Docking in High Winds with Gusts

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Ask Captain Chris about docking in the wind. www.captainchri... Practice in calm weather so you know how to power your engines (and thrusters if you are lucky enough to have them- this boat did not) BEFORE you really need to. And pay attention to other factors such as wind deflection from buildings, other boats and docks. Learn more 772-205-1859

[@treydrier3169]

I give this captain credit. He did not panic and took his time evaluating and then making the proper adjustments. Nice job!

[@AskCaptainChris]

Trey Drier we agree. And we appreciate your positive comment. Well thought out too. Sometimes we have to re-evaluate our situation and come at it another way. 👍🏼

[@tlteal]

This captain was very experienced. Didn't flip out, get scared and there was no shouting. He was patience, re-evaluated his options and got her in there. Great job to this Captain!

[@CaptnPea]

Rule #1 of docking... not going right? Bail.... and try again.

[@celticbedou]

Looked like the cpt was having fun with the challenge. Job well done, wish I had that skill set.

[@dannybray3418]

I love how on every single docking video on KZbin there is so many people saying they could do better. Bunch of keyboard captains with no experience in similar sized vessels. The guy did fine, no damage to his or any boats, stayed calm, took his time.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Danny Bray yay!! You get it!! Thanks for pointing out what is important. And he was patient in his persistence.

[@dannybray3418]

captainchrisyachtser almost every docking video has people with those kind of comments, drives me crazy, most have no idea. Our 42 has a decent amount of windage and it can get super windy in seward,ak. We have definitely had a few times were it is plenty stressful. Just need to take your time and make sure no one gets hurt. Always make a point to try to help another boat dock if it looks like they need a hand as well. Everyone enjoys the boats out on the water but anyone who has never had a single stressful docking hasn't been docking long enough haha

[@donzi32boats80]

Thank you sir, true, how so many people can do it better from there keyboard..

[@Abcsam86]

AHHAHA i was just thinking the same dam thing. The guy narrating this does not even know its called twin screw he keeps calling it a twin engine making me go nuts.

[@bryanmiller6110]

Docking a boat that size in a cross wind is not easy at all, definitely a patience thing, anyone that disagrees i doubt has done it

[@officialWWM]

It doesn't matter how many attempts it takes, as long as you get the job done safely. I like how he changed his approach and used the wind to help him.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Music Islife well said! No shame in “try,try again”. Good to know that you have options. And safety is always the first choice. Thanks for watching.

[@dpmulvey]

Great job! Toughest thing in docking is win blowing against your target. A true pro is never ashamed to bring her around as many times as it takes to put her in the slip right.

[@jimquantic]

Absolutely correct, and I like that he goes steady and dead slow, nothing to prove---except that one is stupid if they show boat. when going dead slow, any bump is minor--to nothing. I also like he had a crewman stand ready on the starboard side, use everyone you have, IMO. One thing you can't predict is the engine stalling at the wrong time, and having hands on deck is never a bad idea. One time I had my engine stall--and I whipped around to see the side that was going to hit--and there stood an alert crewman, repelling pole in hand, who already saw and prevented the problem

[@AskCaptainChris]

Good crew can make a so-so Captain look amazing.

[@abed3674]

Great Job! He started with his bow upwind twice but the momentum in addition to the strong wind blowing from his starboard increased the turn speed and drift. He played it absolutely right by turning around his bow down wind and swinging his bow into the wind along with the boat momentum.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Watch the TWO Labrador Retrievers on the boat giving advice.

[@turbostyler]

If you didn't get anxiety watching this, you've never docked a big boat in a breeze! Good job, at the end of the day the boat is in with no damage, job well done.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Ahmed A agreed! Thanks for watching. 😎

[@xs10z]

Outcome was never in doubt, and was well within his skill set (obviously). The option of just driving the boat bow in to the slip at any time (rather than backing in) was always there... bow in is of course MUCH easier than stern in.

[@olympiashorts]

I love how positive your videos are. So many folks are posting to make fun of people.

[@unclegrandpah8400]

Wow, I like how he remained cool & calm then adjusted accordingly.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We like that part too! That's the trick to most close quarters maneuvering. But it also helps when you know your boat. Best to practice when it's NOT so windy so it becomes a muscle memory.

