AFT DECK CAPSTAN

[ALICE J]

The other day I got caught in a slip with very strong winds, and could barely pull my Ranger 27 off the dock. I was wondering if anyone has placed a capstan (electric) or even a sail boat winch somewhere on the aft railing/gunwale so you could winch yourself off the dock in a strong blow.

 

[stwendl]

The other day I got caught in a slip with very strong winds, and could barely pull my Ranger 27 off the dock. I was wondering if anyone has placed a capstan (electric) or even a sail boat winch somewhere on the aft railing/gunwale so you could winch yourself off the dock in a strong blow.

I would question if you should even be going out at such condition. I used to have a catamaran with two engines, one in each hull. I knew from testing by others that at a windspeed of more than 25kts i could no longer use the engines to turn the boat on a dime (one engine forward the other reverse) as they simply had not enough thrust.

Wished we could have similar numbers available for our tugs. For instance, thrusters and engine produce a certain amount of force. Freeboard acts against this force with wind blowing at it. What are the limits and forces involved.

Guess it is time to roll out my force gauge again and make some measurements. Unless someone beats me to it.

 

[nzfisher]

I believe there are techniques for this printed in Chapman's as well as other docking reference materials. Most involve lots of bumpers and someone on the dock.