{"id":43255,"date":"2013-07-19T23:26:03","date_gmt":"2013-07-20T03:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=43255"},"modified":"2023-05-06T17:36:32","modified_gmt":"2023-05-06T21:36:32","slug":"how-to-dock-and-swing-a-catamaran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/how\/how-dock-and-swing-catamaran\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Dock and Swing a Catamaran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Bows <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Bows First:<\/strong> With strong current sweeping from ahead and boats fore and aft, use a fender on the stern quarter to swing the bows clear. Apply just enough thrust with the port engine to keep the boat from going backward into the dock; a spring line may be helpful. Power in reverse on the starboard engine until the bows are clear, then shift to forward to get under way.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering purchasing or chartering a catamaran, fret not about maneuvering. While a lack of keel(s), high freeboard, and the vessel\u2019s light weight might seem daunting, the dual engines and twin-propeller configuration are powerful tools, even when space gets tight and wind and current present extra challenges. With judicious use of the throttles and a crew well trained in handling spring lines and fenders, maneuvering a cat in close quarters can be easy and efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

For beginners, the first trick is learning to forget the wheel and leave the rudders in a neutral position, at least initially. There\u2019ll come a time when the rudders will be helpful, but save that until you\u2019ve gathered enough experience. Because a cat\u2019s twin propellers are so far apart, it\u2019s simply not all that necessary to use the rudders; in fact, for skippers learning to drive cats, rudders may introduce an unnecessary dynamic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Penned <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Penned In:<\/strong> When the wind and\/or current is abeam, use just enough forward thrust on the starboard engine to keep the boat stable and aid the turn, and more forward thrust on the port engine to spin the cat’s bows clear of other boats and into the current.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Cat <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A cat can pivot, without moving forward or aft, in its own length<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

The main principle one must grasp is that a cat can pivot, without moving forward or aft, in its own length. By advancing one throttle and reversing the other in equal measure, a cat will simply rotate on its centerline axis. When you apply greater and lesser power to the respective throttles, you will pivot from the side to which you\u2019ve applied less power. For example, to pivot to port, use slightly less reverse power to your port engine, and slightly more forward power to your starboard engine. To pivot to starboard, do the opposite. Also, a cat can be operated at very slow speeds because you don\u2019t need to create a flow over the rudders in order to turn. When it comes to cats, \u201cSlow is pro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Remember that it\u2019s usually best to reverse into a slip rather than come in bow first. This keeps the skipper nearer to the action and provides the opportunity, if things start going sideways, to simply power forward out of trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Start slowly. Have an experienced cat driver take you off the dock for your first few departures, then pick a wide-open area in which to practice basic maneuvering. Use mooring balls (they\u2019re softer than pilings or navigational marks) as aiming points, and start practicing. Learn to back onto the mooring, come alongside it, and pick it up; soon you\u2019ll see how easy it is to accomplish these basic tasks. The more you practice, the higher your confidence level will soar. Once you\u2019ve got the basics down, start performing those same exercises in wind and current to see how windage and sideslip affect your particular boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Next, try some basic docking maneuvers, starting with coming alongside or departing from a fuel dock. You\u2019ll discover how a properly placed spring line and fenders, combined with careful use of the throttles, can bring you neatly alongside, even on a crowded dock. Now practice backing into a slip. While most cat drivers prefer, and some narrow dock spaces demand, that cats occupy the \u201cface dock\u201d at the end of a pier, there will be many marinas that have enough room to allow your beamy vessel to fit neatly into a slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Once these skills are mastered, try picking up a mooring and dropping the anchor. These maneuvers depend more on the crew than the driver. That\u2019s because mooring and anchoring can be different on cats; the crew doesn\u2019t stand at a pulpit but perches on a crossbeam, and from there may have to reach a long way for a mooring ball or deal with an anchor that\u2019s mounted well aft of the bow. Here are some additional cat-handling tips for specific situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Getting <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n 1. Exit Stage Right:<\/strong> The diagram shows the first step to get off a dock when there’s no significant wind or current (which is also a great time to practice). To begin, first maneuver the bows in toward the dock to push the stern out and away from the pier.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Cat <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n 2. Cat “Walk”:<\/strong> Once the stern is off the dock, reverse the throttles and engine directions to pull the bows away as well. By repeating the procedure in slow, incremental steps, you can successfully “walk” the boat safely away from any obstacles and into open water.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Docking Ins and Outs<\/strong>\nLet’s say you’re approaching a dock to come portside to. Your first line ashore will be a spring that leads forward from your port quarter. Once you’re near the dock, put the port engine in slow reverse and the starboard engine in forward with slightly more throttle applied. This will place the boat close to the dock, and once the spring line is secured and tightened, it will hold you close and steady (with your engines still turning slightly) and allow you then to secure the bow and stern lines and the aft-leading spring lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Leaving a dock, use the same principles; apply them perhaps a little more aggressively if boats are parked forward and aft. Tied starboard to, first, place a fender or fenders as far aft on the starboard hull as possible. As the dock lines are cast off, apply more power in reverse to the port engine and less in forward on the starboard engine. This pivots the bows out; once they\u2019re both well clear of the boat ahead, simply transition the port throttle into forward and drive away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Backing into a Slip<\/strong>\nAs I said, I’m firmly convinced that backing a cat (or any other vessel, for that matter) into a slip is preferable to bringing it in bow first. On most cats, the steering station is centered or slightly aft, which translates into better visibility to the sides and behind you. It’s important to know how close your sterns are to the dock. It also gives you much better maneuverability and options when bailing out from a maneuver gone wrong: Instead of wrangling with which way to turn when making your escape\u2014when reversing, many sailors have to think a little harder about which throttle to use to turn in the proper direction\u2014you simply drive straight ahead, then decide which way to spin the boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

