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Rafting
- Thread starter Trinity
- Start date
Nancy,
The ideal rafting situation is when similar or identical boats can raft up. It's helpful to match up the sterns on inboard powered boats so that folks can walk from swim platform to the next swim platform. On our outboard powered boats, we line up the rear of the cabins to make the step over easier. This is a way of life in the CA Delta with its light winds and minimal tide. On a raft of 5 boats, we would typically put out 3 bow anchors and 2 stern anchors.
Some mooring buoys prohibit rafting. Some guest docks, like Lund, require it. Sailboat to Powerboat is usually not good due to boat shapes. We'd welcome rafting up with Trinity anytime!
The ideal rafting situation is when similar or identical boats can raft up. It's helpful to match up the sterns on inboard powered boats so that folks can walk from swim platform to the next swim platform. On our outboard powered boats, we line up the rear of the cabins to make the step over easier. This is a way of life in the CA Delta with its light winds and minimal tide. On a raft of 5 boats, we would typically put out 3 bow anchors and 2 stern anchors.
Some mooring buoys prohibit rafting. Some guest docks, like Lund, require it. Sailboat to Powerboat is usually not good due to boat shapes. We'd welcome rafting up with Trinity anytime!
This will be our third season cruising in the San Juans/Gulf Islands and we have never encountered a situation where rafting was required. We have rafted only a few time and then by choice with fellow brats. In terms of technique, I think the basic rule about never approaching a dock any faster than you want to hit it, is doubled for rafting. Someone will be there to fend you off but its embarassing to knock them back into the boat they are fending you off of :wink:. My very limited experience is that one usually rafts with the boat pointed in the same direction and at a point where it is easiest to cross from one to the other. That may mean the bows are not exactly aligned especially if one boat is larger. That is more important if camperbacks are up for example. Lots of fenders of course and adjust the lines so the boats lie as close to parallel as is practical. That may mean a line is a little looser than you might expect, for example. Spring lines from boat to boat will help keep the boats from moving forward and backwards too much.
We have rafted on anchor and at a dock and the issues seem to be pretty much the same. Our boats ride pretty low in the water compared to many and one would not, I think, want to raft to a boat where the gunwale is two feet higher than one's own so that will automatically limit the size of boats you may raft to.
Personally I would prefer not to be required to raft to a stranger. They may be the nicest people around but if I'm fast asleep and am awakened by somebody that I don't know boarding my boat well....
I don't know the etiquette of asking potential rafting partners about their plans but I sure wouldn't want to be rafted to somebody planning a party. others with much more experience may say I'm all wet but these are my thoughts from that very limited experience base.
We have rafted on anchor and at a dock and the issues seem to be pretty much the same. Our boats ride pretty low in the water compared to many and one would not, I think, want to raft to a boat where the gunwale is two feet higher than one's own so that will automatically limit the size of boats you may raft to.
Personally I would prefer not to be required to raft to a stranger. They may be the nicest people around but if I'm fast asleep and am awakened by somebody that I don't know boarding my boat well....
I don't know the etiquette of asking potential rafting partners about their plans but I sure wouldn't want to be rafted to somebody planning a party. others with much more experience may say I'm all wet but these are my thoughts from that very limited experience base.
Lots of fenders. Use breast lines and bow and spring lines. I prefer to set my own anchor, and then fall back into the raft. Watch out for generator exhaust (CO poisoning)--you don't want a generator exhaust next to your boat.
Ask before rafting--both boats should have plenty of fenders. Our size boats--3 fenders a side. Before crossing boats to get to the shore, find out where the boat between you and the shore would want you crossing their boat. We always take our shoes off, unless told that shoes are OK, we attempt to not pass thru cockpits or living areas.
When leaving a raft, ask both of you neighbors when it will be convient. I prefer to start my engine if there is any question of how the boat will be able to drop out of the raft. Usually lines are crossed over the boat which is leaving and the remaing boats pulled together.
Keep the noise level (party, entertainment systems) to a minimum, unless all of the boats are partaking in the party.
Ask before rafting--both boats should have plenty of fenders. Our size boats--3 fenders a side. Before crossing boats to get to the shore, find out where the boat between you and the shore would want you crossing their boat. We always take our shoes off, unless told that shoes are OK, we attempt to not pass thru cockpits or living areas.
When leaving a raft, ask both of you neighbors when it will be convient. I prefer to start my engine if there is any question of how the boat will be able to drop out of the raft. Usually lines are crossed over the boat which is leaving and the remaing boats pulled together.
