Most boat crashes and hull crunches happen when docking and leaving a dock. Why? There’s a variety of reasons. Some new (and experienced) boat owners misread the elements (wind, tide, current). Other’s misjudge the space available. And it’s very common for inexperienced marina dock hands or crew to mess things up with the lines. Boat handling leaving a dock is a key skill to learn.
Unfortunately, once a new boat owner has a crunch it can be quite a setback.
Sure, there’s a cost associated to a scratch or hole but the real issue is with confidence. We’ve met many new boat owners that have a few small accidents and decide to call it a day. Take a look at all the boats you’ll find in a marina on a perfect sailing day – many people want to live the dream, buy access to the dream and then lose steam when it comes to actually making the dream happen (leaving the dock).
The crazy thing is that there are very safe and easy steps regarding boat handling leaving a dock.
In fact, the steps that we use make docking and leaving a dock look like a breeze – even for newbies. Like so many things with boat ownership, having a blueprint or a checklist can help you make a success out of it more times than not. Below you’ll find a video where Simon explains the procedure, we then demonstrate leaving a dock and we also provide an alternative. Furthermore, you’ll find the steps written below the video.
Boat Handling – Leaving A Dock Video
Boat Handling – Leaving A Dock Steps
1. Observe the wind and water state. Will the wind and/or tide be pushing you onto the dock or away from the dock? Will it be pushing you forward or backwards. Get an idea as to how the wind and water are going to help or hinder you.
2. Prepare all your lines to slip from the boat. In other words, make sure there’s no line tied to the dock only tied to the boat. The line should be tied to the boat cleat, through the fairline around the dock cleat and back to the boat. That way you can untie the line on the boat and easily pull the line back to the boat.
3. Line up your fenders so that the hull is protected. Make sure there’s a fender in the back corner.
4. Instruct your crew as to the plan. If you have one helper/crew member, instruct them which lines to take off and in what order. Start with the line that has the least pull on it and work backwards leaving only the mid aft spring line. Explain that you will tell them when to remove the mid aft spring and that after the line is in to position themselves at the back corner of the boat closes to the dock. They need to be in position to ensure the fenders stays in place.
5. As the crew member starts to take off the lines, put the boat into gear going forward and turn the wheel as far as you can away from the dock. When doing this action with a mid aft spring it will force the boat tightly to the dock.
6. Once all lines are off except the back spring wait until the crew member is in position to slip the line. When ready, put the boat into neutral causing slack in the line. Once the crew member says the line is clear let the wind, tide or engine move you safely away from the dock.
Any questions, comments or future video requests, please leave them below.
