Single engine docking in steady 15 knot winds

[@kylemccourt663]

So many people have never handled a single screw inboard and just don't understand the serious skill needed to dock such a beast. It takes guts to understand that mass amounts of water passing the rudder is the only way to control a single screw in reverse. It is sometimes unnerving but absolutely necessary. This captain kept his cool and got it done.

[@AskCaptainChris]

👍🏼👍🏼 we agree.

[@charles.neuman18]

As a new boater, I learned a lot from this video. Sometimes it's not about the perfect approach. It's about sticking to it and keeping your cool.

[@AskCaptainChris]

I agree AND have your landing gear ready. Bumpers, fenders and docklines.

[@ventureswithbob]

The best quote from the captain that taught me “ never approach a dock faster than you can afford to hit it “

[@AskCaptainChris]

ventureswithbob 😎

[@mikbe2579]

Hahahaha, that's funny, ... but very true indeed!

[@kelseyarciniega5319]

This video helped my confidence as a new boater that even the ones with experience still will struggle from time to time. Conditions are always changing!

[@AskCaptainChris]

Zackly!!!!! Great concept to accept.

[@ChuckKarl525]

Was an operator of very large mining equipment for many years, would love to own a boat similar to this just to compare what I have learned with equipment and apply it to maneuvering a boat. I have been stuck in the mud and learned how to get out and eventually avoid areas that would render my machine helpless, so I have the utmost respect for how this skipper handled himself and his piece of equipment. Thumbs up to the skipper!

[@AskCaptainChris]

Chuck Karl thanks for watching and for sharing your determination. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@phillip1115]

Number one: Fenders and dock lines prepared well ahead of time.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We agree and mentioned that in the video. Be prepared!

[@stevenm1054]

CC loved your non judgmental commentary

[@AskCaptainChris]

Steven M he was a good sport. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@a.d.s.f1983]

Appreciate this ! Watch and learn! I respect these attempts and it helps me tremendously

[@jehines3]

I’ve been practicing reversing into the wind technique this last season, uncomfortable at first, but a game changer in heavier air. When kiting the boat down wind, like his first attempt, you are so out of control. My 45’ will get going over 1knt sideways and the bow starts running away. This guy demonstrates good patience and handling.

[@johnsavage1109]

Well I'm a bit late but I will look for more of this channel. As the owner of a 60yo, 25ft, 6.5 ton timber boat i loved this video, thank you Captain. Luckily I only have the one birth and have fenders and lines always there. I have seen many boats struggle with their birthing over the years so I know it can be difficult for some. Different times different problems.

[@AskCaptainChris]

John Savage thanks for watching.

[@AskCaptainChris]

John Savage and here is a link to our playlists. kzbin.infoplaylists

[@thomasharley2580]

leave that wheel alone lol

[@WhatYachtToDo]

Lots of patience. Nice job and great commentary. Thanks!

[@AskCaptainChris]

What Yacht To Do thanks for watching. Hope it helps when you can’t be aboard yourself. Stay safe. The all clear will come eventually.

[@DrJohn493]

Had a few days like this with our Morgan 32. But did have the fenders set and the dock lines at the ready.

[@jerrytaylor7819]

i have a 19' aluminum Spectrum w/ open Bow and I/O 135 hp. Mercruiser. 1st time I took it outWe got caught in a wind storm w/ 4'+ waves when we came into dock at public boat ramp. needless to say I had no side guide boards and I lunched my prop. We now have side boards and power right onto the skid boards of trailer without any problems.I watch all your videos to see how others handle their docking challenges .Thank you for you're instructional videos. Appreciate itgreatly. Ps I found my steering cable was old and just about siezed up and That made it tough to steer into a tailer even in calm waters.

[@kemicalx17]

This is a great add for twin screw boats

[@AskCaptainChris]

Or for hiring a training captain. 😎

[@peterorigenes4358]

It’s a trawler, slow and fuel efficient on a single big diesel. He is doing OK. Patient. Yeah hard to dock esp with current and wind, heavy boat, not like an outboard sport fishing rig single or twins or more.

