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.
      • First cast off slack lines only to reduce the amount of work.
      • Double back aft spring line and stern line.
      • Shorten spring line as the boat backs out and ease out and then release the stern line.
      • 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?
      • If the prop walk will hinder (e.g. port walk, dock on port side), cock 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, 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. 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
      • Cast off the slack lines only to reduce the amount of work.
      • Double back 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.
      • If the wind is off the docks, simply easy 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 in a controlled fashion.
      • Watch the stern corner when turning. Do not turn too sharply until clear.