tying to the bull rail: request for initiation

marco422

I usually leave the loop in my mooring lines attached to my boat cleat and when I dock I fake some sort of secure knot to the bull rail, but I am curious about the proper technique. I saw a tour boat operator in Hot Springs Cove tie a secure knot to the bull rail in half a second (his hands were a blur) but before I could overcome my male reluctance and ask him how, he had untied and departed again.

Can someone enlighten me on the secret technique?

Dreamer · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject:

Marco,

I was taught a very secure, yet easy to release, technique at Lagoon Cove last year. A little complicated to try to explain. I'll see if I can find a photo.

Another methor, employed by friends with a Grand Banks, is to put the loop end of the dock line ashore. A wood piece about 10" long & round is placed into the loop after it is passed under the bull rail. The wood round is pulled up tight to the rail and is about 5" in diameter to preclude going under the rail. This works well and anyone on shore can comprehend what to do with it if it is tossed to them.

Don't use your best dock lines on a bull rail as they will soon be in tatters!

20dauntless · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

The dock at our cabin only has bull rails, as does the dock that I often tie up to on Mercer Island. Typically, I loop the line around the bull rail at a place where it attaches to the dock (if that makes sense) and tie it off to a cleat on the boat. This has always worked fine for me...

20dauntless · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

Roger, I've seen the second method you've mentioned employed by Canadian navy vessels.

thataway · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject:

We have used several methods to tie to bull rails: 1 line from the boat cleat loop around the bull rail and back to the cleat. 2. Line from the cleat around the rail, and then when doubled back two half hitches on the standing part back to the boat. 3, a clove hitch around the bull rail, using the doubled line. 4, a tug boat hitch around the bull rail.

I'll put up some photos of the various ways tomarrow.

DaveS · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject:

Quick and easy....
Start with the mooring eye of your line secured to your vessel's cleat.
When next to the dock, make a bend in the mooring line and pass the bend under the bull rail.
Then pass the working end of the mooring line through the bend and either secure that to the standing part of the line, or return the working end back to the vessel's cleat for the traditional figure eight on the cleat.
By using this method you can easily eliminate the majority of chafing that occurs when securing your line to the bull rail.
Can be accomplished in under 10 seconds from the time you first touch the bull rail.

Fairbro · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

Go on the internet and check out a knot called the highwayman's hitch.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

Beautiful, I love it! Now, I just have to go find a bull rail...

thataway · Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

I guess I like a bit more "perment" type of mooring to a bull rail. All of these can be easily untied, but the best under load is the tug boat hitch (often used for mooring very large vessels to pilings and bull rails etc).

one turn around the bull rail and two half hitches around the standing line to the boat. Lines are doubled, to take less time and make easier to cast off.

Clove hitch

Clove hitch with two half hitches--more secure than just two half hitches or clove hitch alone.

Tug boat hitch, one turn around the rail, and then back over the standing line to the boat.

Tug boat hitch with second turn in the opposite direction.

Tug boat hitch with two turns and two half hitches to secure it.

Doryman · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:46 am Post subject:

Fairbro

Yeah, about an inch or two if you're sloppy. I use it for tying fenders on my rails while locking. Quick release even those lubbers who insist on "helping" can understand

Doryman

Grumpy · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

Warren,

I look on it as a quick and simple tie that you (or the admiral) can do to get the boat "stabilized" at the rail giving you time to evaluate, set up and adjust your final docking configuration which will depend on many factors.

Great idea for fenders Idea

Roger, can you depict the "Broughtons" tie? I have forgotten it Embarassed

Merv

Dreamer · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

Merv,

The Broughtons Tie from Lagoon Cove is like the Tugboat Hitch illustrated by Dr. Bob. The difference is that it's tied using a loop of line instead of the single strand. Right? Confused