Docking in style depends heavily on setting up early for success. Not unlike a pilot landing a plane, if the things aren't lining up well early on, best to call a 'missed approach' and head around again. When teaching docking on a sailboat, we explain how to set up that good angle well in advance. Based on a phenomenon we refer to as 'slide', a technique develops called 'last movement towards the dock'.
In other words, because the boat when turned will continue to slide somewhat in the direction it was just traveling, best to use that to your advantage to move 'towards the dock' instead of 'away from the dock'. Using the simple examples here, you will see that in the 'WRONG WAY' example, the boat 'slides' towards the boat next to it and away from the dock. Not what the skipper necessarily wants!
In the 'RIGHT WAY' example, the skipper proceeds past the slip and then backs towards it. As the boat turns into the slip, the slide takes the boat towards the dock and away from the neighboring vessel. That's one ingredient for docking in style.
Like to learn more? Take our Cooper Boating Docking Clinic
In other words, because the boat when turned will continue to slide somewhat in the direction it was just traveling, best to use that to your advantage to move 'towards the dock' instead of 'away from the dock'. Using the simple examples here, you will see that in the 'WRONG WAY' example, the boat 'slides' towards the boat next to it and away from the dock. Not what the skipper necessarily wants!
In the 'RIGHT WAY' example, the skipper proceeds past the slip and then backs towards it. As the boat turns into the slip, the slide takes the boat towards the dock and away from the neighboring vessel. That's one ingredient for docking in style.
Like to learn more? Take our Cooper Boating Docking Clinic
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