Rafting advice

[NickNap]

Would appreciate advice on exiting a raft - last time I rafted, I was the inside of three. On leaving first the next morning, the outside boats suggested I reverse out (against the tide) as there was only one boat that way and three large boats rafted ahead. I did this, but observed although it was easier to leave this way, the boats outside drifted downstream during the short time they released their uptide lines to allow me out, causing a bit of hasty movement to avoid colliding with the raft ahead.
What would have been the best way of doing this?

 

[duncan]

the obvious would be to ask them to leave the raft and reconvene when you had gone.................

 

[flaming]

The rafts would have to be quite a long way apart for a downtide exit clearing a raft of 3 to work! That said, if the opportunity for a downtide exit exists it can make your neighbour's job in re-mooring easier. If you're exiting into the tide try doing so lots faster than you would normally so as to clear the area quicker and let the raft drift less before your neighbours get a chance to get some lines sorted.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Should have run their uptide lines (stern I presume) from around your bows and back to the pontoon cleat at their stern and brought the line in as you exited.

 

[hlb]

personally I have no problem, as with 400hp to spare. It copes with any tide. But you should have left down stream, to allow the raft to reform naturally. Would have maybe helped if others had left the raft and rejoined as said above.

I first came across rafting, years ago in Ireland, among fishing boats. No good telling them what time yer leaving. They have gone home. So you have to extregate yer self , then use yer boat as a tug, and push the others back together again, jumping over boats and re attaching them to the shore at the same time.

 

[BAtoo]

We raft-up alot in Holland, sometimes 5-6 deep. Generally leave whichever way has easiest exit tho' usually no tide but often wind - unless tide was strong would probably still go for easiest route.
As said above remaining boats should have thier shore lines on outside you before you go - thats up to them to sort with your help before you leave. Also one boat could run is engine and stem the tide - but with ropes dangling couldbe a prob....

 

[Talbot]

IMHO you went the correct way, and the problem was not yours, but theirs. If I had been in their position I would have had an engine running to stem the tide and make the re-securing a lot easier.

If you have a choice, the sensible option is always to leave in the direction that has least probability of danger to other vessels. However, the direction of exit has always to be at the discretion of the skipper, cause he is the only one who has full knowledge of the characteriistics of the boat, and will be able to decide whether the manoeuvre is feasible or not.