Departure
Departure
- Stern first
- Wind direction and strength, will it help or hinder
- Rig an aft spring line and a fender near the bow
- Assign crew to handle lines
- Cast off slack lines only
- Double back aft spring line and stern line
- Shorten spring line as the boat backs out
- Get everyone on board before starting to leave the dock, no last second embarking on a moving vessel.
- Prop walk, will it help or hinder your departure?
- Cock stern out by going forward on the spring line
- Put in reverse and throttle up long enough to get the boat moving. If there are strong cross winds off the docks, go a little faster and maintain the spring line as long as possible not to lose the bow.
- Fast idle speed, neutral, use momentum to back out slowly
- Prefer backing out towards the open water, especially if the winds would push you to a lee shore
- Get clear of the docks by at least one boat length before turning. This is especially important in gusty condition when the wind is behind you.
- Bow first
- Wind direction and strength, will it help or hinder
- Assign crew to handle lines
- Rig a forward spring line and a fender near the stern corner
- Cast off slack lines only
- Double back spring line and bow line
- Try to get everyone on board
- Prop walk, will it help or hinder
- Cock bow out by going reverse on the spring line
- Put in forward and throttle up to get the boat moving
- Fast idle speed to move out in a controlled fashion
- Watch the stern corner when turning. Do not turn too sharply until clear.