Boating Tip #40: Returning to Port

Download Boating Tip #40: Returning to Port (PDF format, 32KB)

Returning to port, entering a channel or basin

  • Turn on the motor
  • Head into the wind and furl the jib
  • Line up with the channel and keep the red channel entrance buoy to starboard (RRR)
  • Motor into the channel, staying to the right of center
  • Close the main hatch over the companionway
  • Drop the mainsail, flake the sail, and attach the sail to the boom with sail ties
  • Move the main halyard from the head of the main sail to the keeper on the aft end of the boom
  • Cover the sail
  • Loosen the main sheet and boom vang, then place the main halyard on the winch and raise the boom about 1 foot. This will give the helmsman better visibility while docking.
  • Prepare docklines and coil all other lines
  • Attach fenders
  • Open the gate in lifelines
  • Assign line and boat hook handlers

Docking (Bow First)

  • Slow approach to dead slow
  • Start turning when the bow passes the neighboring boat
  • Position the boat at a 15° angle to the dock
  • Shift into neutral
  • Reverse if necessary to slow your speed or straighten out
  • Add a left turn if making a starboard side landing to counter the paddle wheel effect
  • Have line handlers step down onto the pier and snub the docklines with a round turn around the cleats
  • Kill the diesel engine with the “stop” button
  • Secure all lines

Docking (Stern In)

  • Make a port turn to drift the bow to port
  • Reverse prop wash will move the stern in line with the bow
  • Back up slowly
  • When there is enough momentum to dock, shift into neutral
  • Back into the slip
  • Apply forward thrust to stop the boat
  • Have line handlers step onto the pier and snub the docklines with a round turn around the cleats
  • Kill diesel engine with the “stop” button
  • Secure all lines

After docking

  • Flemish the dock lines
  • Tie off the dinghy
  • Reattach the shore power cord, then turn on the 30 amp breaker
  • Turn off the inverter
  • Leave the battery dials on “both” when leaving the boat and plugged in to shore power so batteries will charge
  • When anchored or moored, switch off the DC main breaker so the batteries will not be drained (unless DC power is needed to run an appliance such as a refrigerator)
  • Turn off all unused DC toggle switches on the electrical panel
  • Leave the bilge pump on “auto”
  • Clean and wash down boat and make ship shape
  • Log the time of arrival at your destination and the distance traveled