In tight quarters, you can approach the slip in forward, then do a K-turn to position the sterns so they\u2019re aiming at the slip with the cat parallel to the docks on either side. Apply reverse thrust on both engines to pull straight back. If necessary, you can apply forward throttle to either hull, as needed, to straighten the boat out as you\u2019re entering the slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s not a lot of space in the marina, you may want to enter the area already in reverse, then simply maneuver the sterns into the slip using the same principles described above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Penned <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Penned In:<\/strong> When the wind and\/or current is abeam, use just enough forward thrust on the starboard engine to keep the boat stable and aid the turn, and more forward thrust on the port engine to spin the cat’s bows clear of other boats and into the current.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Picking Up a Mooring<\/strong>\nCats sit best on moorings when the boats are equipped with a bridle rigged between the bows, the apex of which should be equidistant between the hulls. When the cat approaches the mooring ball, your crew should stand by equipped with a long boathook and with the bridle ready. As with any boat, a slow approach from as far downwind of the mooring as possible is ideal. Have a signaling system in place so the crew can tell you the distance from the mooring and whether you need to steer to port or starboard to line it up properly. Hand signals are best, and everyone should be on the same page so there’s no confusion. Again, slow speed is optimum, and you should be ready to stop forward motion quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

As with any boathandling technique, practice makes perfect. You won\u2019t always dock or moor in benign conditions; once you have the basics down, keep practicing in more wind and current so you\u2019re always familiar with how your boat behaves. A comfortable skipper is a calm and assured one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Special <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Special “K”:<\/strong> Backing into a slip gives the helmsman better visibility and also the option of bailing out if things go wrong. In tight quarters, execute a K-turn to get the sterns parallel to the dock space before reversing in.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Keeping <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n The Spring’s the Thing:<\/strong> When parallel to a leeward dock, putting the windward engine in reverse (top) will keep the stern close in. The judicious use of fenders and spring lines (above) will help facilitate maneuvering.<\/span>\n Artwork by Tim Barker<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n

Tony Bessinger is an instructor at Confident Captain\/Ocean Pros in Newport, Rhode Island, and has thousands of miles of catamaran sailing experience, including a stint as a skipper of a Gunboat 62, and a 4,600-nautical-mile delivery of a Leopard 46 from Florida to California. He also drives high-speed ferry cats in southern New England.<\/em><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Boathandling: Thanks to their dual engines and twin props, maneuvering catamarans in close quarters can be a simple and rewarding experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Tony Bessinger","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"20130719","hydra_display_updated":false,"arc_story_id":"5ZZZIYD3UK64VM2BGZQO532I4U","arc_website_url":"how\/how-dock-and-swing-catamaran\/","arc_subtype":"right-sidebar","arc_exclude_from_feeds":false,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[164],"tags":[935,211,183,210,454],"class_list":["post-43255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-boat-handling","tag-catamaran","tag-how-to","tag-multihull","tag-seamanship"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43255"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43255\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}