Docking/mooring

[Beefer]

Need some help figuring out how I should tie off to my dock. I rent a non-floating dock from a private party, and currently use davits for my 16' Bayliner. It works fine, although I must admit, watching your boat hang from a couple of cables can be a little unnerving, especially when it's a Bayliner and I have this fear the bow and transom eyes are going to pull out from undiscovered rot (I have little to no faith in this boat).

It looks like I'll be getting a significantly heavier 20' boat, that I don't trust the davits to support, so I'm going to have to tie up. I've always dealt with floating docks, not stationary docks. The dock and pilings have no cleats, and I'm not sure how to secure the boat. Do I tie off to one cleat, around a piling, then over to another cleat? Do I get cleats for the dock (owner's ok with that), and tie off with enough slack to allow for tidal changes? Tide differential is about 4' or maybe even less during normal tides. Or do I tie directly to a piling or the dock?

I know someone out there has this setup, and I need your input. Thanks!

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Docking/mooring

Look up on how to tie a spring line [ SP ] .

 

[Beefer]

Re: Docking/mooring

About 2 mins after posting this, I remembered I was smart enough to buy a Chapman. Not smart enough to read it when I need to, but at least I remembered! Yeah, I couldn't remember the name 'spring line', but I think that's what I had pictured in my head.

Thanks

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Docking/mooring

There are hundreds of ways to moor a boat and no one here can advise you without knowing how your pilings, piers and finger piers (if any) are set up. Set-ups include using pulleys and weights with pulleys.

A 4' tide is challenging. Didn't know they had them in Florida. You have to tie up so that you don't touch wood in any tide and any wind.

talk to people in your area who moor their boats. Ride around and look at how people have their boats tied. If you see them on their pier, stop and ask them.

Don't fret about your eyes. If you can't pull them out by hand, they aren't going anywhere unless you have a hurricane.

Consider leaving your lines on the pilings so you don't have to worry about setting it up right each time. You can tie around the piling with a bowline (knot) or clove hitch. At least drive a large nail on the back side of the piling to keep the line from sliding down the piling; a wooden chock is better and your owner shouldn't mind.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking/mooring

There is a product that resembles an aluminum 'I' channel. One attaches to each piling and the boat is tied off to it. As the tide rises and falls, the rollers move up and down the channel.

It's more expensive (but when it comes to boating, the cost is no longer important! ), but it's worth it. I wouldn't think the dock owner would mind since it will increase the value of his dock.

If I can find a link, I'll post it.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Docking/mooring

This one is called a Tide Slide, but there are others out there as well. Various designs and prices. Or create your own...