| You are squeezed between two huge power boats | | | | the stern. Lead the line to a piling or cleat on the dock, |
| ahead and astern of you at the fuel dock. A breeze | | | | forward of the stern cleat. Loop it around the piling or |
| from ahead threatens to send you into the power | | | | cleat and lead it back to the boat cleat at the stern. Tie |
| cruiser astern. Unless you know how to dock a boat | | | | off the line. |
| or undock a boat the way the pros do! Follow these | | | | 3. Bring in All Lines Except the Spring |
| five easy steps to undock your boat with perfect | | | | When you are ready to leave, start your inboard or |
| control. | | | | outboard engine. Assign one crew to the roving fender |
| Anytime the wind blows from ahead, or if it blows off | | | | and another to the forward quarter spring line on the |
| the dock, you will need to control your boat so that the | | | | boat. Bring aboard all other lines except for the |
| bow swings off the dock first. This gives you the most | | | | forward quarter spring line. All crew should be on the |
| control in tight quarters. This technique will work on any | | | | boat before you go to step 4. |
| vessel, from the smallest sailboat or power boat to the | | | | 4. Use Idle Speed - Reverse Propulsion |
| largest super tanker! Follow these five simple steps to | | | | Place the engine in reverse at idle throttle speed. Keep |
| success: | | | | the wheel or tiller amidships (centered). Glance over |
| 1. Rig Fenders First | | | | your shoulder to watch the stern and then ahead to |
| Position one or two fenders at the quarter (near the | | | | watch the bow to make sure you clear the boats. |
| stern) of the boat. Make up another fender for a | | | | 5. Clear the Bow and Pull the Spring Aboard |
| "roving fender". This fender will be used by one of your | | | | Wait until the bow clears the boat ahead by a wide |
| crew as he or she walks ("roves") around the boat to | | | | margin. When clear, uncleat the spring line. Pull it aboard |
| drop the fender between the boat and dock to | | | | fast to keep it from wrapping around the propeller. |
| cushion any contact points. | | | | Once the spring comes aboard, use your rudder and |
| Use a long loop of line 4' to 5' long. Attach a bitter end | | | | engine to maneuver out into the channel. |
| to the eye on each side of the fender. This way, the | | | | Use these five easy sailing tips to learn to dock a boat |
| crew can hold the fender in a vertical position or | | | | or undock a boat like a pro. You will gain the |
| horizontal position for maximum protection. | | | | confidence and skills to handle your sailboat in any |
| 2. Make Up a Forward Quarter Spring Line | | | | situation--wherever in the world you choose to sail! |
| Tie one end of a long docking line to a boat cleat near | | | | |