We have a 1986 Hunter 34. The top of the stanchions stick out about 2 1/2 inches wider than the hull. When there is a strong west wind (also compounded by our prop walk), we get blown into the pelican pole when leaving and coming into our slip. In the past, we just kind of rubbed and got past it. but now with Lake Michigan water levels about 2 feet higher, our stanchion at the beam gets caught on the cleat on the pelican pole. It bent it about 5 inches. We purchased a new one but are wondering what we can do to avoid this in the future. We don't want to also bend the new one. The cleat sticks out about 2 1/2 inches. We need something at least 5 inches between the boat hull and the pole to keep from getting caught.
higher water levels cause stanchions to catch on pelican pole cleat
- Thread starter Sailorgal49
- Start date
Seems like a fender could work, but post a photo of the stanchion and toe rail, I'm having a hard time picturing it. Thanks!
I thought it was just me. I'd like to see it too. "fenders" was my thought as well.
Okaay.. The base of the stanchion is not horizontal. It is sloped with the deck, so the stanchion is not vertical.. it slopes outboard a couple of inches at top and as in this picture, it can easily catch on pilings etc and get bent just as mine is, damnit. You can see the second stanchion is vertical, the base of which shows the bending it got when it caught on a piling. you can see the ones forward of the bent one leaning outward a bit. It would take something about 8-10 inches in diameter, like a big bumper hanging horizontally, to stop them from catching.
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I think the layout is understandable. Just not sure why a correctly positioned fender couldn't protect the boat from a cleat?
2 1/2" does seem like a lot. Often the stanchion bases are angled slightly so they point straight up or slightly inboard. Flat bases will angle out but usually not that far. Perhaps these are angled bases but some PO has turned them around the other way?
I've never heard them called that either. Not too many pelicans on Lake Michigan, though there is a small colony of them on Green Bay.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,390
I can understand the concern now that I see a picture. Life lines look a bit like the out stretched fingers of a baseball glove. I always tried to form my glove around the ball by wrapping it, getting the fingers to bend in so I would catch and hold more fly balls.
Why can't you measure the angle and take the stantions to a pipe fitter or metal shop and have them tweek the poles so they stand verticle. Would be a bend about 2 inches above the base fitting. Seems a straight forward fix. The benefit would provide nothing hanging out beyond the boat edge and when going forward to the bow might be a bit easier to grab the life line on those slanted decks.
Why can't you measure the angle and take the stantions to a pipe fitter or metal shop and have them tweek the poles so they stand verticle. Would be a bend about 2 inches above the base fitting. Seems a straight forward fix. The benefit would provide nothing hanging out beyond the boat edge and when going forward to the bow might be a bit easier to grab the life line on those slanted decks.
We have pelicans in the migration season but they don't sit on poles. 
I'm guessing they are dock pilings.
I'm guessing they are dock pilings.
here is our local pelican chow hound
this is Henry ....she hangs around the pier and waits on the cast net guys to feed her (yes her... they thought for a long time henry was a boy until HJ came along Henry Jr. )...she had a broken wing and a man rescued her ...bring her back to good repair ...he had a bicycle horn that he used to honk and she would come running if she was in earshot......this bird has some really good color and markings ....and is everyone's favorite here at the pier....i am about 24 inches from her win i took these.... this morning......but you have to be nice and slow to do this if she doesn't recognize you or she will spook or even snap at you ....
edit: i will add that the light was not very good because of the overcast this morning ...i will get some better shots so you can see the good colors
this is Henry ....she hangs around the pier and waits on the cast net guys to feed her (yes her... they thought for a long time henry was a boy until HJ came along Henry Jr. )...she had a broken wing and a man rescued her ...bring her back to good repair ...he had a bicycle horn that he used to honk and she would come running if she was in earshot......this bird has some really good color and markings ....and is everyone's favorite here at the pier....i am about 24 inches from her win i took these.... this morning......but you have to be nice and slow to do this if she doesn't recognize you or she will spook or even snap at you ....
edit: i will add that the light was not very good because of the overcast this morning ...i will get some better shots so you can see the good colors
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A pelican standing or roosting atop pier dolphins and dock/docking poles of residential-area canals, and elsewhere, is an iconic sight along the Gulf coast, at least. So much so that the City of St. Petersburg, FL has incorporated the image into its Seal of the City and its advertisers into their touristy banners, so the term "pelican pole" might have come into use around there (or even independently in a number of communities). It's as good a name for 'em as any! Of course, that does not answer the question of how to keep the stanchion of a Florida-built boat from fouling the "cleat" of a Florida-esque "pelican pole" in Lake Michigan?
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