A really bad day docking my sailboat

There is no pride lost captain, it takes guts to show what you showed with you in the video all the way, could see the stress and anxiety in your face and the rapid throttle and wheel use as a result. I have yet to see a boater who said his first docking was smooth - we wouldn’t have all the stories around the bar table otherwise. 😜

As a sailor with 33 years of experience, I can see one egregious error that it took me a long time to learn. When backing, you shouldn’t turn the rudder to extreme angles. Turning requires decent water flow over the rudder, and turning the rudder to the stops actually acts as a brake due to extreme drag. A far better strategy is to give yourself plenty of room, back very slowly, and use minimum rudder angle… doing so will provide faster turning and better control.

Best part about this video is when you told your crew "you did good." You didn't get flustered, you didn't yell and you eventually got it done. Bridge resource management 101 👍🏾

It was painful for me to watch this video as well. Not because of what you did, but because I saw myself doing the same on several occasions. When I did it, there was no YouTube to watch and learn from. Without you posting your experience, many boaters (newbies and old timers alike) would unknowingly find themselves in the same situation. There is no telling how many dings you have prevented. It is commendable that you swallowed your pride and posted the video. I have over 40 years experience with a considerable amount in the inside passage and Alaska where there are high tides with lots of current and wind. It has taught me (and you reminded me again) that situational awareness is extremely important along with knowing how your boat will behave in such conditions. Then make a plan before you are in tight quarters. There are times when it is appropriate to go out and drop the hook until conditions improve. Practice, practice, practice. Good job and Thanks so much!!

Thanks for the upload. I really like that you decided to upload the "failed" attempts as well and a great learning lesseon!

Thank you for sharing this. No matter how many times we dock or leave the slip, situations like this are inevitable. I love how you have made this a valuable training tool for everyone. My heart always pounds whenever we dock! Fair winds to you sir!

Thanks for not letting your ego prevent helping the rest of us learning to dock. It's a tricky business!

Sometimes you watch the show, sometimes you are the show. I've been on both sides myself, you didn't lose your cool, most important thing.

We've all been there :) Kudos to you for showing what is about every 5th attempt at docking between pilings

Massive respect for publishing this warts and all. Never stop learning 💪

As a novice sailor, these kind of videos really help me build up strength confidence for my upcoming obstacles. Lesson learned! Great job, and thank you captain! 🙏🥰

Super high value instructional video. Composure Epitomized, Fantastic work Captain!!

I docked my sailboat countless of times, and so often one or more things went wrong. I wished I filmed it like you did. We all learn from our mistakes. It's hard to see in the video, but you either have current, or your propwalk moves your stern to starboard when going astern (left turning prop). Hats off for staying calm and moving slowly.

I thought I was the only one who has days like that!!!! THANK YOU SIR!👍 Henceforth, you are my brother.🙏

Been there, done that - got the fender smudges to prove it... Thank you for sharing your learning experience. I'm still new to sailing, so I can relate - and this video with a demonstration of how to come up with "plan B" when "Plan A" fails helps me so much more than watching short videos of "perfect docking".

Hey Chuck. Good for you demonstrating it can go pear shaped for even the most experience sailor. I'm seen skippers with 30+ years make same or similar mistakes. As they say you learn more from your mistakes than when it goes perfectly well. In my opinion, 2 big lessons here 1. you kept calm throughout, even when it wasn't going to plan. 2. you didn't get ego or bravado get the better of you. You knew when to abort and didn't damage yours or another boat. Both pride & fender smudges are easily fixed. This video is a must watch for anyone who docks on a finger / catwalk berth. Well done.

I'm also still learning and I think the final maneuver was beautiful. The boat was yours and you executed once you understood the conditions better. It's an abstract feeling that I've felt when doing more difficult dockings, and this is the best way I can currently describe it. That's what I saw in that final maneuver. Well done sir. O7

Thanks for sharing, brave and honest. It's a useful video. Sooner or later all skippers are going to get caught out close quarter manouvering in strong winds, and sometimes more than once. It's an embarressing and potentially costly situation, which is why most of us conveniently forget about our own nightmare day. I bet you learned a lot from it!

Whew! Bet you’re glad that’s over! A few folks have suggested keeping your boat to windward and using a slower approach… you obviously have learned the perils of going too fast AND not being on the windward side of the alley. I would add putting the boat in neutral several feet before your backing turn with reverse helps the boat glide to her sweet spot & saves your transmission. Biggest suggestions: go slower, stay to windward, don’t go past your slip before turning. Let the prop walk be your friend. Oh… never try to pivot on a piling… too many opportunities for damaging your boat or someone else’s. You figured out the errors (& we’ve all made them!) and I’m sure you’ll remember the feel when it’s all “right”…. You’re a real gentleman for sharing this.

Been there and done that. Full marks for showing it and the stress you experienced. Docking in wind is hard. I’ve used young dock crew who move the boats to get me in. Always amazed at how much power they use to get it done. Well done skipper, you’ve earned a beer.