[@stevenholton438]

It's always good to fill your mind with thoughts of EVERYBODY is there to learn and help you! It's like a mantra for positivity lol

[@AskCaptainChris]

We sure need more positive vibes. Thanks for watching. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@bluestarindustrialarts7712]

In Barnegat Light NJ the gill net boats are all 35+' single screw diesels with down east hulls. Im always amazed as these guys pull into the marina, dock stbd side too at the fish dock, unload, then go around and back in their slips as easy as backing a car into a space. No matter what wind or tide is running. A couple have side mounted controls on the gunwale in the cock pit a la the crab boats in the Chesapeake. Just a testimony to experience

[@maldwindrummond6158]

She was built as Ralph Wiley’s retirement boat. He had the yard in Oxford Md which became Cutts and Case. The boat has a charming wood interior. Best, Maldwin

[@AskCaptainChris]

Maldwin Drummond loving all the history to this beautiful boat. And to think I was just planning to present a great example of docking!

[@markspence20xx]

Is this a custom boat? Where can I get more information about it? Are the plans available to the public?

[@deancoronado4898]

You can't help but break into a smile when the skipper finally nailed it

[@AskCaptainChris]

Yes and everyone was watching including me and my trusty camera. YEAH, he landed AOK.

[@Vegvisir_Oceanis]

That's how my boat is . Single screw, no thruster. That skipper was obviously used to outdrives by the looks of it. No point using rudder at tight manouvering going backwards because it won't take steering before going 3 knots or so. Creds for keeping a cool head though

[@johnhumphries6751]

Fenders at pontoon height, dock lines attached to cleats and looped back over the side rails for people shoreside and approach forwards from down wind.

[@kimmer6]

I have a 1965 wooden Tollycraft 28 Voyager with Perkins diesel, single screw. While trying to put it in the slip the handling is like an ice cube in a hot frying pan. I bang that helm from stop to stop, goose it in forward for 1 second, neutral, spin helm the other way, goose it again, neutral, repeat 10 more times. I might wear out the cable steering and the single lever Morse engine/trans control pretty soon. I haven't hit anything in 5 years....yet.. What a chore when the breeze is blowing.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and persistence so that others may be encouraged. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@stephendennis5969]

This is a great video. Excellent lesson. Relax, each attempt is practice and you learn from it the next time.

[@AskCaptainChris]

'Zackly!! Thanks for watching and for your thoughtful and encouraging comment.

[@tokyobosco]

I’ve only tried to dock into a slip once and it was not a good job.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We are available anywhere to help you learn docking skills. Ask Captain Chris 772-205-1859

[@raccoon6072]

You sound like Jimmy from " Better call Saul".

[@AskCaptainChris]

We met years ago in Mobile AL when we were competing in Spearfishing Tournaments. Great Guy.

[@grahammewburn]

Yes, I also would use docklines with shore assistance available. Cheers Gray Australia

[@mateoluckydog]

Great videos, watching what to do and what not to do , BEST way to learn. Thank you .

[@johnslater8998]

You noted near the end that the boat walks to starboard in reverse. It doesn’t seem that the skipper was aware of this, because earlier he was trying to back and fill in the other direction. He also didn’t appear to be using the prop walk on his approach to the slip. On a single-screw boat, prop walk is like a stern thruster that only works in one direction. You have to set up your approach to take advantage of it.

[@AskCaptainChris]

‘Zackly.

[@TheNavigator2346]

Where was his first mate Gilligan? Good job

[@myvalium1]

Never any shame in regrouping - beats damaging something no matter how many attempts it takes. And yeah - with lines at the ready he was clearly in on #2

[@AskCaptainChris]

myvalium1 😆 yup. Thanks for watching and for your comments. Spot on.

[@AskCaptainChris]

True!

[@michaelsullivan2554]

I guess, cause we get to boat all year, we Southerners would already be at the bar. Nice boat.

[@tommydickens4617]

Just wondering, why in the US do skippers tend to approach a mooring from upwind? Powerboats in the UK would tend to drop downwind and then go astern, motoring towards the wind, and then swinging into the berth. This allows the bow to swing into the elements, rather than with the elements, meaning that the rotation of the bow slows down throughout the manoeuvre , rather than speed up, as it does with the US technique. Maybe this is to do with the different marina layouts in the US, but if find it surprising, especially on a vessel without a bow thruster. At the end of the day, a mooring which leads to no injuries and no significant boat damage is a successful mooring, so no criticism intended, just curious. Good job from the skipper and videographer. Fair winds and cheers 🍻.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Tommy Dickens well...it took us almost 17 minutes for us to figure out what he was going to do. 😆 It obviously didn’t go as planned. So, we do like to drive into the wind or current. And we are from the USA. So what do we know?? 🥴 The best I can say is this was an assigned slip for the boat show and this skipper approached from upwind and downwind. But we agree on the fact that with no blood, injury or shouting it was a successful docking. Merry Christmas and happy docking.

[@tommydickens4617]

@@AskCaptainChris Cheers for the response Chris. I completely agree - when docking, no shouting or running makes everything better (obviously except when danger is imminent!). I guess it was an unfortunate situation with a very analogue boat, so fair play to the skipper, as you said, for no blood! Thats all that matters at the end of the day. FENDERS, NOT HANDS!

[@johnchase3920]

Trying to point up when docking with a stiff breeze often ends up with the bow falling off downwind anyway… So coming in up wind, backing, and letting the wind push your sail area around to line up as you back is very effective. A barn door rudder really helps with big boats as well.

[@iCaribsailor]

Great commentary and great advice!

[@AskCaptainChris]

Russ Sager thanks for watching. Appreciate the kudos 👍🏼

[@bradparker2666]

Great video, calm and slow! Very pro. 👍🏻🍺

[@rbrtjernigan]

Good narration.

[@jamesmaxwellmalone]

Great video!

[@rocknroll1486]

Slow and steady, it is always the easiest way. Service the throttle to allow easy forward and reverse transitions. Ropes and fenders critical. Beautiful boat.

[@sterilesteve5565]

Difficult to move slow in high winds:) u need momentum to stay on course and or turn with wind on the bow

[@stevemartin4160]

GOOD LUCK CAPTAIN. I KNOW THE FEELING.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We’ve all been there done that when we started out. Some of us have even had less than ideal moments after gaining some experience. And some of us have never had the joy of taking risks. Never had the joys of leaving the dock for the cruise of a lifetime. Thanks for watching and for your heartfelt empathy. 👍🏼

[@Name-ot3xw]

It's like eating lunch out watching the truckers back in

[@cap12206]

I’ve done this single handed many times.. always a ton of wind at my old slip. Sometimes you just got to accept making contact with the dock, it sure beats hitting your neighbor. Just make sure the fenders are out, extra fenders on the contact side if able, and get your bow/stern in the slip. Then you can go down and manhandle the boat all the way in by hand. But once over a certain boat size/age of captain then manhandling becomes out of the question. Worse case is you park somewhere, ANYWHERE you can, and get help from either the marina’s work boat(they move boats all the time), or find someone with a dingy(rubber preferred) to be your little tug. Usually the fuel dock is fairly easy to pull up to.

[@miketodd9802]

With a single screw point the bow in to the wind. Get the stern lined up to enter and allow the wind to blow the bow around as you back in. The boat does not need to be straight.

[@lindaholleysgonefishing9813]

Oh my... I am not going to be as hard on myself anymore after seeing this video. Backing into the dock at my marina are the most stressful points of my sophomore boating year. I normally get in there in 3 or 4.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Any day on the water is better than a good day at work. And any docking is great when there’s no yelling, blood or scratched fiberglass. The more you do it the easier it becomes. Keep having fun.

[@aaronnaquin8255]

Twin screw is an easy easy boat to dock single screw takes some skill bc the wind current and if you have a flank rudder it makes it easy to steer when backing down I’ve driven some boats where you pull in fast and throw your rudder towards the dock and just gunning it in reverse to get it to walk sideways to the dock

[@AskCaptainChris]

Each boat design has its quirks. The idea is to practice enough to learn how it responds. Thanks for sharing what works for you. 👍🏼

[@studymassage8204]

We dock our 26 footer at Embarcadero in Newport, OR. Always heavy winds, sideways, but it's also easy to to do. Just time it, put her in there.

