Docking in a cross current?

[jmunro123]

I am getting ready to practise docking at our new location. Last summer I docked in a basin with basically no wind or current. This summer I am on a river. The current can be 2k + after a strong rain. I will be backing in with Starboard tie to finger dock. There are piles at the entrance to the slip. The piles are not covered in a any protector yet but will be. There is boat to Port or downstream. When returning to the slip from the lake I am going upstream.

Here is what I have come up with. When the current is stronger to turn the stern to the current, in my case that means turning the boat around. Then back against the current and use the down river pile as a pivot point.

That is as far as I got. Can I use the rudders to 'crabwalk' up stream while backing in? Other ideas?

 

[sbw1]

There is no one correct way to do it. It depends on the amount of wind and current. Sometimes wind and current cancel each other out. I very seldom use the rudders, but yesterday we had a 20 mph cross wind and I kept the boat crabbed into the wind until just before pulling into my slip. Then I used a little right rudder and pulled the starboard engine out of gear to bring the nose around and then put both engines in reverse and added a little power to stop the boat. The boat gently laid up against the piling and we tied her up. Every day is a little different so you have to practice until it becomes second nature.