Rafting up

[Babylon]

I learnt rafting as I went along. Have very rarely ever had issues with other rafters, although - until you point it out and help them adjust their lines - the less experienced tend not to notice things like not aligning masts in case of rolling etc. I don't recall anyone ever crossing our cockpit. Usually there is great politeness when people come alongside, and if anyone ever needs to access our cockpit area, they ask first.

As regards running long lines ashore, this depends on where you all are (ie conditions of wind and tide) and the configuration of the whole raft. On a raft of say six deep in a calm situation, it would be entirely appropriate if only every other boat set bow and stern lines ashore. Otherwise it would be conceivable that the pontoon cleats could have a dozen lines attached to each! - which would be clearly unmanageable as well as unnecessary.

I also think that boats already rafted shouldn't deploy fenders on their outsides: they can't in advance know the topside height of yachts not yet in, and it should be up to the newer arrivals to have their own fenders ready at the correct height for them - plus I don't like the tangle that can ensue, especially with sets of widely varying sizes.

A great deal of this is all common sense, which comes from experience. Most people of less experience are quick to accept your preferences, if you make your reasons clear in a friendly, polite way.

 

[Tintin]

shouldn't[/U] deploy fenders on their outsides: they can't in advance know the topside height of yachts not yet in, and it should be up to the newer arrivals to have their own fenders ready at the correct height for them - plus I don't like the tangle that can ensue, especially with sets of widely varying sizes........

I found it useful last summer to rig some fenders on the outside of my boat in Camaret, especially when I was away for a few days. The French are very enthusiasticv about rafting up at the drop of a hat, but some didn't always have the best set of kit so I took it on myself to protect my boat.

I found also that the French tended to avoid rafting to English boats as we have a not so good reputation for being convivial to rafting, but I was keen to encourage it so my kids could get into the whole entente cordiale, and the fenders on the outside acted as a "welcome to raft to this English Johnnie" sign.

 

[bobgarrett]

We came across a great practice which we continued from Northern Spain, although the first boat that did it was French.

If you raft alongside a boat with no body aboard leave a bottle of wine in the cockpit, and a note possibly.

Can I let you know where we will be in future? Don't worry about the note.

 

[Athene V30]

I also think that boats already rafted shouldn't deploy fenders on their outsides: they can't in advance know the topside height of yachts not yet in, and it should be up to the newer arrivals to have their own fenders ready at the correct height for them - plus I don't like the tangle that can ensue, especially with sets of widely varying sizes

On a practical note I rig a fender partly as an open invite but mainly as I have a protruding bolt head on my topsides for attaching ground legs which could gouge an unsuspecting visitor's topsides!

 

[sailorman]

On a practical note I rig a fender partly as an open invite but mainly as I have a protruding bolt head on my topsides for attaching ground legs which could gouge an unsuspecting visitor's topsides!

I will forego the wine then

 

[Athene V30]

I will forego the wine then

Thought you would prefer a Duval

 

[sailorman]

I value my topsides

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Did you not consider pulling out & letting them come inside with you on the oitside?

He was pinned on I believe!

 

[johnalison]

I have had good and bad experiences over the years, but in recent years, the bad have predominated. On the one hand there were the Germans who reckoned that our fenders were inadequate for a raft of seven boats and lent us theirs, to be returned to a yacht club 30 miles away a week later, and on the other hand, people who were entirely oblivious of our need for sleep at 2am or my preference not to have my topsides ground off or my stanchions bent.

 

[AMCD300]

This is how it is taught today - at least on the RYA courses I have done. Courtesy to others and the environment is always high on the agenda.

Anyone who has ready any good yachtmaster book or similar also should be aware of the same.

 

[AMCD300]

Yes agreed, but today they are taught to pass exams, not seamanship & the courtesies of the sailing world.

Codswallop.

When was the last time you did an RYA course? Have you EVER done one in fact?

 

[Talbot]

I have always been happy to have other boats raft up, and will always put out fenders on the outside in order to be prepared. However, I always ask the boat to add ropes to the pontoon.

I would get a little twisted out of shape if they walk through my cockpit.

 

[Seajet]

What! A key element of rafting up is to avoid the masts being in line or nearly in line to prevent spreaders from clashing with one another, which they would if a spinnaker pole was connected between two boats. The last thing one needs is a stiffish connection between free to move bodies.

Anyway both yachts could roll in different directions as the spinnaker pole can articulate around the rings on each mast individually e.g. if the wave length was such that one hull rolled in while the other hull rolled out i.e. push both hulls apart pivoting around the pole links until something snapped, I would imagine.

And as I said before you censored my post, I never fancied trying the horizontal spin pole trick due to the loads, let alone clashing rigs if it didn't work !

If rafting up I always use springs to keep masts separate.

Rafting bow to stern doesn't seem sensible on a swinging mooring where one has to face into the wind and waves in anything but calm conditions.

 

[maby]

I ....

I would get a little twisted out of shape if they walk through my cockpit.

The more I think about it, the less sure I am about this - we sleep in the forward cabin and I hate to sleep with curtains (or hatch blinds) closed - the idea of someone hiking across our foredeck is not particularly attractive!

 

[prv]

The more I think about it, the less sure I am about this - we sleep in the forward cabin and I hate to sleep with curtains (or hatch blinds) closed - the idea of someone hiking across our foredeck is not particularly attractive!

You'd best tell them when they moor up, then - because I always pass forward of the mast and make sure that any novices with me know to do likewise

Pete

 

[Seajet]

The more I think about it, the less sure I am about this - we sleep in the forward cabin and I hate to sleep with curtains (or hatch blinds) closed - the idea of someone hiking across our foredeck is not particularly attractive!

Well people have to cross somewhere if rafted up on a pontoon/ wall.

I admit I have had to avert my eyes from a forehatch once or twice, but the general code of conduct is not to go across another boats' cockpit.

I once had a harbour assistant stomp into the cockpit then try to open the mainhatch while my girlfriend and I were making love; he was lucky I didn't have a gun or flare to hand !