[@reelfun6042]

Excellent Job . Anyone who would say different , never docked a boat in windy conditions .

[@AskCaptainChris]

Reel Fun we agree 100%. Excellent job. 👍🏼

[@Roger-gm9tl]

Ever take the boat away from the dock ?

[@elbert108]

He did a great job. Wind was probably steady 10 knots with 15 knot gusts occurring sporadically. Even though he didn't have the knowledge to read the wind and go astern into it the first time he demonstrated two skills that are far more important. The first was being patient and assessing his approach style and deciding to retry the berthing. The second skill was that he didn't panic and start fighting the wind using too much throttle. I think a lot of the criticism from people is related to to the words 'high wind' in the video title. I personally wouldn't call the conditions in the video 'high wind'. This was enough wind to make it a challenge but not completely unmanageable to a recreational skipper. The most wind I've ever had to deal with while berthing was 45 knots and it was an absolute nightmare. All the experience in the world can't save you when you get a big gust at the worst possible time, you just have to plan ahead for it. I have a video of it somewhere I will upload. Vessel was a 22 metre twin screw 168 passenger charter boat. I just got it as close as I could to the berth and let the wind blow me the remaining 6 or 7 feet onto the berth. It hit the timber bollards with just enough force to shake the glasses in the galley but nothing fell over. Berthing vessels is an art and even experienced commercial skippers get caught out sometimes. If this guy was a student of mine I would be proud of his patience and cool composure.

[@tsbtech]

Always fun to read comments when people are criticizing others abilities. I've used Poles, docks, birds and whatever else was available on windy days to get the boat in safely and without damage to others.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Thanks for watching...and reading. With your realistic comments you must be an experienced boater! Use all the tools available. 😊

[@tsbtech]

Most of the videos on KZbin are either showing large boats with twin screws or two outboards.. That does help make docking a lot easier than it is for us with just a single outboard. A 21' to 24' boat with a single outboard in tight quarters gets really tricky (Add in a T-Top to act as a sail) and you find yourself with a gaff in one hand a throttle in the other with a prayer...

[@KitLaughlin]

I use a paddle, rather than a gaff, but same principle! Both my boats have single engines, no thrusters. When I helm a Marine Rescue boat (38' Stebercraft; twin 315h.p. Yanmars, fly-by-wire) I am amazed at the precision with which it can be moved (turn on own axis; currents and wind notwithstanding, up to a point). Yeah: two engines are a gift from Heaven.

[@GJM866]

That wind looked strong. His docking was impressive.

[@mikkeltronsrud]

There's so many things that could have gone seriously wrong in this conditions. It does not look much, but when the wind carries the boat sideways across the marina, away from the target slip, there is not much time to react before it will be verry difficult to awoid impact on the other side, and you don't have much room for error. You can clearly se by the flag on the rear how the wind suddenly picked up and carried his stern as he turned the first time. Keeping his cool after touching the poole, and turning the boat around to aproach from the other side at a different angle, shows both skill and experience.

[@donzi32boats80]

I tip my hat to that man. Really smooth confident captain.

[@AskCaptainChris]

donzi32 Boats it’s so funny how those who have been there can appreciate the situation. Thanks for your comment.

[@dancheesman1752]

Nice job to that captain. No bow thruster or stern thruster. Just old school patience and calmness. That’s how it’s done

[@AskCaptainChris]

Dan Cheesman thanks for your supportive comments 👍🏼

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

Try putting 43’ Delta Clipper (Gibson like) into a slip with a 20 mph cross wind and a 5 mph current in the same direction. I did this a number of times. Now that’s conditions. The only thing it had going is two big V drives. The hull was a semi planing with virtually no keel and lots of upper side wind surface. It turned about center in calm conditions but when it’s windy it would go “slideways” and be difficult to turn or was said to be “in irons” unless you had room just move with speed.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Karl Jensen I like that term slideways. 👍🏼

[@eagleviewhd]

I owned a 30 ft sailboat with a single inboard diesel. As a sailor, I made sure I was aware of the wind direction and strength at all times. Before docking I had a mental plan of how I was going to approach the dock, which way my boat would drift, how much speed I should use, what fenders I needed out, and what lines I should deploy.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Eagle View HD great to plan. Thx for that comment. And thx for watching. Even better when you and your crew are prepared and practiced for sudden changes like wind gusts or incorrect slip information. A boat of this size is more effected by the wind than your sailboat with a lower profile (and sails tucked away of course). But the biggest issue we see on this docking is the sudden and frequent changes in the wind strength and direction. No shame in making a second (and third) attempt until everything is in agreement for a smooth docking.

