Here at Boating and Sailing, we encourage you to be a prepared boater and use a Pre-Departure Checklist prior to leaving the dock. Taking five minutes to check your boat and its equipment now can prevent immense trouble later. This will ensure you have everything needed for the trip onboard and ready for use. Take a look around your vessel and observe the wind, current and movement of other vessels. This can provide hints on how to best leave the dock.
Wind and current are major influences on maneuvering a vessel. Being on the weather or windward side of a dock means these forces are pushing your boat into the face of the dock. Being on the leeward side means the wind and current is pushing you away from the dock. Safely leaving the dock will be based on accommodating these forces acting on your vessels. Suggestions offered here are for single engine vessels.
Weather Side Undocking – The wind is blowing towards the dock:
- Cast off all the lines on the boat, except for a bow spring line that runs aft down to the dock
- Turn your wheel towards the dock and ease the boat forward which should swing the stern out away from the dock
- Use a buoy bag or fender to cushion were the bow meets the dock
- Once the stern is clear of the dock, turn the line loose, place the wheel amidships and back carefully away from the dock
- After the boat is clear of the dock, maneuver for open water
Twin screw boats have an advantage in maneuvering from the dock with some practice. By applying light forward throttle on the dockside engine and reversing the outboard one will swing the bow away from the dock. Once the bow is free from the dock, both engines are shifted forward to move away from the dock.
Leeward Side Undocking - A boat tied to the lee side of a dock is easy to undock. Cast off all the lines and bring in the fenders. Let the wind take you away from the face of the dock or use a boathook to help. Once safely clear of the dock, maneuver to open water.
Practice with your crew and frequent passengers on mooring procedures. Give clear directions and don't assume everyone knows your intentions. Remember boats steer from the rear unlike a car. The stern will swing in the direction of the turn you are making away from the dock. After leaving the dock check to see that all lines and fenders are safely stowed. This will prevent trips and help keep unexpected lines out of the propeller. Watch for other vessels, objects or people in the water, and obstructions as you leave the dock.
