stop, reverse and start
>> backing straight up the fairway on the windward side. Once you start
>> making
>> about one knot of speed in reverse (about a boat length usually if your
>> prop
>> is clean), you should have ample steering control to largely overcome the
>> effect of the wind and any prop walk.
>>
>> Some folks find it easier to back while standing forward of the wheel and
>> face aft.Turn into the slip while *mentally* trying to hit the windward
>> pilings. It is actually kind of hard to hit them because even though you
>> are aiming high the wind will cause the boat to fall off some. Pick up
>> your
>> dock lines on the windward side and worry about the leeward ones later.
>> You
>> should have at least one springline and if only one, that one should be on
>> the windward side for the prevailing winds.
>>
>> While on this subject; you should consider having three sets of dock
>> lines.
>> One regular 5/8" set tied to the pilings with chafing gear and adjusted so
>> that you can simply slip the loop through and over the cleats without
>> further adjustment. They get left behind when you go  and are always ready
>> when you return. A traveling set of 1/2" double braid, 4 - 20' and 2 -
>> 30'.
>> they will be adequate for gales and are much easier to toss and store than
>> larger lines and three strand. Finally, a brand new set of 5/8" lines
>> saved
>> for storms.
>>
>> Personally, I favor double braid for all my dock lines. They are not so
>> pricey if you catch them on sale or get a good eBay deal. As the Admiral
>> usually handles the dock lines, they are worth their weight in gold for
>> their ease of use. The first set I bought was my travelling lines and she
>> really complained about the price...The first time she used them was to to
>> toss the spring line to someone on a dock about 25' off in wind and
>> current
>> and it went straight to their hand...she has never questioned the price
>> again.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 9:08 AM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dennis,
>>>
>>>  The most important rule in my book is Minimum Headway Speed.  Don't go
>>> any
>>>
>>> faster than you'd want to be going if you knew you were going to hit
>>> something.
>>>
>>> Even with wind, current/waves, before you head into the slip area, figure
>>> out how slow you can go and maintain steerage, and what angle to wind /
>>> waves the bow needs to point to travel the direction you want.
>>>
>>> Put out lots of fenders at appropriate places to protect your boat and
>>> others.
>>>
>>> While it seems counter intuitive, *avoid* using the throttle at ALL COST
>>> during your approach.
>>>
>>> Put the throttle at about idle and go in and out of gear to manage your
>>> speed.  This technique makes it much easier to focus on holding down boat
>>> speed and the precision of your approach.
>>>
>>> Again, GO SLOWLY, and if you find you are going to hit, don't panic, just
>>> go to neutral and let it happen, let the boat settle and weigh the
>>> options
>>> then. Trying to power out of the situation nearly always makes things
>>> worse.
>>> This is why you were going as slowly as possible to begin with.  :)
>>>
>>> I can't tell you how many times I see people coming in hot and trying to
>>> blast their way in because they think its the only way to get the boat
>>> in.
>>> When it fails (usually does), it is a high stress event taking place
>>> really
>>> fast, with damage to match.
>>>
>>> Try using a mooring ball sometime to see just how slowly you can go and
>>> touch the boat's bow right on the ball from any direction you choose
>>> regardless of the wind/current direction. It'll do wonders for your
>>> confidence.
>>> -Jeff
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: "Dennis Harris" <dharris02 at suddenlink.net>
>>> Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>>>  Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:23:07
>>> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Reply-To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts
>>>
>>> In sailing in 30+ knots wind and the time comes to run for cover, that
>>> probably means docking in these conditions.  Single handed, or with
>>> inexperienced crew, how do/have you done this without damaging the boat?
>>>
>>> Secondly, how should I do it?.....typical situation, standard fixed
>>> piling
>>> slip (14' x 35') oriented N-S, wind from SW over 3 mile fetch, 8-9' depth
>>> with significant wave/chop action.  Slip approach in fairway will be to
>>> E,
>>> 200' down wind/cross wind.  Hazards are short finger pier on leeward side
>>> of
>>> slip and adjacent boats extending a little into fairway.
>>>
>>> Dennis Harris
>>> C320 # 694
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Pat Ireland" <cherie320 at gmail.com>
>>> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:07 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts
>>>
>>>
>>> > All
>>> >
>>> > Thank you for the benefit of your experience.  Appreciate the advice.
>>> > Looks
>>> > like the take aways are....new sails (no bags allowed), double reef,
>>> > flatten
>>> > until the stitches pop, use good gloves, depower, raise a small jib, >
>>> and
>>> > run
>>> > for cover when it just does not work.
>>> >
>>> > Pat, 801
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Chris Burti Farmville, NC
>>
>
>


-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC