docking sailboat in crosswind

Boating Tips

For recreational and professional mariners, crosswind docking like a pro.

Docking a boat in a slip on a calm day is pretty straightforward for most operators once you’ve done it a few times.  But add a crosswind (or cross current) and it can quickly turn into a scary (and expensive) nightmare.  It need not be that way – it will take practice and careful attention to all the forces at play.

Let’s start by remembering the concept of “walking” a twin-engine boat.  I covered this topic in a prior post  here .  In a crosswind it is imperative to know how well your boat can walk and its limits.

Also let’s talk about thrusters.  They are increasingly popular on boats these days and on smaller boats too.  Some old salts may argue that their use is a sign of an unskilled helmsperson.  It is true that many people learn to rely on them at the expense of learning basic skills, and they discover this on a windy day when the thruster decides to not work.  On the other hand, there are certain conditions in which docking would be impossible without them.  In this discussion I’m only considering bow thrusters.  There is really no need for a stern thruster on a twin engine boat – the mains can do that job handily.

Crosswind Docking Without a Bow Thruster

First things first – ALWAYS know from where the wind is blowing.  Exactly, not a rough guess.  In a marina, just look up at the top of all of the sailboat masts.  Every one of them has a Windex that points into the wind.  And keep looking at them for any changes.

To set the stage, consider the following image.  We intend to dock in a slip with a healthy crosswind (or cross current).  The obvious risk is that the boat makes hard contact with the downwind corner or the piling.  This is what we DON’T want to have happen…

There are two possible approaches – from the upwind side or the downwind side.  Some folks prefer approaching from downwind and “use the momentum” of the boat to carry it against the wind and into the slip.  This does work, and is really the best option for single engine sailboats with keels that better resist the leeway generated by the wind.  With this method, you need to be a bit assertive with the controls, come in a bit faster, and enter with the bow as close to the upwind finger and piling as possible, then turn into the slip.

The above method definitely relies on momentum – if done too slowly the boat will end up plastered onto the downwind piling.  A downside to this method is that it does not offer an escape route – it needs to be committed to early.

A better solution for twins is to rely on walking.  Recall that a twin can be configured with left full rudder (in this example), ahead on port and astern on starboard with the result of moving forward and sideways.  Also, recall that some boats walk better than others – slower displacement boats with big rudders do much better than express cruisers.

So we will leverage this capability in our crosswind docking.  Begin by setting up at an angle to the slip with no way on and with the bow as close to the piling as possible without touching…just inches away as shown below.  The benefits of being close are that you are closer to your final destination and that an adjacent boat will help block the wind on the bow.  

The boat should be angled quite a bit from the slip – this will allow you to better judge the wind effect as you let the stern swing down.  All this time you are using only the shifters with rudder amidships or maybe just a few degrees of left rudder.

Continue to let the stern get blown down by the wind while keeping the bow near the piling.  You can also start dialing in left full rudder in preparation for walking into the slip.  This is the time when you begin to judge how rapidly the stern is swinging and whether or not you have the power (and skill) to continue with the maneuver or back away and try again.

As the stern continues to swing and the boat aligns with the slip, then the controls are set up for walking and the boat is brought in as close to the upwind finger as possible.  As you enter the slip you can begin to neutralize some of the rudder and keep the boat parallel.  If you begin to “lose the stern” downwind, it is still not too late to back away and reset on the upwind side.

Crosswind Docking With a Bow Thruster

Bow thrusters are spectacular devices that make boat operators look good.  But they do have limitations.  The most significant is their duty cycle.  Most smaller vessels have electric thrusters.  Some have proportional control – at 30% power then can run almost 100% duty cycle, but most are either on or off and may be limited to as little as two total minutes maximum per hour.  When run too long, they overheat and trip offline (at the worst possible time) so it is important to not run them too much.  On a larger yacht with a hydraulic thruster or a dedicated engine for the thruster the duty cycle is unlimited.

When using the thruster to hold position against the wind, the engine controls are REVERSED from the earlier walking method.  We are using starboard ahead, and port astern.  Basically just swinging the stern to starboard, with the thruster to take care of the bow position.  Left full rudder is not needed – perhaps only 10 degrees left or even rudder amidships.

