Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

[optimax1999]

I have a new to me boat, in a new to me marina. The river this is on has an extremely strong current, and is well known for such (especially in this moon cycle). The current is strong enough that when navigating down the asile of finger slips, the boat needs to be crabbed at about a 45 degree angle to the aisle facing into the current just to make headway parallel to the aisle.

My boat is pulled into the finger slip bow first. When the it is an outgoing tide (current pushing against the stern), and I back out of the slip and turn the boat, the current pushes the stern back towards the dock. This will happen fast enough that there is not enough time to turn the bow starboard before it gets too close to the dock. Also, turning starboard (to get away from the dock) is my natural instinct, but it also enhances the stern's port swing towards the dock/other boats. There is also not enough space between rows to allow me to back far enough away from the dock before making my turn to compensate for the drift that the current will cause.

Now, obviously if the boat is backed into the finger slip during an ebb tide, the whole problem would be solved. However, on the incoming tide I would have the same situation, just reversed. IF the boat was backed in, on an incoming tide I would need to make an 'almost' 180 degree turn to get the bow facing in the current so I can crab it out of the aisle. I just don't think that would be feasible given the limited space I have to work with.

The only option I can think of for this situation is to back the boat out of the slip, and then crab it all the way down the aisle with the sten facing into the current. However, I'm not confident in the boat's reverse handling capabilities enough to perform that maneuver quite yet (I will have to get out during a strong current and test its reverse capabilities against a buoy as a marker). It seems to be weak in reverse and requires quite a bit of throttle to make any headway in reverse.

To aid in understanding my perspective, I'm not green to boating, or this river/current, and this is not my first boat. However, I am new to the propulsion system (coming from much more responsive jet drive, to currently a single outboard). Boat is 23' LOA, with single outboard. This seems like it should be a very simple issue (or maybe not an issue at all), but for some reason I cannot see an easy way around it. Maybe I'm just missing something obvious here that someone will point out.

I've attached a very basic diagram of the situation for anyone willing to give me input to reference.

Thanks for the help, and I look forward to becoming a contributor instead of a lurker on this forum!

Should also note that I have no issues at all docking the boat during either tide, or backing out of the slip during an incoming tide.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

I don't envy you, that looks like a challenging set-up. Is the space on the other side of your slip (port side) always empty like in the diagram?

Welcome to Iboats!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

I think I'd try backing out. It takes getting used to and you are pushing against the transom, but like a front-wheel drive car, your motor pulls you along. Plus with an outboard it makes it easy to see where you are going. The boat follows the motor.

Keep this concept in mind--going forward you aren't moving the bow to starboard; you are moving the stern to port. The stern is where the action is--contrary to our cars.*

definitely get a "suicide" steering knob. best thing in the world for docking an outboard.

talk to your marina neighbors and watch them.

don't be timid; make hard decisive moves. Don't be afraid to work up against the upstream side; you're always safe there.

generally it's easier to dock against the wind/current than with it--more control--but you got some tight dynamics there.

do your piers have pilings? I find it works to leverage against pilings and prefer them to floating docks for that reason. I also have boats with working rubrails so I can.

Crabbing (or ferrying) is a good technique. Whole trick is to keep the bow from swinging over.

*this is how I dented a car for the first time; I was 15 and dad let me back it out of a parking spot in the lane and I hit a column. I had been driving boats for 3-4 years at that time and my instinct was that sterns swing. Not in cars; the bow of that stationwagon swang instead! And when you are against a column in a car, you don't just ride it out.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

My first thought and recommendation would be to back out as you have drawn it, but shift to neutral about 2/3 of the way out. Allow the current/wind to start moving your aft to port instead of the power. As your bow clears the dock, shift to forward and make way to the starboard side of the aisle, keeping the bow into the wind just enough for steerageway. Let the wind and current work for you if at all possible.

 

[optimax1999]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

I don't envy you, that looks like a challenging set-up. Is the space on the other side of your slip (port side) always empty like in the diagram?

Welcome to Iboats!

The space is always empty, as well as the one across from it. However I don't want to bank my solution on them being empty, since I'm sure a boat will show up in each of them soon enough.

On one attempt I pulled out, made my turn, saw the stern kicking in towards the dock. I made a hard reverse acceleration to starboard to pull it away from the dock, followed with a hard reverse acceleration to port and I put the boat "backed into" that empty slip next to me. I put a line on a cleat and evaluated the situation. Realizing I was now in a great spot for the current, I began my crab into the current at a 45.

