Harvey Mudd College Sailing Club

Docking the Boat

1. Instruct crew so that each ones knows what he/she is to do.
2. Sail boat upwind of the base and check location of other boats in the area. Do not begin docking procedure until area outside the base is sufficiently clear of other boats. Also check that the base itself is clear; do not interfere with boats leaving the base.
3. Locate main halyard so that it will payout without tangling.
4. Place boom crutch into slot behind tiller
5. Release boomvang.
6. Turn boat into the wind and give order to drop the main.
7. Steer the boom into the crutch and see that crew pulls the mainsail down promptly, gathers it on the boom and uses tiedowns to keep it in place. During this time, the skipper should remain on the tiller, watching for other boats and staring a gradual turn toward the base.
8. Instruct a crew member to "fly the Jib," i.e. hold the Jib sheets in such a way that jib fills with air and provides power to move boat toward base.
9. Locate Jib halyard so that it will payout without tangling.
10. Tie fenders to dock-side of boat.
11. As boat approaches the base, crew should be in proper locations: a. Skipper on tiller, b. One standing by to release Jib halyard, c. One controlling the Jib sheet.
12. As boat nears point for dropping the Jib, crew member controlling the Jib sheets should move to the foredeck and prepare to gather in the Jib as it is lowered.
13. Skipper gives order to drop the jib. Timing for this depends strongly upon wind condition. In heavy winds, be sure that the jib is dropped early so that the boat approaches the dock without much forward momentum. In light winds, do not leave Jib up inside the base even if that seems to present no problems. Remember: The base must be entered barepole
14. As boat drifts toward dock, crew members must be properly positioned: a. Skipper on tiller, b. One standing by dock-side shroud prepared to step off, c. One, if there is a third person on board, standing on foredeck with bow line in hand, d. One on aftdeck with stern line in hand. CAUTION: Crew should be instructed not to fend off by placing a foot or a hand between the boat and the dock. A skillful skipper can maneuver the boat co that this is not necessary, and it is extremely dangerous!
15. As boat come. alongside the dock, the crew member by the shroud steps (NOT LEAPS) onto the dock while holding onto the shroud and stops the forward momentum of the boat by pulling back on the shroud. Crew member with bowline in hand also steps to dock and assists in bringing boat to a smooth stop. Crew member with aftline does same, as stern comes alongside the dock. Crew members may assist the skipper in all of this by calling his attention to other boats, noting any unusual dock conditions, etc. but remember: The skipper is in charge and only he gives orders.
16. After docking, and while the skipper is still on the tiller, crew members should walk the boat backwards and then turn it around so that it is headed out to sea when tied down at its dock.