The maneuver begins similar to the discussion above, with setup at the upwind corner with no way on.  Note that this can be done from the downwind side as well but realize this – from the upwind side we only need enough power to stop the swing of the stern but from the downwind side we need even more power to force the stern and bow up against the wind.

As the stern swings downwind, engage the thruster and use the engine controls to hold the stern against the wind.

On boats with electric or undersized thrusters it is not uncommon to “run out of thruster” and not be able to use enough main power to stop the stern without overpowering the thruster’s effect.  In these cases, it is possible to switch to “walking” mode to help the thruster a bit.  By switching back and forth between modes you can ease the boat into the slip.  Yes…this takes practice.  Just remember to pause in neutral when shifting to let the gearboxes spin down.  

One other thing – on most electric thrusters the joystick is momentary-on and your hands will be busy on the engine controls.  On an especially difficult docking it may be handy to have an extra crewmember standing beside you to manage the thruster.

Docking a single engine boat in a crosswind is similar, with left rudder to hold the stern up against the wind while the thruster takes care of the bow.  The main difference is that the maneuver happens with more headway to maintain stern control.  It’s not possible to hold the stern in place against the wind without gaining headway.  This is the case where a stern thruster may have some merit.  If the wind happens to be on the side that your stern will propwalk to when turning astern, you can use that to good effect.

A word about cross currents – just a little bit of current will have the same effect as a lot of wind.  But the techniques are the same.  Sometimes the most challenging situation is when the wind and current oppose each other.  As you approach the slip, it might not be obvious which one will “win”.  As that becomes apparent it might be necessary to switch sides for the approach.

Also – sometimes having NO wind or current is actually a bit more challenging and you end up fishtailing back and forth to make it happen.  It is sometimes easier to have just a bit of side force to have something to push against.

And finally – there will be days when there is just too much wind and/or current, and that particular boat just CANNOT be safely moored into the slip.  It might be the size of the rudders, or available power, or other factors that make it very difficult without risking damage.  Those are the days when it is best to change the plan and find a guest dock or other location to wait out the conditions until they improve.  It might not be a reflection on you – it might be physically impossible to accomplish.

As they say – practice, practice, practice!

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Sailboat docking and maneuvering in harbors

Description

Many novice sailors think that maneuvering the boat is the same as steering the car. If only boats could move across the water the same way as cars move across land, steering of the boat would be quite easy. But stopping, backing and parking of sailboats is not that simple. Understanding the physics of the sailboat motion under engine and how it reacts to water pressure on its rudder will help you to dock and maneuver in harbors safe and less stressful.

Do I really need theory?

It is almost impossible to have to dock the same way twice in a raw. Simply because there are external and internal factors that may affect the boat and docking procedure even in your home base. You may meet another boat exiting the harbor, or the wind will catch you boat and cause loss of control. All these occurrences are very possible and you should have a plan and know exactly what to do.

Practice is important, but understanding principles of the boat movement under engine is the key factor to success. Without this understanding, especially if you charter different boat models in various areas, the risk of making a mistake is quite high.

What I will learn?

We will learn the physics of the sailboat motion under engine (rudder action, prop walk, turning techniques), effect of the wind and current and explain docking maneuvers in various situations.

We will discuss principles of docking and undocking in windy conditions, usually quite stressful for most of the skippers. How to control your boat when docking and undocking MedMoor in a crosswind (Mediterranean style of docking with bow anchor in fairway and stern perpendicular to pier). How to do parallel docking with an off shore wind and tips how to undock the boat with use of spring lines even with a strong inshore wind.

Check our video recap of webinar

Here you may see short recap of 2 hour webinar.

Understanding the basics

• Rudder action

Docking principles

• No wind docking
• Docking with wind present
• Controlling boat in a crosswind (docking & undocking)
• Docking parallel
• Parallel docking with an off shore wind
• Springing of a wall

Instructors

Luca Zapparoli

Professional sailing instructor.

More than 27 years of sailing experience. 25,000 nautical miles navigated in the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Has great experience in long-range crossings and ocean passages in variable weather conditions. Sailing and meteorology instructor in Spanish sailing federation (“Federacion de Vela de la Comunidad Valenciana” (FVCV)). Author of the book “La Vela: Teoria y Tecnica” (Sail: Theory and Practice). Now used as manual in FVCV.

