Solo Docking

[pdo]

Just wondering if anyone can share best practices, lessons learned or helpful tips on solo docking a R-23. (Especially stern in first - backing into slip - docking.) Thanks

 

[bob daily]

Docking, commonly referred to as a controlled crash! Take it SLOW, practice a few times with crew on board but just there for moral support and to help if needed. Have fenders and lines ready and in place prior to entering port. Check wind and current and use to your advantage if possible. I'm not familiar with your model but the outboard with bow thruster should be a piece of cake compared to the inboard models. Practice makes perfect and over time you will be the expert. Best of luck Bob

 

[it4llc]

Having just taken on solo departure and docking for the couple times, I'd recommend mentally walking through everything a couple of times. And then take a deep breath and relax. I also found that I'd get focused on one task, eg untying the stern, and didn't pay attention to the bow (drifting toward the boat in the slip next to me), so pop your head up and see what is happening. As stressful as it was, and I was lucky with a nice calm day, having done it once or twice now, I still need work but the stress has dropped a LOT.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Excellent feedback from the previous posters. On a more practical perspective, I have two lines to be made fast first: the spring line from the mid-deck cleat on my R27 and the stern line from the stern cleat. I have to content with current, wind, and a narrow slip so I don't have much time to tie up once I hop off the boat onto the finger pier. I actually tie both lines together with a loose figure 8 knot (secure and fast to untie) so there is only one line to grab as I exit the boat. Depending on the situation I'll tie the appropriate line first and then the other. Once the boat is secure I untie the lines, fasten the bow lines and readjust everything as needed. Needless to say I only do this under conditions this routine and I can handle. Otherwise I can call ahead and get assistance at the dock from marina staff or other boaters who know when to lend a hand. GF

 

[Severum88]

I fly solo often, and have found the thruster remote to be invaluable. Stays around my neck, until I get her tied and secured.

Severum

 

[it4llc]

I'll strongly second carrying the remote!

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

Practice is the best thing. Some time on the dock practicing tossing your line over a cleat from the starboard window helps. It will at least get you connected to the dock before you leave the helm.

Focus on understanding how your boat moves in reverse. For me, it’s easier to back to port than to starboard, so I always do that if possible.


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[Brian98133]

I'm better at starboard docking, so I make sure to have my stern line ready to grab easily, and run my long bow line along the outside of the rails, all the way to the rear in a manner in which I can easily grab it as I make my leap onto the dock. Most times I have both the bow and stern line looped in the same spot so when I jump off, I have control of both lines, therefore control of the boat. Easy peasy (Mostly :mrgreen: ).

 

[Hamster]

Focus on understanding how your boat moves in reverse. For me, it’s easier to back to port than to starboard, so I always do that if possible.

So true Cruising! Yesterday, we came into our marina to pump out and faced really strong winds. The pumpout was on the leeward side and the waste pumpout on the R23 is on starboard. I kept trying to turn the boat around in the wind in a really tight space. Needless to say, at least for me, is that there were a few cuss words released. I finally found that the best reverse was to port, even though it turned my bow into the wind direction. This makes sense on the OB now that I think about it. Direction of motor and prop make that the most efficient in reverse. In three years of boating on this boat, this was the first super challenging maneuver for me. I’m trying to etch this in my simple mind for when it is critical again. I will practice it more to help.

 

[pdo]

A couple of responders mentioned thruster remotes. I don’t believe that is available on the R-23. If it is how do I learn more about it and get it installed? Thanks


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[pdo]

Focus on understanding how your boat moves in reverse. For me, it’s easier to back to port than to starboard, so I always do that if possible.

So true Cruising! Yesterday, we came into our marina to pump out and faced really strong winds. The pumpout was on the leeward side and the waste pumpout on the R23 is on starboard. I kept trying to turn the boat around in the wind in a really tight space. Needless to say, at least for me, is that there were a few cuss words released. I finally found that the best reverse was to port, even though it turned my bow into the wind direction. This makes sense on the OB now that I think about it. Direction of motor and prop make that the most efficient in reverse. In three years of boating on this boat, this was the first super challenging maneuver for me. I’m trying to etch this in my simple mind for when it is critical again. I will practice it more to help.

Thanks, good advice from all! I appreciate the input.


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