I concede that with favorable wind and current, a seasoned skipper can occasionally coax the stern of a CD to go in a particular direction when backing out of a slip.
My question for the board is, what is the minimum channel width that allows for a reasonable chance of successfully accomplishing this maneuver? Also, is there a minimum distance needed between the slip and the pier at the end of the channel?
The particulars involve needing to turn the stern to port on a CD approximately 27'-30' long, with a right handed prop, tied up to starboard, with wind from the stern at 5-8 kts. The maneuver is to be done without the use of spring lines or dock helpers. Utilizing a single crew member with a boat hook is acceptable. Thank you.
Richard
Minimum channel width to back out of slip
Moderator: Jim Walsh
I know you specified no spring line, BUT! A single hander can easily back even a large boat around a tight corner in slightly less than the boats length using a DOUBLED spring line.
Attach one end to the rear quarter cleat nearest the piling or pier corner that you will be rotating about on. take the line and place it around the piling(or dock cleat) and back to the cockpit and belay it close to the tiller.
Begin your reversing, as the boat is swung around the pier corner and is pointing correctly, place engine in forward, and release ONE end of the spring line and retreive it from around the dock point. You may have to adjust your length somewhat as you turn, that is why you tie off one end near the tiller or other easily reached point.
Attempting this manuever without the use of a spring line while single-handing is not only lubberly, but damned hazardous to your and others boats.
Attach one end to the rear quarter cleat nearest the piling or pier corner that you will be rotating about on. take the line and place it around the piling(or dock cleat) and back to the cockpit and belay it close to the tiller.
Begin your reversing, as the boat is swung around the pier corner and is pointing correctly, place engine in forward, and release ONE end of the spring line and retreive it from around the dock point. You may have to adjust your length somewhat as you turn, that is why you tie off one end near the tiller or other easily reached point.
Attempting this manuever without the use of a spring line while single-handing is not only lubberly, but damned hazardous to your and others boats.
Didereaux- San Leon, TX
last owner of CD-25 #183 "Spring Gail"
"I do not attempt to make leopards change their spots...after I have skinned them, they are free to grow 'em back or not, as they see fit!" Didereaux 2007
last owner of CD-25 #183 "Spring Gail"
"I do not attempt to make leopards change their spots...after I have skinned them, they are free to grow 'em back or not, as they see fit!" Didereaux 2007
Thanks so much for your response. The boat is tied up to starboard, and the goal is to turn the stern to port. There is another boat in the adjacent slip where the pivot point is. I am not looking at establishing a competition in backing up out of the slip, but it was suggested that it would be easy to back up straight and then just spin the boat 90 degrees and proceed forward.
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rtbates
it all depends
IF the wind is blowing in the direction you want the bow to go, no problem. If the wind is against the direction you want the bow to go then you have to get creative. RULE # 1 for Full keel Cape Dorys: THE BOW WILL BLOW DOWN WIND. How fast and how far is 100% depedent on the wind strength. Also when backing the stern will crab to port. Use these two characteristics to your advantage. NEVER fight them. You will lose. Practice, practice, practice.
Best wishes
Randy 25D Seraph #!61
Best wishes
Randy 25D Seraph #!61
starboard tie, port out? spring line again
Okay, think about it. If you are tied up starboard with another boat to port and you want to come out and back to port try this.
Rig up a long spring line. Attach one end to a forward cleat, bring the line outside all stanchions on the starboard side. Run the line around the dock cleat or piling, going on the opposite side(dock) and returning toward your boat. Atach near tiller. Back slowly and when the bow just clears the berth make certain the spring line tightens at that point.
This will stop reverse motion and since you already(should have anyway) gotten the stern turning to port, the spring will accelerate this movement. When you are nearly aligned bow pointing out, then release the spring, put in forward, retrieve the line and proceed.
Spring lines are your friend learn to use them. ;)
Rig up a long spring line. Attach one end to a forward cleat, bring the line outside all stanchions on the starboard side. Run the line around the dock cleat or piling, going on the opposite side(dock) and returning toward your boat. Atach near tiller. Back slowly and when the bow just clears the berth make certain the spring line tightens at that point.
This will stop reverse motion and since you already(should have anyway) gotten the stern turning to port, the spring will accelerate this movement. When you are nearly aligned bow pointing out, then release the spring, put in forward, retrieve the line and proceed.
Spring lines are your friend learn to use them. ;)
Didereaux- San Leon, TX
last owner of CD-25 #183 "Spring Gail"
"I do not attempt to make leopards change their spots...after I have skinned them, they are free to grow 'em back or not, as they see fit!" Didereaux 2007
last owner of CD-25 #183 "Spring Gail"
"I do not attempt to make leopards change their spots...after I have skinned them, they are free to grow 'em back or not, as they see fit!" Didereaux 2007
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John D.
35 feet to back out a CD-27
I always back my CD-27 out of the slip by hand, usually solo.
My slip has pilings on both sides, and there are permanent hand lines tied from each bow piling to the corresponding aft piling. They range from 1-5 feet above the water, so I can always reach them.
I start the motor, center the tiller, and stand at the port rail. Using the hand lines, I simultaneously walk to the bow and pass the boat out "hand-over-hand".
As the bow is about to exit the slip, I grab the dockline attached to the aft-port piling, and, standing at the bow, I let it pay out 5 feet or so, and then use it to stop rearward progress and get the bow moving forward and to port. I use the boathook to put the dockline back on the piling, walk to the cockpit on the starboard rail to fend off if needed, put her in forward gear and chug away.
My slip has pilings on both sides, and there are permanent hand lines tied from each bow piling to the corresponding aft piling. They range from 1-5 feet above the water, so I can always reach them.
I start the motor, center the tiller, and stand at the port rail. Using the hand lines, I simultaneously walk to the bow and pass the boat out "hand-over-hand".
As the bow is about to exit the slip, I grab the dockline attached to the aft-port piling, and, standing at the bow, I let it pay out 5 feet or so, and then use it to stop rearward progress and get the bow moving forward and to port. I use the boathook to put the dockline back on the piling, walk to the cockpit on the starboard rail to fend off if needed, put her in forward gear and chug away.
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Guest
Marina width
As a novice to Cape Dorys and the Marina - this string increased my curiosity - what was the width of the aisle behind my slip? I've been able to back out fine, even as I learn how the 28 moves. Turns out, the aisle width is about 42 feet. I have walked it out and then have more room than I know what to do with! Maybe they put the novices in slips with wider aisles?
Peace, Bill
Peace, Bill