[Rhodes22-list] Advice

[Lowe, Rob]

Ron,
I agree with the visualization technique.  I'm very fortunate that the prevailing wind is on the nose of the boat when I dock but even the varying wind strength makes each docking different.  For every docking, I explain to my dock hand (the admiral) what to expect the wind to do to us and what my approach plan is.  I tell her what I plan to do and where I plan to approach the dock and how hard and at what speed since even that can vary.  I'll even describe under what conditions I'll bail and try again.  Lately I've been coming in a bit hard since the wind tends to blow me out of my slip.  Come in hard and throw her into reverse not only defeats the wind but brings my aft right up against the dock where I can grab the mooring line.  I just have to remember not to leave it in reverse or I get pulled back out of the slip.  So visualize, communicate, and practice!  I've been at this nine years now and I've almost got this down (for this slip anyway). - rob

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Chris Geankoplis
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2012 10:45 PM
To: 'The Rhodes 22 Email List'
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Advice

Hey Ron,
	Perhaps I can offer a suggestion or two.  I sail often by myself and I do not use a motor to pick up my mooring buoy, go to or from the dock at the marina, or come onto a cove, set the anchor and tie off to the shore.
When I had the boat in a slip on the Chesapeake, it was pretty much the same thing there too.  This came from many years of, well, making mistakes and leaving mementos on the boat and dock.  

What I learned was that before I did anything I really needed think out how the wind would affect the boat at what presentations and speeds with the motor and without.  I eventually used the wind more than I fought it (took me a while to figure this out).  Plan your moves, visualize them, and practice them to get a feel on how the boat behaves.  It is more of a mental state and approach than physical power. 

 My biggest boost in confidence and enjoyment of my boat did not come from heading out to the bay to challenge the sea.  I spent the day practicing docking in my slip and then any slip that was open.  I had all the bumpers out, and extra life jackets along the sides.  I may have looked foolish but it was 4 hours well spent.  I also realized that if I moved my slip over one finger and up two spots it was a synch to enter and exit while I was in this learning curve.  It cost $15 more a month more but well worth it.  Perhaps you can consider this too; there may be a slip that will work better with the prevailing winds.

I hope this helps, I feel certain that this is a phase and you will pick up the skill and confidence to make your time on the water even better. 

Chris Geankoplis
SV Enosis
Medford OR

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of butterchurn
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2012 6:43 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Advice

I feel a bit discouraged tonight.  I'd like some wisdom from the group.

I enjoyed Ozone this first season with her, but I also had some real frustrations.  Once I get her out on the water I am fine and have a great time.  It is the docking and leaving the slip in the wind that is really getting me down.  The wind blows her all over and is very difficult for my wife and I to control.  When we hauled her for the season I got her out of the slip, but before I could get her from reverse into forward and get steerage the wind blew her into the dock causing a nasty gauge on her port side that I will need to repair before spring.

This is really getting me down.  No matter what i try the wind is winning. 
Any advice?

Ron



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