Mastering the Dock: The Art of Alongside Mooring

There is an old saying in the maritime world: anyone can sail in open water, but you judge a captain by how they return to the dock.

The "Alongside" maneuver (docking parallel to the pier) looks simple on calm days. However, when you are squeezing a 45-foot monohull into a tight spot in a busy Croatian marina, with a crosswind pushing you off, it becomes a test of physics and nerve.

At Sailing Munich, we teach that docking is not about force. It is about understanding how your boat pivots. Here is our technical breakdown of the alongside approach and the advanced "Spring Kick Out" for tight exits.

1. The Setup: Preparation is 90% of the Job

Before you even enter the marina basin, the deck must be ready. Panic happens when lines are not where they should be.

• Fenders: Be generous. Place them at the widest point of the beam and slightly lower than you think necessary to protect the hull.

• The Four Lines: You need a Bow Line, a Stern Line, and crucially, your Springs.

  • Forward Spring: Leads forward to the dock (stops you drifting back).

  • Aft Spring: Leads aft to the dock (stops you drifting forward).

    
    

2. The Approach: Control and Angle

Speed is your enemy, but momentum is your friend. You want to approach at the minimum speed required to maintain steerage.

• The Angle: Approach between 20° and 45°. If the wind is pushing you away from the dock, come in steeper (45°). If the wind is pushing you onto the dock, come in shallow (20°) and let the wind do the work.

• The Contact Point: Aim for your midship to touch first.

• The Golden Rule: As soon as you touch, secure the Spring first. Not the bow, not the stern. The spring line stops the boat's momentum and acts as a brake. Once the spring is on, the engine can do the rest.

  
  

3. Tight Space Maneuvering: Using the Engine

In tight quarters, you cannot rely on the rudder alone. You must use the "Prop Walk" and the tension of your lines.

If the wind is pinning you to the dock: Do not fight it. Use fenders to cushion the impact and secure your lines quickly.

If the wind is pushing you away: This is where most mistakes happen. You cannot drift. Approach with authority. Once the crew secures the Aft Spring, engage the engine in slow forward. The boat will try to move forward, but the spring will hold it back, forcing the hull to hug the dock tight. This allows the crew to calmly secure the bow and stern lines without pulling manually.

4. The Pro Move: The "Spring Kick Out"

Leaving a dock when you are boxed in by other boats (or a strong wind pinning you in) is a signature skill of a competent skipper. You cannot just drive out. You have to pivot.

This technique uses the engine against a spring line to swing the boat out.

To Swing the Bow Out (Stern Spring Maneuver):

1. Prep: Remove all lines except a spring running from the stern to a cleat forward on the dock. Put a large fender at the stern quarter (the pivot point).

2. Rudder: Turn the rudder fully toward the dock.

3. Engine: Engage slow reverse.

4. Physics: The propeller tries to pull the boat back, but the spring holds it. The result is that the stern gets pulled into the dock (on the fender) and the bow swings out magically.

5. Exit: Once the bow is out 30° to 45°, release the spring and drive forward.

To Swing the Stern Out (Bow Spring Maneuver):

1. Prep: Keep a spring running from the bow to a cleat aft on the dock. Fender at the bow.

2. Rudder: Turn the rudder fully toward the dock.

3. Engine: Engage slow forward.

4. Physics: The boat tries to move forward, is held by the spring, and the stern swings out into the channel.

5. Exit: Once the stern is clear, release the spring and reverse out.

   
   

Summary

Docking is not about shouting or rushing. It is about preparing your lines, understanding the wind, and using your engine to work with the springs, not against them. Practice these maneuvers on calm days so they become instinct when the storm rolls in.

Fair winds,

Captain Leo Cunha