Side tie dock

Blueone

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Jan 24, 2007
13,694
Lake Erie, Ohio
Boat Info
2004 420 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 6CTA 450's
This coming summer we are in a new Marina that is all side tie. I really don't like this setup so I am wondering if there is anything out there that will help keep the boat off the jetty with out using traditional bumpers. The wind is all over the place. It's either pushing the boat away or on the dock.

The jetty is floating and the deck is about 18" off the water. They have 4"x 4" posts every 12' that are attached to the Jetty.

I have seen these post covers below that would have the rub rail against the bumper and I have seen the spring rods.....is their anything else out there?... Or if I have no ther options what is the best thing to use to rub up against the rub rail?

image.jpeg
 
I've seen some fiberglass whips (think a long fishing rod) that hold a boat off the dock but I'm not sure if they would work for a boat as large as yours. I think they're mostly for ski and wakeboard size boats.
 
some people use old fire hoses with stainless screws that attach them to the fender piling. Works very well but needs to be replaced each year if you are in an active basin. Screws attach the hose well away from where they could damage your rub rail. No fan of side ties but we go to one marina that has this protection and it works very well.
 
If you get right down to it, your stainless rub rail is harder than the 4x4. I've never had a rail scratched rubbing up against wood. It can be noisy in a blow which is why you see people use protective devices. If you don't sleep on the boat while it is in the slip, you don't really need to worry about the boat rubbing on the spring pile if you are in a protected marina.
 
I've seen some fiberglass whips (think a long fishing rod) that hold a boat off the dock but I'm not sure if they would work for a boat as large as yours. I think they're mostly for ski and wakeboard size boats.
I call them spring rods... I think I would have to ask the Marina if it's okay to fasten them to the dock.... And your right they would have to be substantial
 
Two horizontal boards each with 2 bumpers behind them next to hull. They hang off the side of the boat with the board centered on each piling. Dock and spring lines attached to the main dock to keep the boat from moving fore and aft.
 
I call them spring rods... I think I would have to ask the Marina if it's okay to fasten them to the dock.... And your right they would have to be substantial
They do make them for a boat your size. I'v seen one or two around here. I think you would need to be in a protected basin to be really safe from a pole fracturing. We get 2-3 foot wakes in our slip and I would not trust them in our situation.
 
some people use old fire hoses with stainless screws that attach them to the fender piling. Works very well but needs to be replaced each year if you are in an active basin. Screws attach the hose well away from where they could damage your rub rail. No fan of side ties but we go to one marina that has this protection and it works very well.
I get this because anything with a cushion would run against the fiberglass if a hard wind
 
Two horizontal boards each with 2 bumpers behind them next to hull. They hang off the side of the boat with the board centered on each piling. Dock and spring lines attached to the main dock to keep the boat from moving fore and aft.
I think a round piece of 3” pvc pipe maybe 3’ long would work better than a board. You could drill holes in the pvc and run your bumper cords through the holes in the pipe and let that ride on the post with a bumper on each side. Could even cover the pvc with fire hose.
 
I think a round piece of 3” pvc pipe maybe 3’ long would work better than a board. You could drill holes in the pvc and run your bumper cords through the holes in the pipe and let that ride on the post with a bumper on each side. Could even cover the pvc with fire hose.
What are these "bumpers" that you guys speak of?
 
Question, not totally clear about floating versus fixed dock.

Posting I got the impression of floating, when I looked at the picture, looked fixed.

Could you clarify?

We tend to be much more side tie than slip. Have learned a lot about the tie up.

Larger boats do better than small boats. Small boat, yes get the whips. 40ft and above, forget the whips, they are a waste.

Approach to the tie up is different for floating versus fixed docks.
 
This coming summer we are in a new Marina that is all side tie. I really don't like this setup so I am wondering if there is anything out there that will help keep the boat off the jetty with out using traditional bumpers. The wind is all over the place. It's either pushing the boat away or on the dock.

The jetty is floating and the deck is about 18" off the water. They have 4"x 4" posts every 12' that are attached to the Jetty.

I have seen these post covers below that would have the rub rail against the bumper and I have seen the spring rods.....is their anything else out there?... Or if I have no ther options what is the best thing to use to rub up against the rub rail?

View attachment 63981
I carry some of those canvas covered things. I tie up to some real cobbled up docks sometimes, they come in handy. Like you it's always about protecting the blue. At my home marina I use Taylormade Flat Fenders on the upright posts. They are tied to the post and the rub rail is all that makes contact. My dock doesn't float but it's on 20' I-beams that give, the posts on the dock give, and the Flat Fender has a little squish. Strong east winds rock/bounce the boat around pretty good but the actual impact between fender and rub rail amounts to nothing.

With the right motion those canvas ones can make squeaking noises, the flat fenders never do. I've been using both these types for about 15 years and like them.
4.jpg
 
I've used fender boards and they work great. 1"x6" lumber is a good size and, unless they're going to be left outside to get rained on, don't have to be pressure treated.

When I made mine I tied the lines from the board to the lines holding the fenders. I see a plus in doing it that way vs his way in that the fenders can't move. A minus in doing it that way is you have to haul the board and fenders back onboard when you're doing using them so it's more awkward and hard to store unless you take it apart. I think I like his method better.
 

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