Marina Docking Advice

[Starman]

We have all seen some unbelievable docking adventures and I thought we should maybe come up with a list of "how to" for those less learned and new boaters that will make life easier for for the dock masters and other boats in the marinas.


My List:

Call ahead to the marina, they will inform you what side you will tie up on and how to affix your fenders.

Always have the bow, stern and spring lines affixed to your cleats.

Always have the rope coiled and pratice how to throw it.

Listen to the dockmaster.

Always make sure that VHF radio has the volume turned up.






Other suggestions .............................

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Paul,
That sounds like it was written by a marina owner and not a boat owner. Are you having problems with some newbies coming in that don't know what they are doing?

Here's my advice:

I would call the marina and ask where the slip is, which side to tie up on, and if there are any tricks to getting in such as depth restrictions. But, I'm not going to have them tell me where to put my fenders or what lines to put where. As captain, I make the decisions as to what is best for the safety of my boat and her crew and these may change depending on weather conditions and other factors. My crew will tell the dockhands what to do and not the other way around.

Most people waiting on the dock to assist think that they can pull you in or push you off as if you have a featherweight Carver or something. This does not work for a Hatteras and they run the risk of getting seriously injured.

And, as far as the radio goes, I hate to hear blaring VHFs or yelling between crew and captain. It sounds very unprofessional. A good crew should know what to do ahead of time and it's the captain's responsibility to go over it with them before they arrive.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

What is more commonly seen.....

coming in too fast.......

Whats a radio.......

Where's our docking lines......

OH, we were SUPPOSED to call ahead ????????

What do you mean we can't dock here....

"Up in New York".... ( or any northen state) "We always do it this way"........... ( don't shoot me, I"m just the messenger for the state of Florida).

Today at the Jaguar/Charger game (which by the way WE WON, hence the reason I meantion that, some year the Dolphins might find out what it's like to finally win a game) we had a Huckins 76' yacht try to dock....Kinda....

Only had the "captain" onboard, he lost the tranny on his starboard moter, and took OVER 40 MINS for him to dock, all the while over 30 boats had to wait to make it into the marina....

 

[Starman]

haha

Yes Sky, no doubt about it.

An example........

Had a person call ahead, but his vhf was turned down so he could not hear my reply. He called by phone, I advised him about his radio.....oops !

Told them where I plan to park them, and what side they were going to tie up on and that the docks were floating but the pilings were on the outside so the fenders needed to hang sideways.

They came in on one engine, strong current, 10 knot wind and not one line was tied to a cleat on their boat. They were over a mile away when they called , so it was not a matter of time to get ready for docking.


We dock many boats including Hats and the principles are the same. They all can be pulled, moved, and set in place by people that know what they are doing.

Hats are no exception..........sorry.



We have had a few folks being " Bossy with an attitude " when they arrive. Only to compliment the way we do things.

The point of this is to advise people that they need to do their part and be prepared because the experienced captain needs those on the docks just as much as the inexperienced captain.

 

[Brian Degulis]

I have some advice for the dockmaster or dockhand or helpfull by stander that's directing you into a slip

JUST TELL ME WHERE YOU WANT THE BOAT I NEED YOUR HELP BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE STERN I NEED YOU TO BE MY EYES NOT MY BRAIN IF YOU START TELLING ME THINGS LIKE PORT ENGINE FORWARD I'M GOING TO TURN AROUND AND COME IN BOW FIRST JUST SO I CAN HIT YOU IN THE HEAD WITH THE PULPIT!!!!!!

Brian

 

[Starman]

LOL......


The folks on the dock are not the captains of your boat, and yes you need them to be your eyes.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Ouch Brian,

The job of the dockhands is to handle your lines. not to tell you how to dock. They are there to help you with your lines. It's up to you and your crew to tell you where the boat is in relation to the dock.

Hence the complaint of my earlier post on a captain trying to dock his 76'boat alone after he lost an engine. He had plenty of help on the dock, IF he could get it close enought.

I worked on the docks in Ft Lauderdale in the late 60's (Pier 66) as a teenager and always chuckled when the captain screwed up his docking and ALWAYS wanted to blame the dockhands.....

