DOCKING CLINIC ASA 118 EXAM
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS.
What are the 4 forces affecting docking? - ANS 1. Prop Wash
2. Prop Wash
3. Wind
4. Current
How does Prop Walk affect boat speed and orientation? - ANS In reverse gear Prop Walk
moves the stern to the LEFT (for right handed propeller). More speed reverse, more the stern
turns left.
How does Wind affect boat speed and orientation? - ANS In a cross wind the bow turns
downwind faster then the stern. Cross wind blows bow downwind.
How does Current affect boat speed and orientation? - ANS Cross current sets ENTIRE boat
down current.
Backing out of slip what to consider? - ANS Wind direction
Considerations and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from ahead and cross? (Blowing
straight out of slip or cross wind) - ANS - Consider that wind threatens to blow bow into
piling as you turn while backing out
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, - Use a doubled over midship spring line on the lee side to turn/pivot the boat while backing
out
- or alternatively use a doubled-over bow line windwards to control the bow
Consideration and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from astern and cross? (Wind blows
into the slip) - ANS - This is called turning to windward: consider that cross wind blowing into
the fairway or wind blow into the slip may may prevent boat while turning to clear the end
piling
- back away as far as possible before going into forward gear
Heading bow first out of a slip with wind from across - wind blowing against intended exit
direction- heading out with opposing wind? - ANS Consider: Turning into fairway will be
harder. Wind pushes bow against opposite docks.
Use a midship spring line windward to help turn the boat sooner (pivot) to avoid striking the
slips across the fairway.
Parallel undocking when easy and when harder? - ANS Windward dock easy, lee dock hard.
Also, boats in front or aft can make it harder.
Parallel docking departure with wind blowing away from the dock - procedure? -
ANS Release lines and let wind blow you away from dock while gently engage and disengage
engine
Parallel docking departure from lee, wind blowing onto the dock-procedure? - ANS - Stern
out preferable over bow out
- Springing stern off dock by turning rudder slightly towards dock (prop wash helps) and power
stern away while using doubled over spring line at the bow and a handheld fender at the bow
- Springing bow off dock by powering (forward) away from the dock in reverse gear while
doubled over spring line at the stern pivots boat. Use a manual fender stern to protect boat.
Rudder is ineffective here. When boat turned away from dock, then turn rudder away from
dock and power forward.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS.
What are the 4 forces affecting docking? - ANS 1. Prop Wash
2. Prop Wash
3. Wind
4. Current
How does Prop Walk affect boat speed and orientation? - ANS In reverse gear Prop Walk
moves the stern to the LEFT (for right handed propeller). More speed reverse, more the stern
turns left.
How does Wind affect boat speed and orientation? - ANS In a cross wind the bow turns
downwind faster then the stern. Cross wind blows bow downwind.
How does Current affect boat speed and orientation? - ANS Cross current sets ENTIRE boat
down current.
Backing out of slip what to consider? - ANS Wind direction
Considerations and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from ahead and cross? (Blowing
straight out of slip or cross wind) - ANS - Consider that wind threatens to blow bow into
piling as you turn while backing out
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, - Use a doubled over midship spring line on the lee side to turn/pivot the boat while backing
out
- or alternatively use a doubled-over bow line windwards to control the bow
Consideration and Procedure Backing out of slip with wind from astern and cross? (Wind blows
into the slip) - ANS - This is called turning to windward: consider that cross wind blowing into
the fairway or wind blow into the slip may may prevent boat while turning to clear the end
piling
- back away as far as possible before going into forward gear
Heading bow first out of a slip with wind from across - wind blowing against intended exit
direction- heading out with opposing wind? - ANS Consider: Turning into fairway will be
harder. Wind pushes bow against opposite docks.
Use a midship spring line windward to help turn the boat sooner (pivot) to avoid striking the
slips across the fairway.
Parallel undocking when easy and when harder? - ANS Windward dock easy, lee dock hard.
Also, boats in front or aft can make it harder.
Parallel docking departure with wind blowing away from the dock - procedure? -
ANS Release lines and let wind blow you away from dock while gently engage and disengage
engine
Parallel docking departure from lee, wind blowing onto the dock-procedure? - ANS - Stern
out preferable over bow out
- Springing stern off dock by turning rudder slightly towards dock (prop wash helps) and power
stern away while using doubled over spring line at the bow and a handheld fender at the bow
- Springing bow off dock by powering (forward) away from the dock in reverse gear while
doubled over spring line at the stern pivots boat. Use a manual fender stern to protect boat.
Rudder is ineffective here. When boat turned away from dock, then turn rudder away from
dock and power forward.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
