LarryM
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2011
- Messages
- 1,069
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Pelago
- Vessel Make
- Wellcraft 3300 Coastal
Most of my recent boating has been single-handed, and Boomarang is a single-screw boat without bow thruster. Operating exclusively from the pilothouse makes docking and line handling pretty challenging at times. One day after a particularly awkward arrival I came up with this bridle to help me get the boat into the slip. It looks kind of silly, but it really helps me when docking. I can just drive it right in. On arrival, if into the wind, I can leave the boat in gear and use the rudder to swing the stern to the dock. Reaching a line or stepping off the boat is easy. If the wind is from astern, no power is needed to keep the boat in the bridle. Departing, with the wind astern, the boat remains secure in the bridle and can be safely untied. If into the wind, I put the boat in gear and it remains in place while I untie. Once back in the pilothouse, I can swing the stern with the rudder and get a favorable angle to back out of the slip.
I thought maybe this could help if anyone else out there is as short-handed or maneuvering challenged as I am.
By the way, I have found that single-handing is much easier with extra crew . . . .
Now, what the heck do I call this thing? Bow catcher, docking assist bridle, cattle guard . . .
Larry
m/v Boomarang
I thought maybe this could help if anyone else out there is as short-handed or maneuvering challenged as I am.
By the way, I have found that single-handing is much easier with extra crew . . . .
Now, what the heck do I call this thing? Bow catcher, docking assist bridle, cattle guard . . .
Larry
m/v Boomarang