Harbour manoeuvres, boats and the simulator
Every manoeuvre step by step with its line setup and common mistakes, how each boat type behaves in the harbour, and what the simulator can do. Each guide opens the simulator in exactly that situation.
Manoeuvres
- Springing off the bow spring
- Docking alongside with wind off the pontoon
- Stern-to between piles
- Leaving a box in a crosswind
- Med mooring with lazy lines
- Finger pontoon, bow in
- Picking up a mooring buoy
Springing off the bow spring
Swing the stern out against the bow spring when the wind pins you to the pontoon.
- When to use it
- Lying alongside with wind onto the pontoon, when simply going astern would drag the boat along the pontoon.
- Line setup
- Bow spring from the bow cleat led aft to a bollard near midships, fenders forward. All other lines ready to let go.
Step by step
- Let go all lines except the bow spring.
- Rudder towards the pontoon, engine slow ahead.
- The bow is held, the stern swings out. Wait until it points well clear.
- Engine to neutral, rudder midships, then astern.
- Release the bow spring as the boat comes off and back clear.
Common mistakes
- Too much throttle: the bow grinds on the pontoon. Fender the bow well.
- Releasing the spring too early, before the stern is far enough out.
- Forgetting prop walk when going astern.
Docking alongside with wind off the pontoon
Get a line on before the wind pushes the bow away.
- When to use it
- Coming alongside when the wind blows from the pontoon side.
- Line setup
- Midship spring first, then bow and stern lines.
Step by step
- Approach at a steeper angle than usual.
- Bring the midship cleat close to a bollard and get the midship spring on.
- Motor gently ahead against the spring; the boat lies to the pontoon.
- Add bow and stern lines, then the springs.
Common mistakes
- Coming in parallel: the wind blows you off before anyone can step ashore.
- Throwing the bow line first: the stern swings out.
Stern-to between piles
Pick up the windward pile line first, then back into the box.
- When to use it
- Boxes with piles, common in the Baltic and on lakes.
- Line setup
- Long lines to both piles from the bow, two stern lines to the pontoon.
Step by step
- Line up upwind of the box, going astern slowly.
- Drop the windward pile line over the pile as you pass.
- Continue astern, paying out the pile line.
- Make fast the stern lines, then tension the pile lines.
Common mistakes
- Going too fast between the piles.
- Picking up the leeward pile first in a crosswind.
Leaving a box in a crosswind
Use the windward pile line to hold the bow up to the wind on the way out.
- When to use it
- Leaving a box between piles with wind across.
- Line setup
- Windward pile line slipped back on board, stern lines released first.
Step by step
- Release the stern lines and the leeward pile line.
- Motor slowly ahead while hauling on the windward pile line.
- Release the slipped line at the pile and motor clear.
Common mistakes
- Releasing the windward pile line too early: the bow falls onto the neighbour.
Med mooring with lazy lines
Back onto the quay, stern lines on, then use the lazy lines to bring both mooring lines to the bow.
- When to use it
- Quays in the Mediterranean with lazy lines or your own anchor.
- Line setup
- Two stern lines to the quay; a mooring line from the ground chain to each bow cleat, picked up with its thin lazy line.
Step by step
- Line up and go astern towards the quay.
- Get both stern lines ashore.
- Pick up the lazy lines at the quay, walk them forward to the bow and haul in the heavy mooring lines; make the windward one fast first.
- Adjust stern lines so the stern is clear of the quay.
Common mistakes
- Fouling the lazy line in the propeller.
- Leaving too little gap to the quay.
Finger pontoon, bow in
Stop with the midship cleat at the finger and get the midship spring on.
- When to use it
- Marinas with short finger pontoons.
- Line setup
- Midship spring first, then bow line and stern line to the finger.
Step by step
- Approach slowly, aiming along the finger.
- Step ashore at the shoulder with the midship spring.
- Make it fast aft on the finger, then add bow and stern lines.
Common mistakes
- Stepping off from the bow: it is high and far from the finger.
Picking up a mooring buoy
Approach into the wind and stop with the buoy at the bow.
- When to use it
- Mooring fields and anchorages with buoys.
- Line setup
- Bow line or a slip line through the buoy ring.
Step by step
- Approach head to wind, slowly.
- Stop with the buoy at the bow; the crew points to it.
- Pass a line through the ring and make it fast.
Common mistakes
- Approaching downwind: the boat runs over the buoy.
- Losing sight of the buoy under the bow.
Boat types
Pick the type closest to your boat and adjust a few values. Everything hydrodynamic is derived from them.
Cruiser, long keel
10 m · shaft drive, keel-hung rudder
Sluggish, large turning circle, strong prop walk astern.
Cruiser, fin keel
12 m · saildrive, spade rudder
Agile, little prop walk; the bow blows off quickly.
Motor boat, displacement
11 m · shaft drive, bow thruster
Lots of windage, little lateral plane.
Motor boat, planing
8 m · sterndrive
Thrust vectors with the drive; almost no grip at idle.
Small boat
6 m · outboard
Light and sensitive to wind.
Catamaran
12 m · twin saildrives, two rudders
Turns on the spot with split throttles; high windage.
Motor yacht, pods
14 m · two steerable pods, joystick
Moves sideways and turns on the spot; the bow still feels the wind.
RIB, jet drive
7 m · waterjet with nozzle and reverse bucket
No steering without thrust, no prop walk, very light.
What the simulator does
Line loads
Every line is a real spring with its material and diameter. Loads show live on the line and in the result.
Boat types and drives
Long keel, fin keel, motor boats, catamaran, pods and jets, each with its own windage, lateral plane and prop walk.
Harbour scenarios
Alongside, boxes with piles, med mooring, finger pontoons and buoys, as docking and undocking.
Wind and current
Set wind relative to your berth, with gusts. Add current where it matters.
Pause to think
Pause at any time, give new orders and see a ghost of the next seconds before you commit.