[@larryguitar5902]

I also own a sailboat--47 ft--and always had a plan. Fortunately for me there are no known videos of my early attempts at a smooth docking. My boat and I know the exact distance to a piling and how much impact force the boat and piling can expect to withstand...and the reasonable cost for minor rub rail and fiberglass repairs.

[@stanmancam]

Hes better than most. Piles are to there to mark the pen and protect the other boats and tie up on as required. Bouncing off the pole well they don't all move. Great vid bro

[@buggsy5]

The pilings can also be used for warping the boat into the slip - if the slip is wide enough and the pilings placed properly. But it also requires a crew person that knows the procedure.

[@Tom-ki8zp]

Nothing wrong with going around and starting a new approach. Having twin engines makes it easier. Our boat is a 50 ft trawler with single screw with a bow thruster so we would use a completely different technique to maneuver into a slip. A strong cross wind is always a challenge, no matter the boat. We have very robust rubbing strakes on our boat and I have no qualms about letting them do their job when necessary against pilings.

[@mattf7811]

Tom w

[@robertplummer7928]

Tom somebody told me i looked like a "cowboy roping posts", docking my 20 ton, 52,' single screw High winds? looked like i knew how to anchor until it càlmed

[@SaintRosePL]

"starting a new approach" is a standard way teached in every good training. When you see Your maneuver is going wrong or not as expected you go away and try again thinking what and why it went wrong. Im so suprised that ppl on yt try to fix bad maneuver even you see that it not gona happen. In 6B-7B wind I repeated maneuver even 4-5 times to have just enough luck to made it safe.

[@roadboat9216]

Yes, good job. Have done this maneuver many times. A vessel like this has a lot of windage and little underneath, makes it a bit challenging. I also use to havre to do this with a 38’ single screw and no thruster. I didn’t try to back in then. Just had to use prop walk in your favor, and went in bow first. Had more keel and bigger rudder that helped a lot. I was captaining a 70 ‘ power cat for a couple of years and that was sweet. Props quite far apart. Gave tremendous turning ability.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. 👍🏼

[@richmcintyre1178]

One thing I forgot to mention. I always told guests on my boat not to try to push the boat off a piling if it looks like we may hit. Two reasons. First of all, in my case, my boat weighed 20,000 pounds and had 700+ HP. You are not going to stop it with your arm. I've seen bad injuries from people putting arms in harm's way. Secondly if necessary I would use a piling to pivot so I wanted to be against it. At the end of the day, it is just fiberglass and paint it isn't worth breaking bones over.

[@03SiBlackNLow]

Very nice work he had his hands full with the conditions and size of the vessel

[@marksnowden2167]

I drive a ferry and I dock about 4500 times a year but then I don't have to dock like that. Well done.

[@allaboutyachting]

He did everything right. It's not a shame to interrupt a maneuver when you get aware it's going wrong. The biggest mistake is to try to enforce something. So well done 👏

[@AskCaptainChris]

we agree.

[@eynon976]

This is the situation for me every time I dock my boat. Minimum 15kts directly on my Port side as I drive bow into the pen. We get the SW wind here in Perth every afternoon without fail. Often, I get blown straight past the pen before I can get her in and I have to back up and try again. 51ft flybridge cruiser has a lot of surface area for the the wind to take hold of.

