The Team Windcraft Guide to Marina Berthing
No-one was born parking yachts.
Marina berthing is something every yacht owner needs to practice in order to develop the skills they need to park their yacht in the tight confines of modern marinas.
Team Windcraft's yacht service manager Nick Jones gives some basic instruction to help you get started the right way.
"The most important thing to consider when you're leaving or entering a berth is the wind" explains Nick.
"You need to think about how the wind is going to affect your yacht and make sure you cancel out the effects of the wind as much as you possibly can.
To make your life easy put the stern of your yacht into the breeze where ever possible. This makes motoring backwards much more straightforward.
When you're motoring your yacht backwards, sitting to one side of the wheel seems to be the most intuitive spot.
You have a good view of the corners of the stern and turning the wheel feels very natural.
It's important not to let go of the wheel when you are reversing - it's a sure way to lose control as the wheel will quickly flick one way or the other.
We suggest you take some time to practice out in open water before you try marina berthing for the first time.
Just a couple of hours practice in clear water will leave you with much more confidence next time you head into the marina.
When the wind is strong you need to be more aggressive and use more speed and a tighter turning circle to keep control of the boat.
And you have to back yourself and park the boat - it's no good panicking half way into the marina pen - you'll just end up in all kinds of strife.
If conditions are too windy for your level of experience think about whether parking in the marina is a smart idea.
Here at Windcraft we'll happily jump on board and give you a hand and most marinas will bring you ashore if you pick up a mooring instead.
It's not worth letting marina berthing spoil your enjoyment of an otherwise wonderful day on the water".
Once you're in the berth here's some tips explaining how to tie up your yacht
