| Recently I was asked to deliver a Yacht from Ocean | | | | others. That is how this boat was tied up...making it |
| Reef, Florida to Hollywood, Florida. | | | | the perfect dockage. |
| I never know what to expect when I arrive at a | | | | By the way. If this is your permanent dockage, |
| boat like this. Will it be in bad condition? Is it dirty? | | | | always have the Loops attached to the Boat, not |
| How is it tied up to the dock. I was pleasantly | | | | the dock. that way your lines are always perfect for |
| surprised when I found this 2005 46' Carver Voyager | | | | arrival. This makes docking quick and painless. |
| to be in great shape and Tied up the way it should | | | | Remember that when you are docking to look at |
| be. What I was impressed with was the fact that | | | | your environment. Wind and current can make a |
| tying up to a Face Dock (A dock that you can only | | | | difficult docking experience. You want to be able to |
| dock length wise along) can be tricky. If it's not a | | | | adjust by attaching the lines that most effect the |
| Floating dock, then you have current and tides to | | | | movement of the boat. For example. you have a |
| deal with. In this case their lines were perfect. | | | | current on your bow. You want to first attach your |
| To do this correctly, you must have Spring Lines. | | | | dock to stern spring line and then your bow line. |
| Those are lines that run from the boat to the dock in | | | | These two lines keep you from moving backwards. |
| the middle of the boat and they must cross, form an | | | | After that, you can attach the other lines. Having the |
| 'X' in the middle. This does two things. it keep the | | | | eyes on the dock and reachable from the boat, |
| bow or stern from pivoting into the dock and causing | | | | allows you to throw the eye over a cleat quickly and |
| damage. It also allows the boat or yacht to rise and | | | | then come back after all lines are attached and |
| lower with the tide without pulling it tighter or loser | | | | double loop the eye over the cleat. |
| from the dock. I also keep the boat from moving | | | | When you are setting up your lines, you want to be |
| forward or backwards allowing the Fenders, if you | | | | sure that you can access them from the boat |
| are using them, to stay centered on the pilings. You | | | | without having to jump on the dock. That could |
| also need a stern line that runs from the dock, | | | | include being able to hang the line over the piling so it |
| preferably at an angle away from the boat, from the | | | | doesn't fall into the water. It can mean that you tie a |
| dock to the stern cleat furthest from the dock. This | | | | lite line (a small 3/8 line) to the loop of the line that |
| also allows the boat to go up and down with the tide | | | | you need to access so that you are able to hang it |
| and not be pulled in to the dock. | | | | on a nearby piling. A hook on the piling will also help |
| Finally, make sure you have your bow line at an angle | | | | this process. The key is that you should be able to |
| to the dock, away from the boat. When all done, and | | | | access all lines from the boat and not have to jump |
| the boat is pushed away from the dock, all lines | | | | on the dock, or even have to use a pole to grab a |
| should have equal tension with the boat being parallel | | | | line. |
| to the dock. if one is loose, make it equal to the | | | | |