I enjoy watching the
Mt. Washington leave the dock in Wolfeboro. They don't use a stern line at all but use a bow line and a forward
Spring Line to keep the boat close to the dock, at
Slow Ahead, left rudder, while boarding passengers.
When it's time to leave, they toss off the bow line and then continue to run ahead Slow with right rudder, straining Against the Spring line while nudging the pilings at the starboard bow. The stern slowly "Walks" away from the Aft pilings. When the stern is far enough out, they go to neutral then astern..backing away.
Having Twin Screws is a bonus.
Ahead Slow on one screw, while running
Astern Slow with the other screw is something the casual bystander probably never notices. It's a pleasure to watch fine boat handling.
