Best way to step off while docking

[GJD]

Have a question please - am curious to know what's the easiest way for my mate (wife) to STEP OFF and tie off while docking at floating docks along the Ohio river? Docks are typically only a couple feet above water. We're close on purchasing a 53 CMY and have had more experience with houseboats. (Had a classic 45' Tucker!)

Thanks!

Greg

 

[MikeP]

On a 53MY you definitely can't be "hopping" off the boat to dock. Sooner, rather than later, you will sprain an ankle at the very least. I suppose with a CPMY it would be easier since you have that cockpit area.

For us, no one gets on/off the boat until at least a spring line is rigged. Once that is in place, the boat can be pinned against the dock with the engines while the line handler LEISURELY gets off to attach additional lines.

On our 53, the engine vents do not have any louvers so the vent area makes a conveniant step. I have placed a pad of white nonslip there to make it even easier. However, it's still a lengthy step down to the dock so care is important. With the spring rigged, the boat isn't going anywhere so it can be done at a measured pace.

Normally (and preferably) we do this ourselves and there is almost always a piling that the person handling the lines can secure the line (at least temporarily) to while still on the boat. The Admiral, a former western-style competition rider, is great at lassoing cleats if she needs to as well!

Pascal often handles his 53MY by himself so he will probably have some better tips on this.

 

[Pascal]

if the docks you're using have cleats, it's easy...

i tie the eye to the cleats on the boat, throw the bight of the line on the dock behind the cleat and then pull the bitter tying it to the cleat on the boat. that catches the dock cleat.

I never jump off the boat to a low dock.. too dangerous. the lines will stay in place around the cleat but of course once on the dock i cleat them.

if you are not good at line throwing, a long telescopic boat hook can help too.

 

[GJD]

Brilliant Mike & Pascal!

Never would have thought of that. Just have to have me mate do some practice line tossing.

Greg

 

[neosin]

Pascal... How about in them 50mph winds pushing away from the docks? How should us young bloods handle this case? LOL!!! You guys are to much fun!!!

When i pull up to a low dock i yell "hunny, would you be a dear and jump off the 7 foot to the dock and tie up me big boat?" ... Just for kicks I'll use the bow thruster to move the bow away from the dock just as she tries to tie it off... Man i could do that all day long what a knee slapper... You can always just say "it's the wind dear I'm doing my best to keep it in place!"

HAVE A GOOD ONE GUYS! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

if the docks you're using have cleats, it's easy...

i tie the eye to the cleats on the boat, throw the bight of the line on the dock behind the cleat and then pull the bitter tying it to the cleat on the boat. that catches the dock cleat.

I never jump off the boat to a low dock.. too dangerous. the lines will stay in place around the cleat but of course once on the dock i cleat them.

if you are not good at line throwing, a long telescopic boat hook can help too.

 

[neosin]

Oh you know it!!! My bow thruster is wireless, so i just sit on the dock and wait for some old blood to come by, kick it on and watch them jump from the thruster wash... Oh that gets them every time... you old timers are toooo easy!!!

Us young bloods have a blast down here because I'm not crazy like pascal to risk working off a dock in 80mph winds... I can't believe he did that; his girlfriend must of been mad when he just left her there!!! WOW... hey wait... that might be a good way to dump a girl... Pascal you silly oh boy you are smart!

Really, i won't try to dock in 90mph winds... I just like to act like I've lost engine control and watch everyone move out of the way... Just spinning around with the bow thruster as if I'm stuck in a whirlpool.

And you old timers say us young bloods can't work up some tall tails...


LOL!!!!

Really... I've learned a ton from you old timers... Thank God you guys are around... Hell i would of sunk my boat(s) a long time ago without you old farts input.. Or wait... maybe thats why i did sink one... Either way... it's been fun!

Old bloods are way too smart to attempt to dock in 50mph crosswinds.

They leave that to the young bloods who think that their bow thruster will actually out-pull the 50 mph crosswinds. After the third or fourth time the bow thruster's circuit breaker trips from the extended (and fruitless) use, the young bloods figure out that maybe the old bloods actually know what they are doing.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Be careful, Neosin. I see that it won't be long and you will be one of those old-timers yourself. 29 won't last forever.

 

[neosin]

Be careful, Neosin. I see that it won't be long and you will be one of those old-timers yourself. 29 won't last forever.