[@timgreen4137]

Similar to backing a semi into a tight spot. In as much as... if the approach angles aren't right, pull out a bit and reposition. Go slow, and watch your perimeter. Excellent job Captain.👏

[@marinepilotchris3048]

The job is much harder when you try to fix a bad approach on the fly. The best boat/ship handlers will get out of there, reset and start again. I’m a Marine Pilot berthing and unberthing ships for many years and I still make errors or find myself in a bad position that need me to go back and start the manoeuvre from scratch again. I think this skipper did a great job.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Thanks for your comments based on real experiences. Sometimes new boaters need to hear from mariners with many situational stories to tell. We appreciate your sharing. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@reelplumber]

I am pretty sure this is Captain Paxton and Admiral Shea of the Shaymless. They are long time seasoned boaters. If some of these other keyboard captains would pay attention to the trees in the background you can tell how hard the wind is blowing. The captain looked pretty calm during the entire event and wasn't gunning the throttle to make corrections. Some of these marinas can be quite challenging with strong winds and strong currents. Good job Capt!

[@AskCaptainChris]

reelplumber we agree. I love the term keyboard captain too. The wind was wicked that day. But the less observant person surely would have gotten into trouble thinking it was quite calm. 😎 it was a great example of how the real world works. Thanks for watching.

[@BStavFishingAndHunting]

Rather bounce off a pole and someone's bow pulpit!! Outstanding job by that captain remaining calm in some stiff breezes while docking. We've all been there.

[@grahamharris2779]

There’s no wind hardly at all look at the flags, guy doesn’t know what he’s doing, using the pole to bounce off , ha ha it’s called hitting the pole .

[@tennesseetrawlerman2228]

@@grahamharris2779 Your comment shows you know nothing about boating. If you look at the surface of the water as he makes his final 180 to put the stern into the wind you will see that there is a very robust wind working against him.

[@grahamharris2779]

Tennessee Trawlerman Mate there stuff all wind the guy is useless as are you.

[@tennesseetrawlerman2228]

@@grahamharris2779 Sorry Graham, but you must need glasses. Go to the 4:31 minutes position in the video and look at the water surface right in front of the guy waiting on the slip to catch a line, and also in front of the black boat bow (the one just behind the man). Those sudden little williwaws in FL that are incredibly localized can be very strong. If you can't see that those bursts are both sudden and strong, then you have never boated (which I suspect is the case).

[@kriiigern777]

I once saw a captain faint and drop to the floor (out of view). Was windy as hell and 20 years before thrusters came. So his wife then tossed out a bucket with a rope in the water, and poured over him. He jumped up and continued to pilot the boat.

[@darensta]

@2:30 he did not "bounce against the piling" as a docking technique. I get that what he was doing is hard, but do not tell people that the mistakes are a technique. @5:30 That is where the magic happens!!! Nice !!!

[@bobhorne8410]

You are right, that was not in the flight plan..

[@inviewvehicletrim7482]

Keep the bow into the wind and the vessel moving to allow MOVING PATHWAY and to provide rotational movement when counter rotating the prop to turn the vessel. Also make sure trim tabs are up to not restrict rearward steerage. Control is the key and keeping position to allow control of the MOVING PATHWAY while moving slowly. Peter Gold

[@kevingunnery5470]

One thing on here that no one points out is the fly bridge windows are all open which makes a big difference In piloting the vessel in tight quarters because it acts like a parasail when they’re all closed up.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Kevin Gunnery agreed. Thanks for watching.

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

good job, if that was a ship he would have two tugs to help him, and he did it all by him self. Yes I know he had twins but if the wind blow your head off, well its not much you can do in such a small area.

[@Roger-gm9tl]

All things taken into consideration, direction of wind, speed, current, size of boat, twin props, bow thrusters, experience of capt., much easier to dock multiple engs., than single outboard, again depends on experience of capt. to read all conditions & adjust to circumstances !

[@AskCaptainChris]

It’s all what you get comfortable driving along with understanding how the external factors change the way your boat responds.

[@Capt-Intrepid]

The lesson of this video is: Back into the wind if possible when docking. The Captain did this in the second half of the video.

[@ronbranum4134]

Great job...

[@jeanl4178]

Good job captain. Docking on days like this is not fun. Twin screws helps a lot though.

[@AskCaptainChris]

jean l thx for watching.

[@ricardomrg3867]

Docking is a kind of art. Congratulations!!! I felt many different types of fear watching this video. it is hard to be a captain when it is windy or with great current.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Did you see the two dogs giving advise when he was docking?

