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Tying up between a floating dock & pilings

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by CSkipR, Mar 30, 2011.

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  1. CSkipR, Mar 30, 2011
    #1
    CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Would like to see your opinions on how you would tie up to a floating dock with two dolphin poles on the opposite side (one off of bow and one off of stern). Don't want the boat to rub up against the floating dock so use the dolphin poles to keep it off the floating dock.
  2. Pascal, Mar 30, 2011
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    hard reply without knowing the tides and the boat size.

    should be pretty easy to use the pilings to keep the boat off teh dock and not to have to use fenders, but it depends on other factors incl. tide and also slip width vs boat beam. the wider the slip the easier it is to use lines to keep the boat off the other side.
  3. Capt J, Mar 30, 2011
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Generally the pilings in the middle of the slip are to assist you with pulling in and out, so you can lean on them while coming or going without hitting your neighbors yacht.

    I generally tie the vessel up fairly tight against the floating dock with fenders, and don't worry about the fixed pilings. The tide goes up and down with the tide, the pilings don't. In some rare occassions I may use the middle pilings.
  4. NYCAP123, Mar 30, 2011
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You're bound to be against the dock at one tide or the other if you want to keep the boat close enough to conveniently board unless you use a tide/slide ring on the pole. Much depends on the distance between the dock and the piling (Did you mean to say dolphin? If so, watch the chaffing on the edge of the outer poles at low tide.) With smaller boats it's fairly common to use a pulley and weighted line on the pole, but that could get snagged if it's dolphins.
  5. CSkipR, Mar 30, 2011
    #5
    CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Your right I forgot to include tides and width. Normal tides are about a 3-3.5foot swing. The dolphin pilings are about 3 ft from the port side of boat. I have not had any problems with tying up the boat just interested in everyones opinion on how they would. I have a bow line tied on both sides, spring both ways on floating dock and two stern lines, close one on floating dock and longer one tied across stern. Sometimes if wind is going to be strong I will put a two springs on dolphin side. Thanks
  6. Capt J, Mar 30, 2011
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I would just keep it tight against the floating dock with fenders. The boat gets less movement when the lines are tight, and less stress against the lines, cleats, and fenders.

    If the pilings were enough away that you could keep the boat in the middle at all times, then I would use them. But they're not being only 3 feet away.
  7. Pascal, Mar 30, 2011
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    3' tide and 3' clearance is a little tight but depending on the prevailing exposure you should be able to keep the boat centered under most conditions.

    i really dont' like relying on fenders in permanent set up, no matter what they leave marks on the hull

    i'd try spring lines on the floaters and then use bow and stern (crossed) to center the boat. if properly adjusted it should work... fenders on the floatie just in case...
  8. sagharborskip, Mar 30, 2011
    #8
    sagharborskip

    sagharborskip Senior Member

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    We tied up on the New River in Ft. Lauderdale all winter just like this except not a floating dock...outside pilings were just about 3' off the outboard side of the boat.

    We relied on the fenders quite a bit but also had breast lines made up to the pilings to keep us from being pinned to the dock.