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Learn To Sail A Schooner No.3

Docking And Undocking Using A Spring

About SchoonerSail’s Learning To Sail A Schooner Articles

John, Trinovante’s skipper started writing these articles after some Trinovante Crew asked for more information on the fundamentals of schooner handling. None of these articles are invented theory. John has simply written about specific situations that have arisen. He can’t remember when this article was written because this manoeuver is so standard we are doing it all the time.

Seafaring is an ongoing learning process and John cautions against set piece manoeuvers. You need a plan but it needs to be flexible because things don’t always go according to plan.

Sail Training involves learning HOW to safely handle ropes, some basic knots and using winches among other things. WHY we need these skills is to be able to carry out manoeuveres under sail or power.

Full knowledge of the WHY is not essential. Dip into these Learning To Sail articles if you want.

Print Learn To Sail A Schooner No.3

Docking And Undocking Using A Spring

Image 1

Lines 1, the bow line and line 4, the stern line, hold the boat into the quay. Line 3 is the head spring and 2 is the back spring. The head spring stops the boat from going ahead and the back spring stops it going back.

Together they prevent Trinovante from surging ahead and astern in the berth. Individually they are invaluable in close quarters manoeuvring.

Learn To Sail A Schooner, Docking And Undocking Using A Spring image No.2

Image 2

All the lines have been taken in except the head spring No 3.

In slow ahead with starboard rudder applied the ship is in a stable position held into the quay by the tension on the head spring and the prop wash deflected from the rudder.

Now only one line is left for the crew to cast off

Learn To Sail A Schooner, Docking And Undocking Using A Spring image No.3

Image 3

The engine is then taken out of gear and the crew ease some slack in the head spring so that it may be cast off from ashore. We can also use a slip line if there is no handy passerby.

The line is then hauled in by the crew.

The ship will now blow sideways away from the quay with the bows tending to fall off the wind first.

This can be corrected if necessary with a short burst of ahead with full port rudder.

Learn To Sail A Schooner, Docking And Undocking Using A Spring image No.4

Image 4

We return to the same berth but with vessels moored either side. We can get close enough to pass a head spring ashore.

With starboard rudder and steady power applied the ship will be bowsed in to the quay. The spring is surged as necessary to exactly position the vessel in the berth. This line will be heavily loaded and in the charge of an experienced crew member.

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Voyages In Date Order

Crossing the Arctic Ciircle, a waypoint, on the coast of Norway.

Norway Sailing Crossing The Arctic Circle

May 1, 2018

9 Nights, 13th - 26th July 2019 £1625
Set sail In The Land Of The Midnight Sun and cross the Arctic Circle
1 Space Only

Warehouses on the river, Trondheim, Norway.

SchoonerSail Limited

Norway Sailing Trondheim To Ålesund

May 1, 2018

8 Nights 29th July to 6th August 2019 £1160
Full - Waiting List?

The old quay, Øye near Alesund Norway. Tall Ship Adventure Sailing.

Norway Sailing Ålesund To Bergen

May 1, 2018

8 Nights, 10th August to 18th August 2019 £1200
Coastal sailing with stunning scenery in the midst of Norway's fjords and islands.
Full - Waiting List?

SchoonerSail Limited

Offshore Voyage Norway To Scotland

May 1, 2018

13 Nights 22nd August To 4th September 2019 £1295
A offshore voyage In The Wake Of The Vikings from Norway to Shetland and Orkney Limited Spaces Remaining

Orkney sailing boat, harbour view near Stromness.

SchoonerSail Limited

Scotland to England, Kirkwall To Whitby

May 1, 2018

9 Nights 9th September to 18th September 2019 £825
Sail south along the Scottish coast across the Moray Firth and past Bass Rock. Limited Spaces Remaining