East Coast Docking Techniques
- Thread starter RobMcClain
- Start date
Molly Brown
Member
I've experienced what Jay describes. I have learned that the spinning works best if your engines are straight back or with very little port to starboard. The trouble with wind and current is that even if you can swing your bow around the stern is moving with the wind and current as you adjust your bow. I've never had a boat with thrusters but they seem to be the only solution to that issue. On our South Florida loop, early in the am, at a full fuel dock, we saw a 40+ foot cigarette boat come in and dock with 2' either bow and stern to clear the other boats, in current no less, he literally pulled up and moved 20' sideways right to the dock. It was impressive.
Optimus 36 by Teleflex--only $17,995 for those who are docking challenged. Several of the outboard companies have their own systems such as the Yamaha Helm Master:
You don't need 3 outboards, it can be had for two motors:
Basically the shifters, steering of each motor and helm are all controlled by a joy stick to move the boat in any direction you wish. Much cheaper to add a bow and stern thruster. Or go in bow first and use spring lines if necessary.
If I was in the position of that triple in the picture in the previous thread, reaching the dock would be a simple 3 step procedure.
1. Swing the bow to port to 45 degrees from the dock.
2. Back in until the stbd aft corner is just off the dock.
3. Swing the bow to stbd until parallel to the the dock .
I didn't count this step:
4. Step to the dock with the bow and stern line in hand
or Cleat the aft line, and put the port engine into idle forward to hold the boat against the fenders on the dock, then step up on the dock, tie of the bow line and then put that ob into neutral and shut it down.
HARVEY
SleepyC:moon
1. Swing the bow to port to 45 degrees from the dock.
2. Back in until the stbd aft corner is just off the dock.
3. Swing the bow to stbd until parallel to the the dock .
I didn't count this step:
4. Step to the dock with the bow and stern line in hand
or Cleat the aft line, and put the port engine into idle forward to hold the boat against the fenders on the dock, then step up on the dock, tie of the bow line and then put that ob into neutral and shut it down.
HARVEY
SleepyC:moon
South of Heaven
New member
Guys, this old thread is very relevant to me now. I'm in the process of moving up to a 25.
My marina can accommodate boats up to 27 feet. Its a small marina with limited space. I spoke to the owner yesterday. The biggest fingers he has are 23' long but there are several 24' and 26' boats in there currently. Like Searays and other cabin cruiser styles.
I think a 25 CD will fit here but I'm still worried that the fingers are only 23' long! Whattya think guys??
Im assuming that a CD 25 is at least 27' with the motor and bow pulpit. Is that about right? Or is it closer to 30'? I hope not.......
My marina can accommodate boats up to 27 feet. Its a small marina with limited space. I spoke to the owner yesterday. The biggest fingers he has are 23' long but there are several 24' and 26' boats in there currently. Like Searays and other cabin cruiser styles.
I think a 25 CD will fit here but I'm still worried that the fingers are only 23' long! Whattya think guys??
Im assuming that a CD 25 is at least 27' with the motor and bow pulpit. Is that about right? Or is it closer to 30'? I hope not.......
Going into marinas with our CD-25, I would always state that we were 25' long. Only one time did a marina manager ask me: "If I put you in a 25' slip, how much boat is going to hang out?"
Me: "Ummm..."
Him: "28 foot it is."
We spent 3 summer seasons in a 24' slip... with the anchor just at the rail, and about 3' of boat and motor hanging out the back. (motor up)
Me: "Ummm..."
Him: "28 foot it is."
We spent 3 summer seasons in a 24' slip... with the anchor just at the rail, and about 3' of boat and motor hanging out the back. (motor up)
South of Heaven
New member
JamesTXSD":2b8yl7oa said:
Perfect. Thanks James!
No problem with a 23 foot finger and C Dory 25, as far as "mooring". It is far better if there is a piling between the slips--assuming that there is one finger on each side, instead of two fingers for each boat.
We measured my son's 25 yesterday. On the trailer, with motor down, the length was 30 feet. His trailer has a short tongue. The boat did appear to be about 28 feet from the bow to the back of the motor.
I have always given the "Registered" length. On several occasions I have had dock masters come out with a tape. Some of our cruising boats had over 8 feet difference between registered length and actual length (dinghy in davits, bowsprit, anchors etc--and some dock masters did measure all of these overhangs.
We measured my son's 25 yesterday. On the trailer, with motor down, the length was 30 feet. His trailer has a short tongue. The boat did appear to be about 28 feet from the bow to the back of the motor.
I have always given the "Registered" length. On several occasions I have had dock masters come out with a tape. Some of our cruising boats had over 8 feet difference between registered length and actual length (dinghy in davits, bowsprit, anchors etc--and some dock masters did measure all of these overhangs.