Protecting my Boat..

[TimCup]

So, Tonyb praised floating docks, while they were the scourge here in St. Pete... It got me thinking, wondering actually, about protecting my boats. My slip has two pilings in the rear of the slip that are about six feet above high tide, and two cleats on concrete dock walkway that are about 2 feet above high tide.

I'm tied off on the pilings about a foot from the top to maximize the usable height in a storm surge. Each piling is tied to the nearest aft cleat, with a spring line to the opposite, separate rear cleat. I have 4 forward lines tied off, 2 on separate cleats, and two combined on the sampson pole (that's what we call it on my bigger boat!).

My question is: what other ways can I tie off to maximize the boats security? Any tricks, ideas, etc? Some boatowners tie a line to the side ropes that separate the slips...why?

cup

 

[Hermit Scott]

storm prep

I asked that question not long ago. I would like to thank everyone on here for all the advice, Tony, Ross, Mainsail and everyone else that advised me. When Ike threatened Corpus I had a pretty good idea what to do. We got a little surge and some wind, but even if it had gotten worse I felt that I anchored my boat pretty soundly because of what all you told me.

 

[Hermit Scott]

storm prep

I asked that question not long ago. I would like to thank everyone on here for all the advice, Tony, Ross, Mainsail and everyone else that advised me. When Ike threatened Corpus I had a pretty good idea what to do. We got a little surge and some wind, but even if it had gotten worse I felt that I anchored my boat pretty soundly because of what all you told me.

 

[sailaway78]

I think I would

If I had only six feet of piling above high tide, and a big storm surge was expected, I would take my boat elsewhere. That just isn't enough height. If you have enough slack in your dock lines to allow for a big surge, in most non floating slips you will be beating and banging on the other side pilings. And the biggest problem with being in a marina, still is that if one boat gets loose it wreaks havoc, and I dare you to find a marina without at least one idiot, who hasn't a clue about securing his boat. During Katrina, was tied to my dock on one side, and anchored on the other. I had enough slack for a 20' surge, with the anchor rodes adjusted so the boat could not get on the dock. One line was a tad too short, and came over the top of a piling. Boat swung around 90 degrees or so, but the anchors held and fortunately didn't hurt anything. TonyB lost his boat, due to another boat coming loose. I would feel much better with my boat anchored out in a protected place, or tied to some trees in a back bayou, away from others. Then I would only have to worry about my own abilities to secure my boat.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Stand-offs

I'm back on my boat, all is OK except no electricity so I cant type too long.
I have used these before and they work quite well.
Picture this: A stand-off near top of piling and one as low as prastical on lower part of piling. These stand-offs are to hold a pipe in a vertical position from the top to the bottom. A solid steel ring slides up and down these pipes. You tie a rope to the ring and then cleat it off on your boat.
As the boat rises and falls with the tide, the ring will slide up and down the pipe. Put these stand-offs on all of your pilings.
This will also give you some extra height and also keep your boat centered in the slip as much as reasonably possible, except for some additional slack.
If this dont make sense to you, it is because I probably am not explaining it properly. If you need a sketch. I will make one for you.

Tony B

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Dock Risers

I was told today that the correct term for what I was calling 'stand-off's' is "Dock Risers".

Tony B

 

[TimCup]

Tonyb, Nice N Easy-

Sorry to take so long to respond- had no responses for quite a while and forgot to check back!

Nice N easy- you're right- if a big one comes, we'll get it out. They'll probably make us.

Tonyb- that desciption, if I understand it correctly, those dockrisers almost make it a floating dock!! Nice idea...


cup