Every charter crew reviews this checklist with our staff during check-in. It covers the boat-handling skills you'll want to be comfortable with before leaving the dock — prop walk and wash, spring lines, and harbor maneuvering.
This competency review happens as part of your check-in briefing, before you leave the dock. Arriving familiar with these concepts means a shorter briefing and more time on the water. Questions before your charter? Contact our office.
1
Prior to Leaving the Dock
Identify if the boat has a right or left rotating prop
Discuss PROP WALK and its effect on the boat
Discuss PROP WASH and its effect on the boat
Explain what a spring line does and the difference between forward and aft springs
Explain how you would use forward, reverse, and throttle to utilize a spring line
Have at least one crew member demonstrate how to loop a dock piling with a dock line
Demonstrate and have each student execute throwing a line over a piling from varying distances
Tie a proper cleat hitch with at least one crew member
Assign each crew member a job for departing the dock
Make sure the dinghy is pulled up close and secured in a position as to not interfere with departing, and that the tow line is shortened to prevent fouling the propeller
2
Leaving the Dock
Assess how and where your boat is docked and these factors:
Wind strength and direction
Is the dock upwind or downwind?
Are there spring pilings to be utilized?
Describe in detail your “Plan A” for departing the dock
Describe in detail what “Plan B” is if dock lines are detached and “Plan A” doesn’t work out
3
Harbor Handling
Test the brakes – see what it takes to bring the boat to a complete stop
Test the turning radius of the boat clockwise and counter-clockwise going at a marina speed appropriate for current wind strength
Use prop walk to turn 180 degrees, trying to turn on the boat’s length with minimal turning radius
Use prop wash to turn counter-clockwise 180 degrees, trying to turn on the boat’s length with minimal turning radius
Stop in the middle of the fairway and reverse straight backwards out of the fairway — will prop walk make the boat go diagonally? How do you position the boat before reversing to counter this?
4
Returning to the Dock
Assess where your dock is and these factors:
Wind strength and direction
Is the dock upwind or downwind?
Is there another vessel in the slip? Consider size, space, and the need for fenders
Are there any objects blocking the slip entrance (ex. dinghy)
Are there spring pilings to be utilized?
Are there dockhands that can assist by catching lines? Who will communicate the plan to them?
When you use reverse to stop, will the stern walk towards or away from the dock?
Once the boat is stopped, double check throttle is in neutral
5
Towing a Dinghy
Towing a dinghy adds additional factors when coming into a dock. Plan to shorten the tow line to prevent fouling the propeller, lower the dinghy motor if still on the dinghy to prevent scraping against another boat, and position the dinghy so that it doesn’t interfere with the docking approach (off the stern if coming in bow first, off the bow if coming in stern first). Have a clear plan and adjust as needed.