What's the best way to secure an Avon type raft to the roof.

berryst

I am trying to figure the best way to sure the raft to the roof.

Should I just tie it to the wooden (yes I have the old wooden roof bars) It seems to me some sort of hook and bungee cord the roof overhangs would be best especially in the rain.

There must be some obvious way and there is such a deep well of knowledge and experience here.

I have a radar tower in the very front but no radar arch. Leaving for the north land soon
Chris

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 12:00 pm Post subject:

We use a cord with hooks on both ends and a kinda ratchet thing to snug it in place. It's been a while, but Pat Anderson (Daydream) told us about it. If I recall correctly, I got it at Ace Hardware (2 lines, less than $10).

Before that, we just tied the dinghy in place to the handrails.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Chester · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject:

We place the dinghy upside down with one end over the RADAR which is mounted on a five inch post. Two straps with hooks attached to the handrails seem to do the trick. if your dinghy is much wider than the handrails the roof overhangs may have to do. Checking the straps for proper tension regularly should keep the dinghy from going on walkabout.

Adeline · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject:

2" wide nylon strap (smooth finish) with a cam-buckle near each end.

One fore. One aft.

Looped under handrail.

Works for me.

Strapworks

localboy · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject:

We store the dinghy on the cabin roof, upside down/bow forward, and held down by a bungie cord "spider-web" intended to secure loads in truck beds. Got our's at HF Tools but they can be found at almost any auto store.

20dauntless · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject:

I use these, one on each end of the dinghy looped through the grab rails on the cabin top.

http://www.rei.com/product/672430/riverside-heavy-duty-utility-straps-18-ft

My dinghy has safety lines running down the sides, so I feed the tie down strap through the safety line so the dinghy can't slide out.

thataway · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:40 pm Post subject:

I just lash it in place with 1/2" dock lines--works fine tied to the hand rails. However, I have added extra rails to almost all of my boats-both at the forward and aft ends of cabin house--safer grips getting on the side decks and on and off the boat.

starcrafttom · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:19 pm Post subject:

hammer and Nail. it will never move Wink

rogerbum · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:38 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:17 am Post subject:

Most anything is better than bunji cords. They let stuff move all over. Now the Bunji net, thats another story, not a bad idea. however, I like my tie-downs to stay where I put them.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

berryst · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject:

Thank You for all the impute. It seems like such a no brainer but then again... I talked to gentleman why stated that he was most afraid of the raft coming off when green water was coming over the top. As he said "we were picking the seaweed out of the raft when it was all over". So, how the raft is secured is the first part of an epic story and to get it right is important. Bungee is sweet and fast but not secure enough for me. I'm leaning toward the straps at the moment. I'm not even too comfortable with the wood tie down bars. I am thinking of installing some new hand holds to double as steel tie/strap downs The saga continues.
Chris

Jazzmanic · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

ghone · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:37 pm Post subject:

I don't think too many c dorys have had greenies over the house. That happens in gales at sea but inshore we get a lot of spray in heavy weather. Heavy boats take green water over. Kerri On crossed Queen Charlotte strait in 5 foot breaking wind and current driven seas last year with only spray coming aboard Light boats just get tossed about. Plus we can usually pick out weather to avoid unpleasantness I wouldn't worry about green water over the roof. I use two docklines over the dinghy one forward one aft and the bow painter on the forward cleat. Works fine for going down the highway too Smile

berryst · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject:

Adeline · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

Here's another thought...the inflatable offers a wonderful place to store things while underway.
Groceries, tackle, bumpers, gas cans...you name it.
This is where an inflatable floor is nice.
It offers a soft, smooshy ride for whatever you toss up there.
Also protects the roof from any shifting, bouncing loads that would otherwise bang around in rough seas.