Docking and Tying

[littlebill31]

I have seen a lot of people tying their boats up using lines and weight. They run a line from the cleat, thru a pully and to somekind of weighted object (old metal, weights ect.) in the slip. Is this a good way to tie up your boat? Pros and Cons? And how do you get it right? I live on Indian River Bay, Delaware and it is tidal water. Seems like a great idea instead of having to readjust the lines due to tides. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rbh]

Re: Docking and Tying

I can see problems if the dock doesnt move up and down with the tides.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Docking and Tying

This is a LONG established method. The 'pros' are that the boat can be set to stay well away from the pier when you are not there, and you just need to pull it in ato get aboard, and the lines 'self adjust' for the tide rise & fall (all pretty obvious). The big 'minus' is that you ned to make sure you have enough weight hanging so that the boat can not get blown back against the pier (or over against another boat) in any kind of a storm. Its pretty easy to set up, just make sure that the weights can't sit on the bottom at high tide, and you can still get the boat pulled in at low tide without the weights 'two-blocking' against the pulleys. Sometimes the height of the pilings, tide rise & fall, and the depth of water combine to make this set-up not really workable.

--- and the lighter and smaller the boat, the better this works. I don't think I'd use it for boats over maybe 17' with a fairly 'conservative' size engine. As the weight of the boat goes up the hanging weights really need to increase in size to a point that they start getting unmanageable.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Docking and Tying

Been doing that for years (tidal water in Virginia). I use old sash weights on stainless cable until you get through the pulley, then rope. I don't trust rope under water.
It's OK if the weight sits on the bottom; in fact the boat can swing more freely that way. I think that's better than having the weight constantly pulling against the boat's tackle. then, when you get some wind against it, the weight takes out a lot of shock.
You'd be surprised how little weight you need to hold a boat against the wind. Think about when you pull a boat in against the wind. Talking about 17' or less. A lot depends on the orientation of your mooring as to prevailnig wind and length of the fetch.
Of course, if you have a storm, you want a fixed line as a back-up.
You can also use a pulley system, often tied off to a wire that's higher than the boat.

 

[Dick Sorensen]

Re: Docking and Tying

I'd suggest you introduce yourself to some of the boaters on the dock and ask for their advice. It's generally referred to as "local knowledge"..... ie: mooring in your area is different than mooring requirments/needs on Cape Cod, etc. I've found that boaters will generally jump thru hoops to help with info, advice and even installation. I remember we blew out a gas line and a passer-by jumped in...took us to his boat....pulled out all the materials needed and fabricated a whole new line.....for free! Hope this helps.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Docking and Tying

agreed.... sidenote... it's not often that the reply button sticks with an 8 hour gap