Spare dockline when you're away

degas

degas

.
Aug 14, 2023
57
Tanzer 29 Lake Ontario
I've decided to add another item to my leave-boat-at-dock checklist: Leave a spare, unused dockline in a conspicuous place. I'll be leaving a coiled bright blue line peeking out of my sheet bag.

This way, while I'm away and some circumstance complicates things, a good Samaritan has the option to quickly grab the spare line to mitigate.

Example: while I was away for a week, strong winds blew into the marina from the perfect direction to afflict a few boats with scratches against docks, unraveled furlings, etc. A considerate owner walked the docks to tighten things down on other boats that needed it.

My boat was fine thanks to my checklist. But I don't deny that it also escaped damage because of luck.

Worst case: some ******* steals it.

Thoughts? Better idea? Your experience?
 
fred1diver

fred1diver

.
Aug 17, 2013
1,315
Pearson P30 202 Ottawa
I would be worried about the worst case, in today’s society unfortunately it will happen, we had our dinghy stolen from our secure compound a few years ago and this year my 2 oil extractors we taken from under our boat while on the cradle.
We managed to get the dinghy back, but still a shitty way to behave between members.
I would love to believe in good people again, my opinion is plan properly, double check your lines before leaving, check their condition as well, if you secure your boat properly with good lines, you should be good, another option is ask other members to contact you if they see anything wrong.
Where are you located in Ontario?
 
  • Wow
Likes: degas
C

colemj

.
Jul 13, 2004
1,075
Dolphin Catamaran Dolphin 460 Mystic, CT
I always leave a couple of lines coiled and attached to the lifelines along both sides of the boat. Both for the reason you state, and also in case I need one quickly. They are older lines, so not a problem if they walk off - but I have never had one gone missing.

Mark
 
  • Like
Likes: LLoyd B and degas
shemandr

shemandr

.
Jan 1, 2006
8,010
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I would expect the boatyard would do a walk around in stormy weather. But it's nice to leave them some tools to work with. That's not to say I would leave it to the boatyard. I used to quite a bit of prep for storms including moving the boat to a more sheltered marina, doubling lines, fender boards, removing canvas etc.
 
thinwater

thinwater

.
Mar 26, 2011
3,968
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
A true good samaritan will go into his locker and pull out an old spare and tie that in place. I have done this many times. I don't expect to get it back. Doesn't everyone have a few give-away lines in the locker? I wouldn't even think to look on the "victim's" boat. I'd just double it up with a line I don't care about.
 
  • Like
Likes: JBP-PA and degas
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,589
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I guess if you are at the boat often that the idea o minimal tie-up with the need for more just in case makes sense.

I do not live next to my boat. I know Mother Nature is in charge. I double up the lines and secure my boat as if the winds will hit 60 while I am 250 away.

I get text messages from good friends that wander the docks often. Not one has needed to add lines to my boat. It is always nice to know that the boat has survived a storm.
 
  • Like
Likes: LLoyd B and degas
P

Project_Mayhem

.
Sep 24, 2018
4,531
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
I keep my normal lines attached to the dock. I have a couple of spare lines kept on hooks at the bow and stern. One end is loose and the other is attached to a cleat. The main purpose is for use at other docks. When I pull up to a fuel dock, the attendants will grab a hold of one, while I step off and cleat the other. The hooks face the outside so it's inviting for others to grab them
 
dLj

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
5,095
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Whenever I leave my boat, I do it with the mindset that I may not be able to get back to it for whatever reason. I was actually off my boat once and had planned to be away for only about a couple hours and a storm rolled through, blowing down some trees that completely shut off access to the boat for almost half a day. In short, whenever I leave my boat and drive away to somewhere, I do it with an eye that I may not be able to get back to it as originally planned. So if my boat is in a slip, I tie it off so that I know it's in good stead even if a storm might come through. Of course, that's only for "normal" kinds of storms - if there is a potential major storm in the forecast then it's a different level.

When I've been in marinas where storms have come through and some boats needed "help" - I do always look first on the boat in question to see if they have any lines I can use to help secure their boat. So if you think you might need that kind of help - for sure put a line or two in an easily visible and accessible location.

If I can't find a line on a boat that needs one, then I will go to my boat and pick up one of my spares. I do try. however, to get those back after the storm passes. I don't usually just leave them. I carry a lot of extra lines on my boat. I've always felt you can never have too many lines on your boat.

dj
 
  • Like
Likes: LLoyd B and degas
B

Benny17441

.
May 24, 2004
7,215
CC 30 South Florida
Spare lines? I live my lines behind at the dock when I go sailing. They are tied to the dock cleats at the just the right length. When i come back in all I have to do is pick them up with with a pole and slip them in to the boat cleats. No adjustment needed. My spare lines are my transit dock lines. I do deploy double lines and will readjust the length for storms or Hurricanes.
 
  • Like
Likes: rgranger, Stu Jackson, LakeOntario270 and 3 others
Joe

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,323
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
When we have heavy winds expected in our area or I'm away from the marina for an extended period, I will DOUBLED the docklines rather than relying on fate to spawn a good Samaritan at such a timely moment.
 
  • Like
Likes: degas
P

Project_Mayhem

.
Sep 24, 2018
4,531
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
Joe said:
When we have heavy winds expected in our area or I'm away from the marina for an extended period, I will DOUBLED the docklines rather than relying on fate to spawn a good Samaritan at such a timely moment.
Click to expand
I do the same. For heavier storms, I'll tie the second line to another cleat on the dock just in case the dock cleat breaks. Chicago doesn't maintain their docks very well
 
thinwater

thinwater

.
Mar 26, 2011
3,968
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
Benny17441 said:
Spare lines? I live my lines behind at the dock when I go sailing. They are tied to the dock cleats at the just the right length. When i come back in all I have to do is pick them up with with a pole and slip them in to the boat cleats. No adjustment needed. My spare lines are my transit dock lines. I do deploy double lines and will readjust the length for storms or Hurricanes.
Click to expand
Yes. That. And I would guess you might have just a few extras.

Sometimes the reason for being a "good Samaritan" is enlightened self-interest. The boat next to you is tied up negligently, and you haven't seen the owner in a year. Examining my neighbor's lines is part of keeping my boat safe.
 
  • Like
  • Helpful
Likes: LLoyd B, rgranger, degas and 1 other person
rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,947
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Benny17441 said:
Spare lines? I live my lines behind at the dock when I go sailing.
Click to expand
:plus:

@degas
I think your idea is a good one... If people start stealing your line on a regular basis, you can reassess.
I'd maybe leave an older line coiled up on a pylon and keep the newer ones on my boat.:beer:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom