Rigging and Seamanship DOCKING
Putting your boat away correctly will protect it and make it easier to use the next time you want to go sailing. Small centerboard dinghies are stored on top of floating docks in cradles. There are a couple of important steps you need to take to ensure that your boat is secure and properly put to bed.
• When pulling up on the dock, make sure the centerboard is pulled up or the daggerboard is up and put away. Remove any stern and tank plugs to allow collected water to drain and to prevent the boat from filling with water if it rains. Do not leave through-hull (Elvstrom-type) bailers in the open position as they are likely to be damaged.
• After removing your sails, make sure the halyards and sheets are cleated to prevent swinging booms and lost lines. Be certain that your control lines are properly coiled and secured. Leaving them in the bottom of the boat shortens their lifespan.
• Most places that leave the boats in cradles have a system for securing the boat to the dock. Typically, lines secure up and around the base of each shroud or through jib sheet fairleads. Follow the procedure carefully so that wind or waves won’t knock the boat off its cradle. Some set-ups include tying the bow line down to a padeye or cleat on the dock.
Dinghies are generally not tied up alongside docks for extended periods of time. Still, it is worth doing this correctly, to serve both as practice for when you are sailing other types of boats and for the safety and longevity of your boat. The following guidelines will help you when you need to tie up alongside a dock.
Secure your boat with a series of bow, stern and spring lines. Lead them from the boat to cleats on the dock. • Bow and stern lines keep the boat close to the dock.
• Spring lines cross each other and keep the boat from moving forward and backward along the dock.
• Tie the boat so it is parallel to the dock. • All cleated dock lines should be secured with a cleat hitch.
• Use fenders to protect the boat. • Fenders should be placed amidships to
prevent damage caused by the boat banging or chafing unnecessarily against the dock.
• Your fenders should be long enough to protect the boat’s side, even in rough weather when there might be a fair bit of vertical movement due to waves.
Table of Contents 43
Boom secured with cleated mainsheet and traveler
Tiller secured Stern Line
Forward Quarter Spring
Aft (or after) Bow Spring
Bow Line
Fenders in place
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