Close Quarters Boat Handling
Co-Hosted by SNSYC and Bluewater Cruising Association
Course Information: (SOLD OUT BUT WE ARE KEEPING A WAITLIST)
Purpose
To show the exercises and techniques necessary to manage close-quarters boat-handling situations, such as approaching and leaving a berth or mooring buoy. Whilst this is drafted to appeal to newer Skippers, many sailors will find a treasure trove of methods for handling awkward situations. We’ll illustrate the principles which affect yacht handling under power, at low speed and in close quarters. This accurate handling skill is also necessary to safely approach and recover a MOB.
Intended Audience
Sailors with some experience but who may be hesitant at close-quarters; e.g. spouses, family members, dinghy and keelboat sailors moving to powered yachts. Sailors docking or leaving the dock in less than ideal conditions.
Course Outline
- Hull shapes and typical handling characteristics.
- Exercises to get a feel for handling characteristics.
- Mooring warps, correct types, names and purpose.
- How to moor a boat correctly, and how to rig the warps for departure.
Factors that will influence your approach/departure strategy.
- Wind, current, hull characteristics and weight.
- Number and abilities of crew.
- The importance of crew briefing.
- Preparation for approach/departure.
The basic approach – distance, angle, speed.
- Consider length & breadth of berth, boats stopping power in ahead/reverse.
- When to abort and start again.
- Techniques to access a tight berth.
- The vital importance of practice in easy conditions!
Tricky approaches – springing-off and springing-on.
- Stronger winds and currents.
More advanced situations – high topsides &/or weak crew.
- Single-line mooring.
- Reversing in so that crew can exit ashore via stern. Short swings.
Possible Additional Topics
- Mooring to fixed jetty or quay wall.
- Mediterranean Mooring, mooring between pilings.
- Picking up a mooring buoy from astern, especially if short-handed.
- Handling of twin-engine catamarans and powerboats.
Format:
Classroom lecture with exercises and discussion.
Instructor:
David Almond has been a Yachtmaster Instructor for more than 35 years and is now an Instructor-Evaluator with the Canadian Recreational Yachting Association. In the course of his work in Skippering numerous sailing schools and charter yachts (sail and power) in both the UK and Canada, David has come up against a variety of difficult boat-handling situations. He finds it most satisfying to be able to use this experience and training to enable other boat-owners to become competent, all-round Skippers themselves. Join this session to learn how to actually park your boat without filling the air with bad language and splinters of fibreglass!
Coffee provided during break
Cost:
BCA Members: $ 25.00
SNSYC Members: $ 25.00
Time and Place
Sunday, November 16, 2026. 10 am to 12 noon. Meeting Room SNSYC
Maximum Class Size:
24 participants. 12 seats open to SNSYC, 12 for BCA
Cancellation Policy: Email Cruising Director. SNSYC cancellations prior to Nov 9 subject to a $5 processing fee.
No refund after Nov 9
Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club