[@scottdowney4318]

has a stalled engine while docking once on a twin engine boat. Ended up pivoting off the piling, then backing in, yes it was harder to do.

[@cubmixit]

Great advice... relax... and get it right... high wind and single screw... ouch!

[@AskCaptainChris]

cubmixit and a bet for a cup of coffee to sweeten the incentive. 😎☕️

[@cubmixit]

With rum!

[@AskCaptainChris]

cubmixit arrrgggggg. ☠️

[@walterdavis4808]

Yea, i got a chain and cable. ..... so true . Where i am there is usually a predictable breeze and current. Wind gust can really mess up a good docking plan . The second approach i think is the easier

[@carlvincentmiller7230]

hey captain chris , im going from a single engine 26ft ciera to a 3388 bayliner, taking it from quebec city to montreal on the river in two day's time!! and i am anxious, excited and a little nervous, 3 day trip. let me know if you have some advice

[@allaboutyachting]

It all started perfectly

[@melodymakermark]

Beautiful and practical boat. I’d want a pair of small diesels though.

[@AskCaptainChris]

melodymakermark this boat was built in 1959 with a single Ford Lehman.

[@johngaskell1467]

I liked the way Captain Ron docked in the film of the same name .

[@briansb2455]

having an open, elevated second steering station makes things a lot easier. also, operating someone else's boat for the first time, in wind with single screw is not easy. Dude kept it together and recovered from all the minor mistakes he made. That's called "successful docking"

[@AskCaptainChris]

Brian sb thanks for your thoughtful comments. We appreciate it. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@jamesnull6010]

Great video! Very well done!🇺🇸

[@AskCaptainChris]

James Null thanks for watching. We just catch what we see. Nothing scripted here, that’s for sure!!

[@charlesdavenport2543]

I was doing the cursing for that captain.

[@AskCaptainChris]

CHARLES DAVENPORT 😆

[@ianadkins471]

I very much appreciate you airing these and offering your critiques. They are great learning videos to discuss and analyze. What amazes me is how little people understand the simple laws of physics. Understanding their boat, its Center of mass, momentum, acceleration, being proactive rather than reactive. All of these would have helped this guy. And, as you mentioned, having lines and fenders out. The guy was in on the second try but wasn’t willing to “kiss” the dock. I wonder if he will reflect on this or just head straight to the pub for a second drink 😝 Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Ian Adkins wind can screw with the best laws of basic physics. But lines at the ready will certainly help. Thanks for watching and for your comments. 🦃🍁👍🏼

[@bobhorne8410]

Man, do I appreciate my Dickinson Hydraulic Stern thruster!

[@elmerexpress]

Apart from being a little throttle-happy he did a lot of right decisions. Lots to learn here - at least for me.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Thanks for watching.

[@dougshirley3460]

Point #6: Don't listen to advice from people on the dock unless you know them very well & respect their own boat handling expertise. This skipper seemed a little unfamiliar with the boat however his skills are far better than most skippers of the plastic fantastics with all of the toys that they don't know how to use.

[@alabamasmokeywilson6818]

Great Videos that is a way cool boat love the looks of it thanx smokeywilson

[@halibut1249]

He missed it first time, came real close second, third was a charm. So hopefully he'll do fine from here out. But he should get lines & dock help; I don't know if those guys were with him or just watching. It's a big boat to single-handle.

[@stephenowen6417]

That’s a twin engine boat. You can see two gear levers. And the prop wash is on either side of the boat.

[@AskCaptainChris]

Nope. Single Ford Lehman with a mechanical transmission not hydraulic. The two sticks are as follows: 1 is the shifter for the transmission and the other is the throttle to make it go fast or slow.

[@brucehorn504]

Great video. What kind of boat is that?

[@AskCaptainChris]

Bruce Horn this is 1950s vintage custom yacht with fiberglass over wood. Single engine, no thrusters.

[@nashguy207]

I agree he should of stayed in the whole he had it he should of had fenders out. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Captain Chris!!!

[@chrisallen1965]

How can you be so kind commenting on someone who cannot handle a boat to save their life.....?

