Tying up to another boat

[Budds'Outlet]

Unless I was aware that it is normal for boats to tie up on top of each other at a particular eatery or anchorage (this was the case at Red Eye's Dock Bar in Kent Narrows, MD), I'd completely flip if I came back and found someone rafted to me. But that's just me.

That's also the policy at the Tides Tavern docks in Gig Harbor, WA, an extremely popular boating destination in Puget Sound.

 

[berth control]

When I was new to boating I did not understand that all those people rafted up are NOT just strangers, at least not most of the time. There are festivals, ect. where that is the norm, but where I boat people get pretty pissed if you just tie up to them, or some times even if you ask. Whenever possible I just drop my own anchor. If someone wants to tie up I never turn them away.

Also, Julie brings up a good point about spring lines, I like to tie at least one line from the bow of my boat to the stern of the next boat to keep them in place fore and aft. Usually that is enough since I am usually the only one who let out enough anchor line to actually hold us in place!

 

[JV II]

Also, Julie brings up a good point about spring lines, I like to tie at least one line from the bow of my boat to the stern of the next boat to keep them in place fore and aft. Usually that is enough since I am usually the only one who let out enough anchor line to actually hold us in place!

I would be very careful about lashing adjacent bow-bow and stern-stern cleats. Double spring lines are better with stern lines tied port-port or starboard-starboard. Dock lines are elastic, but only over a length of several feet, not inches. When you lash stern cleat to stern cleat and wave or wake action rocks the boats, you risk at best weakening and cracking your fiberglass and gelcoat and at worse pulling a cleat out. The larger boat always wins the tug of war.

 

[Summerwind]

I only raft-up with people I know. We use 1 anchor front and rear for every 3 boats with increased rode scope. I also think that tying-up and rafting up protocol changes regionally.

 

[billandamy]

First boat there (usually us!) throws out their anchor then backs up to the sand bar. I then use my "dog leash screw" off the stern as the sandbar is hard sand...perfect. I then tighten up the anchor and adjust the stern Screw.

Walla, nice and tight and a good starting point. As each boat joins, the do practically the same, but only as far as the anchor off the front. After another couple of boats (3 or more) we throw out another stern screw.

In between boats, we leave a little slack and 2-3 fenders between (depending on size)

 

[JV II]

First boat there (usually us!) throws out their anchor then backs up to the sand bar. I then use my "dog leash screw" off the stern as the sandbar is hard sand...perfect. I then tighten up the anchor and adjust the stern Screw.

+1, except my stern line is hooked to a Fortress anchor dug into the sand far up the beach. See the lines in the photo below. Nice and tight. The boat stays put for other rafters or use of the swim ladder.

 

[billandamy]

+1, except my stern line is hooked to a Fortress anchor dug into the sand far up the beach. See the lines in the photo below. Nice and tight. The boat stays put for other rafters or use of the swim ladder.

The danforth type anchors always seem to nip people in the feet...you never had that problem? Stepping on it?

What we do with the screws are, we dig a hole a few inches deep, then screw it into the ground deep, then cover it. Even if you step on it you would never feel it.

 

[Still LauCo]

We tie up with perfect strangers all the time, lots of times they become good friends! Here was our last World Record attempt, over 3,000 boats of choreographed fun!

 

[Kurt]

We often have people ask us to tie up. If the crew looks responsible and have fenders and lines out ready to go, there is no problem. If the incoming boat is not prepared I tell them to just keep going.