Pulling into your slip, piling protecting?

mnm99

mnm99

Well-Known Member
Oct 2, 2015
2,447
Long Island
Boat Info
2004 340 SeaRay Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Merc
How many of you have to pull into your slip between 2 pilings? Where I am These sometimes save me in high winds. Resting the stern on one and backing in. What many do is wrap them with carpet to protect there boat from barnacles, but this only lasts a couple of years. Some use gym floor mats and they held up pretty good, but cost a lot if you don't know anyone throwing them away. I went and bought a couple of the 3" bumpers that run down the pole, but that only helps if you back straight in. Just wondering what you guys use? Here's a pic. I'm bored today..LOL Thanks
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Learned many years ago "The poles are your friend". I tried all that stuff over the years. It always gets messed up somehow. I now just live with the rub rail touching the pole every now and then. Never have done any harm. If I get a splinter around a screws I just clean it up.
 
I agree with Craig. At low speeds rubbing against a piling is not a worry for me. I've done much worse.

I have seen folks run a line from the piling to the dock to help against the winds. It's kept there all season.
 
There is also the cumbersome method of using a fender board. That’s a board hung horizontally with two fenders hung between the board and the hull. The board contacts the pole (or sea wall caisson). Friends who’ve done the Great Loop say they’re invaluable going through locks.
 
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Stainless steel is harder than treated pine piling. I never give it a thought when pulling into our slip. Boat is undamaged by the rub. The prevailing winds on our beam means this happens virtually everytime the boat leaves or pulls into the slip. The one thing I have learned from 45 years of power boating is to do a drive by of transient slips before puliing imto them. Many rental slips have nails and screws in them left over from carpets and other stuff that was put there to protect boats. When the carpet goes away the fasteners can play havoc with gel coat.
 
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Third Edition said:
I agree with Craig. At low speeds rubbing against a piling is not a worry for me. I've done much worse.

I have seen folks run a line from the piling to the dock to help against the winds. It's kept there all season.
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I totally agree and understand what you’re saying. But the barnacles on the lower pole always get me nervous when it’s low tide. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy knowing I’m rubbing up against something soft LOL. I also only have 3 inches on either side to squeeze into my slip between the poles.
 
The poles are Your friend as stated above.

Occasionally a “helpful” passenger onboard tries to push off the pole......even after being told to leave it alone..... hope you enjoyed YOUR last time on the boat.
 
Espos4 said:
The poles are Your friend as stated above.

Occasionally a “helpful” passenger onboard tries to push off the pole......even after being told to leave it alone..... hope you enjoyed YOUR last time on the boat.
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Guys..I'm not sure where this is going..." Enjoyed last time on my boat?"I know there my friend, I use them ect... I don't know what you do, but I NEVER ASK my passengers to push off a pole. Sorry, but your not stopping a 19000 pound boat. I don't need any broken bones or worse! If you are doing it , I would recommend you don't anymore. ,I was just asking if there was some type of coverings any of you put on them? As I stated, at low tide there are barnacles that build up and have to scrape them often. Yes I can pull pieces of wood out of my rub rail screws ect, but why should I if re is something I can cover the pole with! I have a 6 1/2 foot tide swing where I am.
 
mnm99 said:
Guys..I'm not sure where this is going..." Enjoyed last time on my boat?"I know there my friend, I use them ect... I don't know what you do, but I NEVER ASK my passengers to push off a pole. Sorry, but your not stopping a 19000 pound boat. I don't need any broken bones or worse! If you are doing it , I would recommend you don't anymore. ,I was just asking if there was some type of coverings any of you put on them? As I stated, at low tide there are barnacles that build up and have to scrape them often. Yes I can pull pieces of wood out of my rub rail screws ect, but why should I if re is something I can cover the pole with! I have a 6 1/2 foot tide swing where I am.
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Sorry to go off topic, its winter and I'm bored.

I specifically tell my passengers NOT to touch a pole. I thought that is what I was conveying in my last post. I agree, no way they are moving a heavy boat by hand.
 
Espos4 said:
Sorry to go off topic, its winter and I'm bored.

I specifically tell my passengers NOT to touch a pole. I thought that is what I was conveying in my last post. I agree, no way they are moving a heavy boat by hand.
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Yea long winter..I'm so sorry. re-read your post, i see that..LOL
 
One marina I stay in often as a transient just put in new pilings. They replaced the wooden pilings with rusty pipe. I had them put a PVC sleeve on the piling of the slip I always use, it's easier on the rub rail. I don't know anything about barnacles.
 
Woody said:
One marina I stay in often as a transient just put in new pilings. They replaced the wooden pilings with rusty pipe. I had them put a PVC sleeve on the piling of the slip I always use, it's easier on the rub rail. I don't know anything about barnacles.
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That's an idea also. Not sure about the barnacles also. It would be cool to put a say 10" ( would have to measure the pole) sleeve 8 feet long on the pole.
 
mnm99 said:
That's an idea also. Not sure about the barnacles also. It would be cool to put a say 10" ( would have to measure the pole) sleeve 8 feet long on the pole.
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Thought about the PVC yesterday but couldn't post. How about scuffing it up and painting the bottom portion with a good bottom paint to deter the barnacles before you install it?
(may need primer to get good adhesion)
 
mnm99 said:
That's an idea also. Not sure about the barnacles also. It would be cool to put a say 10" ( would have to measure the pole) sleeve 8 feet long on the pole.
Click to expand...
PVC over a steel piling is popular where we are. Never had a problem with them.
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mnm99 said:
How many of you have to pull into your slip between 2 pilings? Where I am These sometimes save me in high winds. Resting the stern on one and backing in. What many do is wrap them with carpet to protect there boat from barnacles, but this only lasts a couple of years. Some use gym floor mats and they held up pretty good, but cost a lot if you don't know anyone throwing them away. I went and bought a couple of the 3" bumpers that run down the pole, but that only helps if you back straight in. Just wondering what you guys use? Here's a pic. I'm bored today..LOL Thanks
View attachment 79657 View attachment 79658
Click to expand...

You made a good choice.
My dock is a side tie, not a back in slip, but I have the exact same Taylor Made Bumpers that you installed.
I put mine in with galvanized nails about 11 years ago and they work great.
My canal runs north to south and my property is on the east side. With the prevailing winds out of the southwest the bumpers get a good workout and never leave a mark on my rubrails.
I’ll be replacing them this spring because I’m getting my bulkhead done and will have new poles, but after 11 years the old ones still have plenty of life in them.
 
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