If you cant see your stern...............

 

[Brian Degulis]

OK I should have qualified what I said this is only a problem when It's just my wife, youngest child (3) and myself on the boat. My wife is busy with the 3 year old so I'm left taking care of the boat solo. With more family or friends on board sure then we don't need the dock hands at all. And solo is no problem it's a 90,000 lb boat so you have to control it with the engines but I can't see the stern so just be my eyes for a few minutes and we will get along fine.

Oh wait a minute I have another complaint for the dockmaster. When I'm actually backing in is not the best time to be on the radio asking me how long I'm staying or do I know where the office is or what kind off electric do I need. That stuff can wait I only have two hands!!!

Brian

 

[Trojan]

I don't let anyone push or pull my boat while docking. It's way to dangerous for the dock hand. If I can't put it next to the dock, my crew will place the line that I need, when I tell them to, in order to get the job done. I will not be caught in a law suit for something stupid the dock hand did. Usually My son or wife handles the line. I do call and find out what side of the dock I will be docking on. Bumpers go on after I am at the dock and the boat is almost secure. I don't need bumpers to dock. It's not bumper pool. Bow and stern lines are ready before I approach the dock. The forward spring line is the only line I need to dock. Then stern, then bow, then aft spring line and I am home. You can hold a Hat somewhat in position. but you are not going to direct it standing on the dock and pushing it. It ain't going to happen. Only an inexperienced person would try to do something like that. That is just asking for trouble.
BILL

 

[Brian Degulis]

Oh wait a minute there's one more thing ( they say it's good to vent right?). When it's done and the boats in with a few lines on If I say thank's maybe give you a tip and then say I got it from here. Just go away I've probably said that because I think your an idiot and don't want any more of your help don't force more help on me just go away.

I hope you all know I'm half kidding refrencing a few bad experiences most of the marinas we go to are courteous and professional.

Brian

 

[exsailor]

Having only one season so far with the 53ED, here are a few of my practices:
1. If I can't parallel dock, go bow in.
2. Sight lines are better from the bridge.
3. Know the wind and current.
4. Go slow and use throttle if needed in reverse only.
5. With floating docks, Hatteras is too high to jump .... don't be afraid to ask
for help.
6. Train crew to watch and direct dock hands. Short ties can kill you!
7. Spring first!

ByronS

 

[Freestyle]

Two questions.

1. If the dockmaster calls you "Captain", is that a euphanism for stupid a$$?

2. What is the average tip for a transient overnight stay?

To answer my own questions:

1. When I do a particularly inglorious job of docking I get called Captain a lot.

2. I've been going with $10 if I am just passing through and $20 if at an affiliated yacht club where I am trying to develop a working relationship.

Bruce

Freestyle
1976 DCMY
Tampa

 

[SeaEric]

What is the average tip for a transient overnight stay?

I enjoy visiting St Michaels Md. during the season here on the Chesapeake. Its generally not very easy to get a prime slip with a good view of the harbor. I have been tipping generously for the past few years and I can tell you, they do remember. I always get good service and what seems like preferencial treatment by the dockmaster and staff. If you go someplace often, I have found that it does pay off to tip well.

 

[Pascal]

i'm not sure i agree about sightlines being better from the bridge. visibility from the lower helm is excellent and you're a few steps from your spring lines which is a huge plus. I never dock from the flybridge... on a boat with an enclosed pilothouse, when backing into a slip you can easily take a peak on one side to see where the piling is as you back in.

Nobody shoudl ever jump from the boat to a low dock. there is no need for that. Try throwing the line around the cleat, holding the bitter end, then when you catch the cleat, pull on the bitted end and fasten that on the boat. you dont' need to be an expert cowboy... all you have to do is throw the line on the dock behind the cleat, as a wide U.

if i'm docking where i need fenders to protect the boat, they are rigged before coming in. i dont' understand bill's remark... if you have wood piling or some protection at the dock then fenders are irrelevant... but anywhere else, esp. alongside fenders have to be set before... on some docks it only take brief contact to scratch the hull...

i dont believe in dock hands and helpers... I dont' want some idiot to catch a finger between the cleat and line, not following instructions and trying to pull the boat against 10 kts wind instead for just trying the line on the cleat and let me spring agaisnt it.

unlike the Sportfish, the MY are the ideal boat when short on crew or singlehandling because you are a few steps from your spring line. regardless of conditions, you can always approach a dock at a 45 degree angle, quickly step to the spring line, throw it around a cleat, secrure the bitter end and spring on it. that works everytime, everywhere.

also, there are many cases where increasing RPM helps... especially when turning around. using a little more power and rudders will increase the rate of turn/pivot, reducing the amount of time you are in a vulnerable position.

 

[Trojan]

I very seldom dock if ever where I don't have tall dock poles to dock against. In most cases no matter where I put the bumper. Once I dock the poles don't line up with the bumpers. Once I get the for and aft spring lines situated, I can then set the bumpers. I can see that at some docks the bumpers could come first. It's just not something that I run into very often. There are not many brake wall type docks in my area. I have to admit I stopped using dock hands when one was not smart enough to release the line and I pull him off the dock into the water. LOL

BILL

 

[thoward]

I dock the 60 from the tower and the only time I really had an issue was when we took it to brokers dock where they swore I would have 6' at low tide. I was on the way in at high tide so no worries, that was, until my keel hung in the mud and sent the stern straight for the owners Sea Ray . Luckly they were prepared a large bumper otherwise that Sea Ray would have had a bad day.

 

[Brian Degulis]

2. I've been going with $10 if I am just passing through and $20 if at an affiliated yacht club where I am trying to develop a working relationship.

No wonder they call you captain LOL

Kidding

Brian

 

[SKYCHENEY]

We have numerous state owned marinas here in Michigan and they do not allow any tipping. If you try to tip, they tell you that it is strictly prohibited and give it back to you. With so many nice facilities and a no-tipping rule, I think that it tends to bring down the expectations of dockhands at competing marinas and clubs as well. $5-$10 goes a long way up here since I think most times they get nada.

At our homeport marina/club, no tipping is allowed until the year end dockhand breakfast. At that event, the dockhands cook up a nice breakfast for the slip owners and they put out a little collection box. I'll bet those kids do pretty well. We have over 150 slips and if each guy throws in $100, that's a nice little kitty to split between 5 or 6 college students. As I look back now on my youth, I think I could have found some better jobs than I had back then.

 

[captddis]

I will add my personal pet peeve DO NOT SECURE A SPRING LINE OR PUSH ME OFF. I drives me nuts when someone ties a line before I am ready and slingshots me into a piling. I try to avoid this by having my wife give the eye to the dock hand and having her cleat it ewhen I am ready. I always do the cords myself, I have seen too many times where some well meaning person drops the end on the fiberglass or worse.

 

[Capt Mike]

I have to add this
I am currently running a 81’ Broward MY
2 Weeks ago I ran down to Key west with the Owner and his Family, Now usually I run with an experienced mate (who works part time for me) and we know what to do, but the owner insisted his friend would help me and to leave the mate at home.
At the 1st stop (flamingo) I explain to the “mate” when I get next to the dock just secure the spring line and I will take it from there. I set it up for him to just go around the piling and tie back to the cleat, well he Jumps off the boat and breaks his foot! Guess what no more “mate”.
When I docked I set out 8 fenders along the concrete seawall I was against. The next day I have to leave this with a 25knot wind blowing me against the wall. Now his wife is going to help me. I set the whole thing up in detail, just pull the spring line and as we leave pull the fenders in. As we are getting off the wall a boat launches in the ramp next to us and I have to stop to keep from running into him, I see we are going to get blown back to the wall, there is nothing I can do the wind has me and there is no room. Guess what the wife did as we left the dock she pulled the fenders. I now have a nice scratch to repair.
When I got to Key West I had the whole thing ready, I had the dock master ready to help and all. I don’t know how but she managed to miss the dock master and throw the line into the props.
This in 2 days of 5, I could go on and on. The owner and I now have an understanding that I no longer leave without MY mate.
When we got back to Naples I had my mate meet us at the dock to help with the lines.
Mike