Maneuvering a Motor Yacht -Visibility

I used an estimate of 7 kts as there was an incoming tide (approx 3 kts) as well as a heavy wind from the NE. Both coming at me from the same direction. On top of that, they were working on the Bridge of Lyons so there were barges and tugs on the North end, essentially cutting my maneuvering are in half. I ended up just tying off to the pilings until the tide crested and then put it into the slip like I had done 100 times before.

Now I get smart on my trips and plan dockings (when possible) at slack tide.

NYCAP - I don't want to try your marinas. I'm very comfortable with my charmed life down here!!

With an inbound tide the slips on the north end have you backing in with the current on your bow, and the barges & workboats in front of those slips can be intimidating, but it's not as hard as it looks. Still, not everyone does those kinds of docking jobs every day. I suspect that Fireman431 doesn't do it for a living. I used to bring a 50 Viking SC into the 2nd slip in the basin I described earlier, between (2) other 50s and the poles were about 12' back from the bows. Fireman, anytime you'd like to come up and try that I can guarantee you won't be intimidated in St. Augustine ever again. BTW, I haven't been to St. Augustine since last fall, but if those barges are still in front of those slips take a close look. You'll notice that they in fact break down that current so it really is more of an intimidation factor rather than actually being hard. Practice, practice, practice. It's the only way.

I backed into the north end of the docks. The incoming tide hits you at a 45 degree angle athwarts to the bow. The big issue at first attempt was they tried to put me into a 12' slip when I'm 13' abeam! The barges were all the way to the west side, so they weren't breaking any current for me.

I've been in there a few times since and never had an issue. Just that one time, but I suspect any bad docking can make you second guess yourself.

I don't do this for a living, no. I'm the weekend warrior and 2 week long trips during the year, but I also routinely run and dock it by myself all of the time. And that's without a lower helm station. I have practiced enough to be confident enough in my skills, but I'm still not coming up there to mess with your slips!

Gotta love getting into a tight area only to find that the only place to go is a foot narrower than your beam. That's the big reason I don't go spelunking.

I've had alot of boats. I had only had the Post for a short while when my wife who is an ace first mate, & I were going into a small marina on a river,slips parallel to the current but a narrow fairway.
They gave us the slip assignment and I began to back into the fairway towards the slip.
She said " it's too narrow and we won't fit!"
I said " Sure we will"
" No,... we won't"
"Sure we will"

needless to say.......

I've had alot of boats. I had only had the Post for a short while when my wife who is an ace first mate, & I were going into a small marina on a river,slips parallel to the current but a narrow fairway.
They gave us the slip assignment and I began to back into the fairway towards the slip.
She said " it's too narrow and we won't fit!"
I said " Sure we will"
" No,... we won't"
"Sure we will"

needless to say.......[/QUOTE]

You must have been new to marriage. Otherwise you'd have recognized a story coming that you'll hear for many. many years to come.

Fortunately my wife goes easy on my delicate ego. When dock hands start yelling orders she points to the bridge and says " I listen to THAT one for instructions !"

You've got a winner. Safe boating.

This all made me think about what I tend to do without a lot of conscious thought - if a 'new' experience at a marina and if leaving the same dock as the one I will return to I realise I typically make a mental note of pile or dock positions relative to the final berthing position so I have a keen awareness even from the broadside perpective of when enough is enough and should put the brakes on when I return. The first time berthing astern on I also exagerate the necessary distance and turning profile needed for the astern move so as to better experience the tide and wind effect before I am too committed. As NYYCAP suggests experience quickly applauds slow and easy - as well as staying closer to the windward pile (and/or tide direction flow) if at all possible.

Personally can't stand three people calling distances without prompting - all should be shot on the spot! Most decent berthings IMHO are silent events. Huge comfort having a deckie who knows how to use a boathook and is quick to throw a loose slip bite on a forward line to a decent cleat at the right time!