How to Sail Into a Marina Safely

The safety of your boat and every other boat in a marina depends on everyone sailing safely. The dangers of marinas include shallow water, collisions with other boats, collisions with stationary objects and losing control in the tight spaces that marinas often present. By being careful and observant, however, you can avoid all of these dangers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Go slowly so you can avoid collisions and minimize the amount of wake or wave action you might produce. Marinas always recommend, and sometimes require, that you enter the marina using your engine rather than your sails.
2. Watch for other boats, small crafts and swimmers. Be careful not to sail over ropes, which can get sucked up into your intakes.
3. Prepare the docking lines by securing one end to the boat and ready the fenders to protect your boat from rubbing against the slip.
4. Dock in a designated and available slip.
5. Slow down as you approach the dock. Bring the boat parallel to the dock and let the wind blow you in. If the wind is blowing offshore, approach at a 20- to 30-degree angle and toss a bow line to someone on shore to secure it. Use the engine or the rudder to bring the stern to the dock and secure the stern line to the dock.
6. Disembark only when you have fully secured the boat.

Tips & Warnings

• If you think you'll need help docking, radio ahead to the marina to ask for assistance.
• Don't hesitate to give up on a landing attempt if it isn't going well by backing off and coming back for another try, or for as many tries as you need.