A docking rope is essentially a sailor’s best friend. If it is not tied to a dock correctly, you could end up with a nightmare on your hands, perhaps your boat begins drifting away to an unreachable area. This is one of the first aspects of sailing that beginner should learn, but it’s important to get close to the dock first.

Tying a docking rope to a mooring area can be simple, and it essentially requires two items; a rope and an firm object such as perhaps a mooring post. If you have another individual with you for assistance, you can have them jump off the boat to pull you in. This then means you can switch off your engine and put down your sales.

Essentially there’s no right or wrong way to tie your rope, but we’d recommend a figure knot, it’s simple and strong, and you can practice tying the docking rope before you set off, meaning it’s simple when you do decide to moor-up.