How to Dock Without Divorce
Traveling as a couple can have its trying moments—even on your honeymoon, docking a yacht for the first time can make those rose colored glasses come off really quickly. Tempers can flare, and emotions may run high if you try to dock a boat without the proper skills and training. The good news? If you charter or take courses with Go Sail, you won’t need to deal with the stress of docking. We do it for you!
Learn Basic Skills Before You Sail
It might go without saying for some, but far too many couples set sail before they have enough nautical miles under their belt. It’s easy to overestimate your experience only to learn the hard way when you have to navigate tricky terrain.
Taking courses with an instructor at GSVI can save you a lot of headaches—and insurance premiums.
When you take an ASA sailing course, you can learn sailing fundamentals such as:
- Understanding sailing conditions.
- The basics of operating a yacht.
- Skills like tacking and jibing.
- How to anchor or moor your boat.
You don’t need a docking endorsement when you sail with us—we do the docking for you. Our captains and crew are seasoned sailors ready to lend a hand so you can focus on enjoying your time in the Virgin Islands.
If you are sailing your own boat, however, you can contact us at [email protected], and we can schedule an ASA 118 course on your private yacht.
Docking Your Boat
If you plan to take courses with GSVI or charter a boat, you won’t need to worry about docking your boat. But if you are sailing on your own, we have a few tips.
After you complete your ASA 118 course, we highly recommend doing the following before docking:
- Take advanced courses where you will freshen up on your sailing skills. You can practice sailing at night, learn how to predict weather patterns, and get experience anchoring with instructors.
- Ask questions and listen to experts before sailing on your own. Watch what your captain and crew do before, during, and after docking, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
- Understand if you need a slip when docking and make a reservation if you do.
- Try your first docking in daylight. It is much easier to have a successful docking before the sun goes down.
- Keep an eye on tide charts and wind patterns to avoid accidents.
Sail With GSVI and Let Us Do the Docking
You don’t need to know how to dock when you sail with us! Our instructors are on hand and at the helm when you take lessons with Go Sail VI. If you are sailing a private yacht and want to take ASA 118, email us before you set sail to get your docking endorsement.