Single Screw Dockmanship

Now I understand what the caller was talking about. I didn't until I read "One for the Road" in August PMM. I am involved with a small trawler-only charter service, and have been operating single screw trawlers of a size similar to those mentioned in the article for some seventeen years. During this time, I have probably conducted or directly supervised over 10,000 docking maneuvers.

Anyway, back to the caller. He informed me that he wouldn't be chartering with us because none of our trawlers had a bow thruster, and that PMM said that the single screw trawler should have one. I must admit that the conversation went down hill after I half jokingly informed him that "real men don't need bow thrusters". Nevertheless, whereas before, I was content to quietly disagree with certain things I read in PMM, now PMM was affecting my business.

This is the rub. The article implies that there are only two options, - twin screw and single screw with thruster. I am reasonably certain that PMM did not mean to create this impression, at least I hope not, since most of the trawlers out here are, indeed, single screw, without a thruster of any kind. Regardless, PMM most certainly did impact at least one reader's perspective. This entire subject, of course, could be dealt with at much greater length than what is provided here. Further, one could take issue with many of the points found in the article, although I found myself agreeing with the stated advantages of single screw over twin. Nevertheless, I would simply like to make the following points:

1. The bow thruster is used primarily to assist with docking, and possibly certain other close-quarter maneuvers. The rest of the time it just sits. It is not essential equipment, and should never be viewed in the same light as, say, a propeller, or a rudder, or landing gear on an airplane.
2. The proper execution of single screw docking maneuvers (without thrusters) is an art form, pure and simple. It is a skill that is not developed overnight. Further, it is not something that can be automatically replaced with technology. Excellent dockmanship, whereby the trawler, the helmsman, the wind and the current are all working in harmony, is the most satisfying and demanding aspect of trawlering, in my opinion.
3. The article briefly discusses the need for training. But mastering proper dockmanship techniques requires practice not just instruction. Imagine an aviator not practicing landings. How about a good golfer who never practices, for example, bunker shots, and just hopes for the best if he lands in a sand trap. I don't think so. Most helmsmen can, indeed, successfully execute the requisite single screw docking and close-quarter maneuvering techniques with proper instruction, follow-on practice, and no thruster.
4. A good spring line costs little. This important docking tool is not mentioned. Let's see, uhhh, 50 bucks or 5,000 bucks? There's not a prettier dockmanship maneuver than laying to with a bow spring.
5. Real men (and women) don't need twin screws and don't need thrusters to execute proper dockmanship techniques. A good, stiff cross-wind landing will "separate the men from the boys" every time, regardless of equipment.
6. The "boating challenge of a lifetime" should have included someone like myself representing the single screw trawler without thruster community. I am ready. Baltimore Harbor. Pick a date. Bring your best.

Thanks, Bill Shermer, Baltimore, Maryland

Single Screw Response

Mr. Parlatore,

I am writing in response to the recent dialogue in Passagemaker regarding single-screw docking. My wife and I are inland boaters accustomed to docking our 24' I/O, but aspire to someday become trawler owners. After only a couple of hours of instruction from Bill Shermer at Blue Goose Charters, we were consistently able to dock a 36' single-screw trawler using only a bow springline, despite 25+ knots of crosswind. I do not believe that the bow thruster found on most small trawlers would have sufficient thrust to counter this wind velocity. Docking a vessel in such conditions would be a tricky proposition if one were not versed in the use of springlines, and if one were too dependent upon the assistance of an underpowered thruster.

Mr. Shermer certainly does not need me to defend his position, but I feel that dependence upon a bow thruster (or twin engines for that matter) could lead to complacency with regard to traditional and time-tested docking techniques. While learning proper docking technique is undoubtedly a life-long process, getting a handle on the basics by working with someone like Mr. Shermer was a valuable experience for me, and one that I can wholeheartedly endorse.

Respectfully,

Shane Lyle, Lexington, KY

BLUE GOOSE CHARTERS Baltimore Harbor, Maryland

Single Screw Dockmanship

Single Screw Response

BLUE GOOSE CHARTERS
Baltimore Harbor, Maryland