How to leave a berth: the spring and prop walk

If docking is tricky, leaving can be stressful, especially when you are squeezed between two boats. ⚠️ A bad manoeuvre can damage your neighbours’ fenders (or worse, their hull). We explain how to use the famous departure spring to turn the boat within its own berth and leave with style. ⛵

The departure spring (the magic line)

• This line is used to make the boat pivot around a fixed point.
• How to use it: a line is made fast at the bow and led aft, secured to the quay. Or, from the stern, to the pontoon and the nearest fixed point.

Leaving with the wind on the bow or stern (the power of the pivot)

Using the spring and going ahead or astern with the rudder turned the opposite way, the boat turns without moving forwards or backwards. This lets you swing the stern or the bow out to line up for the exit.

Making the prop walk work for you

Use the sideways effect of the propeller when you engage reverse (on diesel engines) to help swing the stern away from the quay without touching the fenders.

Leaving (slow and steady)

Once clear of the pontoon, let go the spring and leave the berth at the lowest speed that still gives you steerage. Haste is your worst enemy in a harbour.