On the next attempt (much stronger tide this time) I backed into the empty slip across from me about 3/4 LOA in, and then began my rotation to the northwest direction (not in real world, but in referencing direction in diagram). Immediately the boat and stern began a swift drift to the south (again, referencing direction in picture). I made a hard reverse acceleration to port and put the boat back into my own slip.

I was looking at it today debating a solution of reverse into the channel by crabbing all the way down the aisle in reverse, however still nervous about the seemingly weak reverse capabilities of this boat (at least coming from a jet drive that I was extremely comfortable and confident operating).

I think I may go out tomorrow during a strong incoming tide and use a mooring or bouy as a reference point and set up/practice several different scenarios.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

as fireman suggested, you often have more control bumping in and out of gear rather than trying to maintain a low speed in gear

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

Sounds to me like the perfect excuse for an upgrade
this is an EASY maneuver for twin engines

 

[optimax1999]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

Sounds to me like the perfect excuse for an upgrade
this is an EASY maneuver for twin engines

Haha I was thinking about how great twins would be for this. But I just got this boat! And I just finished a complete transom replacement, rewire of the whole boat (done with excessive overkill in mind), painting of new deck, painting of cuddy and gunwales, electronics install, bunch of preventative engine work, and then of course the hundred or so small details that we all know add up on a project like this. That said, I have quite a relationship with her for only being out less than 10 times in her now. Happy so far with hull characteristics and overall platform. It is an Ocean Scout Bristol.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

Me-- First thing I'd do is load up the dock with fenders. With the fenders as protection, Now I would back out with the wheel turned RIGHT, so the boat starts backing out the "wrong way"....

--you'll need the fenders to save the port side of your boat---

About half-way out, just shift to neutral, then wait for the current to push the stern around a bit as you drift backwards--

Steering wheel is already where you want it to be, so when the boat is about 45? or so, just give it some gas, straighten'er out, and go boating!

---

 

[Doug Roy]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

This is very tough stuff! Find a new marina? The problem is a boat in current handles like an airplane. Under forward power against current you will go sideways back towards the dock you just left until you get the bow straight up current. Depending on current speed you may not have time to be in neutral. Back out as far to the opposite side as you can safely, then initiate an aggressive turn up current. Don't be afraid to apply lots of power. You must get the bow around before you get pushed back into your dock.

I'd also practice backing your boat up into the current. The bow can be hard to control in wind or current with space limitations. I've found backing out from tight spaces is often the only way.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

I used to have that game to play-- with a twist. River current goes the same direction and water level rarely fluctuates much. In the ICW tides go in and out, levels can change by 5' or more and the 'ocean breeze' can be quite strong at all times. You will soon have it down and not even think of it....

 

[RyanSS]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

Are you able to back all the way out of the marina?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

What about asking to move to the empty slip on the other side? The current and wind would push you away from the dock instead of against it.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

Look into a portside midship spring line. Reverse and use the spring line to pivot off the well-fendered dock to get your bow pointed in the right direction.

 

[optimax1999]

Re: Backing Out of a Slip In Strong Current - Questions

Me-- First thing I'd do is load up the dock with fenders. With the fenders as protection, Now I would back out with the wheel turned RIGHT, so the boat starts backing out the "wrong way"....

--you'll need the fenders to save the port side of your boat---

About half-way out, just shift to neutral, then wait for the current to push the stern around a bit as you drift backwards--

Steering wheel is already where you want it to be, so when the boat is about 45? or so, just give it some gas, straighten'er out, and go boating!

---

Wow! I truly appriciate the work you must have put in to alter that drawing I made. Photoshop? Anyways, very impressive so thank you. But as to the situation, what you are outlining is essentially what I am doing (minus the initial stern to starboard turn at the start of backing out), and the current is just so strong that this whole maneuver (including being pushed back into the dock) will happen in about 5 seconds or so.

I went out to a no wake buoy and did some messing around. What I found that "could" work is to back out as far as possible, make a turn to port as pictured, but let the boat turn slightly past a 90 degree angle to the dock, put it in neutral, and let the current drag the stern to the correct position, and then put it in gear at a full starboard idle turn to complete the rotation.

Haven't tried it yet in place, but we will see.

I'm really considering my option of backing out as I saw a neighbor do it the other day.