Keep the noise level (party, entertainment systems) to a minimum, unless all of the boats are partaking in the party.
Almas Only
New member
If you're rafting with other C-Dorys, here are a few tips, in addition to the excellent ones already given.
Assuming only one vessel will set it's anchor, any wind will cause that vessel to present a moving target to the first couple of rafters, since the first one will swing back and forth on its anchor, like a pendulum. The second vessel should approach slowly, from the stern, at the approximate mid-point of the swinging vessel's arc. As the swinging vessel moves past the mid-point, the second vessel moves forward slightly, and holds in place, waiting for the swinging vessel to return. I prefer to make the first raft up between the port side of the anchored vessel, and the starboard side of the one raftng up. That way, and skipper of the vessel under power (the one rafting up) can take a line through the helm station side window, and assist in tying up.
As the anchored vessel swings back into the other, be ready to pass two lines: one between the mid-ship cleats, and another between the stern cleats. Snug them up against the fenders, which were in place before the raft up was begun. Forget the bow line: a tie-up between the mid-ship and stern cleats will keep the boats securely in place. The bow line will add nothing to the arrangement.
Once the first raft is made, those two vessels have a far less tendency to swing at anchor, and as the raft proceeds on alternate sides, the problem goes away altogether. Just remember, raft from alternate sides, and don't attempt to raft, or approach it closely, until those already rafted signal that they're finished securing the previous vessels, and are ready to accept you.
If only one vessel is anchored, those closest to it should have their anchors ready for immediate deployment, so that if the first one slips, more can be set without having to break up the raft. If multiple anchors are to be set at the beginning, do as previously suggested, and join the raft by letting out rode, instead of powering forward into position.
Have fun!
Assuming only one vessel will set it's anchor, any wind will cause that vessel to present a moving target to the first couple of rafters, since the first one will swing back and forth on its anchor, like a pendulum. The second vessel should approach slowly, from the stern, at the approximate mid-point of the swinging vessel's arc. As the swinging vessel moves past the mid-point, the second vessel moves forward slightly, and holds in place, waiting for the swinging vessel to return. I prefer to make the first raft up between the port side of the anchored vessel, and the starboard side of the one raftng up. That way, and skipper of the vessel under power (the one rafting up) can take a line through the helm station side window, and assist in tying up.
As the anchored vessel swings back into the other, be ready to pass two lines: one between the mid-ship cleats, and another between the stern cleats. Snug them up against the fenders, which were in place before the raft up was begun. Forget the bow line: a tie-up between the mid-ship and stern cleats will keep the boats securely in place. The bow line will add nothing to the arrangement.
Once the first raft is made, those two vessels have a far less tendency to swing at anchor, and as the raft proceeds on alternate sides, the problem goes away altogether. Just remember, raft from alternate sides, and don't attempt to raft, or approach it closely, until those already rafted signal that they're finished securing the previous vessels, and are ready to accept you.
If only one vessel is anchored, those closest to it should have their anchors ready for immediate deployment, so that if the first one slips, more can be set without having to break up the raft. If multiple anchors are to be set at the beginning, do as previously suggested, and join the raft by letting out rode, instead of powering forward into position.
Have fun!
On our trip up the Inside Passage in 2006 with Halcyon and Wanderer, come Happy Hour rafting was almost mandatory. We got into a regular routine and everyone seemed to be very comfortable.
We'd raft for drinks and maybe snacks or dinner but always anchored individually for the night.
Aboard Naknek, I generally found that a Norwegian fender (one of those round gizmo's about 15" in diameter) was Very handy and cleared the sliding helm windows. I'd position it from the midship cleat then put one or two standard fenders aft and we were all set.
If you're doing any cooking, the earlier comment about remembering where the Wallas exhaust is located is very important.
Anchoring and rafting is some of the best part of C-Dorying! Enjoy!
Casey
C-Dory Naknek
The Villages, FL
We'd raft for drinks and maybe snacks or dinner but always anchored individually for the night.
Aboard Naknek, I generally found that a Norwegian fender (one of those round gizmo's about 15" in diameter) was Very handy and cleared the sliding helm windows. I'd position it from the midship cleat then put one or two standard fenders aft and we were all set.
If you're doing any cooking, the earlier comment about remembering where the Wallas exhaust is located is very important.
Anchoring and rafting is some of the best part of C-Dorying! Enjoy!
Casey
C-Dory Naknek
The Villages, FL