Online Book: Coming Alongside (Docking) Made Easy

Now we get to the good stuff: a step-by-step guide, with diagrams and video, that makes coming alongside easy, even short-handed and when the wind is up.

Alternatives to an aft-running spring at the boat’s balance point, as well as how to determine where that magic aft spring fairlead should go if you decide to install one.

Ten things you can change or add to your boat to make docking easy, including choosing the right fenders and lines.

Many cruisers miss out on the most sheltered berths in a harbour, but it does not have to be that way. Master this one close-quarters boat-handling skill, and getting in and out of tight places, even with a wind blowing, becomes easy.

The key to stress free approaches to wharves and floating docks (docking) is in understanding and anticipating what the boat will do in the final few seconds. John shares this vital information.

Bringing a boat alongside in good order is one thing when it’s calm, and quite another when it’s blowing the dog off the chain. John shares step-by-step instructions on how to make a good safe docking in big breeze, with no drama, shouting, or crashes.

The general wisdom, repeated over and over again on wharves, in sailors’ bars, and on the forums, is that it’s difficult to back a boat into a tight space, and impossible if said boat has a long keel. But that’s just dead wrong. John shares backing techniques that will work, and even make the process easy, with most any boat.

John continues to make backing-in approaches easy, with four detailed step-by-step recipes (complete with diagrams), one for each wind direction.

John tackles a frequently-asked question about how to dock with twin rudders.

John tackles a vexing, and often stressful, close-quarters boat handling situation that is all too common, particularly in southern Europe.

Bringing a sail or motorboat alongside (docking) by ourselves can be difficult, but good preparation will make it much easier.

In Part 1, I covered seven tips to get set up for coming alongside single-handed. Now let’s look at the tricky part: actually getting alongside alone.

The first decision we need to make when leaving a dock is whether to go out in reverse or forward. Here’s how to choose.

The biggest contributor to getting off a dock against a strong wind or current in good order is how we rig up the lines and fenders.

There are few greater challenges in cruising than coming alongside in current, particularly if it’s blowing. Here is a step-by-step way to dock in current.

Bringing a boat alongside with current flowing can be demanding, but what if we have to turn around, too? Here’s how.

Backing our boats into a confined space is difficult enough normally, but what if we need to do this with current and wind? John explores how to, and when not to.

Simple tips and hacks that will make getting alongside easier, even in current.