[@etc-and-more]

Excellent job by the captain AND THE CREW keeping it focused and patient. Hard to dock a boat like that with all the windage, I would have lowered the bimini, heck I'm so scared of docking in my current slip that I always lower mine. Wish I could dock like that.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Bob P practice and patience will do that. Making so many attempts might make the average boater frustrated or nervous but there is nothing wrong with aborting and starting over. In fact, sometimes -like in this instance- it's your best option. Gusting winds are inconsistent and will often swirl from different directions making your initial plan ineffective. So deep breath and try again! And yes, removing/decreasing windage can help but it would have been quite an effort on this boat.

[@stormywhether4199]

No need to be embarrassed , I think he handled it well.

[@Maxumized]

I always liked to reverse into the wind...gives you better control of the bow

[@buggsy5]

Since on most boats, the wind tends to blow the bow down anyway, that is usually easiest. Trying to keep the bow in the wind when you don't have any headway can be difficult to impossible.

[@mastrake]

I was worried about how this was going to end up but in the end it was smooth as butter.

[@Ash-cy7yw]

Those condos look nice and i don't see much balcony furniture. Are they new construction? Where did you sat this was again, marina ?

[@AskCaptainChris]

Ash Old Port Cove Marina along the waterway called North Lake Worth in the town North Palm Beach FL. Been there a while now.

[@MiceliCreations]

Why are the flags dead?

[@AskCaptainChris]

INVI SIBLE INC all of our video clips are placed here for instructional purposes. So if you really want to learn then please read all the comments below and it will make sense to you.

[@harveynailbanger]

Pretty good job. Always room for improvement. I learned on a 65' mic-8 lcm in the Navy. That was some serious freeboard....

[@algonzales1809]

He had it all set up at 2;25...then he panicked...you gotta learn to let the wind do the work for you...no need to be over correcting at that point...I have a 30' foot single screw old 76 Silverton with a flybridge that acts like a sail...I learned that the wind is your friend in these situations...folks at my marina with bow thrusters and every modern aid available love to watch me dock and are amazed...smooth as butter.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Al Gonzales since you have recently found our teaching channel and have commented on a few videos I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Here, we teach and we encourage and we answer questions. We do not criticize for the sake of it nor put down people who have less skill than others. When something is captured which is less than ideal we offer what could have been done better with measured words. Thanks for your help in providing a positive learning environment where newbies want to come back and learn more from these videos.

[@wshtb]

Why does it have to back into the slip? Head-in would be much easier in this situation.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Nobody we agree. Somewhere in this cluster of comments we spelled it out in detail but here’s the skinny. On some boats the power connection is located in only one place requiring a boat to position itself so the connection is closest to the power pedestal. Thanks for watching.

[@thestigmach1984]

In my opinion it's also easier to leave forward instead of trying to back into the traffixk

[@AskCaptainChris]

thestigmach1 never saw it as an issue. We almost always had to bow in to our slip for the power cable to reach. Owned our last boat 19 years. Practice how to drive it and you can do both options with ease! Thanks for your comments.

[@robertfrederick9061]

in the old days all I had was twin screws & my master did not give any slack when teaching docking. We never tested on calm days. Try slipping a slip with 10 knots crosswind & tidal flow.

[@watercop5115]

I've docked my 32 in gusty wind, very challenging. Good job.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Gary Neal thanks for watching and for your comments!!

[@emilkarlsson2976]

High Winds XDXD This is considered calm where Im from.

[@AskCaptainChris]

That's why FL is the best cruising area to be had. BTW, this video was 8 years ago! Where are you?

[@craigmonteforte1478]

those old tolls crafts are good boats despite that wind he seemed to be in control all the way thru

[@AskCaptainChris]

You are spot on. Control doesn't always mean you get in the slip on the first try. Knowing when to wave off and attack from another direction is essential.

[@mikeg0802]

Nice job! My motto is Go Slow & Hit Something Cheap” 🤣🤣

[@robertplummer7928]

on a scale of 1-10 he's better than me by 10

[@jomyadd9123]

Capation which country

[@stormywhether4199]

Nice job docking the boat" having twin engine sure helps. Congrats to the Caption, certainly stayed. Calm.