Hobbies: licensed diver, licensed aircraft pilot Education: engineer, MBA graduate of Boston EE. UU Italian, fluent in: Italian, English, Spanish

Availability

Price / Person

Maneuvering a Sailboat out of a Tight Slip

Using Spring Lines to Help Maneuver in Crosswind Situations

This example is from NauticEd’s Maneuver and Dock Your Sailboat Under Power Course . In that course, there are dozens of other tips and instruction for challenging docking situations. Docking does not need to be stressful or embarrassing (most sailors appreciate seeing people scrambling on the docks to assist an out-of-control sailboat). Instead, the ‘cool’ factor is when people are watching you expertly and confidently maneuvering your boat (or a charter boat) around in a tight marina with high winds. Take the NauticEd Maneuvering Under Power Course online or read it in print at Amazon .

How would you maneuver a sailboat out of this tight slip?

Notably without a bow thruster.  Well, of course you would use a spring line, but which one?

In the following situation (a common one): you’re in a very tight marina with little maneuvering room, and there’s a strong opposing crosswind that will prevent you from simply turning out of the slip.  Which spring line would you use: 1, 2, or 3? (click the numbers on the diagram for the answers).

Spring Line Explanation

When planning to maneuver a sailboat out of a tight slip, you’re considering several forces and moments:

• What are the obstacles and/or space to maneuver? Answer: A tight marina and fairway with no room to maneuver with other options (like backing into the wind).
• How is wind and current going to affect the boat? Answer: current’s not a factor, but the crosswind is going to “blow off” your bow until you can gain enough speed to overcome it.
• What to do with the rudder? Answer: you’ll use the rudder to move forwards and turn out of the slip, but you’ll need a spring line assist to overcome the crosswind.
• Whether to use a spring line, and if so where to place the spring line? Answer: Using an amidships spring line is the best solution!

In the above example, the amidships spring line will keep the boat tight in the turn around the end of the slip. Effectively, it provides enough distance (X) between the rudder force and the spring line’s force to create an effective turning moment into the crosswind.  After rounding the corner: release the spring line (quickly), straighten the rudder, and you’ll have enough forward momentum (especially water flow over the keel and rudder) to keep the bow into the wind.

Learn more from NauticEd’s Maneuver and Dock Your Sailboat Under Power Course , available online or in print at Amazon .

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How To Dock in Strong Winds

Here’s some great advice about docking from the British magazine Motorboat & Yachting . Whether you’re new to boating, or an old salt, it helps to review some basic maneuvers, particularly docking in less than ideal conditions. Read on:

The following are some experience-based tips which, however, are subject to an infinite number of variables , such as wind speed and direction, spaces available and boat type . Consequently, what we are proposing you today are not absolute dogma but general rules to be adapted to individual situations.

Let us begin by dispelling a myth. Stern-to mooring is not mandatory . Especially in strong wind conditions. Stern-to mooring is, in fact, an all-Mediterranean habit, justified by the favourable weather conditions normally found in that sea. In North Europe, where weather is much more inclement, bow-to mooring is the most widespread berthing method.

In this regard, there are two essential notions that deserve to be taken into consideration: crosswind is the most annoying wind, both when entering the harbour and approaching it (when lateral pressure inevitably moves the boat leeway). Contrary to windless calm situations, where you can manoeuvre very slowly to minimize the risk of damage, strong wind requires to be faster.

Fenders, coiled ropes and instructed crew are essential requirements for a properly performed manoeuvre.

Now, let’s try to analyze the typical situation when many boaters regret loving sailing: berthing in a strong crosswind .

