Mooring a boat Home page
Rafting etiquette
If possible seek the permission of the boat you are about to come alongside.
Use plenty of fenders. Set springs and breast ropes - see above.
Moor so the masts are not in line - they may clash if the boats roll.
Don't leave all the free ends of your warps on the other boat's deck, bring them back to yours.
Don't grab or push stanchions to hold yourself alongside, they are not strong enough.
Always put shore lines out and try to keep them fairly tight, allowing for tide if appropriate.
Seek permission, out of courtesy, before you cross another boat's deck for the first time, if there is someone available.
Always walk around the front of a boat, not through the cockpit. If you have to pass through another boat's cockpit and the crew are aboard make sure you seek permission first and try not to look into the saloon.
Wear deck shoes etc, so as not to mark/damage decks.
Try to be as light footed as possible when crossing decks, particularly after the pub, there may be kids asleep beneath you.
If you are likely to be rafted in leave a note to warn others of your departure time - and leave then.
OXO knot
For a mooring cleat - once round the cleat, one or two figure 8s and once round the cleat. No need for a locking hitch unless you are leaving it for some time.
Close Quarters
The key to successful close-quarters manoeuvring is to be aware of what the tide and wind are doing, so that you can use the assistance of the wind and tide rather than trying to fight it.
Before you untie the lines, first figure out what the wind and tide are doing - we don’t like surprises!
Every channel has a safe side and a danger side so make sure to keep to the safe side
Before entering a narrow channel, plan ahead how you will turn around and get back out
Keep your speed down when manoeuvring in tight spaces, but don’t spend too much time in neutral as the elements will start to drift you towards your danger side
If you feel it is impossible to avoid hitting another boat STOP and come gently alongside
Remember your boat has a bow and a stern; if your bow goes to starboard, your stern will go to port
By manoeuvring into wind or into tide, either bow first or stern first, you will be able to turn your boat without having to go any great distance forwards or backwards. This will keep the speed of the manoeuvre to a minimum and allow you to stay in control. Importantly, if you turn your stern to the wind it will make it easier to maintain a stationary position whilst your crew prepare fenders and lines, than it would if turn your bow into the wind.
Remember, if your best efforts are not successful and coming into contact with another boat is unavoidable, STOP! Use both engines, either ahead or astern to stop yourself dead in the water and in a straight line. Touching another boat with your fenders deployed is only the same as rafting up and should do minimal, if any damage; whereas trying to drive out of a sticky situation can often lead to a glancing blow which will do a lot of damage!
Mooring Springs Warps Ferry Glide alongside pontoon wall tide
knots yacht mooring springs warps breast rope oxo knot fenders Posted Thursday 5th November 2009