Random Friendship Boat Question re: Backing Up From Docks

[BK2014]

This might have an obvious answer, but I have been curious about this for a while. When riding the Friendship boats from Hollywood Studios and Yacht and Beach Club, the boat always backs up from the dock and makes a Y type turn when leaving Hollywood Studios and Swan and Dolphin. At both docks it appears that there is enough room for the boat to simply move forward and make the necessary turn. Anyone know why they don't simply do that?

If it is not obvious at this point, I know nothing about boats/boating so I apologize if this is a dumb question.

 

[Meglen]

not sure if this the answer you are looking for but some good info to kinda sum up why they don't try to go forward anymore.

https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/walt-disney-world-friendship-boats.15590/

 

[Douglas Dubh]

This might have an obvious answer, but I have been curious about this for a while. When riding the Friendship boats from Hollywood Studios and Yacht and Beach Club, the boat always backs up from the dock and makes a Y type turn when leaving Hollywood Studios and Swan and Dolphin. At both docks it appears that there is enough room for the boat to simply move forward and make the necessary turn. Anyone know why they don't simply do that?

If it is not obvious at this point, I know nothing about boats/boating so I apologize if this is a dumb question.

It’s safer to do it that way, so that’s the way new captains are taught. Some older captains will drive forward leaving those docks.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

It’s safer to do it that way, so that’s the way new captains are taught. Some older captains will drive forward leaving those docks.

I think it has someting to do with how they tie them off as they tie off the back end first and then move forward to make the rope tight before tieing off the front so when they back out it releases the tension on the rope

 

[Stratman50th]

I think it has someting to do with how they tie them off as they tie off the back end first and then move forward to make the rope tight before tieing off the front so when they back out it releases the tension on the rope

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen them tie off the stern, only the one rope at the bow. What I've seen is them tie off then have it in gear and use engine to hold it tight to the dock.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen them tie off the stern, only the one rope at the bow. What I've seen is them tie off then have it in gear and use engine to hold it tight to the dock.

I think I might have gotten the sternum line wrong it's been a bit since I've been to Walt Disney world.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

On the friendship boats, they place a loop on the bow cleat first, then once the boat is against the dock and the bow rope taunt, tie a rope to the stern cleat. The cruisers at MK only use one rope.

How the boat is secured to the dock doesn’t have anything to do with why friendship boats leave different docks different ways. They pivot off the Swan and Dolphin dock because it’s hard to go straight then turn enough to go under the bridge toward the Studios without bumping the dock with the back of the boat.