Docking on a river

[Blue Side Down]

Seeing how rivers are pretty much the only thing open in the NWO these days, I hope the crew here won't mind a little more banter on technique...

I'm looking to learn the usual: the hazards and gotchas of docking on a dynamic water system, as well as any tips or tricks you know to make life a little easier and keep the float bows smooth.

Much appreciated..

[Chuck Ellsworth]

The best way to learn is by practice.

One tip for judging the speed of the current and the effect of any wind is to first approach the dock at 90 degrees far enough away from it to see exactly what correction you will need when you do the final approach to the dock.

[black hole]

Make sure you have a good heaving line sometimes its the only option left.


BH

[rum-runner]

This is a great topic...

Not trying to change the focus of docking....I ask the following..

Is it better to depart downwind..into a strong current..or into wind with the current or any combination there-of.
Let's assume obstacles are not a factor..only distance ..what is the the general concensus?

[black hole]

Into wind of course!!

BH

[Snowroller]

If it's calm,takeoff with the current,you might be floating on a river that's already carrying you along at 5 to 10 knots,similar to an aircraft carrier on the sea.

[Cat Driver]

Make sure you have a good heaving line sometimes its the only option left.

Can you be more specific?

When or where would you use a heaving line?

[polar one]

Actually, I am quite curious about the heaving line too, Cat. Maybe the poster will be good enough to respond with the specifics.

and snowroller....what are you doing up at this time in the morning? check the Wx up here and you will know why I am not bothering to go to bed tonight.

[black hole]

I have experienced a few times when the current is strong and the wind is the opposite way, steering can be limited. If I could get safely close enough to the dock to throw someone a line (weighed rope) they could tie it off. I have also used it to snag a bouy.

BH

[Snowroller]

I knew that push broom would come handy for ya Polar1,hope your wings didn't droop too much overnight

[Meatservo]

There's a good topic on the bush forum. I can't remember what it's called, but there is some discussion about advice on floats, and someone there talks about rivers. Into wind/down current and why you might want to take off the other way sometimes, like up current, etc.

Found it! It was by "frozen solid" in "float plane stories":

"If you're operating in a river, remember it's your speed relative to the water, not the air, that determines how quickly you get on the step. If you have a limited amount of deep water and need to get on the step quickly, it may be better to accept a tailwind if you have to in order to do your takeoff run into the current. Once you're on the step, you don't need to worry as much about water depth and then you can build up the speed you need to take off downwind safely. If you have lots of deep water but need to clear obstacles after liftoff, you may find it more comfortable to take off downstream if it gives you an into-wind takeoff. If the wind and current are flowing the same way, then no worries. The wind blowing the opposite way from the current takes a bit of planning depending on the particulars of your situation. On a piston machine, try to think ahead to what you can do if you've shoved off into the current and the engine doesn't start...that can ruin your day. If you do take off down wind, you may need to leave the rudders down for the first part of the takeoff run because the air rudder may not be really effective until you're nearly on the step. If the river is narrow, or if there's a strong crosswind, you may start to weathercock when you lift the rudders and then find it difficult to stay lined up properly."

[BeechBoy007]

Trouble with crosswinds,...hmmmmm, only with single engine seaplanes....

[twotter]

In all reality, you have to balance the wind and water speeds. If the current is running at 6 knots and the tailwind is 9 knots then you end up with a 3 knot tailwind when you take off. I will take the current when the wind is not too much of a factor, it works the same when you are landing. At YVR for example if you are coming in for the eastbound taking a 10 knot tailwind but the tide is going out at 5 knots, your hull speed of the floats is increased by 15 knots at touchdown and probably isn't a good idea. If you are doing the same thing and the tide is coming in at say 3 knots you end up with a touchdown "water speed" of only 7 knots faster than with no wind or current which is no big deal.. Same thing taking off..

[turboguy]

All the rivers I have ever been too didn't have docks. You just drive her in and jump out with a &$#*$$# rope.

[Redneck_pilot86]

Not so much docking, but when you are departing a short segment of river, which way is going to get you airborne in a shorter ground run? The place I have in mind is about an 8 kt current, and rarely any wind.

[phillyfan]

Here you go.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wp_9jqgUFg

[Rudder Bug]

LOL Philly!

I will add that when I can't access four dockhands in bathing suits, I keep a rope tied to a place I can reach, close to my seat, to undo myself after engine start, like the upper end of my float struts. Try it, it works.

How's your season going?

Cheers

Gilles