How to Sail Into an Upwind Slip

Everything gets more complicated when you sail near stationary objects. That's certainly the case when sailing into a narrow slip. Here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sailing Gloves
• Deck Shoes
• Personal Flotation Devices
• Sailboats

1. Set up your fenders and docking lines when you're in open water, and sail toward the slip on a beam reach.
2. Stand off about one and a half boat lengths away from the entrance to the slip. You may need to shorten this distance to avoid crowding boats or other obstructions opposite your slip in a narrow seaway.
3. Make your initial approach from at least five boat lengths away if possible.
4. Release the jib sheet and let the sail luff.
5. Estimate two boat lengths' distance away from the dock and release the mainsheet. Someone may need to push the boom out to luff the sail. This maneuver can be done earlier or later depending on your speed.
6. Position one or two crew members at the beam with bow and stern lines. If only one crew member is available, he or she may be more effective using a spring line attached to a beam cleat.
7. Turn in a wide arc toward the slip when the bow is about one and a half slips away.
8. Line up for a more direct entrance by turning away from and toward the slip in quick movements.
9. Watch the beam on your windward side. You may not be able to make your final turn straight into the slip unless the beam has cleared the corner of the dock.
10. Instruct the crew to step off the boat onto the dock on the side that comes closest to a dock - no acrobatic leaps.
11. Use dock lines around cleats to slow the boat to a stop. Let the lines slip over the cleats while applying moderate resistance rather than making them fast before the boat has come to a stop.
12. Secure the dock lines.

Tips & Warnings

• The boat will stop its forward motion as the sails lose their wind. The stronger the wind on the bow, the sooner the boat will stop.
• This maneuver can easily be perfected - it's all in the timing.
• Reduce speed as much as possible before coming alongside the dock. Approaching too fast could result in injury or damage.
• Have all crew members wear personal flotation devices (life jackets).