#47: Docking, The Basics!

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Alright we have all been there You re heading into the dock speed is great wind is great crew are ready suddenly a boat starts leaving their slip right in front of you your crew move aft to tell you only to drop the boat hook in the water your other crew tries to grab the boat hook and drops the roving fender and everyone on shore is watching Yup We have ALL been there The lovely trials of docking Docking Equipment The basic equipment that you need for docking is not complicated however if you don t take care of it or check on it regularly you could find your boat trying to leave without you bow line stern line spring lines x 2 fenders x 3 snubbers x 2 bow chocks t-cleats Checking Your Equipment dock lines checking for chaffing wear pulled strands knots fenders checking for wear holes grime rubbing on paint inflation snubbers checking for breakdown check line for wear chocks amp cleats checking to make sure nothing is rubbing on hull through fiberglass etc Types of Docks There are many different types of docks and many different ways to dock a boat I am going to discuss the basic principles that can be used for all types of docks to limit boat movement within the slip Some things to keep in mind check on your boat regularly as lines may freeze loosen wear down etc do not tie your dock lines too tight It is important to let the boat move around a bit in the slip as the wind and water move This will make sure that the weight load remains on your dock lines and not your cleats readjust your fenders as needed Sometimes they end up on top of the dock and really don t do much for your hull Usually they are places at the beam of the boat widest part The key to successful docking is nbsp head over to sailnelson com to find out Click here to visit this podcast episode