Low tide docking question - bow to the end of the dock?

[nycdad]

Hello

I'm currently docking my 23' cobalt at my home dock. Due to the tides and depth of the water, I can't go in or out at low tide, usually need to want an hour to 90 minutes before/after to get in or out. Yes my boat is a bit on the mud in low tide (trimmed up, prop still underwater). Not ideal but not complaining

Someone told that if I come in at low tide and can't get the boat to the side of the dock, one option I have is to get the bow to the far end of the dock, tie up bow to piling (or dock cleat) and then drop an anchor off the stern... then leave it there until the tide is up and i can pull it around. This will leave the prop etc 20' further out and just give me some additional water that might be needed,.

I've never actually seen anyone do this, but it seems quite feasible. Was wondering what the mechanics are, process, cons, etc? What equipment do I need (I currently only have the bow anchor). Obviously this would just be temporary, once the tide has risen far enough I'd move it to the permanent spot.

Thank you!

M

 

[Scott Danforth]

not sure what your tide range is or where you live. However ideally you would have a lift, or a longer dock. if you are in a channel, or ICW, not sure what the local mooring laws are in your area, however you may not be able to tie it off as you described as you may impinge traffic.

however there would be nothing wrong with tying it off as described.

the place my father had throughout the 90's had to be polled out about 100' from shore to be deep enough to drop the outdrive and not hit rocks. Coming in, we would simply line up approach, key off and trim up as we coasted to the dock.

 

[tpenfield]

For a stern anchor . . . it is pretty simple.

Anchor (typically can be the next size smaller than the bow anchor)
Chain (5-6 feet should do it)
Line 50 feet or so.

I also have to believe that you could probably get the boat at least 1/2 way along side the dock, at which point you can cleat at the bow and mid-ship to keep the boat from swinging away from the dock, etc.

It is always a good idea to have a stern anchor regardless of this particular need.

 

[nycdad]

not sure what your tide range is or where you live. However ideally you would have a lift, or a longer dock. if you are in a channel, or ICW, not sure what the local mooring laws are in your area, however you may not be able to tie it off as you described as you may impinge traffic.

however there would be nothing wrong with tying it off as described.

the place my father had throughout the 90's had to be polled out about 100' from shore to be deep enough to drop the outdrive and not hit rocks. Coming in, we would simply line up approach, key off and trim up as we coasted to the dock.

Thanks Scott. Lift is not really going to pass the wife factor, and regardless, that would limit my time out more I believe since the lift further reduces the draft. Longer dock, not happening where I am Being that I'm not in a channel - my dock is off to the side of a cove - not worried about marine traffic. Is it considered mooring if I do what I suggest above - i.e. drop the anchor off the stern? Even if there were regulations, can't imagine it would be a problem if it's just temporary as i wait for the tide to flow.

Tpenfield - I haven't yet tried to come in during low tide...trying like hell to avoid it... but also trying to know the options I have for the inevitable time when it does happen. Getting half way alongside the dock may be possible too, and then temporarily tying bow and mid. Would I be able to do that off the same cleat on the dock?

 

[NHGuy]

You would want two cleats.pilings or something solid on the dock to attach to. If you put the bow and midship line to the same cleat the boat would pivot around the single attach point.

 

[GA_Boater]

With half the boat at the dock, if the dock has cleats on both sides, you could tie the bow off on the near side and the midship to the far side cleat. Better yet would be to add a cleat so a dock line isn't stretched across the dock and it would hold the boat better than a cross-dock line.

 

[Watermann]

I would use an anchor bungee, drop iron, drive bow to dock and feather out the bow line until the boat is pulled back out to deeper water by the bungee.

"Anchor Buddy makes anchoring offshore much easier by taking the shock out of your anchor line. All you have to do is drop anchor about 30' out, proceed to shore, and Anchor Buddy stretches, while your anchor stays set. As you play out your bow line, Anchor Buddy retracts, anchoring your boat safely offshore"

http://www.iboats.com/Poly-Covered-B...iew_id.1144203

 

[dingbat]

I'm having a hard time envisioning the situation. If you can get the bow to the dock, what's keeping you from pulling the stern along side?
My bf's dock is knee deep at low tide. The Grady drafts 14" with motor up. Can usually get close enough to throw a dock line, raise the motor and pull the stern to the dock. No way it's getting on the lift