Maneuvering Your Boat with Dock Lines— Part One of Five

Ahoy Sailors, as you may or may not know, dock lines are ropes that secure your boat in place at the dock for short-term mooring. They’re often made of nylon, making them strong, elastic, and resistant to abrasion, UV rays, and rot. Dock lines are a must-have for your boat, so you must know how to use them. Here is the first of five basic techniques that allow your dock lines to go above and beyond their usual duties. Stay tuned. I will explain the next four techniques in the following issues of the Log’s Sailing 101.

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

First Technique—Springing Off

When the wind is up and you’re pinned against the dock, it’s time to use what might be the most known dock line-assist technique — springing off. First, use a spring line and a sturdy dock cleat or piling to position yourself off the dock. A couple of large fenders and a crew member that has been briefed on the process beforehand and knows what’s expected is all that this maneuver requires. Steps will vary, depending on whether you want to leave the dock stern-first or bowfirst. Other circumstances include wind strength, current, and the proximity of other boats around you. Nonetheless, in

Youth Sailing

From page 14 portant events with two locations steeped in sailing history,” said Quanhai Li, World Sailing President. “The commitment of both organising committees, national sailing federations, and local partners to the sailors, sailing, and World Sailing’s vision for sustainability, equality, and inclusion are great foundations for truly memorable events over the next two years.”

Known for being a popular vacation destination, Búzios is located about 85 miles east of Rio de Janeiro and has 23 flirty beaches within a calm, natural horseshoe bay that offers ideal sailing conditions courtesy of annual trade w inds from northeast to east and between 10-18 knots. The race village will be located at several sites in Búzios, including the scheduled community of Aretê Buzios, which will be providing on-site facilities for sailors, coaches, equipment, and v isitors, and the Iate Clube Armação de Búzios (ICAB), venue of the 2009 edition.

“I am looking forward to both Youth Sailing World Championships,” said World Sailing Chief Executive Officer David Graham. “The Youth World Championships are always a highlight of the s ailing calendar, and I’m delighted the youth world committee [has] selected two impressive locations. We look forward to ensuring the respective [orga - each case, the spring line is looped around a dock cleat or piling located amidships, with both ends fastened to the boat at the end opposite to the end that you want to move away from the dock. In both cases, the lines are attached to the craft on the side against the dock.

Technique 1: Springing Off the Dock Bow-First

1. First, place fenders between the boat and the dock at the stern to avoid any damage that presents itself to your boat. Guide the crew member to observe and adjust the position of the fenders as necessary throughout the maneuver to protect the vessel.

2. S econd, rig a spring line from the aft cleat on the boat, loop it around nizing] committees deliver successful events.”

Marco Aurelio de Sá Ribeiro, President of the Brazilian Sailing Federation, w ill lead the Organising Committee and will incorporate support from the Brazilian Navy for leading sailors.

“I think the great legacy is to inspire young Brazilians to sail more and to continue sailing, in addition to keeping the boats in the country, doubling the size of youth sailing in Brazil,” said Aurelio de Sá Ribeiro. “Another goal is to consolidate the training [center] in Búzios as a reference location for teams from all over the world. This event opens the door to our future goal of hosting a World Sailing Championship here in Brazil.”

The 2023 Youth Sailing World Championships Notice of Race will be published in late February.

A Preview for Lake Garda 2024

Alto Lago di Garda is lined up as the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships location.

Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and borders the regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige. Constructed with inspiring scenery, clean waters, and constant winds – known as Peler and Ora – coming from the north in the morning and the south in the afternoon – it is an ideal venue for sailing and windsurfing.

a dock cleat or piling located roughly amidship (the middle of the ship) of the boat, then run it back on board to the same aft cleat. Then, secure (cleat it off).

3 Next, remove all other dock lines.

4. T hen, position the crew member at the stern l ine, where they will unwrap the spring line’s top turn, keeping a turn around the cleat and holding the bitter end of the line.

5. Shift the engine into reverse, placing tension on the line.

6. Turn the wheel, so the rudder is toward the dock, which will cause the bow to swing out.

7. W hen the bow reaches a 45-degree angle from the dock, redirect the engine forward while turning the wheel away from the dock.

8. Watch as tension is removed from the spring line. The crew member

In a new concept, it has been agreed, subject to contract, that World Sailing will work with several Italian clubs located on the lake, each with an abundance o f tournament experience, including Fraglia della Vela Riva, Lega Navale Italiana Riva del Garda, Circolo Vela Arco, Circolo Surf Torbole, Circolo Vela Torbole, Fraglia Vela Malcesine.

“For me and the entire Italian Sailing Federation, it is a huge [honor] to have the chance to [organize] the Youth Sailing World Championship for the first time in Italy,” said Francesco Ettorre, should then release the tail of the line or bitter end, grab the cleated end of the line, and quickly pull the line free of the dock cleat or piling and onto the vessel.

9. Finally, bring the fenders on board once well clear of the dock.

The next installment of this article will explain how to swing off the dock stern-first.

President of the Italian Sailing Federation. “It represents an international recognition for the work carried out so far.

For this opportunity, I wish to thank first of all, World Sailing President Quanhai Li; Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi; the Italian National Olympic Committee and President Giovanni Malagò; and the Sport e Salute’s President Vito Cozzoli. I also want to thank a ll the clubs who make up the Organising Committee because it is only thanks t o them that it is possible to succeed in bringing such high-value events to Italy.”