Last month we discussed docking techniques to use when you encounter strong currents. This month we will discuss some tips for maneuvering your boat in close quarters. Many accidents occur at slow speed in the confines of a marina, where even a small scrape on the side of a yacht can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair.
Not to get too personal, but I need to have a word with you about your rear-end… it’s too big! Well, maybe not yours, but your boat’s. Remember when driving forward the pivot point is about one third the length of your craft, aft of the bow. That means to steer a small correction on the bow, the stern must describe an arc about twice as long as the bow. The temptation is to keep your eyes forward and forget what is happening behind you. Since propulsion occurs at the rear of the craft, the rear must turn first, before the bow will swing.
The problem is even more pronounced when in reverse, but this time it’s the bow that requires more room to swing. The good news is the bow is generally tapered, which sometimes saves us when we might otherwise be oblivious to the swing of the boat.
In tight quarters, the swing radius becomes a problem. If the set of the current (and/or wind) is toward another boat or some other object that you want to avoid, it is vital that you allow sufficient time and space to maneuver, given the extra swing radius that your stern requires when going forward, or the bow requires when moving astern.
Occasionally, when we are at idle speed, we can “cheat” a bit, by turning the wheel and goosing the engine for just a second. That causes the stern and bow to make a tighter course correction than if we slowly applied power. We can then straighten the wheel, add power, and drive forward on our new course. This works because of the inertia of the boat and the friction of the water temporarily alter the pivot point of the boat. All of the energy is focused on turning the boat, not driving it forward. This only works for a split second, after which the forces equalize as inertia is overcome. It is only through practice that you will know when to “goose it” and when to take off all speed and prepare fenders for impact! Sometimes, the best technique may be to back out of close jam, since it will often afford a greater swing clearance.
Should you find yourself in a situation where it looks like you are going to strike another vessel, it is far better to reduce all forward or reverse motion and hit squarely, than to make a long scraping motion alongside the dock or another vessel. If you do have time, place a fender between your boat and any other object to reduce or eliminate any damage and by all means, NEVER place your hands, feet, or any other body part between your boat and another object. Gel coat is much easier to replace than human tissue!
When you enter a marina, think out your strategy first. What is the wind doing? What is the current doing? What moves will you make to keep the boat where you want it? What moves will you make to recover, if things don’t go as planned. Due to the variables of wind and current here, almost every docking evolution is unique. Past successful dockings are no guarantee that the next docking will occur in the same way. Take the time to observe the strength and direction of the wind and current prior to docking and think through what is going to happen.
The swing radius of the boat also becomes an issue if either your bow- or stern-line is locked down, when you need to pivot. Let’s look at the situation where you have an off dock wind and the dockhand has locked down your bowline.
The boat can’t pivot because of the dock line. Instead, the wind will push the boat away from the dock, despite the attempts to apply reverse propulsion. Avoid the temptation to add heavy throttle. While it might eventually work, it could also pull the cleat from the dock, causing an expensive, if not fatal accident.
To solve this dilemma, you will need to release the tension on the bowline and seesaw back and forth. The first time this happens to you, you will feel quite helpless, but don’t worry - have the line handler unlock the bowline, but continue to “check it” on the cleat, by paying the line out as the boat swings enough to reverse toward the dock, then get a line from the mid-ship cleat (spring line) or stern cleat to the dock. Finally snug the bow line in as the boat pulls to the dock. In a strong off-dock wind, this can be a challenge, but by rocking the boat, as the line handlers ratchet in the slack on the spring and stern, without overly restricting the bow, you will eventually get to the dock.
The more you understand about the forces that work on your boat, the better you will look as a captain and the safer you will be on the water. Take the time to study. Be safe!