Handling Stormy Weather

Don't let the wind keep you at the dock

By Dusty Miller

This slow and stormy introduction to the 2011 boating season is expected to give way to a hot summer. We don’t know whether that means more storms or a perfect boating season, but whatever happens you don’t have to let the wind keep you nailed to the dock.

Sailors aside, many boaters stay in the marina when winds get up. Granted, even if it’s OK in open waters, landing or departing when the wind is against you can be challenging. However, with a little foreknowledge, both of these are easy to handle in windy situations.

Let’s deal with landing when the wind is off the dock. This can be extremely frustrating. So many times I’ve seen boaters ease up to the dock only to be blown away before they can get the lines ashore. You need to approach the dock at a pretty good clip to get enough momentum to counteract the wind, but you obviously don’t want to hit the dock. This fear can make you a little tentative. Practice makes the difference, but there is an easy way that doesn’t require quite as much courage.

The trick is to ease up to the dock stern first. This is where all your weight and control lies. Once you’re at the dock, hand a stern line to a dockhand or tell your crew to take a line ashore. Secure it to a cleat and you’re halfway home. Using the gearshift that’s furthest from the dock, touch in and touch out in forward. The boat will edge up to the dock so you can easily get a second line ashore.

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