How to Dock a Keelboat Alongside a Dock Under Power

Using your engine will give you more control while docking.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sailing Gloves
• Deck Shoes
• Sailboats

1. Check the wind direction by reading flags onshore, wind on the water or masthead indicators.
2. Position your boat about five boat lengths to leeward and one boat length off the dock.
3. Reduce speed to bare steerage way.
4. Aim the bow at a spot a few feet up the dock from the nearest (leeward) corner.
5. Shift to neutral when the boat is about two and a half boat lengths from the dock. The boat should slow to a speed of less than 1 knot, but it shouldn't stop entirely.
6. Position one or two crew members at the beam with bow and stern lines. A single crew may be more effective using a spring line attached to a beam cleat.
7. Turn the boat upwind when the bow comes about half the distance of the beam measurement from the corner of the dock. For example, if the boat has a 10-foot beam, turn upwind when the bow is 5 feet from the corner of the dock.
8. Have fenders in place or assign a crew member to suspend a fender by a line at the point where the boat comes closest to the dock.
9. Bring the beam alongside the dock.
10. Instruct the crew to step off the boat onto the dock - no acrobatic leaps. Make sure they understand that you can make another attempt at the dock more easily than picking them up out of the water.
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 tying them fast before the boat has come to a stop.
12. Use reverse if necessary to slow the boat.
13. Secure the dock lines.

Tips & Warnings

• You'll perfect this technique with experience. Windless days are best for first timers.
• Don't be afraid to hit the dock; that's what fenders are for.
• Practice, practice, practice.