Docking in a river

[fourwinnsnate]

Alright
So I'm holidaying at a lake called kootenay lake and we are staying in a house that is on the "west arm" which is actually a very slow moving river. So I have never really had an issue docking (I don't really do it all that often) but I've always managed without too much embarrassment. With a current it is nearly impossible. Of course you have to dock on the side downstream so the current doesn't push the boat into the dock all night. So every time I come into the dock the current just pulls the boat away faster than anyone can get off. Any suggestions?

 

[QC]

Re: Docking in a river

I often boat in 2 -3 MPH current and you just have to shift in and out of gear or stay in gear to keep her steady. There are some situations where that might not work. Can you elaborate a little more? I don't completely understand.

Can you come into the dock at an angle and get someone off with a line in hand? If so, tie off to your amidships cleat and then have them tie to a dock cleat near your stern. With power on she'll pull herself to the dock that way.

 

[sasto]

Re: Docking in a river

Can you come into the dock at an angle and get someone off with a line in hand? If so, tie off to your amidships cleat and then have them tie to a dock cleat near your stern. With power on she'll pull herself to the dock that way.

I often use this technique, regardless of vessel size.

I also use the amidship cleat (midship for us newby's) tied fast to a piling/dock cleat as a temporary..... until I can get a bow line secured.

 

[fourwinnsnate]

Re: Docking in a river

Alright well that makes me feel a lot better because this is basically what I did (after about 4 times )
I guess I was mostly trying to get the boat nicely alongside the dock by doing the method where you bring the bow in at a 45 then using the forward momentum thrust her in reverse to bring the stern around.

I guess another question would be: is there anything wrong with putting the boat upstream of the dock? If you put it downstream the current pulls on the cleats all night and if you put it upstream it rests on your fenders all night. I'm not too sure what is worse.
Thanks

 

[wgl333]

Re: Docking in a river

I recently docked for a week upstream in the St. Lawrence with no issues. Dock owner had fenders on the dock and I deployed mine as well with no issues. If downstream, boat hooks work wonders till a line is secured.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Docking in a river

I guess another question would be: is there anything wrong with putting the boat upstream of the dock? If you put it downstream the current pulls on the cleats all night and if you put it upstream it rests on your fenders all night. I'm not too sure what is worse.
Thanks

Think abouit it- half of us regularly face one situation, and half of us regularly face the other. As long as the dock hardware and your boat cleats are securely attached, downstream is no issue. As long as you have a sufficient number of adequately sized fenders, upstream is no issue.

My .02

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Docking in a river

I made a boat hook out of a golf club shaft. Installed a hook in the end. It works great and is easy to stow. I use it at any dock where current is an issue.

 

[Borgey401]

Re: Docking in a river

I personally would put it upstream. As long as you've got good fenders I don't see anything wrong with it. After all they're made for these kinds of things! But that's just my $.02

 

[robert graham]

Re: Docking in a river

Upstream or downstream, I keep some 4' long heavy duty bungee cords on board to use in addition to regular dock lines, to provide some "spring" to my dockage. They work well with a current or tidal waters. Good Luck!