Moor up head to wind.

Life aboard a small boat can be very uncomfortable with the wind and rain blowing down the main hatch, especially in Britain!

Most marinas now use finger pontoons, which is fine if you are moored head to wind, but if you do not have the choice of a pontoon on which the boat will be head to wind when moored, think about reversing on.

This can be a very tricky manoeuvre, as you will be reversing downwind. If you start off stern to wind in open water, then reverse through the marina and on to the berth, it is not too difficult, unless it is very windy.

• If everything looks like going wrong, be ready to drive off in forwards, and set the boat up again.

• Make sure you have a fender right at the back of the boat, especially if it has a reverse counter stern.

• The crew will need to stand much further back than with a forwards approach, this will allow them to step over the side as early as possible.

• It is essential to keep way on until the boat is in exactly the right spot.

• A boat stops very quickly from reverse, the propeller is working in its most efficient direction.

If you practice this until you can do it in any conditions, you will be able to leave the main hatch open. This will allow air to circulate, waterproof to be left to dry under the spray hood and reduce condensation below.

 

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