Parallel Docking
by Michael Verdon
October 15, 2007
Docking can be the most intimidating part of boating. But if you carefully plan the approach in a
parallel docking situation, employ wind and current to your advantage, and use the throttle
properly, docking doesn't have to be a nerve-racking experience. Instead, you can pull the boat in
like a pro. Here are four scenarios you may face when docking, with tips for how to handle each
one.
No Wind/Current
Any
docking situation requires you to think ahead. You should have someone put out fenders and lines
ahead of time on the hull side, which will be facing the dock. Try to have two
line-handlers on the bow and stern. Always make your approach slowly, keeping the throttle right
above idle, with just enough forward power for steerage. The ideal docking situation is with no
wind or current. If that's the case, approach the dock at a 30-degree angle, take the prop
out of gear, and turn the wheel away from the dock, allowing the boat's momentum to carry the stern
into the dock. On the ocean or rivers, that best-case scenario is rarely the norm, so you need to
determine wind and current conditions ahead of time and use them to your advantage by running
against them when possible. They will serve as natural brakes.
Toward The Dock
If the
wind and current are moving toward the dock, you should run the boat nearly parallel to the place
you want to dock, put the engine into neutral, and give a very short burst in reverse to stop
forward momentum. Put the throttle back in neutral, and let the wind push you into the dock. You
may need to shift in and out of gear in brief spurts to fine-tune your approach, but Mother Nature
will do most of the work. Have your line-handlers pass the lines to someone on the dock to loop
around the pilings or cleats - always pass them via the looped end rather than the bitter end so
you remain in control - but don't tie them fast until the boat is in full position. If nobody is on
the dock, the line-handler should loop the line around the piling or tie a bow line on the line's
bitter end and drop it over the cleat with a boat hook.
Parallel To The Dock
If the
wind or current is running parallel to the dock, the key is to utilize the cleats. In this
situation, make your approach at about a 45-degree angle to the dock against the wind/current. The
line-handler should have the line on the bow and be ready to attach it to the dock quickly because
this will serve as your pivot point. With the bow line held fast by the handler, the wind will push
the boat's stern into position against the dock. Note: It's impor-tant to let the cleats do the
work. One simple turn around them will hold the boat in place without being tied fast, and the
line-handler can loosen or tighten the lines as necessary. Always keep an extra fender
on hand if you need to put it into a spot where the boat's rubbing against the dock. When the
boat's in position, tie off the cleats.
Off The Dock
The trickiest
situations are when wind and current are running off the dock, or when wind and current are
opposing each other. In the latter case, always try to head into the most powerful opposing force
since it'll give you the most control in often-difficult docking situations. You can gauge wind
direction and speed by looking at the flags on sailboat masts, and current by looking at dock
pilings. When wind and current are pushing you off the dock, have your line-handler
attach a bow line on the dock, turn the wheel away from the dock, and proceed
ahead slowly. The bow line will serve as a spring to "walk" the stern back to the dock. This last
technique also works well when trying to get into spots with boats in front and behind you.
Docking, of course, is a learned skill, so practice makes perfect.
Illustrations by Brian Buxton