RT-25Classic 1st Solo docking practice, No Thrusters

[TexasEye]

Well, I finally abandoned deck hands and took her out SOLO for some serious handling practice. Of course I got yelled at for going too fast in the "NO WAKE" Zone!!! Yep, Guilty as charged...I put her in the Forward Detent thinking that was "Idle Slow", thinking that was the transmission detent for forward...Or really "Not Thinking".

This exercise was without thrusters!

Winds 7 knots off the Starboard Bow first three approaches were wrong, the angle on the bow was too steep (45 degrees), well I wanted the Bow dead into the wind! The approach was really good and smooth but when I went hard Port to set the stern the wind got the Bow and pushed her too far away to capture the Cleat from the Helm window...It happens really fast and the rate the light wind took the Bow was surprising.. (I have the Bimini and Tender Off the boat, so I betcha it is quite different with those sails up).

Shallowed the approach to less than 30 degrees and gently set the Bow fenders and hard to Port, gentle power forward and to a gentle stern contact, I was able to capture the Cleat with two turns and a figure 8 with a final secure line to the mid boat cleat...walked casually to the cockpit and secured the stern...I did this maneuver 6 times with no thrusters and no issues...

Then I tried the backing into the Birth with the winds at the Port Stern ...(Open double birth with dock to Starboard)..This was a challenge, a real challenge, I could not see any Rudder effect in reverse!!!NONE!!! Prop walk was absolutely noticeable and the rudder effect in Forward was great...but once you lose the Bow it is a BEAR if not impossible to salvage, well, I couldn't fix the problem and had to go to Thruster Rescue Mode just to abort the abortion...

Seems like even with the wing behind the boat it still wants to take the Bow...so I backed in with the wind on the Port Quarter and captured the fender on the starboard stern (using caution on the swim platform) and just let the wind have the boat, the Bow moved to the dock but I couldn't reach the cleat...dang!!! I know the fenders will rub the gelcoat but I disregarded the fact and slowly powered against the dock where I could reach the cleat...A little rubbing and polish and Rhonda will never know.

Bottom line, it was a fun 2 hours of practice, I met some nice people who don't like wake's from a Blue Trawler and Guest from the Lodge running out to help the docking boat in distress trying hopelessly to dock time after time...I told the nice people I was practicing without thrusters, well, they stood back and watched for about 30 minutes wondering what Thrusters are...Practicing without thrusters is absolutely necessary and proper as we never know when the might fail in a tight spot...

 

[Red Raven]

It’s always fun to provide the entertainment at the dock! The first time we did the same we had multiple people ask if they could help. Had to explain ourselves several times. After while they just set up chairs and watched! 😀

 

[Navigator's Son]

Before I had decided to get my Ranger, I decided to take advantage of a windy winter day (nobody at the launch ramp) to practice coming into the dock into the wind.

There was a woman from the department fish and wildlife who thought I needed help too.

I'm thinking it might just be better to print up a few signs to place on the bow rails "No help needed, just practicing" in case I decide to do the same with the Ranger. I wouldn't want to become too dependant on the thrusters either, and unfortunately I am relying on them over proper steering in the first place.