- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,335
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA and 1995 Sea Ray 175
- Engines
- Twin 4.3l and 3.0l, all w/ AlphaI GenII drives
I am spoiled having my own pier and boat lift at my home. But the disadvantage is I don't get much experience with typical marina docking, so I get a bit anxious when traveling to a new destination. I don't really worry about maneuvering and actual docking as I play around and practice. What gets me is the art of tying up the boat as you come into the slip and dock.
Below is a image of docking between fixed pilings on a fixed pier, which is pretty typical around here. We have a tidal swing of about 2'. I'm trying to understand the best way to tie up in this scenario. Thought it would be good to ask here and get everyone's opinions. I've read to use as little as 5 lines, or as many as 8.
I pretty much assume that a bow line will go to piling 2, and another to piling 3.
1) How to get the bow lines to pilings 2 and 3? Slip one over a piling from the stern as you arrive into the slip, then continue in? What about the other? Or are most of these pilings in close enough to the boat to be able to reach them from the bow by pushing off after you've idled? I would think this would not always be the case.
2) What about spring lines? Do you get a line around piling 2 and tie it to the stern as you get near enough the dock to prevent further movement? What about an after bow spring line?
3) What about the stern? Should the two lines that go from the stern to the dock be crossed?
Just a few of the questions I've been thinking about...
Below is a image of docking between fixed pilings on a fixed pier, which is pretty typical around here. We have a tidal swing of about 2'. I'm trying to understand the best way to tie up in this scenario. Thought it would be good to ask here and get everyone's opinions. I've read to use as little as 5 lines, or as many as 8.
I pretty much assume that a bow line will go to piling 2, and another to piling 3.
1) How to get the bow lines to pilings 2 and 3? Slip one over a piling from the stern as you arrive into the slip, then continue in? What about the other? Or are most of these pilings in close enough to the boat to be able to reach them from the bow by pushing off after you've idled? I would think this would not always be the case.
2) What about spring lines? Do you get a line around piling 2 and tie it to the stern as you get near enough the dock to prevent further movement? What about an after bow spring line?
3) What about the stern? Should the two lines that go from the stern to the dock be crossed?
Just a few of the questions I've been thinking about...