Rafting Up ; National Differences

[Dominic]

You come into a harbour and see that you need to raft up;

The South Coast Brit says -
"Do not come alongside I shall be leaving on the early tide at 0300 hrs (he is lying, he will leave at 1000 hrs but doesn't want you near)

The German charterer says -
"Well, OK, but I am not sure how to do this.." (and bashes two boats on the way out)

The Anglesey fisherman says -
"Right, you go here, you go there, Pete put your boat there..." (and all is sorted easily to the mutual benefit).

The Canarian fishing boat rafts up with the other fishing boats and expects the yachts to raft up as well. There is no problem.

The Breton says -
"But of course, it is normal...."



My observations - what are yours ?

 

[Talbot]

There are definitely people who are like that. Personnally I always put out fenders on the outer side to indicate that I am happy for people to come alongside. Part of the joy of boating is to talk to fellow boaters and cadge ideas for improvements.



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[bumblefish]

When in Fecamp last year, after the Royal Escape race, we were on one of many rafts of up to 6 boats, probably all South Coast sailors, did not seem to be any problem there. However, when mooring outside the Folly a certain operators boats were very anatgonistic, I was with Southern School of Sailing, maybe the damage we had done to our boat put them off!

<hr width=100% size=1>...If you can find the simple solution to a complex problem, you've got it wrong!.........

 

[MarkJohnson]

When the 3am ploy is used, I ask if they will swap positions now, so that I am on the inside. They usually (only once) change their minds.

Mj

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[kingfisher]

Early bird

If they use the 3am ploy, I play along. So when they tell me they have to leave at 3am, I tell them that it's OK, because I have to leave with the same tide. They then withdrawl grumbling.

And here's the best part: either they fess up and say that they have changed their mind (yeah, right), or when they say nothing, I get up at 3.30am, and start banging on their boat. Up pops a sleepy head. "Hurry, sir, you already missed half an hour of your tide. Good thing that I woke you up then. But I've decided to stay another day. So I'll see you off."

They are either so shocked and asleep that they do leave, or they grumble that they changed their plans. Always good for a laugh.

But in Holland, rafting up cannot be refused by bylaw.

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[Cantata]

In the BVIs on a bareboat charter, rafted up to an unattended boat, as directed by harbourmaster. US skipper returns, total outrage, how dare you raft up, this is terrible, it's never done back in the USA, harbourmaster should never have let you do it etc etc.
Later on he calmed down, I had a word with the HM and we moved away. When we were releasing our lines, our American friend (no spring chicken) admitted he was on honeymoon......

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[mikesharp]

Our Escape experience last year was of the outer boat in our raft starting off very early and after some 1/2 hour of engine running, load radio, shouting etc being told that they were going now and being cast off. A faint cheer was heard across the harbour.

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[Koeketiene]

The South Coast Brit says -
"Do not come alongside I shall be leaving on the early tide at 0300 hrs (he is lying, he will leave at 1000 hrs but doesn't want you near)

It's not only them - every Dutchmen we came across last year used that one. AND - they always want to offer advice on how to moor your boat. Annoying, but fun ignoring.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[bumblefish]

Afraid I must still been asleep for that moment, very bad night!

<hr width=100% size=1>...If you can find the simple solution to a complex problem, you've got it wrong!.........

 

[AndrewB]

US Attitudes.

Yes, I fell into this trap as well, first time I sailed in the US. Resulted in a chest-beating display of ape-descendent boat rage by the returning owner. From what I've read on other forums, a US owner will feel totally justified in casting off a rafted yacht that isn't there by personal invitation. Late arrivers to a full marina are expected to anchor off.

The message is slowly seeping through that different standards apply out of territory, such as the BVI's and Bermuda.