HISC command change Circle raft

[Kerry13709]

Hi to all,I thought I would share the image of my sailing club's annual command change Circle Raft. This is the forth year for the event, and my second in attendance. We had 65 boats in the circle this year, a club record. It is held in Boca Lake, just inside the Boca inlet.

 

[Rick D]

OK, I'm Impressed! *pop

nm

 

[Tom S]

Thats pretty cool.

How do the do that? Is it for aft anchor for the lead boat and then everyone rafts up around them and then gets out in a dink and drops more fore and aft anchors?Do you schedule it when you almost certain when the winds are going to be light and cancel if anything blows through? Do you stay hooked up all night?

 

[Brian D]

Do you do this...

Because for safety from an Indian attack? Or do you do this because the TV reception is better?

 

[Ross]

This is for people that have been

everywhere and done everything else. OR maybe it is because the anchorage was too crowded and they used parking lot attendents for crew. "Ed, can you get one more in there?"

 

[Andy]

Good job Kerry, now what's the procedure

They've razzed you about this, but it is actual pretty neat. I would like for you to explain your process/precedures.

 

[Kerry13709]

Procedure

About 10 or so boats arrive at the scene the night before to secure the area. They do this by putting a boat on each quadrant, and (guessing since I have not attended that part) inform other boaters in the area of the plan. The "Raft Master" schedules the rest of us starting the next morning and through out the day a time and spot in the circle. He has a crew of dingy helpers to position you next to boat you raft up to. It is built in four sections, rafting and setting fore and aft anchors as needed. When all boats have arrived, and are in place, lines are extended from the four sections, and the raft is closed. And we do stay the night rafted in the circle. We did have a wind shift and stronger winds come up that forced the side I was on to start a few "ingins" and push our side back out while the dingy crew on the out side came around and put a few more anchors out. Really a fun event to watch develop.