Leaving the Dock – End Ties
Wind pushing you away from the dock
This is the simplest scenario:
- Once you are confident of your plan, release and stow dock lines, then allow the wind to push the boat clear of other obstacles.
- Engage the gear lever.
- Use enough power to overcome the effects of the wind. Head out to enjoy the day.
Wind coming from behind
This is a little more tricky. If you try to go out forward, the wind could potentially push you into other boats. Additionally, as you turn the wheel to head out, the rear of the boat will swing around towards the dock and other boats. Therefore, it is recommended that you reverse out using a spring line.
Once you are confident of your plan:
- Appoint a crew member to use a fender at the front of the boat to prevent the boat from touching the dock.
- Release and stow the dock lines, but leave one spring line from the dock near the center of the boat attached to the front of the boat.
- The spring line should be arranged so that it is attached to the forward cleat, runs freely around the dock cleat, and returns back to the appointed crew member. In this manner, the crew member can release the line and retrieve it by letting it slip around the dock cleat. Ensure that there are no knots in the line to get caught on the dock cleat as it runs through.
- Turn the wheel towards the dock and engage the forward gear. This will have the effect of pushing the rear of the boat away from the dock.
- Once the boat has turned out from the dock, engage reverse and have your forward crew member release and retrieve the spring line.
Continue backing out to be completely clear before engaging forward gear. Remember, the rear of the boat will swing back towards the dock once you engage forward and turn the wheel to windward, so ensure there is plenty of room.
Wind pushing into the dock and current from behind
You can use exactly the same method as described above.
Here is an animation that will help with this.
Wind pushing into the dock and current from forward
You will have to balance this one a little depending on the strength of the current versus the wind.
If the wind is light you can usually get away with just pushing the front of the boat out. But significant wind may prevent this from happening, and you may need to resort to backing out as in #3 above. Once you are confident of your plan:
- Appoint a crew member to use a fender at the rear of the boat to prevent the boat from touching the dock.
- Release and stow the dock lines, but leave one spring line from the dock near the center of the boat attached to the rear of the boat.
- The spring line should be arranged so that it is attached to the rear cleat, runs freely around the dock cleat, and returns back to the appointed crew member. In this manner, the crew member can release the line and retrieve it by letting it slip around the dock cleat. Ensure that there are no knots in the line to get caught on the dock cleat as it runs through.
- Keep the wheel centered and engage the reverse gear.
- This will have the effect of pulling the front of the boat away from the dock.
- Once the boat has turned out from the dock, engage forward gear and have your crew member release and retrieve the spring line. Remember, the rear of the boat will swing back towards the dock if you turn the wheel. Ensure the boat has swung out enough so that you can motor straight out.
- Continue maneuvering out until you are completely clear before turning.
- An alternative is a line from the aft outward cleat backward on the dock with the gear in forward (and a fender against the dock).
