Wind gave me fits docking my 39 EC today.

sprink56

sprink56

New Member
Oct 28, 2008
1,288
West Palm Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1979 255 Liberator
Engines
twin Mercruiser 450 HP I/O on Bravo I Drives
After a great Easter Sunday of boating, the wind (as predicted) picked up late this after noon out of the east to 15~20 kts. When we got back to our slip I had a hell of a time backing in. I don't remember ever having that much trouble!!

My Admiral and I have our routine down but today really put us to the test. I had to abort and come again 5 times before I could get close enough to get a line. Our slip is oriented bow to North with the pier to starboard. We back in. With a strong East wind every time I would get close to getting the stern in the slip, a gust of wind would throw me toward a 41' Meridian that I am next to. I finally got close enough so the Admiral could get a spring line to the starboard stern cleat.

We never did loose it and start telling each other that our parents were never married but tensions were building.:smt021

I guess we need more practice.:huh:
 
My boat originated in your neighborhood and had a fair amount of dock rash that needed quite a bit of gel, then tons of sanding, compounding and polishing. I don't think my PO was as patient as you. His dock was inside of Singer Island, across the sound on the West side. Their dock stretched out to the East, and he docked facing South. On his West side was a sailboat, and there was no finger dock or even a piling in between. Tough nut to crack being exposed to those 18 knot cross winds. He was young and single. I can see his dates trying to help with the dock lines : 0 Well done to you and crew for keeping your cool.
 
I have been amazed at how quickly the wind can turn the bow 45 degrees in an Oklahoma breeze. I found myself against a slip finger before I knew it a few days ago. Luckily for me no boat in the next one.
 
You'll get better. The very first day I bought my 340, we brought it in in a steady 25kt wind. Our slip faced us due west and the wind was coming from due south pushing me away from the dock. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life. I ended up getting pushed right into a Blackfin in the slip next to us, no damage. My anchor did get wedged up front between the piling and the stern only had about a foot and a half of free room behind it which made it interesting for a first timer. I quickly learned how to use a spring line. Thankfully, there was no one around to witness it. Next time, the winds were the same so I made my turn early and waited for the wind to push us where we needed to be before backing down and picking up the spring line. Worked like a charm. It really sucks when your in an unfamiliar marina with a stiff wind but also add in a 4kt current. I still get butterflies nearly every time I dock. Just have to stay calm like you did and try again, no need to be embarrassed by doing so.
 
John,

THe 390EC can be a bear to handle in a cross wind because there is no boat underwater....only 28" on a gas model. Add smallish props and it makes for a boat that will weather vane before you can blink. About the only help I can offer, other than practice, is to always set up where you back into the wind as you position for the slip......its far easier to park a stern corner on a piling then force the bow into the wind than it is to chase it after it blows around on you if you set up on the up-wind side.
 
Frank,

"is to always set up where you back into the wind as you position for the slip......its far easier to park a stern corner on a piling then force the bow into the wind than it is to chase it after it blows around on you if you set up on the up-wind side."

That was the solution. You better believe that I was hearing your words in my mind about the 390 being a "sail in the wind" while I was doing this this afternoon.:thumbsup:
 
sprink56 said:
We never did loose it and start telling each other that our parents were never married but tensions were building.:smt021

I guess we need more practice.:huh:
Click to expand...

Had a problem like that before, when the tensions got high I got excited and called my wife by my ex wife’s name, old habit. I tell you, docking the boat was the least of my worries at that point.:smt009
 
fwebster said:
John,

THe 390EC can be a bear to handle in a cross wind because there is no boat underwater....only 28" on a gas model. Add smallish props and it makes for a boat that will weather vane before you can blink. About the only help I can offer, other than practice, is to always set up where you back into the wind as you position for the slip......its far easier to park a stern corner on a piling then force the bow into the wind than it is to chase it after it blows around on you if you set up on the up-wind side.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was going to say. When I had my 460 I had to put the after corner of the boat up against a vertical portion on the dock and then pivot the boat off that point to back in the slip in high winds. If you can just get the downwind corner gently against the dock/piling you can wist the boat around it and not worry about getting into someone elses boat.
 
A neighbor has some rollers that are about 4' high and 6" in diameter. I've got to find where he got those. I put a huge fender up temporarily for the pivot move. I've got the gas dock right across from me so I'll try and remember those words Frank.
 
I feel your pain. Had a similiar experience last summer, but with a couple hundred spectators as witnesses. That day still haunts me, but the experience taught me a lot about what the wind will do to a boat like ours.

Backing stern into the wind seems to help matters, but bringing the bow into a stiff cross wind can be tricky. Practice, and pre planning on my approach to the dock when the wind is blowing, have calmed my nerves since then, but my butt still puckers when I think about THAT day!

