I back our Baba30 singlehanded into the slip all the time. The trick is to
use the propwalk to your advantage. My landing approach is to move close
along the pilings approaching my slip perpendicular on the starboard side.
(my Volvo propwalks to starboard in reverse).
As the boat's pivot point approaches the slip before mine (depending on
wind strength & direction) I go full helm over port turn and give a blast
of power. When the boat is 45 degrees into it's 90 degree turn the engine
is reversed and full power is applied to make the stern start walking
sideways. By the time the boat is starting to move backward the turn has
completed and I am lined up with the slip pilings. Helm was reduced as
necessary and readied for steering when movement aft is present. By varying
the reverse throttle, the rate of swing can be managed and alignment
between the pilings of the slip accomplished. Once I have the stern inside
to poles I clip side stern lines onto the lines from the forward pilings to
the dock. This holds the stern in position so it can't swing into the boats
on either side and it gives me all the time I need to attach the bow and
spring lines before finally moving all the way back in to the pier.

Different wind direction and speeds always keep this maneuver interesting
and the real trick is to know when to abandon an approach that is not
working out. There is quite a bit of mass to a Baba so you can't wait too
long when backing up to lay the power on and go around again. Haven't
smacked the windvane on the pilings in 15 years. Now having said that..........

Al Emer
S/V Galatea
Sandy Hook NJ



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Received on Sat Apr 08 12:50:25 2006