[@AskCaptainChris]

We teach. And our students appreciate a calm demeanor from their coach. He was not our student but those watching are trying to learn. Thanks for helping keep this a great place to learn. 👍🏼

[@1320fastback]

Can't imagine not having fenders out when docking.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We can’t either. 👍🏼

[@a1ar127]

Where are his fenders?? And no lines deployed for the dock guys to grab.

[@AskCaptainChris]

As was mentioned a few times in comments. Thanks for watching.

[@mauricemarwood8842]

13:53 bad decision not to haves lines available. No embarrassment there.

[@davidmarconi528]

Slow is pro....don't fall victim to using more rpm to fix the problem it often ends with captian crunch

[@johnsherman7289]

more freeboard than draft, practically a sailboat. Left hand prop makes it harder to dock on the starboard side.

[@walterdavis4808]

No crunch is always good. ! Lol

[@AskCaptainChris]

Glad you are enjoying the videos today. This one was much longer than usual but yes! No crunch is always good.

[@walterdavis4808]

@@AskCaptainChris I'm at the family farm. Got the water un frozen ,. A backhoe almost running and about to find out why the electric doesn't work in one of the barns . Sure wish I was on a boat in sunny Florida !

[@AskCaptainChris]

Walter Davis you’ve been quite productive today 👍🏼

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

Nothing wrong with having a stern or bow line ready either.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We agree.

[@mikecrist1641]

Had he been prepared with docking lines, this would've been over on the first shot!

[@AskCaptainChris]

And he knew it too….too late.

[@supertruckerextraordinaire]

He would got it in one shot if you werent recording! Haha

[@AskCaptainChris]

I doubt he saw me at the beginning. The owner of the boat was standing next to me. And eventually the helmsman realized he was being filmed and was fine with it.

[@adb99999999999]

Might be a little easier if he didn’t have the thing idling at 2500 RPM 😂

[@ricksmith4660]

This looks more like what NOT to do, always visualize how your going to dock based on weather conditions. Plus some common sense. You need to have a feel of your boat and how it handles, so go out and practice, practice and get comfortable with your boat which helps with in building confidence while maneuvering your vessel.

[@101garfield]

Question is indeed why no lines and fenders.... Why .. did you ask?

[@AskCaptainChris]

101garfield after them watching me video for 17 minutes I decided it was not a wise thing to do. Don’t poke the bear.

[@mfbsail]

Dock Lines and fenders!!!!

[@mmanut]

WOULDN’T HURT TO HAVE YOUR DOCK LINES ATTACHED TO THE BOAT CLEATS BEFORE ATTEMPTING A HIGH WIND DOCKING‼️🛳⛴ Vinny 🇺🇸

[@jcmac7709]

Through some bumpers out lol.

[@alabamasmokeywilson6818]

Yeah he should have dock lines and fenders out I am sure them guys would have gave him a hand

[@defjodor1]

I never steered a boat like that, but I am sure I could do it in one go.

[@nicolaimyrvoll1685]

It's not as easy as it looks. Especially in reverse with rudders the boat wont steer at all. Unless you are going very fast.

[@AskCaptainChris]

It can veer or skew but will not steer without RPMs.

[@lbowsk]

You and Chuck Norris.

[@defjodor1]

@@lbowsk it is just a small motor boat, not rocket sience.....

[@darkwell1581]

Like a sailboat

[@Prairiedogma]

Common perception, but actually not true. Monohull sailboats are virtually all single engine, but have much less windage, even with that tall mast, and a much deeper keel so they are way more resistant to side winds. Fin keel sailboats can be steered backing up easily. Not so much with a full keel, though. My 31' full keel just walks the stern to port in reverse no matter what you do. I just need to go with it and make it look like that's what I intended all along. Thankfully, I rarely have anyone capturing me on video! You've got to be careful of the heavy-handedness in any boat, if only to save your driveline from an errant shift at high revs. Our committee boat is an tall old cabin cruiser that, even with twin screws, can be a beast in a cross wind. I was feeling for this guy.