And it ONLY took me 4 re-trys to get it right, not 5.:grin:
 
fwebster said:
John,

THe 390EC can be a bear to handle in a cross wind because there is no boat underwater....only 28" on a gas model. Add smallish props and it makes for a boat that will weather vane before you can blink.
Click to expand...

Maybe someone on this board can come up with a cool mod to help in such situations, such as an electrically operated docking centerboard.
 
fwebster said:
John,

THe 390EC can be a bear to handle in a cross wind because there is no boat underwater....only 28" on a gas model. Add smallish props and it makes for a boat that will weather vane before you can blink.
Click to expand...


So Fwebster any ideas about my boat and the wind? I am not being cute here, but I am interested in your answer, as you are one of the ones who typically gives out valid answers and comments.

:thumbsup:

I would imagine the 380 with 8.1's is about the same. yet with full fuel I draft at about 43 inches to the rudder bottoms, while the manual states the draft is thirty-two inches

Is the draft from the water line to the bottom of the keel or to the lowest protruding part, in my case the bottom of the rudders?
 
It really sucks when your in an unfamiliar marina with a stiff wind but also add in a 4kt current. I still get butterflies nearly every time I dock. Just have to stay calm like you did and try again, no need to be embarrassed by doing so.[/quote]

Wow, good to hear. I thought I was the only one that started feeling a little stressed out each time I begin the docking process in some unfamiliar locale. I think it all has to do with being at the mercy of things you can't control very well (wind, currents). Kind of like that feeling when your car just begins to slide on ice....
 
Hey John:

Maybe we should install a power pole on our boats- just stick the bitch down in the mud-she won't go anywhere then!

http://www.power-pole.com/

I know what you mean. Mine's a bit easier with the bigger wheels, but it still blows around like a kite.

I remember our first trip to Caladesi Island when I'd only owned the boat for a couple of weeks. This place has it's docks together tighter than a gnat's as*. As I was approaching the docks with a panicked look on my face, an acquaintance of mine (who happens to be the surveyor I've used) ran up to the end of the T-dock to ask if I needed a hand. You betcha... and I also got another boater to get me out of there a couple of days later :)

The pucker factor lessens with time, but it's always there. I keep telling myself that's why I have insurance...
 
This thread sure is making me feel better, as I see myself in a good number of posts. I am going out regularly and practicing, slip/face docking. I am lucky as I have a guy at my marina who goes out with me when I practice and is very good. He has been boating for many years, and makes everything look and sound simple.

Read, learn, practice, then read, learn, practice some more.

:thumbsup:
 
I'll second (or third or forth) the back into the wind comment. That's the only way I could comfortably dock my 380 in a strong wind....

I have a bow thruster now... mother nature can kiss my butt.
 
Larry&Leisa said:
I have been amazed at how quickly the wind can turn the bow 45 degrees in an Oklahoma breeze. I found myself against a slip finger before I knew it a few days ago. Luckily for me no boat in the next one.
Click to expand...

Don't they have "categories" for Oklahoma breezes?
 
tobnpr said:
Hey John:

Maybe we should install a power pole on our boats- just stick the bitch down in the mud-she won't go anywhere then!

http://www.power-pole.com/

I know what you mean. Mine's a bit easier with the bigger wheels, but it still blows around like a kite.

I remember our first trip to Caladesi Island when I'd only owned the boat for a couple of weeks. This place has it's docks together tighter than a gnat's as*. As I was approaching the docks with a panicked look on my face, an acquaintance of mine (who happens to be the surveyor I've used) ran up to the end of the T-dock to ask if I needed a hand. You betcha... and I also got another boater to get me out of there a couple of days later :)

The pucker factor lessens with time, but it's always there. I keep telling myself that's why I have insurance...
Click to expand...

Mike,

When I pulled in I knew it was going to be tough..the wind was at my back. I pulled just past my slip like i always do...port engine forward, starboard reverse....quick burst back and forth. Just as the stern would turn to back in...here comes another wind gust and throws me off completely!!! I went thru this 5 times and finally told my wife that I was putting the starboard/stern corner against a piling that we have to starboard that I have my stern spring line on and pivot against it. That worked and we got a line on and pulled it in by hand. It wears me out just to go thru the whole scenario again.:smt024:smt021

I was at the boat today cleaning some stuff that I didn't do last night. A guy came in with a newer 38 DA and I heard him screaming and yelling from about 5 slips down...he Ef'd up about 6 feet of rub rail on one of the pilings trying to back in. I went down and got a line to him and helped him in. He looked at me with a frazzled look...I said hold that thought ...I'll be right back. I ran back to the 39 and came back with a couple of beers and we talked about it.:thumbsup:

I think this crap happens to all of us at some point.

As is said " When I gets my money right"..I swear I'm getting a boat with Zeus Drives:thumbsup:
 
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