If the situation is that indicated in the drawing, the advice is to get to windward stern-to . This way, the boat is better controlled and, above all, the captain avoids the situation of moving forward with the bow up wind and then having to stop the boat and reverse, with the certainty of seeing the bow drift quickly on the left. Read more:

https://www.yachtingmedia.com/magazine/how-to-berth-in-strong-wind.html?fbclid=IwAR0U78ZUbWHaxpppHQVD3GdHDlZVICOI5VcQACDx-KTU19F4F9Ka0QSqmhg

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Docking Broadside to the Wind

Provided By: Charles T. Low, author of Boat Docking  

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Crosswind at dock

• Thread starter Bill P.
• Start date Nov 6, 2005
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

I'd appreciate some advice. My slip runs east/west and unfortunately the prevailing winds run north/south. Makes getting in and out of the slip an adventure. I sail a Hunter 260 with an outboard so power is not substantial. Any words of wisdom appreciated. Fair winds.Bill P.  

Docking I have a similar problem. If your dock has pilings or dock posts abaft the beam when you are in the slip, you may be able to try what works for me. Before coming in, I tie a line to something on the windward side of the boat with a loop on the free end. The line is premeasured to stop the boat before the bow contacts the dock. As I come in, I slip the loop over the dock upright. As the boat goes forward into the slip, the line pulls the boat over to windward. You cn keep a little power on and this will hold the boat to windward while you fasten the dock lines. I am a single hander and this makes docking my H34 a lot easier.  

Moody Buccaneer

Lines Use your dock lines to help control your boat.You don't mention if the wind is blowing off the finger or on.If the wind is blowing you off the finger getting in and out should be only a small hassle, slightly more complex if the wind is blowing you onto the finger.In either case using the engine against a spring line will help you control the boat.  

single handing My slip faces north, the current runs from the NW, the wind from all points at one time or another. I won't even try to single hand when wind and current are against me. Usually Nancy takes the helm and I cast off the lines and fend off as needed until she is under way and has steerage. Sometimes it is dead calm and I could take her out with a boat hook. But have the engine ready, cast off the lazy lines, pull the boat to the weather side of the slip, cast off forward, scurry aft and let go the aft line and get moving. Try it a few times with a partner and get your timing down. Ross in Bel Air  

Lamar Sumerlin

Docking a big boat Check out this link. It is an animated version of how to dock a big boat under various wind/docking situations.www.cruising.sailingcourse.com/docking.htm  

Back in? If you are backing in approach your slip on your side of the fairway. Use a line cleated amidship to either port or starboard whichever is closest to your slip. If the wind is coming from the bow let the boat stop amidship against the farthest forward pylon and pass the loose end of the line around the pylon. do not tie the loose end but hold to control the arch of movement by pulling or releasing. Shift the engine into reverse and let line steer the boat around. As the bow moves out the wind will catch it and help pull the boat in the slip. If the wind is coming from the stern the operation is the same except you will have to stop the boat quickly by applying a burst of reverse power, idle back still in gear quickly but firmly pass the line around the Pylon (remember is the line around the pylon that will steer the boat not the rudder so once the boat is stopped or in transition from forward to reverse you can walk around to handle the line) you may have to power up in reverse to fight the wind in this case. If you are going into your slip bow first you will need some speed to maintain steering and control drift. Come in the opposite side of the fairway and start turning in by pointing to the outside (of the slip) of the windward pylon. Calculate drift and correct by increasing or decreasing engine speed. Once you are in the slip to amidship start powering in reverse to slow down and with a pole grab your dockline tied to the back pylon on the side of the finger dock. Cleate it to the stern of the boat and shift to neutral. The line will stop you and swing you into the finger pier. Once your movement is controlled by the line and the engine is in neutral you can walk up to fend the bow and tie the bow lines. Do not hurry your movements, nothing happens fast on a sailboat just plan your manouver and execute with precision. A boat your size you can pretty much manhandle and physically pull or push it to were you want it to go so don't be afraid to lean up to a pylon. If you have crew teach them to fend off absorbing energy but not to pull or push as that will steer the boat and that is your job. With a little practice you will not have a problem docking.  

Great Advice From Benny.... .. about backing in. I have an H26 at Big Lagoon, just west of you. The prevailing wind is SW and I have a slip facing east. Backing is the definite way to go except that when a blow comes in, the waves many time come in from the east. Witnesses told me they watched waves break over my transom. After that I started practicing up on bow in approach. It's frustrating, but I'm getting much better at it, however, I have an application in for a slip facing west so I can back in. I guess the bottom line, check to see how the wave action hits your slip in a storm. Brian W  

EZ-Steer Also, if you don't have EZ-Steer, I would highly advise it. It really helps out in low power situations... you don't have to worry as much about keeping as much water moving across the rudder.  

