Re: Departing/Docking Windy Conditions
OldNavy, When coming into the dock you want to use the current or wind (whichever is stronger) to your advantage. If the wind/current is pushing you into the dock, plan to stop parallel to the dock, just off the dock and allow the wind/current to push you into it. If the wind/current is pushing you away from the dock, plan to power your way (dead slow) right close and parallel to the dock, and cut the power so your speed goes to zero as you near the dock. Tie off the lines on the end of the boat that is most affected by the wind or current.
I need to make a u-turn to get to my dock when returning from the bay. If the wind is strong enough(in any direction), I will make a "K" turn well down the lagoon, and hug the other boats, as I come back to my dock. if the wind is less strong, I will make the u turn, put the bow near the dock, hit neutral, thow the wheel hard over and use some reverse to pull the stern to the dock.
If the wind is really blowing, put the bow close to the dock, cleat the bow line and put the motor is reverse, wheel hard over and the motor will pull you to the dock.
If you are leaving the dock, let the wind/current push you off the dock, then put the motor into gear. If the wind/current pushes you against the dock and you cannot push off sufficiently (by hand), use the motors in reverse to pull the stern away from the dock.
BTW - boats usually handle quite differently from each other. Even boats that are similar in design can handle differently from each other. For example, my 21' dual console can make the u-turn on my lagoon is 1/2 the width. My 16' speedboat cannot make the bloody turn at all, unless I gun the motor a bit, which is dangerous in such a confined space.
