How to spring your sailboat or powerboat on to the dock single-handed using a midships spring line

[@cajone7591]

Kind of perfect conditions guys, for the purpose of demonstration, it was very clear. I think we all know that that chances of getting perfect conditions each time just does not happen. Possibly a follow on to this video would be something more commonly found i.e when your trying to do this manoeuvre where there is a boat both bow and stern or if the system would work going into a finger pontoon rather than a hammerhead. Still thanks for posting, appreciated !

[@mr.robert2507]

Brilliant! I'm definitely going to have a go. Thanks

[@usernorcalroad]

I like it, however I would pull the slack in quickly and not leave it in the water for my prop.

[@MichaelBuck]

Excellent solution folks! I felt that this was a very smooth and SAFE maneuver for singlehanded docking as it allows for full control of the boat and engine. Yes, we need those fenders down but overall I would feel very secure in knowing the boat isn't going anywhere without me while I secure the lines. I actually prefer this approach versus a parallel approach and trying to secure an aft line and watching the boat move ahead of me without being at the helm initially as some have previously mentioned. Thank you for the excellent instruction and I look forewward to seeing more of these handing tricks!

[@bobloblaw1720]

Well done. I would like to see this done with a few knots of wind and less than 100 feet of open dock space.

[@64Golfy]

Great! Thanks guys well done.

[@SCARTHYBOY692]

Good demo!! but that spring line could have easily got tangled in your prop even in neutral! The spring demo is a great one though, brilliant channel guys! (RYA cruising instructor opinion)

[@Misteribel]

Good point, I prefer bringing the mix cleat line back, so that I can control it from the cockpit. That eliminates the issue of the line in the prop.

[@johnglasspool6785]

That's very neat! Not really thought of doing it that way, so thanks.

[@marktahu2932]

Thanks - nice approach.

[@azelkhntr4992]

Very slick!

[@Houseneeds21]

I do this into a dock with a aft spring line. Dock is 35 feet deep as is the boat. Once I am in about 28 to 30 feet I grab the line from the dock (pre tied and sized) and plop it on the port winch. I have a line caddy there so I can get easier to line. I give it a little diesel and I’m in. Then I go to the bow and I have another line caddy there and I grab the bow line and attached and I’m generally secure. Put motor back into neutral and secure the rest of the lines. All lines are pre set on dock, but I have a bow and stern line on the boat in case of problems. So far none. I’m on a dock in Chicago

[@Misteribel]

Great idea, but less useful anywhere but you home harbor...

[@docsnuz]

I've done something similar many times but using an aft cleat. I approach the dock parallel, at forward idle. Holding the aft line, I can step off at the beamiest part of the boat as it comes to the dock and secure the aft line around a cleat as the boat passes me. I find it pulls the boat against the dock with just leaving rudder oriented amidships. Then I can reboard the boat, walk forward and take up the bowline. Again, exit at the beam and secure the bow line as needed. Then I can reboard and take the boat out of gear.

[@MichaelBuck]

I think the main difference in approaches had to do with the fact that they had a windward dock, meaning the wind was pushing the boat AWAY from the dock, hence why a parallel approach that you eloquently described would be very tricky as it would push the boat away, specifically your bow would be blown out and away from the dock while you are trying to attach the aft line. The NauticED method eliminates this problem by using a MIDSHIP spring and heading the aft INTO the wind, then quickly throwing the loop over the cleat. The midships spring then HOLDS the boat and turns the bow while the engine and wheel are used to easily slide the aft towards the dock making the bow automatically to come into the dock via the spring. I think your method may work better if you had a leward dock, meaning the wind is pushing the boat INTO the dock and will hold the boat against the dock automatically while you attach your lines.

[@Misteribel]

On top of what the other commenter said, do not, under (almost) any circumstances, get off the boat while the boat is not yet secure. It goes against all safety rules and can lead to accidents with yourself or other boats or boaters. If you sail single handed, do it responsibly.

[@aka269star]

Is there any logical reason why you are not using fenders and keep damaging your boat?

[@NauticEd]

Two reasons - 1. we are that good and 2. if you read the video txt we acknowledge that we did not do that. The focus is on the techniquerather than the final details. YES you should use fenders. There are often nails sticking out of the dock which cause nasty scratches.

[@aka269star]

@NauticEd thanks for reply. It is amazing watching people who have the skill. The rest of us better use fenders. My aim is to sail single handed, so thanks for sharing

[@NatNay-cu3uv]

Pretty good

[@peterhagen7258]

That would be much clearer if the camera had a wider shot of the situation. No need to zoom in on the cleat while making the final approach to the dock.

[@davidmaughan4786]

Fenders would be good

[@jornhaga8823]

A little surprised he had not prepared fenders....

[@grantheadifen5804]

Agreed - the main point we really want to bring out is how to do it. Plus we did it so well - we did not need the fenders :) LOL. Not really!! Folks use your fenders as Jorn here has so pointed out.

[@sailingaphrodite4189]

Ouch! Interesting technique, but why no fenders?

[@grantheadifen5804]

Because we are that good LOL. No, seriously everyone should use fenders but in our case here, this dock is trusted and had soft teflon slippery fender liner. Agreed for the purposes for demonstration we should have used fenders. Focus on the technique though rather please.

[@sailingaphrodite4189]

@@grantheadifen5804 Agreed fenders are a must unless you want to damage the gelcoat. Your technique is rather unique, I've never seen it before in 50 years sailing, it does need a considerable amount of free pontoon to use and not taught in the United Kingdome.

[@sergediradourian6668]

Where are the fenders?

[@NauticEd]

Don't need fenders if you're that good. 😂

[@LydieBaillie]

Of course, in a slip it's a bit different due to narrow space for maneuvers Nice tip for open water.

[@robertdale5566]

Ummmmm fenders, mate? Also, fine and dandy when there is a cleat, but useless when there is only a bull rail (as many docks here have)…

[@NauticEd]

Guilty as charged

[@bricktopperheadon5490]

Yea.......so maybe don't use this technique when there's no cleat........ffs. 🙄

[@arkadybron1994]

Another tip brought to you by Naughty Kid :-)

[@Abc-kf4qx]

Not one fender down? That’s a charter boat for sure 🤣🤣🤣

[@NauticEd]

Own boat - but we were so good at this docking that just didn't need a fender. 🤣🤣🤣

[@annoyingbstard9407]

Plenty of damage to the hull, unsurprisingly.

[@Iwasshocked]

Lack of fenders seems like less than best practice

[@NauticEd]

Agreed - the main point we really want to bring out is how to do it. Plus we did it so well - we did not need the fenders :) LOL. Not really!! Folks use your fenders as Ernst here has so pointed out.

[@sailingpretenderbyeastcoas7494]

Shame about the damage to the boat when he touched to dock

[@NauticEd]

Nope no damage. Agreed that the best practice is to use a fender and for leaving docked temp or permanently. Hopefully, you can find something positive in this video regardless and learned something new about different techniques.

[@vancekeith5642]

The reason his boat looks like that is someone has not taught him what a fender is, maybe he should work on that aspect first

[@NauticEd]

Yes we have addressed this with other comments. Regardless we hope you learned something and are able to positively comment.

[@kemaldere959]

What about fenders boy....😊😤😤

[@georgemay4269]

Stepping off a boat with it in gear, a very bad idea! Common sense tells you that! You have no idea how the cleat you tied to is fastened to the dock and many other factors. Sorry but it’s an accident waiting to happen!

[@RechargeableLithium]

Did you see anyone stepping off the boat? Me either. Thanks for playing anyway.

[@mrunning10]

And, if your boat doesn't have the sugar scoop?