Docking Primer http://www.quantumsails.com/pdf/maneuvering.pdfThis is the best docking primer i have seentake a look you can download and print ittony  

Docking under power You might want to get DK Publishing's "Complete Sailing Manual" as it has lots of great diagrams. Check this link for more info: http://kobernus.com/hunter260_web/docking.html  

what about a dock 'V' line to capture the bow I (and many boats in my marina) set-up a 'V' to capture the bow, allowing for using more power when coming into the slip under odd wind conditions, yet not hitting the dock with the bow.Run a small (3/16" or 3/8") line from mid-ship piling to mid-ship piling and support it with separate line attached to the center area of your slip. Some also attach a bumper to the center of the 'V' where the boat will contact the line, keeping the boat from running over the line/bumper.Set the line so that the boat doesn't rub against it when you are tied-up, but will keep the boat from hitting the dock when your coming in.This way, you can come in at what ever power level is needed for the winds, reverse after the bow is past the outer pilings, and still not hit the dock.One other thought is to always aim for the piling on the windward side as you make your turn towards your slip, the wind will tend to push you away from the windward piling, but this way you will wind up being centered as you are entering the slip. Hope this helps...  

Thanks!! I appreciate the words of wisdom. I'll try a few of them this weekend!Fairwinds  

When the wind just won't cooperate There is a great article in the latest edition of Cruising World magazine. It's "Making Friends with Pilings and Seawalls",and it deals with just the problem you mentioned.  

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You're about to dock stern to with mooring lines. 20 crosswind. How do you aproach?

From the windward side of your berth with the bow into the wind, from the leeward side of your berth with the stern into the wind.

• Total voters 36

Docking stern in, strong crosswind

• Add to quote

I am trying to complete an online sailing test and got stuck in one question: You're about to dock stern to with mooring lines. The wind is 20 knots from the side. How do you approach the quay? A) From the windward side of your berth with the bow into the wind B) Straight C) From the leeward side of your berth with the stern into the wind I find both A and C answers valid. It seems to me to me that it is possible to dock using both techniques. I've found others asking similar questions and receiving mixed answers. Some people are suggesting backing with the wind, the others against. What do you think is the correct answer? Thanks!  

Well, I have done it both ways. Part depends on the fairway. Problem with backing into the wind, which seems the most correct, is that you have to really have a head of steam or when you turn or your bow will be slow to follow. Bow's fall off with the wind. So that manuever needs a bit of thrust. Problem with following the wind down is that when you turn and that bow starts to follow, it may not stop and you will find yourself pointing the exact opposite way or sideways into the dock. THis is the least controlled method IMHO. If I had the fairway, I would back into the wind with a good head of steam because it would keep the boat the most controlled following into the slip. That's my opinion. C. Course, I have had more than my share of "Oh CRAP!". Nothing a little gel coat doesn't fix. Brian  

A But It kind of matters to me, backing a right-hand prop, whether the crosswind is from stbd or port. If from port, the stern-walk plus the crosswind will put her into a stbd swing too rapid to allow us to stay parallel to the slip long enough to enter it; if it's from stbd though, better chance to hold your heading as you back up, since the turning forces of wind on the bow, and prop-walk, tend to cancel each other out. But sometimes I just can't get it done without using the outer piling as a pivot point--get the lee quarter partly into the slip, grab the (eventual) leeward bow line from the soon-to-be lee bow outer piling, cleat it to the lee quarter, and back against it as a spring line to pry the bow upwind using the (fendered or rubrailed) outer piling as the fulcrum. Once bow gets parallel to the slip then ease the line some as you move astern and get in.  

I would favor A Backing in with the bow to the wind. Then once you begin the turn into your slip the wind will help push the bow off to help you line up in the slip. Timing and speed would be critical. I think I would favor my dock side of the fairway and let the wind turn my stern into the slip. If the bow gets past 90 degrees to the wind it will be tough to get it back, so I think you'd want to be halfway into the slip by the time that happens. With the stern to the wind the wind will work to prevent your turn pushing your bow downwind, rather than allowing you to bring it up.  