[@davidshaw5126]

Great job, keeping your cool is the big thing, like I said great job.

[@bobhorne8410]

Is there a rule you can’t head into the wind and dock at this marina? This was not a easy back in. If it were me I would have stabbed it the other direction, waited and turned around after the wind died down. I try to avoid any chance of bumper boating.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Nope. No such rule. I might have gone in bow first too as it would have been easier.

[@peterlovett5841]

Just by way of opening up another aspect for comment. Why not get the wife/mistress/girlfriend back on the starboard quarter as the vessel approaches the dock, throw the dock hand the stern spring and use that to get the vessel alongside?

[@AskCaptainChris]

Peter Lovett if the dog had opposing thumbs he could have helped too as you can see how vigilant he is on the aft deck. 😎

[@highliner250]

Twin screw with the wind blowing parallel to the dock I don’t see what is so difficult ........

[@AskCaptainChris]

Leonard Jensen it's not the wind so much as the gusts. And then all the buildings and boats that deflect the wind pushing the boat inconsistently.

[@donzi32boats80]

I think seeing it, makes it a lot easier than experiencing it. Twins can only make life a good up to a point. As i'm sure you're well aware, Mother nature doesn't care. As shown here.

[@m94w]

Yeah, it definitely takes a while to get the hang of it. Plus vision in the helm is usually a little restricted so it can get tricky on windy days. That being said, on the other hand if you have a lower (or wireless) docking station with pods, its far "easier"

[@onaprwl]

Someone please tell me where you see wind??? Look at his flags, they are baily moving. You have wind when all the flags on your boat are standing straight out all the time!!!

[@m94w]

Turn your volume on, you can even hear it. There's a couple light gusts. Doesn't take much to blow these boats given all their windage. Definitely not a very windy day though.

[@charlescrisefi8784]

Mad a difference coming in downwind the proper way !

[@usm34me]

wrong angle of attack on first attempt but got it figured out. Don't see any wash from a bow thruster and without requires better seamanship. All' well that ends well. Good job.

[@jimquantic]

Lots to like about this: I don't care how new someone is--if they go slow, take their time, don't get their feathers ruffled, they WILL DO OK. The commentator was the same, nothing but encouragement. The old rule is the KEY rule, go so slow that there is little, to ANY danger of hurting what you hit. If you are an expert? Still, follow that rule, and why? Because, you can lose power at a critical moment, can't believe the stunts I see in an effort to prove to himself and others how "good" he is, like powering in HARD, then at the last minute, reversing engines and stopping it within inches of hitting something. All that proves is the guy is stupid. Second reason? In some parts of the world, winds can come up "out of nowhere" and literally slam you off course, and actually, in those cases, the faster you are going, the more it can push you. Just take your time, and remember as my old boss used to say "the idiot that pressures you to go fast will be NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, if it all goes to shit." One more thing, have any passenger on their feet, and if you have that many, one stern starboard, stern port, and one up front, repelling poles are best, but hands beat nothing--ready to assist. Don't be proud.

[@citetez]

Or the succinct version: Slow is pro.

[@daveumpref]

you couldn't be more right!! this video was 6:44 and that's not a long time watching but, as we all know it's an eternity when your in the wind. He did everything correctly and most important, slowly. also notice on the third try he actually learned and used the wind to get his stern around. zero chance of damaging his or anyone else's boat with that patience and speed. When I get wind tossed, I'll often turn around slowly and then make another calm approach.

[@scottdowney4318]

Our 37 has some windage, but I always manage, having the twin engines is a huge help. Rather see him whack a piling than whack womeones boat, crunch! Never felt the need for a bow thruster.

[@dabprod]

Beautiful job.

[@OrieCipollaro]

Bow thrusters?

[@AskCaptainChris]

Nope. Twin engines.

[@jo2522]

wow thats a wide fairway. didnt know those existed.

[@AskCaptainChris]

John o'neal that marina is in north palm beach where many nordhavns hang out for the winter.

