How to stop on a dime while sailing?

bowman316

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Oct 21, 2008
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The other day I saw a guy sailing into out marina. He just had his jib up, on a pretty windy day. He was easily going 3-4 mph going into the dock.
Then when he reached his slip, he stopped, like right now.
How did he do that?
the marina is very shallow over there, so maybe he hit the ground.
this was maybe a 24 ft boat.

is there some trick I don't know about to dock under sail?
his sail was not hove to either.
until at the end i guess.
 

ghamby

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Aug 3, 2009
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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

He might have tied his bow lines across the slip.
 

bowman316

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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

I guess that would work.
this dock he was on has no finger piers. And I think no middle pyling.

this was a race day, so he didn't even have a motor on board. just sail in and out.
 

older

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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

I once cut a Lido into the wind and let go of the boom and parked it just like Ace Ventura Pet Detective! I was just darn lucky that day no one got hurt! Yes, I was in a sailing class. :rolleyes:
 

Don S

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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

Sadly to say, many years ago I used about the same method as the youtube video to dock my first sail boat undersail. Mercury class, leaky plywood wonder that it was.

PS: Knowing the area and a stern anchor properly dropped can help to.
 

emoney

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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

I think the "properly dropped stern anchor" makes a lot of sense. Now, if he'd
had his main & his jib up, then maybe, but just the jib? And, from a speed of
3-4knots to a dead stop? Are you sure you didn't look away and he coasted to
a stop? If not, it's gotta be somebody that's been at that slip, on that boat
enough to know when to throw an anchor, or he's put something under the water
to shut her down.
 

NYGiants

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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

he might have been motor sailing in which case he slammed it in reveerse
 

NelsonQ

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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

Maybe he's Canadian.... the Bluenose Schooner is always stopped on a dime

Canadian_Dime.jpg


Sorry....couldn't resist :p:p
 

SolingSailor

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 24, 2009
Messages
197
Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

You don't say whether he was pointing up or downwind.

I doubt he used an anchor; way too much trouble, and anyway unnecessary.

With the mainsail hoisted, and especially on a windy day, he could have backed the main. It makes a pretty effective brake.

But you said he had the jib up only -- that would imply he was pointed downwind.

It's pretty clear that (if he did not use an engine) he either hit the dock, or most likely, leaned out and grabbed a dock cleat either with a dockline, or a hand.
 

saildan

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Mar 7, 2009
Messages
264
Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

The other day I saw a guy sailing into our marina. He just had his jib up, on a pretty windy day. He was easily going 3-4 mph going into the dock.
Then when he reached his slip, he stopped, like right now.
How did he do that?



Since you sail out of the same marina, why not visit his slip and ask the skipper how he does that.


:)
 

Damifudo

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Sep 14, 2009
Messages
277
Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

If it was not dock line thrown around a cleat on the dock the only other break is a fully turned rudder to 90 degrees is a pretty good water brake. The only way I know of stopping a boat with jib only. Well you can use your bow for a brake but that is usualy and expensive way to stop fast. :eek:
 

bowman316

Lieutenant Commander
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Oct 21, 2008
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Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

i have trouble comming into my slip too fast. I need to go about 2 mph to mantain sterage, but when i get into the slip, full reverse is not enough to stop the boat from ramming the dock.
i need to jump on the dock and catch the boat.
i guess it is just something you need experince with.
 

Itsalonestar

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 15, 2010
Messages
37
Re: How to stop on a dime while sailing?

Any sign of an arm with a bloody shoulder stump and fist with a death grip on a boat hook in the general vicinity?

I've snapped the 3/16 stainless keel cable on my Mac twice by snagging it on some submerged log at around that speed. :)

The other day I saw a guy sailing into out marina. He just had his jib up, on a pretty windy day. He was easily going 3-4 mph going into the dock.
Then when he reached his slip, he stopped, like right now.
How did he do that?
the marina is very shallow over there, so maybe he hit the ground.
this was maybe a 24 ft boat.

is there some trick I don't know about to dock under sail?
his sail was not hove to either.
until at the end i guess.
 
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