Tying up at new dock

[Marc Bergmueller]

Hi all, I have a question about docking. I have a hunter 310, and an L shaped dock at the end of my pier. The pilings are plenty wide and both ends of the slip are open, But the outer pilings are 24' apart. How would you tie up. This dock is on a creek with little tidal difference. I've been told maybe a foot of wind driven tide.

 

[isaksp00]

I'd put a forward and aft 3-strand twisted nylon spring line to the endmost pilings on the dock, stern lines crossing over the boat (that is, the port stern line goes to the piling on the starboard side, and vice versa) and bow lines to the end pilings. If your boat is about 6' longer than the 24' between pilings, there'd be about a yard overhang at either end, so I'd think the bow and stern lines would be OK angled slightly toward the center of the boat. You could position the stern even with the pilings on its end, and angle the bow lines back toward the end pilings there.

I would think that would handle the small tides on the Chesapeake with no problem.

Peter

 

[Marc Bergmueller]

I was thinking stern even with the pilings but my stern cleats are pretty far forward and I'm afraid with the "cross" I will rip the railing off. This is off the Neuse River in NC, not the Chesepeake. So even less tide.

 

[Marc Bergmueller]

I think the cross is the problem, but I don't have the experience to know better.

 

[Marc Bergmueller]

Right above the Hunter logo is the cleat

 

[Mulf]

The crossed stern lines..

will help keep your boat in the center of the slip. From the picture, I don't see a problem with your stern lines crossing and wrapping around each corner to reach the cleats. If concerned, add some chafe covers at areas of potential chafe.

Just reread your posts. Since you have little tide range you can position the lines low enough on the pilings to minimize your concern about your railing.

 

[Marc Bergmueller]

Thanks

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I guess I don't understand the physics. What is the benefit in crossing the stern lines?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dave, my understanding is that it allows more movement up and down for the boat with a fixed height (un-floating) dock. Kinda like a spring line, just longer breast lines.

 

[isaksp00]

I think it is that (a longer line imposes less "side to side" pulling as the tide goes up and down, if tide is an issue) and also I think it is that the longer line has more "cushion" from its stretch and thus imposes less stress on the cleats if winds or waves jerk the boat. But I am just guessing. In this case, little tidal range and with the stern cleats somewhat forward and the boat longer than the piling spread, maybe just going to the same side (no crossing of stern lines) would be fine.

 

[amcmahon]

Hey Marc, welcome to NC - you're in a great sailing area. Enjoy. Tony

 

[Marc Bergmueller]

Thanks, Tony. I'll be there October 1. I can't wait to forget a tool and only walk 200 ft to the garage to get it. Beats 1 hr one way now.