Casting off and Docking

Cast off, NO wind.

-cast off the bow AND stern -then shift to forward and slowly move forward -gradually turning your boat AWAY from the dock.

Dock, wind/current AWAY from dock

1. Approach the dock slowly at a sharp angle (about 40 degrees). 2. Use reverse to stop when close to the dock. 3. Secure the bow line. 4.Put the boat in forward gear briefly, and slowly turn the steering wheel hard away from the dock—this will swing in the stern. Secure the stern line.

Cast off, wind/current AWAY dock

1. Cast off the bow and stern lines. 2. Use an oar or boat hook to keep the boat clear of the dock. Let the wind or current carry the boat away from the dock. 3. Once there is sufficient clearance, shift into forward gear and slowly leave the area.

Dock, NO wind/current

1. approach slowly at a narrow angle (about 20 degrees) 2. when close enough, let one passenger off to the dock to secure the bow line. 3. swing the stern in with a line or boat hook to secure it.

Dock, wind/current TOWARDS dock

1. approach slowly, parallel to the dock. 2.Let the wind or current carry your boat to the dock. Shift into gear briefly if you need to adjust position. 3.Secure the bow and stern lines.

Cast off, wind/current TOWARD dock

1. cast off the stern line 2. Move and secure the bow line to a mid-boat position on the dock. Make sure fenders are in place on the bow. 3.Put the boat into forward gear briefly, and turn the steering wheel hard toward the dock. Increase speed slowly until the stern is well clear of the dock. 4. Cast off the bow line. Back out slowly until you have room to shift into forward and turn away from the dock.

before docking, what should you do?

1. reduce speed to a minimum to maintain steerage. 2. use the reverse gear to stop well away from the dock 3. determine the wind or current direction to identify where your boat will go. 4. have stern and bow lines ready and fenders in place 5. go when traffic is clear.