[@CaptainRon1913]

In that kind of wind, I'd just pull it in bow first heading upwind, call it day, and break out a rum & coke

[@AskCaptainChris]

CaptainRon1913 don’t forget the lime. 😎

[@andy2222able]

Main takeaway--Time is not of the essence

[@AskCaptainChris]

Andy Jones excellent take away!!

[@TheRemyRomano]

Got to stay at idle. He makes me nervous

[@paratrooper7340]

A bit too much of throttle compensation.

[@Searat7]

A single screw boat that large must have a bow thruster

[@AskCaptainChris]

Nope. No thruster. Bow or stern. If you learn how your boat handles, back right or left, then you can definitely maneuver this size boat with just a single engine. It would have helped immensely had the lines been ready and Fenders deployed. It WAS helpful that the helmsman had patience. No harm or shame in making a few attempts. Plus, look at what we all learned by watching. Thanks for watching and for your comments.

[@lbowsk]

Smoking bud Tom?

[@walterdavis4808]

My boat is bigger and older and has no thrusters ... it can be challenging

[@AskCaptainChris]

But it’s all in what you get used to. Older boats just didn’t have an option for a thruster in the pleasure boat market. At least not an affordable option.

[@walterdavis4808]

@@AskCaptainChris true. My uncle owned my boat for over 40 years and he could make it do ballet in a hurrican and dock perfectly through it all

[@pinkfemme100]

When he got it into the dock last time he should have got the crew to walk it back.

[@AskCaptainChris]

If lines were ready that could have worked.

[@scooter1391]

aways put bow into wind with single screw.

[@AskCaptainChris]

We had a single engine, no thruster for years. Always backed it in the slip regardless of the wind. You just need to learn your boat m, determine which way it backs (ours backed right) and PRACTICE.

[@leecrook6918]

@@AskCaptainChris our 30’ single shaft reverses right too... great if we were on a starboard mooring but our mooring means we have to dock on left side of river facing upstream with a regular side wind that pushes the boat off. Added to that, despite us requesting another easier mooring place for novices, the marina allocated us this one instead ... a small floating pontoon 4’ shorter than the boat and squeezed into the farthermost awkward point of an outside bend, with fore and aft pontoons that project slightly further out into the flow of the river. (They are all alongside side pontoons not finger pontoons) We’re stuck with it for now, until something else becomes available....so any docking advice with these conditions and from an expert would be greatly appreciated. Lots of fenders out, but sadly no shore people around to throw a line to. 😏

[@brian.7966]

wow wow wow woooooooo

[@scottdowney4318]

Too bad he could not have tossed some lines to the dock hands, they could have wrestled the boat into the slip that first time

[@peterk4134]

Nice trawler; but don’t drink and drive…end of story.

[@AskCaptainChris]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🍺🍺🍺

[@davidpenlington2753]

gets even harder with a stern leg, no power no steer.

[@asphaltjunkie4748]

He's going at it at the wrong angle .

[@AskCaptainChris]

I agree but which time are you talking about, the first, second, third or ?

[@asphaltjunkie4748]

Looks like the wind is coming at you , i would have the bow further away from you and the stern closer to you , let the wind push the bow toward you as i put the stern in .

[@asphaltjunkie4748]

I always put the bow toward thecwind , with a single screw boat .

[@framfull]

Those 10 knot winds are not so steady.

[@dwormon8525]

REALLY ?

[@dabuya]

As an outside observer with zero time operating a vessel of that size, it seems things would be better to have at least one crew member to assist with fenders and lines.

[@AskCaptainChris]

dabuya a good crew member is always an asset. It’s amazing how often we see just one person bringing in a boat during boat show set up. Maybe the second person is the car driver?

[@richardeasther2569]

Not good

[@paulbriggs3072]

Kind of sad to watch. If nothing else, in addition to ALWAYS having the bumpers out, throw a line to them and get even halfway, shut the engine off and let them pull you in by hand.

[@AskCaptainChris]

I agree.

[@Woody59er]

Stressed me out watching him. Don’t understand why he wouldn’t have fenders and lines deployed?

[@AskCaptainChris]

We agree with your concern. He was not the owner and “assumed” the proper equipment was on board.

[@denisiwaszczuk1176]

Lines at the ready And fenders out. And Dont leave fenders out when steaming Bad seamanship