tying up to dock
- Thread starter blackfish
- Start date
Here's one thing not to do when tying up. Do not tie to any object that is not rounded or smooth. I tied to a dock with only one cleat near the boats forward spring cleat so tied the stern line to a piece of 1/2 inch thick galvanized flat bar attached to the dock. Within a few hours wave action moving the stern up and down caused the stern line to be sawn through. The off dock breeze blew the stern out and forced the bow into the dock where it began to bump and saw at the wooden dock planks. Great lesson learned the best way...the hard way. I bare and share so you can be aware!
Mike "Levity"
Mike "Levity"
Two items for "rough docks"--one is a fender board--we use a 2x6 for the Tom Cat. The second is a couple of several short lengths of chain--for rough pilings, rocks or steel bar tie ups. We loop the chain back and connect with a shackle and a thimble in the end of one of several lines we have thimbles spliced into. (Including the one we use for the snubber off the bow eye of the Tom Cat)
Couple of things I'll add, specific to the CD22: 1. The boat bellies out midships, and tapers in a lot forward. I use a HD round (larger diameter)fender for the stern to balance this out or else more pressure ends up on the midship fender. 2. I've installed a dedicated cleat on the inside gunnel surface for the stern fender. I pre-tie the fender whip to the right length for my regular dock and leave it attached, then flip it in when underway. Using the stern cleat leaves the stern fender too far back IMO, and it will sometimes roll behind the transom otherwise. 3. Like many others here, I've installed a (backed, through-bolted) padeye below the sliding window on each side, for attaching that fender from the inside. That fender has a brass clip tied to the whip for quick/easy attachment. This is my most forward fender; the midships fender is left tied to the bulkhead grabrail at the proper length for quick and easy deployment/storage. 4. I've installed line management cleats waist high on the bulkhead, both sides, for securing bow lines when underway. I plan to add a large, starboard backed padeye on the starboard side to clip my mooring line to. 5. I try to have everything color-coded for easy management. EG: telling a novice guest to grab the "red line" is easier for them than saying "port bow line". There are several other little things one can do. The main goal is to make the tasks you do every time you use the boat easy, systematic, and effective. For years we approached docking and mooring haphazardly. Boating has become much more enjoyable since we've brought these tasks under control. Later, Mike.
Robert H. Wilkinson
New member
lloyds":1mxcva0y said:
This is kind of a message in a bottle from 2008 but I don't see where anybody answered the question. YES it is used extensively on canals. Having spent 5 weeks on The Trent Severn System I would say probably 80% of the cottage owners use this method to tie up their fenders while leaving them ready to deploy quickly. Most also fender up both sides.
OK now back to 2015!! :smile
Regards, Rob
To managing your dock lines from the cockpit, you may want to consider this mod I installed on my CD25.
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php
This mod keeps me in the cockpit where I can still manage the bow and mid-ship lines. My stern lines are also pre-rigged on the stern cleats with spares lines also at hand in the cockpit. If I will be out of sight of my CD25, I will always set spring lines.
I also preset the fender board and fenders when anticipated. My marina has well protected floating docks with bumper strips all around, but not all the marinas here have these.
I do check how firm my inflatable fenders are before I leave the dock and the security of the two 6' lines attached to each. These 6' 'pig-tails' allow me to lay the fenders horizontally or join them together.
On the Lower Ches. Bay most docks are floating, but as I go inland and north on the James River (and others) fixed docks become more prevalent with its lower tidal changes.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Art
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_ ... _album.php
This mod keeps me in the cockpit where I can still manage the bow and mid-ship lines. My stern lines are also pre-rigged on the stern cleats with spares lines also at hand in the cockpit. If I will be out of sight of my CD25, I will always set spring lines.
I also preset the fender board and fenders when anticipated. My marina has well protected floating docks with bumper strips all around, but not all the marinas here have these.
I do check how firm my inflatable fenders are before I leave the dock and the security of the two 6' lines attached to each. These 6' 'pig-tails' allow me to lay the fenders horizontally or join them together.
On the Lower Ches. Bay most docks are floating, but as I go inland and north on the James River (and others) fixed docks become more prevalent with its lower tidal changes.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Art
Robert H. Wilkinson":3p0i70zs said:
YUP, my forward fenders are tied that way all the time. Makes it easy to deploy from the cockpit. Forward fender is tied (hung) from the midship cleat. The lighter line (3/16 about) is tied onto the lower end of the fender, then led up and forward of the after most upright of the bow rail, then lays alongside the wheelhouse combing, aft to the rear of the outside cabin wall, and tied off there onto a rod holder. The tie-off is with 2 loops. One to hold when the fender is fully released and deployed, the second is about 3 feet back on the line and works to hold the fender up above the rub rail, more or less laying on the forward part of the wheelhouse combing. I used to undo all that for trailering, but not somuch any more. The stay very secure.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
