Peter you certainly win the graphics award.
I can imagine your proposal working with no wind or current present.
so far backing out fairway or driving out after having arrived starboard tie,
The OP drawing scale makes it look like the fairway is 2 boat lengths wide leaving plenty of room to crab in or out against the wind.
The problem with the push like hell theory...a lot of suggestions to never use your hands popped up.
I didn't want to start an argument over that topic (certainly it one of those it depends discusdions).... yet it is exactly all you need on some boats (whether hands are used) to accomplish the task much of the time if it fits the plan.
Going in stern first may show one as a follower rather than someone who knows what they are doing. Its how you arrive, not the direction.
Swap is out as he bought the slip. That photo must be a rare calm day.
OP, there is no wind evident in picture, is there a problem getting away under that condition?
Murray, I, (and seveal others I think), have already suggested a quick release line to a dock cleat, once backed out far enough to effectively swing the stern out, by 'leaning' the (well-fendered) bow into the dock with full left rudder under forward power, then releasing and reversing out until he can swing round to go forwards. However, I have tried to imagine how what you just described could work in allowing an (often against the wind) outward swing of the bow, and could not. Care to do a diagram of it..?
Err, NO.Quick story and dumb plan that might be necessary in the short term.
Story: Yesterday I watched a beautiful trawler do an effortless 180 in my fairway to drop off two passengers. I was extremely envious. Life felt totally unfair in that moment. As the trawler motored off the two passengers walked past me I said "I think I need a bow thruster". He chuckled and said "They're great!" Second passenger then muttered "It's cheating..."
Dumb plan: It may be months before my still healing ribs let me "push like hell" to get the bow pointed toward the channel. Simple short term solution if I cannot manage the backing, walk the boat along the dock, attach line from starboad bow to dock finger as shown, yank on the line to pull the bow to 90 degrees.
Dumb plan: It may be months before my still healing ribs let me "push like hell" to get the bow pointed toward the channel. Simple short term solution if I cannot manage the backing, walk the boat along the dock, attach line from starboad bow to dock finger as shown, yank on the line to pull the bow to 90 degrees.
There are youtube videos showing how to use spring lines to get either bow or stern away from the dock.
John good video. Thanks for sharing.
For me I wouldn't be able to spring off the stern as I have a dingy hanging off the back. Or could I spring but use enough slack in the line to swing?
On wide transom boats with twins, it's easier to just pivot the stern out and back out in my experience. Trying to get the bow out without smacking the swim platform or anything else is much more challenging.
John good video. Thanks for sharing.
For me I wouldn't be able to spring off the stern as I have a dingy hanging off the back. Or could I spring but use enough slack in the line to swing?
On wide transom boats with twins, it's easier to just pivot the stern out and back out in my experience. Trying to get the bow out without smacking the swim platform or anything else is much more challenging.
This has been my experience...
One word of warning about backing off a face dock in a tight-ish space: Anyone watching you do this who hasn't done it themselves will look very nervous and concerned, as they probably think you're about to smash the bow on the dock. Especially if you back off and do a 180 where you're basically holding the bow a couple feet off the dock for a significant period of time. So expect freaked out looks and maybe a concerned comment or 2. As long as you know you're good, just ignore them.
When I do it, I usually give the boat a shove off and then back off with the dock side engine first. So I don't pivot against the dock, instead keeping the bow a couple feet away from it as I rotate the stern around the bow. Low docks are easier (assuming nothing sticking up), as the hull flare gives extra clearance and the pulpit can overhang if needed).
With the wind pinning the bow, it can be a challenge, however. I've backed off in that situation, but it's a bit tough and has to be done quickly (and with a decent bit of space behind you, as you won't be able to pivot the boat as much as normal without the bow getting blown into the dock).
Clear as mud?
Today Harbor Patrol was on my facedock. Twin OB's. 28'ish. He was situated with the preferable bow upwind, he was cool as cucumber, but it took him longer than I would've guessed considering his skill level/twin props to jigger his way out so he could leave bow first into the fairway. And that was with a cooperative wind.
As the trawler motored off the two passengers walked past me I said "I think I need a bow thruster". He chuckled and said "They're great!" Second passenger then muttered "It's cheating..."