🎥 At the end of this post, don’t miss the video where Captain Daddy enters a tight marina channel with an 8-staterooms/8-baths sailing catamaran, performing a stern-to dock with just feet to spare on either side. It’s a masterclass in teamwork—and a little nerve-wracking fun to watch.
“Stern-to” (also called stern-in or Med-style docking) means we back into the dock, with the stern (rear) of the boat facing the pier, and the bow pointing out toward the sea. Why?
It saves space in tight marinas. It lets you step easily ashore from the back deck. And let’s be honest—it looks pretty dramatic.
But it also means tight steering, precise line handling, and everyone being alert and in sync.
Approaching a marina in a small boat is one thing. Doing it in a catamaran that’s as wide as a basketball court? That’s a whole other story.
From the flybridge (upper helm), the captain has a great view forward and to the sides—but limited visibility of the waterline, especially on the far corners of the boat. Add in other yachts, cement walls, paddleboarders, and crosswinds, and you’ve got yourself a real-life game of “Don’t Touch the Sides.”
This is where guests become the crew.
As we approach a narrow marina channel, the captain will assign each guest a side or area of the boat to watch for obstacles:
Port or starboard stern (back corners)
Midship sides (watch for lazy lines, dinghies, wayward fenders)
Forward bows (those pontoons stick out!)
What to do:
Stand where you’ve been assigned and keep a clear line of sight.
Call out obstacles clearly and calmly: “Rope in water, port side!” or “Pole coming up starboard!” Don’t just point or gasp—speak up.
And please don’t yell “Stop!” unless there’s really danger. (We don’t brake like a car, anyway.)
Before we back in, we’ll need to protect the yacht from kissing anything too hard.
The captain will assign some guests a zone to cover with a roving fender (the big cushiony tube):
Rear port or starboard
Forward hull
Right at the stern
Your task:
Hold the fender between our boat and anything threatening to scratch her.
Hold it at the right height—just above the waterline, near where the boat might touch the dock or another boat.
Don’t use your body to absorb impact. Let the gear do the work.
Pro Tip: Don’t let fenders dangle like party decorations. They’re not ornaments—they’re bump guards.
As we reverse in, some guests may be asked to throw stern lines to the dock crew. Here’s how to look like a seasoned sailor:
Gather loops of line in one hand.
Hold the end in your throwing hand.
Throw like a gentle overhand toss, not a baseball pitch. Aim high, not hard.
Tip: Don’t step on the line while throwing. Yes, it happens. Yes, it’s awkward.
Docking can seem intense. Voices may get loud. Things happen fast. But it’s all part of the flow. Your role:
Be alert, not anxious
Help where asked
Stay seated and chill if not assigned
Lines are on. Fenders are in place. No scrapes, no drama. Time to enjoy a post-docking drink, take a stroll ashore, or just kick back on the aft deck and watch other boats try to do what we just did like pros.
See how we enter a narrow marina in a massive catamaran and slide her in stern-to like threading a needle—with a cocktail in hand and a fender in the other.
See you dockside,
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