It's all dependent on the direction of your boat's prop walk.  

I also would come stern into the wind, if I was going to attempt it. The real problem with this scenario though is, you usually don't get a choice which side of the dock to come in on.  

Had a big commercial salmon troller, had to back it in with strong side wind. 1 Came down the fairway, which was fairly wide, with the wind 2. Made a hard right turn putting the bow about half way into the wind 3. Let the wind catch the starboard side of the boat and start a drift 4. As the bow starts to blow downwind use hard right rudder and a short blast of power to kick the stern to port 5. Use short bit of reverse to kill forward motion, which wasn't too much 6. Repeat #4 until you are lined up with the slip 7. One final shot of reverse into the slip, then a shot of forward to stop the boat It was kind of like "walking" it in, drift, kick the stern left, back a little and repeat. For whatever reason this boat didn't have a lot of propwalk if just short bursts of reverse were used. The primary function was to keep kicking the stern to the left to counter the bow drifting downwind. Worst fear was to let the bow blow back down too much, massive pucker time, no way to recover except to try to back out of the fairway against the wind. Not good. Paul T  

Pull in bow first. Turn her around later, after the wind has died. Do it the logical, easy way. Leave the macho, exhibitionism to the adolescents.  

There are too many variables not identified, but let us assume that adjacent vessels are not sticking out beyond the pilings at the ends of their slips and the wind is strong enough to be more significant than the effects of prop walk. My vessel, typically of most will have the bow move off the wind if I have little speed; therefore, I would need to approach into the wind and place the quarter of the vessel to the outside windward piling. As the bow is blown off the wind I would be backing into the slip with both a quarter spring and bow line on the earlier referenced piling. There would be no urgency in gaining lines to leeward, but as the quarter spring tightens the stern will come close to gain the upwind stern line. Take care and joy, Aythya crew  

Leaving a line or two hanging off the pilings makes getting connected much easier.  

I'd back in from leeward, leaving the turn late and using the 'upwind' momentum of the bow to counteract the tendency for it to blow off.. Requires quick action to secure once stopped, though. If you go in from windward you're swinging the bow downwind already in the turn, and the wind will exaggerate and increase the bow's blowing off downwind... IMO... We had a cross-wind slip for 20+ years in an area where it blew 20 or better every nice day.. something to get used to.  

Faster said: ..............If you go in from windward you're swinging the bow downwind already in the turn, and the wind will exaggerate and increase the bow's blowing off downwind... IMO............ Click to expand...

I have to do this very often. Without warping in the approach is more dependent on propwalk than anything. That said you will be blowing down. There is no time to line up and back in. You have to align the boat on the fly, balancing the dynamics of windage and drift with rotation. Frankly I usually work to get the stern of the boat and the back ten feet or so stuffed in and then rotate from there with bursts of forward and after thrust, prop walk, and rudder. I can almost always get the boat centered in the slip that way without warps although sometimes rotating on a piling. Warps make it easier but single-handed warps aren't generally going to happen unless you have everything set up ahead of time. Even then it can be rough.  

SVAuspicious said: ..........Warps make it easier but single-handed warps aren't generally going to happen unless you have everything set up ahead of time. Even then it can be rough. Click to expand...

I usually go with approach C from leeward. I agree with the comments that it is hard to control how fast the bow falls off when you approach from windward. The trick to avoid the prop walk issue is to get up a head of steam, and then put the engine in neutral. Now I can steer easily in reverse. When I need to kill speed, a little shot of forward thrust (being careful to know where my rudder is as I can move the stern of my Nordic 44 quickly with a little forward thrust.)  

Stupid question. Probably one of the misleader questions designed so that no one gets a perfect score. These kinds of "tests" really suck. It depends on the boat. Boats back down differently, captains do things differently. Current, gusts, "mooring lines"??????? :hothead  

Well, I would tend to go w/ "C" for all the reasons mentioned, mostly that the bow will want to blow downwind. Get some speed up, shift into to minimize propwalk and steer it into the slip. THAT SAID.... it depends. On my boat I have a left hand prop. Thinking about the prevailing wind if I were to approach the slip from Windward and back down towards the slip, the prop walk will pull me to starboard slightly and swing the stern into the slip. Approaching from leeward I'd be fighting both the propwalk AND the bow wanting to blow downwind. Would be much harder to make the turn. I think I would stick w/ C though b/c things will happen slower than in A.  

