Newb question-tying up in slip

[skargo]

I have a transient slip for this weekend, which will give us a front row seat at the fireworks.

What's the best way to tie up in a slip? I'm assuming 4 lines, criss-crossed?

Any help is much appreciated, please save me from looking like a buffoon, oh wait, too late

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

i used 2 spring lines on each side or crossed front to back as you stated.
i like to back in and that puts my swim platform next to the dock and i can step on and off and any movement of my boat is up and down. this makes it much easier as i am infirm and have balance problems.

that said i was the only boat in the marina that used this configuration. all other boats pretty much used 2 bow lines and 2 stern lines off each corner of boat

 

[Brokenjaw]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

I tie up anywhere from 150 to 200 boats a season

6 Lines

4 15'
2 20' to 25'

2 Bow (15')
2 Stern (15')
2 Spring (20') if you have mid ship cleats (25') if you don't.

Start with the bow lines. Get yourself close to the dock and temp tie off in a criss cross with 2 15's,this is to keep the boat floating out of the slip

Next the spring lines. Start on port.
If you have mid ship cleats loop the line under and back over the cleat, walk the line to the bow and and half wrap it around the piling. Now with the line in your right hand push back towards the dock, let the line run through your hand and grab the other side of the line (from cleat that runs to piling) when you are about 2' from dock. Pull on BOTH sides of the line to get away from the dock, now, wrap the line once around the piling, make a half hitch, wrap again as many times as you can to leave yourself enough line to do 3 more half hitches.
Repeat this for the Starboard side.
If you don't have mid ship cleats, then use 25' to the stern cleats, but do the same process as above.

Now for your bow lines.
Left cleat, left piling.
Loop 15' under over on cleat, half wrap piling, push to starboard, stop boat 1' from piling, pull back and tie off like spring.
Repeat for starboard.
Bow, adjust temp tie off, pull boat back until spring is taught, then let out and tie off.

Done properly should take no more then 20 to 30 minutes.
Or just give a dock hand 20 bucks and he will do it for you.

 

[salty87]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

i'm going to say alot depends on your slip. i'd want the stern to the fireworks show if possible.

bring several short lines and plenty of bumpers. make sure you know a couple good knots and double-check anything anyone else does. then double check your stuff.

 

[arks]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

Skargo-
When you arrive, just copy how boats in adjacent slips are secured. Your biggest issue will be how much to allow for tidal change, which is about 2' in that area.
When I tie up at a new place I ususally re-check the lines at the next hi/low tide and adjust as needed.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

Skargo-
When you arrive, just copy how boats in adjacent slips are secured. Your biggest issue will be how much to allow for tidal change, which is about 2' in that area.
When I tie up at a new place I usually re-check the lines at the next hi/low tide and adjust as needed.

this is probably the best idea

if you don't have a good boat hook GET ONE. worth its weight in tight quarters

also if you don't use your cleats like this, be sure and check them and make sure there tight before hand. a fellow on on the same dock i was on last winter tied off only to have his boat float in to the dock. one front cleat fell off and the other one was loose

 

[skargo]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

Thanks guys!

 

[skargo]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

OK, I have one bow cleat, and 2 stern cleats. I have a boat hook. I will be doing this alone, and it's my first time.
How the hell do you get a hold of the pilings for the bow, if indeed it's the type of slip I am thinking of. I have a cuddy and there's no getting on the bow when I'm alone, unless I crawl through my hatch.

 

[arks]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

Easy. As you back into the slip, stop the boat so one of the pilings is within easy reach from the SIDE of your boat. After securing that line to the piling, hold the bitter end and push the boat across the slip to the other piling. Take BOTH lines to the bow and secure them to the bow cleat, then back her on in!

I'll be at the marina today at 9AM.
If it will help you, give me a (phone) call and I'll be happy to crew for you into the slip- seriously!
Rob

 

[skargo]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

Thanks Rob, I will contact you one way or the other

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

skargo; i single hand 3/4 of the time I'm out. this is just one of the reasons i back in. if its still i can back close enough to the dock finger and cut the engine. then with the boat hook reach out and catch the dock and pull, push or do what ever it takes to work in to the slip by hand. if I'm alone i never try to drive all the way in. when you do drive in you have to stop and get a hook or line out real quick any way or you drift off any way. by boat hooking in by hand you have much more control and run into a lot less stuff (trust me on this one) as you cuddy has limited bow excess so does my boat. i would also add that i have come in in weather single handed and have been really lucky to have someone on the dock help or been able to come in the with wind or current and drift in holding boat off the dock with my boat hook
this picture shows the crossed lines if you can look close. it was taken just after we slipped so the bumpers ain't out yet. this is 2 boat per finger slip so will have to run a bow and stern line out to keep from drifting to port in this pic. in a single boat slip i get by quit well with 4 crossed lines. one thing i told you in the first Post was i crossed bow and stern lines. after thinking its stern and midship cleats as in the pic. when in a storm i do put out 2 more slack lines on bow and stern to each side for safety and to protect against bumping port or starboard side as in a heavy wind with the 4 crossed lines you can drift from side to side. this will still limit most of the boat movement to up and down and keep the boat from snapping against the lines in heavy weather as i have seen other boats do. i haven't had it rub the dock yet but when the dock is going up and down a foot or better from the waves and the wind is blowing 50 mph + gusts better safe. when the wind doe's blow it to one side the bow-stern lines take the slack and keep it from rubbing. this was in a single boat finger.

as far as backing in and looking at fireworks thats the way i would do it but my boat has better seating looking forward off the bow and the kids like to lay a towel on the front deck and lay back against the wind shield



hope this helps you confidence

 

[skargo]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

It went pretty well. I figured on having to use my own lines. I did use one, but the other 3 are the marinas.It was also against a bulkhead and has a finger pier to port. I was expecting just pilings. Made it a lot easier for me.

Now if it's still there tomorrow, all will be good

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

glad it worked out for you

by the way i'm not trying to pad my post count

 

[skargo]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

jaxnjil, you were a huge help, thanks.

Not sure why the way I face would matter much we can spin the seats, and it's just my wife and I. The fireworks will be launched to port from us anyway, no choice in the matter.

 

[mhlbnghm]

Re: Newb question-tying up in slip

Now, if you'd bought a w h i t e boat you would've already known all that.

MB