[@musiccylinderK6]

Nice video, good commentary. Pilings aren't always there to help though.. Where we are they are usually metal, NOT good to bounce off :D

[@treydrier3169]

Then you better have stellar dock hands and make sure you have fenders out to protect both boats.

[@adamlewandoski7144]

I think he did well. F instead approach he knew he was off and aborted mission as most forget they can go the opposite way and get out and start over. I like how he went slow collected his thoughts,accessed the situation and executed it very well the second time. I been in situations on yachts that I was running game for the first time it took me 4 or 5 go around. The turtle always wins,slow and steady it's not a race,no damage to crew by standards and other vessels,that is all that matters.

[@olympiashorts]

I could have done that on the first try...in my dinghy. This guy did great!

[@amitvegad5307]

How old is this boat

[@AskCaptainChris]

amit vegad this is a late 80s early 90s vintage. Not sure because I wasn’t aboard that boat. Thanks for watching.

[@pauljames1183]

Don't understand why these guys don't have more fenders over the side when docking????

[@chrisb9028]

All these people giving the capt crap. You try it sometime . Best advice I can give in this situation, Is if you have the room, turn the boat to where you are backing into the current or wind. Whichever is greater. Thats what he did the second attempt and it went right in.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Chris B I wish I could give you 10 likes/thumbs up!!! Many Monday morning quarterbacks. Thanks for your honesty.

[@wjatube]

Videos like this are why I still pay people to launch my toys every year. I know my limitations and lack of time and experience tells me to be prudent.

[@AskCaptainChris]

wjatube practice and experience told this helmsman to fall off and make another attempt. And yes, it is a wise person who knows their limitations. But the more opportunities you have to practice then the better your skills will become.

[@terrencebradley5417]

The amount of embarrassment to be incurred during the docking procedure is directly proportionate to the number of people watching.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Terrence Bradley and sometimes we actually get it right!

[@stirfry6646]

You did great! ugh...wind

[@ryeckley7267]

Nice job.

[@fiveowaf454]

The amount of problems you encounter also seems to increase in proportion to the number of people watching.

[@stefantrupp3626]

Embarrassment

[@uchual]

👏👏👏 Bravo. As a newbie, this is my nightmare scenario. What makes it worse for me is that our slip is up, closer to the open water, so I usually get a queue of boats waiting for me to berth...😒

[@mikewolfe386]

Sorry for sounding negative but he did not push off the pile to use it as a spring. He hit it. Not to say ive never hit a pile or another boat. Ship happens when you run a boat every day. Im good for a few props and paint jobs on my boats every year. The cost of doing business

[@Stoic-of-Rome]

Is there one of these to show how to do this without dual motors (cheating)

[@AskCaptainChris]

Mark Jennings go to our docking playlist and you will see docking with single, twin, pod drives with and without thrusters. kzbin.info/aero/PLjgsk20PyRl1H6lKA0fxPrbgGa24pkjGb Sometimes with and without lines and fenders. Are automatic transmissions in your car cheating? Or is that the latest technology. Perhaps using an engine at all is cheating instead of sailing into your slip. Thanks for watching.

[@sunrisesurfbum]

Good stuff, but only 1 out of 25 or so has an end berth with a dock and cleats. The rest are between poles, would like to see how you handle that.

[@AskCaptainChris]

sunrisesurfbum look closer please. Every slip has a floating dock on one side and a piling on the other. The wind just had him. Gusts aplenty!

[@sunrisesurfbum]

captainchrisyachtser Sorry, I meant to say in the marina here, only the end spots have docks, the majority of boats in the middle are separated only by poles.

[@AskCaptainChris]

sunrisesurfbum if by "here" you mean in your home port then I would suggest you practice when it is NOT windy so you are comfortable with how your boat handles and don't have to think so much. By pivoting off your first piling you can spin your boat in the direction you desire. And consider having a few spare fenders in case you get between the pilings.

[@christinecalifornia8136]

Can u not dock bow in first here?

[@AskCaptainChris]

Christine California sure you can dock bow-in or stern-in. Some boats are set up with power connections only in one location which can dictate which way in so your power cord can reach the power pedestal on the dock. Some people just like one direction over another. It doesn’t seem to be an issue in this marina but some slips have shorter finger piers and it matters how you can get on and off the boat. Thanks for watching!

