ABL-7ABL-7

AbleAbleBoat HandlingBoat HandlingInstructors: George Crowl

Course OutlineCourse Outline

a. Demonstrate your ability to properly operate a. Demonstrate your ability to properly operate a small boat with a motor. Included should be a small boat with a motor. Included should be fueling, starting, leaving a dock, maneuvering, fueling, starting, leaving a dock, maneuvering, and coming alongside.and coming alongside.

b. Know the names and functions of the lines b. Know the names and functions of the lines used to secure a vessel to a wharf or pier. used to secure a vessel to a wharf or pier. Understand and execute docking commands Understand and execute docking commands used in handling lines on your ship's primary used in handling lines on your ship's primary vessel.vessel.

ABL-7aABL-7a

Demonstrate your ability to properly operate a Demonstrate your ability to properly operate a small boat with a motor. Included should be small boat with a motor. Included should be fueling, starting, leaving a dock, maneuvering, fueling, starting, leaving a dock, maneuvering, and coming alongside. and coming alongside.

General ConsiderationsGeneral Considerations

Use a checklist!Use a checklist!Rainwater outRainwater outDrain plug in !Drain plug in !Required equipment installed and serviceableRequired equipment installed and serviceableLife jackets (wear 'em), radio, lights, etc.Life jackets (wear 'em), radio, lights, etc.Transom OK for motorTransom OK for motorMotor installed (on land if possible), tiltedMotor installed (on land if possible), tiltedSafety chain attached to boatSafety chain attached to boat

General Considerations (2)General Considerations (2)

2-stroke OR 4-stroke? Different fuels! Can ruin 2-stroke OR 4-stroke? Different fuels! Can ruin an engine if wrong fuel is used.an engine if wrong fuel is used.

Young men can earn Motorboating MB if desiredYoung men can earn Motorboating MB if desired

LaunchingLaunching

Do all launch preparations in a parking place Do all launch preparations in a parking place away from the launch rampaway from the launch ramp

Practice your backing beforehandPractice your backing beforehandUse a spotter, with agreed hand signalsUse a spotter, with agreed hand signalsHave a dock line, held by someone or attached Have a dock line, held by someone or attached No one in the boat on the trailerNo one in the boat on the trailerBack slowly, carefully. If jackknifing, pull Back slowly, carefully. If jackknifing, pull

forward try again.forward try again.Let the boat float off the trailerLet the boat float off the trailer

FuelingFueling

All electrical and motors offAll electrical and motors offAll hatches and vents closedAll hatches and vents closedAll people off the boatAll people off the boatPortable fuel tank on dock or groundPortable fuel tank on dock or groundGround self and fuel nozzle, prevent sparksGround self and fuel nozzle, prevent sparksHave cleanup materials at handHave cleanup materials at handNozzle and receptacle in contactNozzle and receptacle in contactCool fuel expands, leave room for expansionCool fuel expands, leave room for expansion

StartingStarting

Engine straight up and downEngine straight up and downShift lever neutral (straight up)Shift lever neutral (straight up)Choke a cold engine, not a hot oneChoke a cold engine, not a hot oneThrottle to “Start” positionThrottle to “Start” positionPull starter rope slowly until resistedPull starter rope slowly until resistedPull starter rope hard as neededPull starter rope hard as neededPush choke in slowly until runs smoothlyPush choke in slowly until runs smoothlyThrottle to “Run” or “Idle”Throttle to “Run” or “Idle”Engage shift lever carefully, move out slowlyEngage shift lever carefully, move out slowlySafety lanyard attached to helmsmanSafety lanyard attached to helmsman

Leaving the DockLeaving the Dock

SLOWLY!SLOWLY!Have someone push the bow out and move offHave someone push the bow out and move offPush the stern out, and back out slowlyPush the stern out, and back out slowlyUse spring lines, as taught in other sectionsUse spring lines, as taught in other sectionsNo wakeNo wakeGet clear of the marina Get clear of the marina

before opening up the before opening up the throttlethrottle

ManeuveringManeuvering

Find clear areaFind clear areaManeuver at slower speeds, then increaseManeuver at slower speeds, then increaseSet up a slalom course with buoys (not posts)Set up a slalom course with buoys (not posts)Show why not to chop throttle too quickly, stern Show why not to chop throttle too quickly, stern

wake could swamp youwake could swamp youManeuver at docking speeds, often harder to doManeuver at docking speeds, often harder to do

