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Step 1
Attach docking lines and fenders to the appropriate side of the boat while still in open water.
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Step 2
Approach the leeward side of the dock, if possible. Approach the dock from downwind. It's more difficult to control the boat with the full power of the wind in the sail. You'll achieve better results when the wind is further forward. Wind on or behind the beam will make it difficult to luff the mainsail.
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Step 3
Begin steering for the dock from at least five boat lengths away.
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Step 4
Select an angle that allows you to sail on a close reach (upwind).
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Step 5
Release the jib sheet and allow the sail to luff.
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Step 6
Release the mainsheet when you're about two boat lengths from the dock. Someone may need to push the boom out to luff the sail. This maneuver can be done earlier or later, depending on your speed.
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Step 7
Position one or two crew members at the beam with bow and stern lines. A single crew member might want to use a spring line attached to a beam cleat.
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Step 8
Turn the boat upwind when the bow is about half the beam length from the dock. For example, if the boat has a 10-foot beam, turn upwind when the bow is 5 feet from the dock. Your speed should be less than 1 knot by this time.
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Step 9
Bring the beam alongside the dock.
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Step 10
Instruct crew members to step off the boat onto the dock (no acrobatic leaps).
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Step 11
Wrap the dock lines around cleats to slow the boat to a stop. Let the lines slip over the cleats while applying moderate resistance - instead of making them fast before the boat has come to a stop.
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Step 12
Secure the dock lines.
