Departure

    1. Stern first
      • Wind direction and strength, will it help or hinder
      • Rig an aft spring line and a fender near the bow on the dock side of the boat
      • Assign crew to handle the lines. Make sure the dock lines do not have knots or loops at the end.
      • Get everyone on board before starting to leave the dock, no last second embarking on a moving vessel.
      • First cast off the slack lines only to reduce the amount of work.
      • Double back aft spring line and stern line.
      • Shorten the aft spring line as the boat backs out in order to maintain control of the bow.
      • Ease out and then release the stern line once the boat is moving under control.
      • Prop walk, will it help or hinder your departure?
      • If the prop walk will hinder (e.g. port walk, dock on port side), cock the stern out by going forward on the spring line with the wheel turned towards the dock.
      • Bring helm to center and put the engine in reverse and throttle up long enough to get the boat moving. If there are strong cross winds off the docks, use more throttle and shorten the spring line not to lose the bow.
      • Fast idle speed, neutral, use momentum to back out slowly. Use the rudder as necessary to help stay away from the boat behind.
      • 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 and a half boat lengths before turning. This is especially important in gusty condition when the wind is behind you.





    1. Bow first
      • Wind direction and strength, will it help or hinder
      • Assign crew to handle the lines. Make sure the dock lines do not have knots or loops at the end.
      • Rig a forward spring line and a fender near the stern corner where the hull may contact the dock.
      • Cast off the slack lines only to reduce the amount of work.
      • Double back the forward spring the line and the bow line
      • Get everyone on board before starting to leave the dock.
      • Prop walk, will it help or hinder
      • Cock bow out by going reverse on the forward spring line with the wheel turned to the dock. The wheel is less effective in this scenario than in forward due to lack of prop wash.
      • If the wind is off the docks, simply ease the bow line while keeping the forward spring line taut and wait for the bow to fall away from the dock. 
      • Put in forward and throttle up to get the boat moving.
      • Fast idle speed to move out with alacrity but in a controlled fashion.
      • Watch the stern corner when turning. Do not turn too sharply until clear.
      • Release the bow line first, and get ready to release the spring line once the boat is moving.
      • 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 and a half boat lengths before turning. This is especially important in gusty condition when the wind is behind you.