Docking Clinic ASA 118 Exam Questions
with 100% Correct Answers | Verified |
Latest Update 2026/2027
Backing into slip-Port side approach, no wind: what to prep? - ANSWER -2 bow
lines, 1 forward spring line, 2 stern lines
Tie bow line loops on shore ends on all of them
Bitter ends cleated to cleats stern and bow end. Loops under lifeline and above
back into boat ready to go bow lines and spring line loosely coiled with loop on
top.
Fenders tied to stanchions
Approach port side to dock (escape possible with right standing turn around)
Slow speed. Come to a complete stop when 90 degree before slip, before short kick
with right rudder making the boat turn approx 45 degrees to the slip, then short
kick reverse to slow forward momentum(dont't change rudder) then slow reverse to
line up stern with slip entrance
Have 2 crew handling the bow lines and forward spring line while you back into
the slip, they loop this 3 lines over the outer slip piling on each side as the stern
reaches the piling, and then walk the lines forward as the boat backs deeper into
the slip. The bow lines are used to center the boat and the forward spring line keep
the stern from hitting the dock and gets eventually fastende to midship cleat
Last priority at the end fasten the 2 stern lines
Backing into slip-Port side approach, wind in fairway from ahead: considerations?
- ANSWER -Travel a little past the slip before making the initial turn to
compensate for wind effect
Turn can be less then 45 degree since the wind from ahead will help turn the bow
When backing into slip wind becomes a cross wind and can blow bow fast out of
alignment. Use windward spring line (midship cleat as pivot) with outer piling and
help pivot boat around
Backing into slip-Port side approach, wind from astern into fairway:
considerations? - ANSWER -Make the initial turn BEFORE you reach the slip
and turn much more - 135 degrees to the right using a standing turn in order to
have the bow upwind from the slip when backing!
, As you turn and back into slip wind becomes crosswind and bow can be blown
downwind fast. To prevent that use a spring line windward looped around outer
piling windward and pivoting boat using windward amidship cleat.
Backing into slip-Starboard side approach, considerations ? - ANSWER -No
standing turn possible to help align stern with slip. Therefore everything has to be
done at higher speed and the turn angle is bigger, nearly 90 degrees.
Again if wind from ahead in fairway, travel past the slip before turning, turn rudder
left, short kick ahead then astern etc
If wind from astern you have to approach farther away from the slip and basically
do a 300 degree turn...
Wind blowing INTO slip: port side approach considerations? - ANSWER -Small
oscillations can blow bow left or right while backing in. Compensate with
steering/throttle.
Wind blowing OUT OF slip: port side approach considerations? - ANSWER -
That is helpful. Wind assists while backing in
Heading bow into slip: considerations and preparations? - ANSWER -- essential
to get a line from the windward bow to the deck. Maybe have a dock person help
- bow crew relays distance to dock to helms person to not ram the dock
- in a crosswind make a WIDE turn to the WINDWARD side of the slip BEFORE
entering since the bow will be blown downwind.
- with wind from ASTERN blowing into the slip boat speed will be greater. Use of
spring line to the midship is essential to stop the boat
- with wind from AHEAD blowing out of the slip it will be more difficult to
control the bow since slight wind shifts can make the bow fall off to one side or the
other
Parallel docking lines? - ANSWER -1 Bow, 1 stern, 2 spring on dock side. If
strong winds anchor out windwards in addition to hold boat away from dock.
Parallel docking: leeward dock how to? - ANSWER -- come to a stop parallel a
few feet away from the dock and let wind push boat towards dock. Preferable
approach is ports side.
Parallel docking windward dock how to? - ANSWER -Use midship forward or
after spring line and fenders. For using aft spring lines (leading back): Throw bow
knot loop over piling and tighten spring line using amidship cleat towards the
with 100% Correct Answers | Verified |
Latest Update 2026/2027
Backing into slip-Port side approach, no wind: what to prep? - ANSWER -2 bow
lines, 1 forward spring line, 2 stern lines
Tie bow line loops on shore ends on all of them
Bitter ends cleated to cleats stern and bow end. Loops under lifeline and above
back into boat ready to go bow lines and spring line loosely coiled with loop on
top.
Fenders tied to stanchions
Approach port side to dock (escape possible with right standing turn around)
Slow speed. Come to a complete stop when 90 degree before slip, before short kick
with right rudder making the boat turn approx 45 degrees to the slip, then short
kick reverse to slow forward momentum(dont't change rudder) then slow reverse to
line up stern with slip entrance
Have 2 crew handling the bow lines and forward spring line while you back into
the slip, they loop this 3 lines over the outer slip piling on each side as the stern
reaches the piling, and then walk the lines forward as the boat backs deeper into
the slip. The bow lines are used to center the boat and the forward spring line keep
the stern from hitting the dock and gets eventually fastende to midship cleat
Last priority at the end fasten the 2 stern lines
Backing into slip-Port side approach, wind in fairway from ahead: considerations?
- ANSWER -Travel a little past the slip before making the initial turn to
compensate for wind effect
Turn can be less then 45 degree since the wind from ahead will help turn the bow
When backing into slip wind becomes a cross wind and can blow bow fast out of
alignment. Use windward spring line (midship cleat as pivot) with outer piling and
help pivot boat around
Backing into slip-Port side approach, wind from astern into fairway:
considerations? - ANSWER -Make the initial turn BEFORE you reach the slip
and turn much more - 135 degrees to the right using a standing turn in order to
have the bow upwind from the slip when backing!
, As you turn and back into slip wind becomes crosswind and bow can be blown
downwind fast. To prevent that use a spring line windward looped around outer
piling windward and pivoting boat using windward amidship cleat.
Backing into slip-Starboard side approach, considerations ? - ANSWER -No
standing turn possible to help align stern with slip. Therefore everything has to be
done at higher speed and the turn angle is bigger, nearly 90 degrees.
Again if wind from ahead in fairway, travel past the slip before turning, turn rudder
left, short kick ahead then astern etc
If wind from astern you have to approach farther away from the slip and basically
do a 300 degree turn...
Wind blowing INTO slip: port side approach considerations? - ANSWER -Small
oscillations can blow bow left or right while backing in. Compensate with
steering/throttle.
Wind blowing OUT OF slip: port side approach considerations? - ANSWER -
That is helpful. Wind assists while backing in
Heading bow into slip: considerations and preparations? - ANSWER -- essential
to get a line from the windward bow to the deck. Maybe have a dock person help
- bow crew relays distance to dock to helms person to not ram the dock
- in a crosswind make a WIDE turn to the WINDWARD side of the slip BEFORE
entering since the bow will be blown downwind.
- with wind from ASTERN blowing into the slip boat speed will be greater. Use of
spring line to the midship is essential to stop the boat
- with wind from AHEAD blowing out of the slip it will be more difficult to
control the bow since slight wind shifts can make the bow fall off to one side or the
other
Parallel docking lines? - ANSWER -1 Bow, 1 stern, 2 spring on dock side. If
strong winds anchor out windwards in addition to hold boat away from dock.
Parallel docking: leeward dock how to? - ANSWER -- come to a stop parallel a
few feet away from the dock and let wind push boat towards dock. Preferable
approach is ports side.
Parallel docking windward dock how to? - ANSWER -Use midship forward or
after spring line and fenders. For using aft spring lines (leading back): Throw bow
knot loop over piling and tighten spring line using amidship cleat towards the