Once you've completed the exam and it's scored it would be interesting to know what the "correct" answer might be and the explanation as to why.  

Even though I haven't quite mastered the techniques described, it's awfullly reassuring to know others have similar experiences. I tried practicing with a shroud turnbuckle line tied to shroud and indeed that did help control the boat, now just need to do it often enough to be confident and understand the dynamics.  

With a 20 knot crosswind, I'm not sure that I could dock without the use of spring lines. While I've done it with bow into the wind, it is much easier to control putting the stern into the wind and pivioting around the leeward piling.  

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The owner of a $3.4 million Lamborghini yacht screamed 'I will kill you' and threw $100 bills into the water when told he couldn't use a private dock

• The owner of a Lamborghini yacht threatened a private dock employee, per CBS8.
• The employee said Ajay Thakore mooned and threw cash at him after being told he couldn't use the dock.
• Thakore, the CEO of Doctor Multimedia, issued an apology through his public relations team.

The owner of a $3.4 million Lamborghini yacht threatened a private dock employee after being told he couldn't be there, the San Diego-based broadcaster CBS8 reported on March 11.

Joseph Holt, a 21-year-old employee at Marriot Marina in San Diego, told CBS8 that he spotted the yacht sailing into the private dock. The owner, whom CBS8 identified as Ajay Thakore, tried to pick another person up at the dock, Holt said.

"I told him respectfully that he couldn't be there, and I honestly was hoping to have a conversation with him about his cool boat," Holt told CBS8.

In a YouTube video posted by @SM-wc9eq on March 10, a dark blue Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is seen sailing out of a dock. A man in a gray T-shirt, a pair of jeans, and a cap was shown standing on the yacht. The man appeared to be Thakore, per CBS8.

Thakore was shown shouting at Holt. "I will kill you, you know I will kill you!" he can be heard saying multiple times in the video

Thakore was later shown pounding his fist on his palm and pointing his thumb down before telling Holt: "To your face!" Holt was shown responding by pointing his middle finger at Thakore.

"I really was trying to restrain myself from getting fired from my job or stepping out of line. The only thing I did was give him the bird," Holt told CBS8.

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Holt said Thakore then took $100 bills from his wallet and threw them at him. He added that Thakore mooned him. This exchange was not shown in the video.

"He was saying I'm nobody, I'm nothing, I work a silly job. He said that he knows people, he has connections, he can change my life and ruin it," Holt said. Holt did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

The San Diego Harbor Police arrived at the marina 10 minutes after Thakore's yacht exited the dock, per CBS8.

The Harbor Police told Business Insider that Holt decided to press charges against Thakore and that they are investigating the incident.

According to Thakore's LinkedIn page , he's the CEO of Doctor Multimedia. The company's website shows that it's a healthcare marketing firm based in San Diego. Thakore appears to go by the name Ace Rogers on Instagram and TikTok, where he's noted as being a professional gambler.

Thakore, through his public relations team, told CBS8 in a statement that his altercation with Holt was "regrettable."

"What started as a minor misunderstanding escalated into an argument, and I apologize for my actions and to those who witnessed the unfortunate exchange," the statement said. Thakore did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

Thakore isn't the only CEO who's been called out for threatening another person. In November 2021, an Activision spokesperson told BI that its ex-CEO Bobby Kotick had previously apologized for telling his assistant he would have her killed. The spokesperson added that Kotick's threat was "obviously hyperbolic and inappropriate" and that "he deeply regrets the exaggeration and tone."

In June 2020, Lisa Alexander, the CEO of LaFace Skincare, a cosmetics company, apologized in a statement to the media after she had threatened to call the police on her neighbor for writing "Black Lives Matter" on his property. Alexander said in the apology that she was "disrespectful" and "should have minded my own business."

March 21, 2024: This story has been updated with Harbor Police's comments.

Watch: The scariest things OceanGate's CEO said about deep-sea diving

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