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From: Bob Davies (no email)
Date: Sun Nov 27 2005 - 02:06:11 EST
Okay, Steve. Here goes.
That sounds like the pump-out facility in our marina. There is a 60-foot
steel cruiser under construction, moored about 40 feet east of the pump
facility, and there is a 25-footer tied up immediately behind the steel
hull. Basin runs east-west, with the prevailing winds from the west, and the
station is located at the west end on the north side. The basin shallows to
2 feet about 15 feet from the end. The pump is located about 50 feet from
the end of the basin, and there are often two or small boats tied up right
at the end. Effectively, that leaves about 40 feet to work with. My
pump-out fitting is located about 10 feet from the bow on the port side.
Taid's Inn is a 32-foot twin-screw Pacemaker Sedan Express with a 3'6"
draft. The helm is port side, about 12 feet forward of the transom. The
swim platform is 36" front to back, and is not included in the length, so
effectively, she is slightly over 35 feet LOA.
I generally rotate the boat when my helm is abeam the stern of the steel
boat, and then back past the smaller boat into the gap between it and the
little boats at the end, so I think I am in the same position you described.
We only have a 5-gallon holding tank, so we pump out after every trip -
probably 10 to 20 times a season. I usually practice the process without
tying up two or three times the first weekend after launch in the spring, so
that I get the feeling back after a winter off. On occasion, I have to do
it single-handed, so the practice runs are aimed more for that. I also
practice during the season when the wind is from the north, east and south.
The secret seems to be in moving as slowly as possible, and aborting the
approach and redoing it if not comfortable. Everything is done with
throttles at idle speed, with the rudders straight. Once you are accustomed
to the sightlines from the helm, the process becomes much easier.
In a dead calm or westerly wind, I start about 15 to 20 feet out, then back
in at a 45-degree angle until the edge of the swim platform is about 10 feet
from the wall, then go to neutral both sides. When I am about 2 feet from
the wall, I briefly engage both transmissions, port in reverse, starboard in
forward, to let the stern swing along the wall. Because there is more
thrust in forward than reverse, this stops the backwards motion and leaves
us roughly parallel with the wall. If necessary, I put both sides in
forward to stop the motion, then change the port transmission to reverse.
By using the transmissions against each other, I walk her sideways, moving
about 3 feet forward and back at each point until the stern is about 1 foot
or less from the dock. The admiral then can step onto the dock and snub
either the stern line or an aft spring onto the closest cleat to the stern.
With the line wrapped twice, I then apply a short burst of starboard forward
to pull the bow against the dock, put her in neutral and get out and pull
the bow by hand. No one gets off unless we are stationary, and within an
easy step.
If the wind is from the south, I simply back into position and let the wind
push us sideways against the dock. If from the north, we just have to work
at it a little longer, but the process remains the same as a dead calm or
westerly wind. On occasion, I will increase the throttles a bit as
required, but never more than about 350 rpm over the 650 rpm idle speed, and
never for more than a second or two. Just a short burst is quite effective.
I use the same process when tying up to lock walls between other boats. I
always prefer to back in - it seems more intuitive to me, but that may be
because of the position of the helm. Also, I find it easier than going into
tight spaces in forward, because I am closer to the action. Getting back
out is more of a challenge, but that's another thread.
I hope that helps. YMMV (and probably will).
Bob Davies
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