Leaning against the wall

[tom52]

I've read the "warning please read" post.

What is the best method of ensuring that you are leaning against the wall to dry out when the tide falls ?

 

[thomashoebus]

Take the halyard of the spinnaker, secure it somewhere on land and haul it in a little. The boat wil then be forced to lean against the wall. You only have to do this for a short time say from the moment you have only 20 cm water under the keel and monitor the heel when the tide falls till you are fast aground. Don't overdo it just a slight heel that the boat is resting against the wall.

 

[JAYEL]

To make sure the boat is leaning against the wall, join a 20 metre length of mooring line on to the end of the main sheet that you have un hitched from the mainsail, and tie off to something solid on the dock. Suspend something from the join to act as a shock absorber (should the boat rock on wash), A car tyre or large balloon fender is ideal. this weight will ensure that as the boat settles on the keel, it will be leaning on the dock wall.

 

[Malish]

take your anchor chain out of the locker and put it on the side deck, dock side to lean the boat a little

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

With my old Halcyon 27, I used to watch the tide go down to the last foot or so, then go and push the boat away from the wall, until the keel took to the ground. My weight on that side of the boat made it lean naturally onto the wall.

As other's have said, anchors or fuel/water cans will make the boat lean enought to ensure (!) it leans onto the wall. If you are letting the boat settle by itself make you have a warp tied somewhere in case she wants to fall away.

Go for it.

 

[roger]

Just a small story. In Dunkirk YAcht Club Mer du Nord there is a stange platform with an outside railing that sticks out of the harbour wall about half way up at low water. this is where yoou dry out on payment of a modest fee. We did so taking all the precautions but had a sleepless night. The marina guardian told us of a yacht that used the platform "en pirate" (not paying) et il "bascule" (fell over) - it must have been pretty spectacular. With my poor french I learnt no more unfortunately.

 

[ColinHuggins]

It won't hurt to check that the 'wall' goes all the way down. The facing piles on Totnes Quay didn't 'cos they were designed for 500-ton coasters. Guess how I found out!

Whatever means you use to ensure a lean-to scenario, there are two golden rules: check the bottom at LW; and see her down. An awful lot can go wrong between hors d'oeuvres and Armignac in that sidestreet bistro!

Finally, welcome to the world of REAL cruising.

 

[charles_reed]

Obviously

the Gods conspire against the immoral

 

[fireball]

A spirit level (not the one that measures the Whisky!) in the companion way will show you that you have sufficient heal on (with the chain, tender, spare fuel, spare water on the side closest to the wall) to stay attached to the wall.

With a halyard - make sure you untie it when the tide comes back in otherwise you could be looking for a new mast!