T&T: Boat handling

[Dan Stone]

Discussing docking techniques with a friend recently reminded me to make
this post.
 
One of the situations which has offered me the most problems in the past
is getting underway with the boat lying alongside the dock, pinned
against the dock by wind and/or current, particularly with little
maneuvering room fore and aft.  Conventional advice is to power ahead
against a springline run from the bow back to approximately amidship.
The bow is then fendered off the dock as the stern swings out.  Get
enough clearance and then simply back on out.  
 
The two problems I have encountered with that technique is difficulty
keeping fenders correctly positioned as the bow rotates against the dock
and, more of an issue, keeping the bow, anchor and anchor pulpit clear
of pilings projecting above the level of the dock, as well as electrical
hookup boxes, etc.  This becomes more of an issue as bow flare and
overhang increase.  Obviously this interference can be minimized by boat
positioning, but having enough room to move the boat may not be an
option.
 
I'll describe a technique which I've used many times on our twin screw
trawler and this is our technique of choice.  It's interesting that I've
never seen anyone else use it, talk about it, or write about it.
Simply reverse against a bow line led forward at least half a boat
length, the longer the better, using only the dock side engine.  On our
boat the propwalk swings the stern out very nicely, with the boat
swinging like a barndoor. 
 
One caveat and one further suggestion..  A good length of Dacron is
suggested to avoid the stretch of nylon, particularly if the fellow
astern is nervous.  Second, the point at which the bow line is attached
changes the attitude the boat takes as it swings from the dock.  If the
bow line is led to a cleat or hawsepipe on the side of the bow away from
the dock the boat rotates in the desired direction more quickly.  This
may be too much of a good thing though and the bow may get against the
dock.  I've found it best to use a bridle, adjusted such that the
initial force is in line with the center of the bow.  When the bow is
satisfactorily clear of the dock, then ease off the side of the bridal
on the dock side of the bow, allowing the boat to pivot more quickly.
 
I'm curious as to whether this would work with a single screw.  A
problem is that the skipper probably put the side of the boat against
the dock which would allow him/her to use that propwalk in reverse to
assist getting the stern in when docking the boat.  This a technique for
which you would need to prepare in advance in case you needed it.
(Maybe the same wind/current giving the problem undocking could have
been used for assistance when coming in with "the wrong side" to the
dock.)  
 
Any comments, good or bad?  Is anybody else using this method? 
 
Dan Stone
M/V Slow Dance
Albin 43
St. Petersburg, FL