[@kurtsalvatore7686]

Obviously a seasoned Captain on the Tolly..... he saw how the wind affected his approach and instead of trying to fight it he reset his approach putting and keeping his bow into the wind and smoothly put it into the slip.

[@Lazerus53]

Hey capt, three words, bow and stern thrusters, thats four words. Any docking you don't have to call your insurance guy is a good one.

[@AskCaptainChris]

👍🏼that’s why people nearby clapped.

[@22alisaxni]

The i boat is handled in circles and the 80% of all critics say Good Job cap! Perhaps a new refresher from your local boating school is needed!....

[@MikeiLike]

Nothing wrong with go arounds and practice shots.

[@stormywhether4199]

I have a boat, I find boating people to help each other out. Where have come in on one engine no embarrassing moments people new what was going on and they watched us although the Caption managed with out any help. Sent from Cape Cod, Ma.

[@Rick-tb4so]

Why doesn't he pull in bow first ??

[@AskCaptainChris]

Rick S great question-at some point in these many comments I have answered that...you can. Unless your power cord is only connected at your stern and you can’t reach the power post at the dock. We actually preferred to bow-in for privacy sake (we had a similar boat with master stateroom aft and a large aft deck). Some boaters prefer to have their aft deck facing the dock for easier boarding if the finger pier is not long enough.

[@1BillT]

Example of why I have a bow thruster. Makes it a lot easier although he ultimately did a great job.

[@AskCaptainChris]

It's great when we have the extra tools, but it's also a good thing to know how to dock without the thrusters in the event they fail to work as expected.

[@Michael_the_muffinman]

Good job. No need to force it in. Pull out and reset.

[@carbidegrd1]

Nice job, things went south but he kept cool and got it done.

[@waynewong3880]

I his first and second attempts, the starboard side of the boat was facing the wind, so the boat was pushed sideways into the piling. In his last attempt, when he turned his boat around 180 degrees, he was backing stern into the strong wind, thus he was successful. Be aware of the water current and wind, it can be your friend...or not.

[@DriveSafeDon]

You failed to mention the boat has no bow thruster he doc with just twin screws engines.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Don Drone thanks for watching Don. You are correct. No thrusters on this boat. We think he did a pretty good job given the very gusty winds.

[@jimlepeu577]

All that wind noise and his burgee on his bow hardly moved??????

[@AskCaptainChris]

If you ever plan to boat in other than perfect conditions then you’d best plan for wind eddies and for your cabin and hull to act like a giant sail….even if the flag on the bow is hardly moving.

[@rstevens3221]

It's not easy with a high profile boat and the cross wind.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Newport Beach Living agreed. Thx for watching.

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

With a direction of those gusts , he could’ve slightly overshot and reversed on his port engine only…decent even with that little midship smooch .

[@br5498]

Great job putting the butt into the wind so he could use his engines to offset it instead of the side of the boat getting pushed like the first shot he made.. he kept thinking !

[@ddm220]

Ever get screamed at by a guy because you were docking next to him on a windy day ? I took a second approach and he didn't want me to try again. I was not out of control he was ! Moved to another spot didn't want him as a neighbor. He tried being friendly on the dock. Not me !

[@AskCaptainChris]

truth hurts how unfortunate! He would have done himself a better favor by pulling out a walking fender and standing by (quietly) to fend off in the event you came too close for comfort. Thx for sharing.

[@biggusbestus551]

Been there done that ...not sure if I looked calm, though. I was screaming like a girly man inside !

[@DaveBluesManFaulkner]

You can never get it right 100% of the time - I'd want way more fenders on that boat ;) Good job this time and patience is the key.

[@jomyadd9123]

Help me sir

[@edmafo9318]

Que viento????? Las Banderas casi ni se mueven!!!!!!!

[@jamesvoneiberg9021]

You Americans are very lucky to have pillings between berths and a lot of room. Here in Europe it is all very tight and you really do need to have experience in Mooring.

[@AskCaptainChris]

James von Eiberg it just takes practice no matter where you boat. But yes, we say pilings are your friends. 😀