Mooring to pilings in tidal area

[Sac-O-Suds]

Any hints would be appreciated on how to moor in a slip where the tidal range is approximately 5-6 feet. Others appear to use dock lines which are on pulleys with weights on the bottom. The boat is a 20 ft runabout with 8 1/2 foot beam. Due to tidal range, I don't think I can tie off the boat so that there is sufficient slack to handle the tides, but also prevent the boat from hitting the pilings.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Mooring to pilings in tidal area

It depends on where the pilings are located with respect to the bow and stern. <br /><br />I have a 5' tide range and I crisscross the 2 bow lines and stern lines. I also added spring lines with tie offs to amidship cleats.<br /><br />The bow and stern lines are tied to the pilings at approx mid tide level,the crossing prevents the boat from moving left or right when the wind or tide does a push,the stern lines stop the boat from moving too far forward. <br /><br />In my case I have a floating dock at stern,and I built a hinged walkway to board the boat.Every one does it a little different, look at the method others use in the marina.

 

[Tinman]

Re: Mooring to pilings in tidal area

I live in an area with 33'+ tides... all our dock pilings are smooth steel, most people just run lines from bow and stern out around the piling and back to the boat cleat. <br /><br />As Persuit mentioned though, "when in Rome do as the Romans do"<br /><br />Tinman