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Tying Off Alongside

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rustynbigd
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/27/2003 : 22:20:28

I just got a 1980 Catalina 25. Unfortunately, my i can only use one side of my dock so i can only tie off on one side. My dock faces s/sw on the lake so most of the time the boat stern faces the wind. Storms from the north/ne can lift power boats off their lifts, though. I am told the spring, bow and stern lines will hold the boat securely and i have 3 good fenders on the dock.

My only other choice is to rent a marina slip and that is pricey. I am looking for experienced people's opinions on this.

Thank you.

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2003 : 00:07:26

First off, congratulations on your purchase of a C25. I think you are tied up correctly. The only thing I would add is that two spring lines (forward and aft) are always better than one. Also, protect against chafing, especially on the spring lines. Finally, if you are new to sailing (no indication in your post), it might be a good idea to get someone experienced to check that you've run the docklines through the bow and stern cleats in an 'approved' manner.

Good Luck and Happy Sailing!

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2003 : 02:21:56

rustynbigd,

Congratulations on your Catalina 25. They're great boats. I keep my 1979 Catalina 25 tied alongside also. The dock is exposed to some wave action. The worst usually doesn't get over about 2' whitecaps except during hurricanes, and my bow always faces the waves.

I tie off using two 3/8" nylon lines forward, and two more aft. All four dock lines have rubber snubbers to absorb shock loads. The lines are at an angle to the boat so as to allow it to ride up and down with waves, but to restrain it from surging forward and aft. In addition to two 8" sausage fenders suspended horizontally at the widest beam, I also use a portable fenderboard. That's a 6' or so piece of 2x4 with rubber pads on the ends. The fenderboard hangs parallel to the waterline between the boat and dock suspended by two ropes with its rubber pads toward the boat. Also, my dock has built-in fenderboards -- 2x6s on edge attached outside the pilings all the way down to the waterline, sort of like a rail fence below the deck of the dock to protect the boat from the pilings, and to give the boat's fenders something to bear against. I have both extended 8" dia. pilings and well backed 8" galv. cleats to tie off to. I use 3/4" nylon reinforced soft PVC water hose to protect the lines where they loop around the dock pilings and cleats.

Most "How To Sail" books have a few helpful drawings of various docking situations. Be sure your lines are protected from chafe, and are correctly knotted or belayed. A casual walk down 'most any marina dock is an education in how not to tie up a boat. Avoid using crappy line and knots that have no names.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Good luck!

-- Leon Sisson

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2003 : 08:57:43

I haven't yet named my boat. Now I have to name my knots? How about Bubba, that's a good name for a knot.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2003 : 20:31:51

If storms on your lake can blow boats off a lift, then I suggest you use the following exercise, which I used to advocate to seamanship classes in exposed saltwater. Grab aholt of your boat. Begin to surge it backwards and forwards at the dock as hard as you can. Put your back into it, really get the rhythm. If your lines sre nylon, as most are to allow for stretch, you will be surprised at how MUCH stretch you will get. This might inspire you (I devoutly hope) to increase the size of your permanently attached docklines one or two sizes, and also to locate your bowlines or spliced loops so as to allow for "surge". You cant have too many lines, and if you double them up now, you wont be wishing you had done so when the tv shows the big storm over your dock and you are miles away in the living room, wondering....God bless, ron srsk Orion 1981 in SW FL

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2003 : 20:32:00

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skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 14:11:03

Dittos on the over sizing the dock lines. You want some stretch, but I feel one size bigger line with a rubber snubber errs on the side of safety. Don't forget to slip the line thru the eye on the cleat and over the ears, rather than just dropping it over the ears where it could work its way off. Especially if you are leaving the boat with out checking on it for several days.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 14:41:29

I'm guessing that "rustynbigd" equates to "Rusty in Big D", so I'm also guessing that your new C25 is on Lake Texoma. If that is the case, then it is probably 60 to 70 mph straightline winds lifting motor boats off lifts. You should probably fair much better than them, especially with the bow facing the Nor'easters. However, the spring time Sou'westers that kick up all our wonderful tornadoes are going to be pushing hard on your stern and companionway, so the advice given above will be invaluable to your peace of mind!

Welcome aboard and great sailing. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

J.B. Manley, Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2003 : 09:19:03

Tying off to only one side of a dock isn't all that different from a slip without a middle piling.

If storms are blowing boats around in your area, I would move up to 1/2 inch lines. Leon recommended 3/8, but if your getting the storm surge you say, bigger isn't going to hurt.

Definitely have chafe protectors on your lines to reduce wear and snubbers to absorb load. Double up your main lines. (bow, stern and a spring) Not only will it provide redundancy, it will also allow you, or a very nice neighbor, the ability to adjust lines if needed in a storm.

Put your fenders on both the boat and the dock, also go a size bigger than what you think would be necessary. Remember to talk to the local sailors about the tide and how much scope you will need to adjust for that.

Lastly, if you have a bigger slip than boat, spring the outside stern and run it as far back as possible.

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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