How to Sail Into a Downwind Slip

If there's anything more complicated than sailing into an upwind slip, it's sailing into a downwind slip. With a little care and preparation it isn't that bad. Here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sailing Gloves
• Personal Flotation Devices
• Sailboats

1. Attach your fenders to the boat prior to making the docking attempt, 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 mainsail halyard and drop the mainsail to the deck.
5. Estimate two boat lengths' distance away from the dock and release the jib sheet. Let the sail luff. Keep the jib raised in case the boat loses forward momentum and needs to power up again.
6. Untie stopper knots in the end of the sheets to allow the sail to blow completely clear of the boat when you turn downwind.
7. Position one or two crew members at the beam with dock lines. If only one crew member is available, he or she may be more effective using a spring line attached to a beam cleat.
8. Turn in a wide arc toward the slip when the bow is about one and a half slips away, and line up for a more direct entrance by turning away from and toward the slip in quick movements.
9. Watch the beam on your leeward 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 maintain some forward motion even though the sails are down or luffing.
• You have only one shot at this maneuver - make it with confidence and don't be afraid to hit the dock.
• 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).