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S - 11 RETURNING TO SHORE
A. Docking
Always.approach.the.dock.slowly..Think.before.acting..
If you are wondering whether your boat will fit in a
space.against.a.dock,.remember.that.pilings.are.often.
(but.not.always).spaced.10.feet.apart..
Remember.that.it.is.easier.to.control.a.boat.in.reverse.
because.a.boat.steers.from.the.stern..When.backing.
into.a.slip,.back.so.that.bow.swings.into.the.wind.if.
possible..You.will.have.more.control..
If.possible,.come.in.against.the.wind.or.current,.which-
ever.is.stronger..Approach.the.dock.at.a.30-45°.angle..
As.the.boat.nears.the.dock,.slowly.swing.parallel.to.it..
Tie the bow line first; then the stern. If wind or current
is.moving.toward.the.dock,.move.parallel.to.the.dock.
further.out..Let.the.wind.or.current.push.you.in...
Tie the stern first, then the bow.
Use.extreme.caution.if.wind.or.current.is.from.your.
stern..Back.in.towards.the.dock.slowly.at.a.slight.
angle.with.engine.in.slow.reverse..Gently.swing..
parallel. Tie stern first, then the bow.
If.the.weather.looks.bad,.use.spring-lines.from.the.
bow.and.stern.to.dock.amidships.of.the.boat..Tie.
up.on.the.downwind.side.of.the.dock..If.the.wind.is.
changeable,.place.fenders.over.the.side.between.the.
boat.and.the.dock..
B. Mooring
After.you.have.positioned.your.boat.next.to.the.dock,.
you.must.secure.it.with.mooring.lines.to.keep.it.in.
position..Mooring.lines.must.be.long.enough.to.secure.
your.boat.in.any.docking.situation..For.example,.the.
length.of.the.lines.for.a.16-foot.runabout.should.be.
at.least.15.feet..An.eye.splice.at.the.end.of.each.line.
works.well.with.bow.or.stern.cleats..
The.mooring.lines.you.will.use.most.often.are.the.bow.
line,.the.stern.line,.and.spring.lines.as.shown.on.Fig-
ure S6. Each line has a specific purpose. The bow line
and.the.stern.line.secure.your.boat's.bow.and.stern..
The.two.spring.lines.keep.your.boat.from.moving.
forward.or.backward.when.you.are.moored.alongside.
a.dock..
Prelaunch & Underway - Section S
Figure S6: Mooring Lines
If.you.are.mooring.your.boat.for.a.short.time,.bow.and.
stern.lines.may.be.the.only.lines.you.will.need..If.you.
are.mooring.your.boat.for.a.longer.time.or.the.currents.
are.swift,.you.should.use.spring.lines..The.stern.spring.
line.leads.from.the.boat's.stern.cleat.forward.to.the.
piling.or.cleat.on.the.dock..The.bow.spring.line.leads.
from.the.bow.cleat.aft.to.the.dock..
If.you.are.mooring.your.boat.in.a.slip,.bow.and..
spring.lines,.port.and.starboard,.will.keep.your.boat..
in.position..
NOTE:.If.tides.are.a.consideration,.be.sure.to.leave.
slack.in.the.lines.to.make.up.for.the.rise.and.fall.of.the.
water.while.your.boat.is.docked..
Owner's Manual Page
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