Coming AlongsideComing Alongside

Prep your boat first – fenders, lines, boathooksPrep your boat first – fenders, lines, boathooksPreplan for wind effect – if approaching Preplan for wind effect – if approaching

downwind you will be blown into wharf, position downwind you will be blown into wharf, position further out. If upwind, carry power a little longerfurther out. If upwind, carry power a little longer

Position your rudder BEFORE you engage Position your rudder BEFORE you engage propeller or throttlepropeller or throttle

Short bursts of idle powerShort bursts of idle powerDo not stop engine until all lines secureDo not stop engine until all lines secure

Coming Alongside (2)Coming Alongside (2)

SLOWLY!SLOWLY!Don't let the boat go faster than the velocity that Don't let the boat go faster than the velocity that

you want to hit the dock ;-)you want to hit the dock ;-)The stern moves first, remember thatThe stern moves first, remember thatPlan A – boat parallel to dock, throttle idle, Plan A – boat parallel to dock, throttle idle,

rudder AWAY from dock, one second FWD, shift, rudder AWAY from dock, one second FWD, shift, one second REV, repeatone second REV, repeat

Plan B – boat angled to dock, in contact, crew Plan B – boat angled to dock, in contact, crew steps off with line, rudder AWAY from dock, one steps off with line, rudder AWAY from dock, one second FWD, wait, again, etc.second FWD, wait, again, etc.

Docking with Various WindsDocking with Various Winds

Retrieving to TrailerRetrieving to Trailer

Drop your driver off to get the tow rigDrop your driver off to get the tow rigKeep the launch ramp clear until trailer is ready, Keep the launch ramp clear until trailer is ready,

bunks should be ½ or more submergedbunks should be ½ or more submergedEmpty the boat of peopleEmpty the boat of peopleDrive on: Apply power, center bow on trailerDrive on: Apply power, center bow on trailerPull on: Snap winch strap on bow eye, crank on Pull on: Snap winch strap on bow eye, crank on

trailer to stop. This is final step of Drive On.trailer to stop. This is final step of Drive On.Drive out slowly, raising motorDrive out slowly, raising motorPark, remove gear, open drain plugPark, remove gear, open drain plug

ABL-8bABL-8b

b. Know the names and functions of the lines b. Know the names and functions of the lines used to secure a vessel to a wharf or pier. used to secure a vessel to a wharf or pier. Understand and execute docking commands Understand and execute docking commands used in handling lines on your ship's primary used in handling lines on your ship's primary vessel.vessel.

(You have to actually handle the lines when (You have to actually handle the lines when undocking and docking.)undocking and docking.)

Names and FunctionsNames and Functions

Bow line(s) – secure the bow in and outBow line(s) – secure the bow in and outStern line(s) – secure the stern in and outStern line(s) – secure the stern in and outSpring line(s) – secure the boat fore and aftSpring line(s) – secure the boat fore and aft

Names and Functions (2)Names and Functions (2)

Different spring lines – do same jobDifferent spring lines – do same jobBreast line at midships – keeps boat tight to Breast line at midships – keeps boat tight to

fendersfendersQuarter line at stern – keeps boat tightQuarter line at stern – keeps boat tightTwo stern lines – keeps stern in placeTwo stern lines – keeps stern in place

Docking CommandsDocking Commands

STAND BY TO DOCK – Everyone get ready. STAND BY TO DOCK – Everyone get ready. Fenders out, boathook ready, people positionedFenders out, boathook ready, people positioned

HEAVE THE ____ LINE – Deckhand heaves the HEAVE THE ____ LINE – Deckhand heaves the line to person on dock to receive itline to person on dock to receive it

TAKE UP SLACK – Pull in the slack in the lineTAKE UP SLACK – Pull in the slack in the lineTAKE A STRAIN – Pull the line in, pulling boatTAKE A STRAIN – Pull the line in, pulling boatEASE OFF – Let the line out slowlyEASE OFF – Let the line out slowlyHOLD – Hold the line there, use a cleat or bittHOLD – Hold the line there, use a cleat or bittSECURE LINES – Cleat them, proper tensionSECURE LINES – Cleat them, proper tension

Undocking CommandsUndocking Commands

STAND BY THE LINES – People in place to cast STAND BY THE LINES – People in place to cast off the lines to the dockoff the lines to the dock

CAST OFF _____ LINE – Cast off the specific CAST OFF _____ LINE – Cast off the specific line, such as spring, starboard bow, starboard line, such as spring, starboard bow, starboard stern, port bow and port stern. stern, port bow and port stern.

Lines are laid or thrown on the dock, hung on Lines are laid or thrown on the dock, hung on posts or hooks, and kept out of the waterposts or hooks, and kept out of the water

Questions?Questions?