rafting?

[realslimshady]

Bit new to this going places in a boat lark-spent a couple of years yahooing it in a speedboat but have moved up a size to a sports cuddy, and wondered if I could get a bit of guidance into the etiquette of tying up to another boat if no mooring available - like at Lymington on Monday. And coming back to find another boat berthed alongside yours..don't want to commit a faux-pas if I can avoid it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

Be polite, if the crew of the other boat are on board make them aware of what you are doing. Courtsey to ask if they mind you rafting along side (even if the HM has told you to).

Dont raft against a significantly smaller boat if it can be helped.

When leaving to go ashore, walk around the front of the boats between you and the pontoon, not through the cockpit.

Leave fenders out on the water side, protect your boat as someone might raft on you in your absense.

If you are wearing hob nail boots, take them off and don't stop over the other boats when you come back in the early hours.

Other than that, enjoy. It is a nice social thing to do in crowded harbours and often you get along with your neighbours. I have often shared the gin around of an evening...

 

[Wiggo]

Easy. Fender up well on both sides. Don't assume that someone who comes alongside you will have any fenders at all. It's polite to announce your intentions, in a sort of, "We're coming alongside. Is that OK?" way, and then do it anyway. If the harbourmaster (or whoever) has told you where to go, then just get on with it.

If you're alongside for an overnight stop, always cross over the other boats' foredecks (unless the owners invite you to cross astern), and try not to stamp! If you're against a pontoon or harbour wall and you're likely to be there for any time, rig your own shorelines so they don't take all the load on their cleats.

There will always be occasions where someone on the inside needs to leave (or you need to get out), so just work it out as you go. It is considered impolite to leave someone's boat drifting off into the distance, so do tie it back on to something after you have disentangled yourself.

Above all, enjoy it - it's a great way to meet people.

 

[realslimshady]

Thanks Guys, that's exactly the sort of info I needed. Hope to see you out there sometime.

 

[l'escargot]

And at Lymington the raft goes up to six deep except the very last raft at the quay end which is usually only four or five to let the fishing boats turn.

A handy tip is look to see who is coming along and "invite" boats with only a few people on to raft outside of you. That way you don't get the charter boat with eight people on and it cuts down the traffic backwards and forwards across your boat - it is always better to choose your neighbours than have them thrust upon you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MaltaBob]

What a nice lot you all are ! Good advice , long may it continue, happy rafting! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[old_salt]

All the forgoing is sound advise but is is not "Quite" the way it happens in the good old G&G yard in Cowes week.
I will leave it for some one else to explain Hic Hic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nick_H]

If you're planning to raft you need two long lines, i'd say 3 times your boat length each, as if you're staying a while then its good form to put shorelines to the pontoon. If that's not feasible then at least use springs to the boat next to you so your bow and stern lines don't snatch.

 

[DorsetPete]

All good advce and I love rafting it is so sociable.
BUT
Everyone must rig shorelines if they are staying for more thea a few minutes.
Tides turn and run harder and the wind can pick up almost without you noticing so - please - rig those shorelines!
And have some fun

 

[adrianb]

The joys of rafting !

Taking this a bit further, I always walk round the bows, ie RIGHT around the bow, rather than just in front of any coach roof/windscreen.

Was mighty pee'd off in Weymouth last week when next door just walked straight over the foredeck hatch, under the screen !

Dim lights, enjoying a glass of wine, all romantic, like you do - next thing clump clump over the ajar hatch !!!!!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif