Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option. I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?


"Wwso149874" wrote in message
...
Many times we forget about the use of lines and engine to bring a vessel
into
or out of a berth. The use of a spring to swing the bow or stern out into
the
channel, or around an obstacle is a common practice with large vessels and
works equally well with small ones. A mid ship's spring will often make
you
look like an expert bringing your boat into a difficult berth or slip.
Warping
yourself into a tight slip is an art form. Too often boaters think they
have
to do every thing with the engine alone. That's the hard way.

Bow thruster? Big boat pole? Normally you would just spring the stern out,
back away, then proceed.

"George C." wrote in message
news:m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01...
Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my
bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would
turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option.
I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?


"Wwso149874" wrote in message
...
Many times we forget about the use of lines and engine to bring a vessel
into
or out of a berth. The use of a spring to swing the bow or stern out
into
the
channel, or around an obstacle is a common practice with large vessels
and
works equally well with small ones. A mid ship's spring will often make
you
look like an expert bringing your boat into a difficult berth or slip.
Warping
yourself into a tight slip is an art form. Too often boaters think they
have
to do every thing with the engine alone. That's the hard way.

Bow thruster? Big boat pole? Normally you would just spring the stern out,
back away, then proceed.

"George C." wrote in message
news:m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01...
Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my
bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would
turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option.
I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?


"Wwso149874" wrote in message
...
Many times we forget about the use of lines and engine to bring a vessel
into
or out of a berth. The use of a spring to swing the bow or stern out
into
the
channel, or around an obstacle is a common practice with large vessels
and
works equally well with small ones. A mid ship's spring will often make
you
look like an expert bringing your boat into a difficult berth or slip.
Warping
yourself into a tight slip is an art form. Too often boaters think they
have
to do every thing with the engine alone. That's the hard way.

In article m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01,
"George C." wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option. I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?

Haven't tried this, but perhaps: "spring" a dock line from as far back
on the dock as possible to the outboard transom cleat. Power forward,
possibly turning the rudder toward the dock to kick the stern out as
well. That should torque the bow around. Once you've turned enough, toss
the dock line back to the dockhand.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 04:42:34 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

In article m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01,
"George C." wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to =
my bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I =
would turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an =
option. I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern =
will
get crushed. What to do?

Haven't tried this, but perhaps: "spring" a dock line from as far back=20
on the dock as possible to the outboard transom cleat. Power forward,=20
possibly turning the rudder toward the dock to kick the stern out as=20
well. That should torque the bow around. Once you've turned enough, toss=
=20
the dock line back to the dockhand.

We've done something like this but not quite. We powered forward, =
turning
the wheel as to turn into the dock with a dock line on the bow cleat. =
This
caused the stern to move away from the dock. Of course if the dock had =
not
been well padded, we would have needed a large fender to protect the bow
from the dock.

In article ,
Loren Block wrote:

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 04:42:34 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

In article m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01,
"George C." wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my
bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would
turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option.
I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?

Haven't tried this, but perhaps: "spring" a dock line from as far back
on the dock as possible to the outboard transom cleat. Power forward,
possibly turning the rudder toward the dock to kick the stern out as
well. That should torque the bow around. Once you've turned enough, toss
the dock line back to the dockhand.

We've done something like this but not quite. We powered forward, turning
the wheel as to turn into the dock with a dock line on the bow cleat. This
caused the stern to move away from the dock. Of course if the dock had not
been well padded, we would have needed a large fender to protect the bow
from the dock.

We've done that many times. Our hull and rub rail are beefy enough that
I don't worry much about damage, but some of my powerboat friends aren't
as blessed.

The significant adverse wind got me thinking. If we were port to the
dock, I'd have to be VERY aggressive in the backing and would have very
little margin of error with our significant walk to port. While Xan's
bow is beefy, I'm not sure I'd want to solidly plant it on the dock
before backing, and am not sure I could put us at the required 30 or so
degree cant with a simple spring line to the bow.

Tying a dockline to the outboard transom cleat, if it works, would put
us bow to the wind, in forward gear. We don't have a swim platform, but
our rudder, ladder and kicker are hung back there. Since I built the
rudder, I know I can rebuild it, but I'd hate to have to during the
season. May-October (our sailing season), I do only absolutely necessary
maintenance and get real irritable in the process.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

In article ,
Loren Block wrote:

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 04:42:34 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

In article m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01,
"George C." wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my
bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would
turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option.
I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?

Haven't tried this, but perhaps: "spring" a dock line from as far back
on the dock as possible to the outboard transom cleat. Power forward,
possibly turning the rudder toward the dock to kick the stern out as
well. That should torque the bow around. Once you've turned enough, toss
the dock line back to the dockhand.

We've done something like this but not quite. We powered forward, turning
the wheel as to turn into the dock with a dock line on the bow cleat. This
caused the stern to move away from the dock. Of course if the dock had not
been well padded, we would have needed a large fender to protect the bow
from the dock.

We've done that many times. Our hull and rub rail are beefy enough that
I don't worry much about damage, but some of my powerboat friends aren't
as blessed.

The significant adverse wind got me thinking. If we were port to the
dock, I'd have to be VERY aggressive in the backing and would have very
little margin of error with our significant walk to port. While Xan's
bow is beefy, I'm not sure I'd want to solidly plant it on the dock
before backing, and am not sure I could put us at the required 30 or so
degree cant with a simple spring line to the bow.

Tying a dockline to the outboard transom cleat, if it works, would put
us bow to the wind, in forward gear. We don't have a swim platform, but
our rudder, ladder and kicker are hung back there. Since I built the
rudder, I know I can rebuild it, but I'd hate to have to during the
season. May-October (our sailing season), I do only absolutely necessary
maintenance and get real irritable in the process.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 04:42:34 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

In article m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01,
"George C." wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to =
my bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I =
would turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an =
option. I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern =
will
get crushed. What to do?

Haven't tried this, but perhaps: "spring" a dock line from as far back=20
on the dock as possible to the outboard transom cleat. Power forward,=20
possibly turning the rudder toward the dock to kick the stern out as=20
well. That should torque the bow around. Once you've turned enough, toss=
=20
the dock line back to the dockhand.

We've done something like this but not quite. We powered forward, =
turning
the wheel as to turn into the dock with a dock line on the bow cleat. =
This
caused the stern to move away from the dock. Of course if the dock had =
not
been well padded, we would have needed a large fender to protect the bow
from the dock.

In article m4yLb.57930$PK3.42234@okepread01,
"George C." wrote:

Here's the scenario: I'm docked alongside a pier with boats close to my bow
and stern, and the wind is pushing me into the pier. Normally, I would turn
the bow into the pier and back out, but sometimes backing isn't an option. I
would like to push the bow out, but the 2' swim platform on my stern will
get crushed. What to do?

Haven't tried this, but perhaps: "spring" a dock line from as far back
on the dock as possible to the outboard transom cleat. Power forward,
possibly turning the rudder toward the dock to kick the stern out as
well. That should torque the bow around. Once you've turned enough, toss
the dock line back to the dockhand.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

This has worked for me in the past (no bow thruster, too much wind to
push off): Take a line from a cleat on the pier (behind the stern of
the boat) to your seaward stern cleat. Fender your stern off. Helm
towards the pier, throttle ahead.... You may need quite a bit of
throttle and your cleat might start moaning but in the end your bow
will swing out just nicely.
Seems to be a manouvre that is not seen often, but it does work.