Looking for "experience" on a dock departure scenario

[wingless]

The prevalent wind at my dock always pushes me away from the finger and into the slip. Your wind sounds way stronger, though.

Prior to casting-off I'd set lines to hold the vessel that one person could release at one point from the swim platform, that I could augment w/ thrust from the helm to hold position.

So, in your situation, a spring line from the middle of the finger to the swim platform cleat and a short "cheater" line from that same cleat to the nearby dock will permit the port engine in reverse to hold the boat position once the bow line is cast off.

Then the assistant could release those two lines at one location and you'd start out in a decent position.

Upon return, snag that same spring and have a line aboard to hold the rear against the finger.

The port transmission in reverse will hold the bow against the finger until the bow line is secured.

Maybe I don't understand the OP, because the other replies don't make any sense.

Chris R should please correct me if my understanding of the conditions or objectives are wrong.

My understanding of the OP is the desire for the boat to remain stationary until the lines are cast free. Also, the desire for this to be a two-person operation, one at the helm and one on the lines, without running around the boat and leaping back and forth from the dock.

The attached image depicts my read on the conditions, the vessel tied to the finger on the port side and a stiff wind pushing the boat away from the finger.

So, for the boat to remain stationary with a stiff wind as shown and lines to be cast off in one location, then a spring is required from the finger, F2, to either the rear side cleat, P3, or the swim platform cleat, AP.

Also, a “cheater” line is required from the finger, F3, to the swim platform, AP.

Then, once the bow line, F1 to P1, is released the port engine is put in reverse w/ sufficient force to hold the bow against the dock.

Now the boat will remain stationary with only two lines to be cast off from one location.

Not to pick on anyone, my hands-down favorite suggestion / reply was to ease the lines so the boat starts out in the empty slip.

The forum is messing up again, splitting my single post into two, regardless of all efforts for it to properly display as one.

 

[Chris R]

Wingless, you are correct. Your visual, and recap of the scenario are dead-on. I did mostly what you outlined (using opposing engine power to pivot, etc), yet the wind was so strong, it still pushed my bow away from the finger.

I agree the thread split into two topics- one for docking, and one for departing. I'm all ears on both topics; however, my question was on the depature with the conditions stated in the orginal post. All that being said, many of the replies on docking have also been helpful - at least to me.

I've got some visuals, from all the replies, on how I may go about doing it differently- if this happens again. Still thinking a single mid-ship looped line (the last of three lines to go) managed from on-board, may have helped in this situation.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

[wingless]

Wingless, you are correct. Your visual, and recap of the scenario are dead-on. I did mostly what you outlined (using opposing engine power to pivot, etc), yet the wind was so strong, it still pushed my bow away from the finger.

Assuming the cleats are strong enough to hold the boat in-position w/ that wind and the engines are strong enough to move the boat against that wind, then those two lines and more reverse port thrust will hold the bow against the finger.

The starboard transmission would remain in neutral not forward, 'cause those two lines won't prevent the boat from moving out of the slip, but they will permit the port reverse to hold the boat against the finger.

My suggestion for exiting would be to idle down, remove the "cheater", inch forward, drop the spring on the end of the finger, to make it easy to grab on return.

On return, have a line on the port swim platform cleat ready, attach the spring to the rear port cleat as you enter the slip, then attach the ready port swim platform line to the F3 cleat. The port transmission in reverse is again used to hold position until the bow line is attached.

 

[67vetteal]

When coming to dock the Bow line gets secured first. Reason being you can control the Stern with the Screws When leaving, the Bow line gets released last for the same reason. When things are very windy ask for help on the Dock. There are times to be Humble! Al W.

 

[wkearney99]

That can be reached even when the passengers are buckled-in.

Would those be shoulder or lap belts? :grin:

 

[Pseudomind]

Docking/Undocking This is a very good read. Wingless' graphic is very helpful

 

[sbw1]

I agree the thread split into two topics- one for docking, and one for departing. I'm all ears on both topics; however, my question was on the depature with the conditions stated in the orginal post. All that being said, many of the replies on docking have also been helpful - at least to me.

Once you become more experienced using a midships line you will learn that it is useful whether you are coming into a slip or departing. It should be the first on coming in and the last off going out. The principles involved are the same. Having a line in the middle of the boat that is looped over a cleat or piling by a crew member or a person on the dock allows you complete control of your boat while you are at the helm in just about any situation.

 

[douglee25]

Having a line in the middle of the boat that is looped over a cleat or piling by a crew member or a person on the dock allows you complete control of your boat while you are at the helm in just about any situation.

Thank you very much. :thumbsup:

Doug

 

[BobHenry]

You forgot your "Spring line" go mid cleat to stern. Warm the powerhouse up, get ready to cast bow 1st, stern, do a quick little
rev. pressure off the spring, release, go forward and don't be shy! I love watchin newbies depart...after a few tries youll' get it. when your out around a bouy or fixed object practice aproaching
it and get used to the feel of the boat, how it responds and after
a while you will get used to operating in wind, sea, and current
conditions. Just look out for the "zipperheads"!