Rings instead of cleats

[Smitty]

My marina uses those stupid rings instead of cleats on the docks. I have made up a set of custom docklines to use permanently. However, what's the best (correct) way to belay to the rings for transient docking? They also make the process of docking much more difficult and hazardous than it would be with real cleats.

I have spoken with the owner, as have other residents who feel as I do. They are adamant in there defense of rings and insist on no cleats.

-Smitty

 

[Tim R.]

They are on crack. How are you supposed to rig a mid ship line to stop your boat when pulling in?

Do they expect you to tie your line on the ring or return it to your cleat? If the latter that would destroy the lines fairly quickly.

 

[Bill Murray]

While not completely solving all problems (like the spring line issue), the best way to tie up when in transient mode is to rig your lines so that both ends are tied on the boat. When you want to (need to) leave or just adjust your lines, just slip one end and pull the line back to you without getting off the boat. Rings actually work quite well for this.

 

[Todd Smith]

We have a set of docklines that stay on the dock. For cruising elsewhere, we have extra lines that stay on board. There seems no problem to just stop the boat using reverse and then step off to grab the dock lines.

For attachment to the ring, I think we just tied off to the ring. I have considered doing a spice to a quicklink and using that to attach to the ring.

 

[Bill Murray]

BTW -- I agree with Todd -- get permanent lines and leave them at the dock, carry lines on board to use when away from your home dock.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Rings? What were they thinking!?!

Perhaps the only thing worse than rings are those Pacific Northwest raised wooden edges on docks, no cleats either. Sure, it's easy to say, just use the motor to stop the boat and step off, but midships spring lines come in handy for singlehanders and crews boats alike.

I'm with Tim, rings are nuts and so are the owners. Did they ever say WHY? I'd just love to hear the answer to that one.

Doubling lines back to the boat can be done with rings, cleats and even the PNW wooden edges.

 

[Ron20324]

Perhaps the rings are tear-away, in that they'd be more likely to break away in a storm and save the docks at the expense of the boat(s)?

 

[Paul Brinkley]

I encountered rings on a state dock in Bath, NC a few weeks ago. Kept looking around for some cleats until I realized that the othr boats there were tied to those rings. I was not impressed. I wondered if some bright soul thought it would be easier to tie to a ring if someone didn't know how to use a cleat, but I decided that anyone who couldn't use a cleat probably couldn't tie a knot, either. If anyone knows the real reason for using rings instead of cleats, please post it to satisfy our curiosity! Thanks. -Paul

 

[jibes138]

Were they really on crack?

Were they really on crack or is that just an assumption?
I am more interested in is the connection to the dock sound enough? Whether a cleat or a ring how is it attached? Is it through bolted to solid timbers or is it lag bolted into the dock with short screws with little engagement. What is the standard for installing a cleat to a dock?

 

[sinnettc]

PNW docks

Perhaps the only thing worse than rings are those Pacific Northwest raised wooden edges on docks, no cleats either.

YES! I hate those things! I never know how to tie off, the splinters snag your lines, and I've practically broken my foot getting it caught under one!

Chris

 

[Stu Jackson]

Wooden dock edges

Yup, and I figured that those dock designs is what led to the developement fo the grapnel hook!

 

[Smitty]

I have made a set of permanent dock lines with an eye spliced in one end and a stainless quick link rope to chain spliced into the other end using 3 strand 1/2" nylon. I also carry several extra dock lines on board for transient use and to use when coming into the home slip. What I can't really figure out how to do well is, after stopping the boat with the engine, getting a spring line belayed quickly in order to prevent the prevailing wind - which is dead astern - from blowing us into the dock, or, for that matter, a stiff cross wind from blowing us into our slip mate. Cleats sure would be faster and safer.

-Smitty

 

[Franklin]

I bet they use them because the are a lot cheaper.

 

[meuritt]

My current marina, and the previous one have rings "they don't stub toes so badly", wow, looking out for us I guess

A connection can be made multiple ways, eye splice with thimble, either through the ring or attached with shackle.

Loop through the ring back on deck

tied with ye olde bowline through the ring

Larks Head, either using a spliced eye of the dock line or middle of the line, then leading back to different cleats n board

anchor hitch, finished with half hitch.

various types of macramé and other odd wrapping, proving you have no business with a boat

walking around the ringed harbors, looking at how people attach their lines to the ring has been very amusing. Even a bit scary, as after one big wind storm, one line, just casually looped through the ring and back to deck, was melted half way through at the contact point. I am led to believe this is from the surging of the line against the ring contact point, internal forces within the rope caused the near failure. Sound iffy to me. That convinced me to use the anchor hitch since i considered my stay there temporary.

Moving to a new home this weekend, this one had cleats... hooray!

 

[BobM]

Rings instead of cleats? Don't tell your insurance company.

 

[Ross]

Rings are for hitching horses.

 

[Dave D]

just throw your anchor onto the dock and drop a stern anchor.