How to dock your Albin

[RicM]

Come on, thruster is there for a reason, use it guys. When the weather is bad, the current strong you need all the tools in your tool kit. The thruster is just one of them. No shame.

[Paddy]

I'm a convert! Being new to thrusters, I was under the impression that they should be used sparingly, quick bursts or 2-4 seconds (bad info?). I was laying on it quite a bit longer than that last night. The biggest surprise I discovered is the lack of reverse "pull" that I familar with with the outdrive. Turn hard, goose it, suck it in. With the inboard, I'm assuming that its best to turn 90 degrees, line up the slip, and back in with the the use of prop walk and thruster.

More practice this weekend.

[fredfryguy]

Do these instructions apply to Albins with a left hand prop? Thanks

[fredfryguy]

Hi, My Albin has a left hand prop. Do the same instructions apply? Thxs, Fred

[Russell]

Yes, think of your prop as rolling along the bottom. In forward it is turning counterclockwise and pushing the stern towards port. In reverse it is turning clockwise and pushing the stern to starboard. This is because the top of the propeller is close to the hull which resists the flow of water and gives less force to push the boat in that direction. When you have the helm all the way to port the prop wash over the rudder in forward also pushes the stern to starboard. So by switching from forward to reverse you can spin the boat counterclockwise almost in place.

[fredfryguy]

Thxs Russell, Do all Albins have a left hand wheel?
Fred

[robonurse]

I prefer to aim for a degree of proficiency in docking without the bow thruster. There are skills to learn, among them, use of spring lines, advantageous use of prop torque and use of wind and current. This is not to say that I will not use my thruster but knowledge of your boat's handling characteristics can be crucial especially if your thruster suffers an unexpected failure. Believe me, I've done my share of bouncing off of docks and pilings. The key lies in your speed. If you are going slow enough you will minimize any chances of doing damage. Practice! Practice! Practice! Happy to do some close quarters maneuvering if you're in my area next Summer.
Chloe Rose
31TE
Fairhaven, MA

[RobS]

Thxs Russell, Do all Albins have a left hand wheel?
Fred

Engine box 28 TE's do because of the reverse gear box.

[Cape Codder]

Rule #1:
"Never approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it"

[fredfryguy]

Thxs Russell, Do all Albins have a left hand wheel?
Fred

Engine box 28 TE's do because of the reverse gear box.

So do the docking instructions at the beginning
Of this thread apply to engine box model?

[DougSea]

The directional instructions in the first post apply to an engine box model (the majority of 28 TEs were engine boxes). If you have a flush deck then just reverse them, all of the principles are otherwise the same.

[fredfryguy]

Thxs so much Doug. Fred

[robonurse]

Both the Flush Deck and the Engine Box model back to starboard. Handling characteristics are different due to a much smaller rudder on the Flush Deck (take a look at them out of the water at a dealership). Prop torque characteristics are the same though.

[crowra]

I have an Albin 36 - single engine and no bow thruster. I think I may have posted these docking articles before but these are the techniques my first mate (FM) and I have used in different situations.

Maneuvering a Single-Screw Trawler: http://www.his.com/~vann/KrgStuff/360turns.htm This is very similar to Ric's immortalized post.

Backing in with Dignity and Grace: http://www.his.com/~vann/KrgStuff/bakherin.htm The ONLY way I back into a slip.

Backing in "Springing a Pole": http://www.his.com/~vann/KrgStuff/backngin.htm We have had to use this technique a couple of times and it works great. Although the first time did get my FM's heart racing more than normal.

[crowra]

And one more since I violated the 3 URL maximum:

Parallel Docking: http://www.his.com/~vann/KrgStuff/parallel.htm