The joys of docking a sailboat

When you are relaxing in your cockpit in the shade with a gin and tonic clasped firmly in hand, there is nothing quite like the pleasure of observing the entrance of a polished 40-foot-plus sailboat into the marina. The more polish, the better. The bigger, the better. If there's an unfortunate wife taking shouted, convoluted directions on the bow, all to the better. If the current catches their long full keel and swings them into another boat, we tsk, tsk. We sailor folk are a malicious bunch, when it comes right down to it, and egos are pretty fragile when it comes to docking. Not that we won't help! No sirree! We're the first to lend a hand in close quarters, because truth be known, we've been there, and that makes us part of a fraternity/sorority. We've all been initiated, and we're so GLAD to have a new member join our club.

Well. At the risk of foregoing some great entertainment, I'll let you in on a few secrets of docking that big rig.

First: Have dock lines out and tied off properly, ready for deployment, before you even near the close quarters of a marina. That means lines at four corners of your boat, because you never knowyou might just be glad to have that extra line ready, even on the downwind side.

Second: Have fenders ready on both sides of your boat, just in case.

Third: KNOW which direction the current is running, and how strong it is running. As you are coming up to the dock in a large sailboat, you are probably under power (unless you are a Tristan Jones or Robin Knox-Johnston, but then you don't need MY help). If the sails are furled, you don't need to worry as much about wind as about current (exceptions do occur, as in storm conditions). Ideally, the current is with you or against you; your boat is not at cross-angles to the current. If it IS with you or against you, it is fairly simple to gauge its strength against your progress and accommodate for it. If it is at cross purposes to your intended course, then you have to factor it in and make Steering Adjustments. If it is a fancy marina, then I would suggest making a couple of practice turns before you make that turn that goes up the Aisle. It's sort of like living together before you make the final plunge into matrimony. It's amazing what can happen in those final moments before Commitment really grabs hold.

Fourth: Stay calm. What's the worst that could happen? Well, forget I asked. Don't think about that. Try to stay focused on the task at hand. Sheesh. That would never happen, really.

Fifth: Allow people on the dock to accept your lines and tie you off. Remember that you are in charge until you cut your engine. Some people like to cut their engine early. I don't recommend it; it usually involves a lot of yelling at the last minute.

Really, that's all there is to it. By the way, I'll be at the St. Petersburg Marina on the northern dock. I'll be happy to help out when you get there. I'll be the one with the gin and tonic in hand. It's OK; I'll have one for you, too.