Best Knot to Permanently Tie to Piling

rh320

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Mar 2, 2018
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I recently bought a 320 Sundancer. It will be my first boat left in a wet slip. I will be moving it to the its new home in late April and I was wondering what is the best knot to permanently tie to a piling? Do you use bow, stern and springlines? When you leave the slip for the day do you just drop your bowlines in the water? I would be worried that the line might float out into the slip, neighboring slip or fairway which could cause obvious problems?
 
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I recently bought a 320 Sundancer. It will be my first boat left in a wet slip. I will be moving it to the its new home in late April and I was wondering what is the best knot to permanently tie to a piling?
Bowline
 
the bowline knot is the strongest knot. I personally use a clove hitch with two half hitches for all of my lines and lay them on the dock when I untie. Never in the water.
 
I use a bow, stern and spring line.

Bow and stern lines come with me when I leave the slip, but I like to leave the spring line on the dock so it’s always at the right length when I return. It’s also the first line attached upon return so my platform can’t hit the sea wall while making the rest secure.

Spring line is coiled and stowed on the dock safely. Not a good idea to just drop lines in the water and take off for many reasons.
 
the bowline knot is the strongest knot. I personally use a clove hitch with two half hitches for all of my lines and lay them on the dock when I untie. Never in the water.

Thanks!

My problem is that I am in a 45-50' slip but only have a 35.5' LOA. I have finger pier out to the first piling but the next piling is way out there with no access and no place to put a line. Also not sure how I can take the bow lines with me if they are permanently secured to the piling and if I could take it with me then what happens if my neighboring slips bow lines are permanently secured above mine?
 
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I use a bow, stern and spring line.

Bow and stern lines come with me when I leave the slip, but I like to leave the spring line on the dock so it’s always at the right length when I return. It’s also the first line attached upon return so my platform can’t hit the sea wall while making the rest secure.

Spring line is coiled and stowed on the dock safely. Not a good idea to just drop lines in the water and take off for many reasons.

Thanks!

My problem is that I am in a 45-50' slip but only have a 35.5' LOA. I have finger pier out to the first piling but the next piling is way out there with no access and no place to put a line. Also not sure how I can take the bow lines with me if they are permanently secured to the piling and if I could take it with me then what happens if my neighboring slips bow lines are permanently secured above mine?
 
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Setup house lines that you will leave at the dock and have a separate set to travel with.

Each slip has it's own personality and you will need to address it when you're boat is there. For example, I am on a floating dock and would tie differently if I was on a fixed bulkhead.

I would take a look at how others tie up and ask for advice. I am sure there will be plenty of people offering help.

-Kevin
 
Thanks, Fred. I recently added to the question. Maybe you could be of further help?
Use a hook or nail to keep your lines out of the water when you are away. I use spring lines and stern lines crossed, but it depends on your slip . Use fenders where appropriate .
 
I use a double half hitch on the outside piling because this knot allows for easy adjustments each year as water levels change. I drilled holes in the pilings and screwed vinyl covered hooks into the holes. The hooks hold the lines and keep them out of the water. Our boat is secured with a four way tie and sprung for and aft. Stern lines are crossed. All dock side lines lay on the dock when we travel. For traveling, we have complete lines for all foreseeable docks, and extras should a neighbor need help securing a boat that might damage ours.
 
IMG_2858.JPG
 
I use a double half hitch on the outside piling because this knot allows for easy adjustments each year as water levels change. I drilled holes in the pilings and screwed vinyl covered hooks into the holes. The hooks hold the lines and keep them out of the water. Our boat is secured with a four way tie and sprung for and aft. Stern lines are crossed. All dock side lines lay on the dock when we travel. For traveling, we have complete lines for all foreseeable docks, and extras should a neighbor need help securing a boat that might damage ours.

Thanks for the response and the picture!
 
We're lucky to have floating docks with plenty of heavy duty cleats. I have one set of lines on the cleats and lots of dock lines of various lengths that I carry with me on the boat.

I use two bow lines (one to each side of the slip), a spring line aft from each of the forward cleats, midship lines that go almost straight to the cleats nearest them on the docks, one long spring line from a cleat on the dock to my aft cleat, then four lines at the stern--two to the dock behind the boat, two to the fingers on each side.

That setup of lines keeps the boat centered in the slip so it won't rub against any of the fenders on the docks. It can't be pushed around much by the wind, no matter the direction or force of the wind.
 
We're lucky to have floating docks with plenty of heavy duty cleats. I have one set of lines on the cleats and lots of dock lines of various lengths that I carry with me on the boat.

I use two bow lines (one to each side of the slip), a spring line aft from each of the forward cleats, midship lines that go almost straight to the cleats nearest them on the docks, one long spring line from a cleat on the dock to my aft cleat, then four lines at the stern--two to the dock behind the boat, two to the fingers on each side.

That setup of lines keeps the boat centered in the slip so it won't rub against any of the fenders on the docks. It can't be pushed around much by the wind, no matter the direction or force of the wind.

I like e setup to be able to keep the boat from rubbing against the fenders! I originally wanted a floating slip but I absolutely did notwant to go to the one marina near me with them! And I suppose it will be better for me to learn to tie up in a traditional slip since I'm new to this style of boating. I'm sure it will serve me well in the future!
 
Once you have a floating pier, you
Won’t go back, depending on the slip, you wouldn’t need fenders
 
Once you have a floating pier, you
Won’t go back, depending on the slip, you wouldn’t need fenders

Doozie, I believe that. I really wanted a floating pier! I see you are on the Middle River. I entertained Summit North on the C&D because of their floating piers but I have a friend there and they don't speak highly of that place and it seems as if a lot of people don't. I love the Bay Bridge Marina but I don't want to drive that far until I get a much bigger and more comfortable boat to weekend on because of the drive. I know Osprey Point has floating slips and I think I heard floating slips are coming to Tolchester soon so idk maybe I need to look around a little more before leasing a slip.
 
Tolchester already has floating slips and they adding another pier which should be ready shortly.
 

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