leaving a slip in the wind

[steven_ickman]

So every time I think I'm getting comfortable operating my boat I run into a new situation which makes me realize I still have a lot to learn... Latest example was trying to leave a slip with a strong side wind pushing me away from the finger. Took the boat out for a bit the other day and docked in a guest slip at one of the local marinas. Tons of open slips so I judged the wind and chose a stern in starboard side tie that had the wind pushing me into the slip finger. Easy as pie to dock. When I went to leave later, however, the wind direction had changed and a fairly strong side wind was now pushing me away from the slip finger. I was by myself so wasn't exactly sure how to get out of the slip as when I untied the bow line the bow immediately wanted to swing sideways into the slip. I needed to get the boat back and it seemed like things were going to get worse before better so I quickly untied the bow and jumped onto the boat. Of course by the time I got to the helm the bow was pointed right towards the pilon on the opposite side of the slip. I bounced around a bit and eventually got my port side flush with the other finger and was able to pull out.

In hindsight I can think of a number of things I probably should have done different (like go get a dockhand to help with my lines.) Fortunately there wasn't a boat next to me in the slip and nothing was damaged on my boat. I'm just looking for tips as to what to do in future situations like that?

Steve

 

[Levitation]

There is not a single one of us who have not faced situation like this in the learning process.
My absolute best advice is two fold
Get Chapman's and read the chapters on boat handling (and every thing else - great bedtime reading)
Look up 'spring lines' here on the web
And if I see you I will give a hand with the lines :mrgreen:

 

[Connerkip]

Do you have a remote control for your thrusters?

How about stringing a line midship on you cleat just off the helm, around a forward piling, around a forward cleat and have the bitter end ending at the helm cleat. The feed it out from the helm as you depart? Similar aft perhaps?

 

[JamesTXSD]

As Denny-o says, spring lines are your friend. And: well-placed fenders. In a single-handing situation like you described, a short, tight line from the mid-ship cleat run to a wrap on the cleat or rail on the dock, then run back to the boat, will keep you snug, while the fenders keep the boat from rubbing the dock. Have the boat ready to go; while on the boat, release the line at the boat and pull it from the cleat and back on the boat. Go to the helm and you are heading out.

Learning to use spring lines in close quarters is a valuable skill.

 

[steven_ickman]

I do have the remote for the thruster but the wind was so strong that the thruster was of no use. Literally took 4 seconds to turn me sidewise when I released the lines. I assumed the answer was something related to the spring lines run back through the window at the helm. That makes a lot of sense. I could have tied the spring line off on the midship cleat while I boarded the boat. Untied it from the helm and just drove forward keeping it tight.

The one bright side is I at least recognized that I had an issue I needed to deal with. A month ago I would have just blindly untied the boat. I feel like I'm on my way at least 🙂

Steve

 

[steven_ickman]

By the way... The other issue is I was probably dealing with a 10 - 15 knot side wind. The dock was empty so I had no wind breaks. The moment I released the bow lines the bow would turn immediately sideways in the slip. I probably also should have waited to see if the wind would die down some. My other thought was that if I had gone to get a dock hand for assistance he could have held me tight to the side of the slip as I pulled out.