HEY!!! SHHHHHH geez the wife is giving me sh.t about it too.. hey but in the boating world I'm a baby... LOL!! some of the guys around my dock at in the 70s and 80s... I just hope i can GET ON a boat when i'm 80!!

 

[neosin]

Really back to the topic, i say if your wife has never broken a leg and you'd like a good laugh, just let her do the jumping off... You never know life is full of surprises! Hell i fell off a 10 foot slide when i was 10 and broke both my wrists! One little ole leg break will be a great story to tell the grandkiddos...

 

[krush]

I say buy a boat that doesn't look like a pregnet bloated seal (aka aft cabin) that has a nice cockpit near the water (meaning a convert) . If you want to stay inside in A/C all day, buy a house, not a boat!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I say buy a boat that doesn't look like a pregnet bloated seal (aka aft cabin) that has a nice cockpit near the water (meaning a convert) . If you want to stay inside in A/C all day, buy a house, not a boat!

Sorry this is getting off topic, but the thing about an older Hatt MY is that you CAN get outside. For example, I have an expansive FB with loads of seating and it's not all enclosed. Plus I have a bow seat and sunpad area.

You guys with converts have no real outside seating except on the FB and you enclose that like a greenhouse.

To each his own, I guess. When it comes to the different Hatteras models though, I love 'em all. I just wish I afford to own an MY and a convert like a couple of our other members here do.

 

[Pascal]

actaully the 53 is much more "open" than any convertible !!! on the hook we almost never use the AC during the day with pilot house doors, sliding windows there is always a breeze. The Aft deck has a lot of air coming thru the wing door.

on the other hand, i almost never see a sport fish anchored without the air running... impossible to survive without it in most of the country.

indeed, i go out to be on the water and feel like i'm on the water. not in an AC bulble.

 

[GJD]

I can see this forum is going to be a bit of fun ...

Thanks guys!

 

[krush]

But is there open seating space down near the water level? I like swimming and stuff and with the only thing near the water on a MY being a swim platform, it's tough to have somebody hand you a beer while in a float...hahah.

I understand what ya'll are saying about not as many windows in a 'vert, but it's also made to go in some pretty heavy seas! One can solve the AC problem with some strategically placed fans. I love being outside (in the shade of course) though.

But the low cockpit helps when fishing and docking....to each's own of course.

 

[Boatsb]

If my house floated I would call it a motor yacht. I have plenty of outside seating on the bridge (no greenhouse curtains) and in the cockpit. I have had 12 people sitting around partying in the cockpit with no problems. ( at the dock). I guess the idea of roughing it a bit makes going to the boat a relaxing experience. If I wanted to be indoors in AC I would sit home and play on the computer.

Now for getting off the boat to the dock. Convertibles do have a much better egress point but still may require a jump. Thats why we do not allow anyone to leave the boat until its secured by either looping lines on cleats and poles or with the assistance of others already on the dock. If someone is about to jump off when I decide to put the engines in gear to adjust where I am sitting there will be an injury. Long boat hooks. long lines with loops and even lighter lines for getting tied to the dock before the regular ones come out can work. It's easier to get a piece of 3/8 or 1/2 around a cleat than 3/4 or larger.

 

[Pascal]

yeah, a cockpit would be nice... that's why the 58YF is so great... best of both world !

i've use the boat hook with a line tied to beer or we use the dink tied behind the boat as a big cockpit ...

but the big advantage to the MY is the lower helm and side doors . easy to single hand... no running down the ladder and to the front to secure the spring lines.. they're jsut 4 steps away !

oh well... we all know boats are noting more than collection of compromises !

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Getting off the "off topic" a moment...

....make every effort to contact someone on the dock to assist when coming in.

Some of the suggestions mentioned are very good. Take time to practice this at your home dock to get the coordination between you and your mate down pat, even in a strong wind. A mid ship spring line is usually a good first choice. It will generally give the operator more control over the boat so the other lines can be secured.

Also, if you think things are going to get a little dicey, wear life jackets (I know, we've heard it before, but we all need to be reminded. Besides, it's usually the most unexpected type of surprises that cause the worst accidents).

Too young to be an old fart and too old to be a young smart a_ _.

 

[Pascal]

absolutely, the spring line is first line that goes ashore. once that's set, you're done and can take your time getting the boat longside and pass the other lines.

as mentioend, with a lower helm and PH doors, you dont' need a crew since you're just a few steps away. it doens't matter if you have 20kts off the dock, you can approach at an angle and then turn the boat with the spring line.