Rafting etiquette

[penultimate]

Edessery's post re "3 seasons, etc. " set me thinking about the etiquette of passing a stern line to the shore when you arrive on a raft of boats. Very often the stern line is the more difficult line anyway because of the plethora of ensign staffs, aerials, danbuoys, vane gear, etc.
What do you do if you believe the occupants of the inboard boat are on board but down below?

 

[Wiggo]

Usually ask if we can cross the cockpit while putting stern lines on, but to answer your question, perhaps send someone ashore via the foredeck, and heave the line from the next boat out? Although we also take it ashore via the tender on occasion...

 

[Stingo]

I knock and discuss. If I get a chilly reception, I invite all the other boats for a few noisy beers and a sing-song. They usually leave the next day.

If I don't get a chilly reception, I invite them and the other boats for a few quite beers and some gentle guitar. They then usually sleep their hangover off until late the next afternoon.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

You obviously haven't taught your kids to swim yet........

Only joking.....

I find that a loud comment along the lines of "what are fenders?" usually get 'em on deck quick enough.........

 

[StugeronSteve]

Heave the line over, run it over in the pontoon in the dingheee, or if there is nobody on board, walk through the cockpits passing the rope around all of the pushpit clutter. Very few people will have objections to the methodology, coz they will be glad to see one rigged. I often end up dropping a hint to outside boats by asking if they would like me to pass shorelines over for them.

 

[TigaWave]

On "Rafting etiquette" I like the French approach of ...if they raft along side you when your off the boat there's a bottle of (nice) wine waiting for you when you get back.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Blimey... thats never happened to me......!

 

[StugeronSteve]

In my unfortunate experience there has tended to be some damage when we get back. Just bad luck though, not a comment on French seamanship.

 

[Sybarite]

I believe that this is the exception to the rule about the cockpit. If somebody is there you ask him if you may pass a line to the shore. Quite often he will volunteer to do it for you in which case you pass around the foredeck. It's just common sense.

Anyway "rafting etiquette" implies that you help the arriving boat and if you stay below decks then hard luck if somebody uses your cockpit to pass the lines. I believe that throwing is inefficient and you risk carrying something away if you miss.

Even if you have a shore line you still need springs with the boat you are attached to and that means tying onto something aft: cleat or winch.

John

 

[l'escargot]

I would say if people are below when you are tying up alongside, they are busy with something else and would appreciate not being disturbed, or being ignorant and ignoring you in the hope that you will go away.

Either way, I think a quick trip across the stern to pass a line is reasonable.

 

[EdEssery]

Crossing the stern to take a shore line (having asked first) is not a problem. I generally offer to pass the line to them on the shore or the next boat while they walk round. That way I *know* they won't snarl my aerials, outboard etc.

My experience in Lymington was after all the shore lines were on.

Ed

 

[ParaHandy]

perhaps something more appealling to a frenchman than this would work ... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Para,

"perhaps something more appealling to a frenchman than this would work"

Can you just clarify whether you mean the Beans or Steve?

 

[StugeronSteve]

Ah, le Heinz Beanz, c'est magnifique!

 

[ashanta]

As i'm often single or short handed I just moor up alongside the inner boat tying to bow cleats and stern cleats and when secure heave my longer warps ashore and then follow them via the bows of the inner boat and secure them.

Regards.

Peter.