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

B

berryst

New member
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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

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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
 
berryst":30yc1w4h said:
<<stuff clipped>> Bungee is sweet and fast but not secure enough for me. I'm leaning toward the straps at the moment. Chris
Click to expand...
You got that right Chris. Do not rely solely on bungee. Don't ask me how I know. :oops: Suffice it to say that my personal experience was quite harrowing to say the least. Now when we're underway, I do use bungy but also long dock line to really secure the dinghy to to the grab rails.
 
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
 
Jazzmanic":1m46uh9h said:
berryst":1m46uh9h said:
<<stuff clipped>> Bungee is sweet and fast but not secure enough for me. I'm leaning toward the straps at the moment. Chris
Click to expand...
You got that right Chris. Do not rely solely on bungee. Don't ask me how I know. :oops: Suffice it to say that my personal experience was quite harrowing to say the least. Now when we're underway, I do use bungee but also long dock line to really secure the dinghy to to the grab rails.
Click to expand...
I was out with a friend on a Noric Tug The seas were north at 8ft swells, short intervals and twenty knot southerly(lots of chop). Having to climb out to secure the raft was just not right. Should have double checked the lines!
We were not in any trouble and the kids were having fun jumping at the top of the swells but still going out to secure the raft in weather was not the best.
Chris
 
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.
 
When i cant find a nail or Susan hides my hammer I use the ratchet straps. I tow the 27 down the interstate at 70 with the dinghy on the roof and have never had a problem, well not counting the pump flying off the roof. It was not tied down :shock: Do not be afraid of really tightening the ratchet's down. Its not going to hurt the dinghy.
 
Adeline":cg18067l said:
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.
Click to expand...

I'm leery of letting weight accumulate up high on a boat. In good weather, close to shore, maybe.
 
I bought a set of four ratchet straps made by snap on for 20 bucks at Costco. They have coated hook that should not damage the fiberglass roof overhang.
They look like pretty good quality to me and have a good release that fits your fingers. They are much better than the standard ratchet. Looks like a final solution to me. Thank you all for your impute....its just not as simple a problem as it appears at first blush. Doing it right is never out of fashion
Chris
 
Watch the plastic covering on the ratchet straps hooks. The edge of the fiberglass overhang may be sharp enough to cut into the plastic coating, and then eventually allow the glass to chip. If doing it this way, I would put a piece of flexible vinyl between the hooks and the fiberglass. Outdoor carpet might work here also.
 
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