Raftiquette?

[britemp]

I've never rafted up against another boat when mooring (Norfolk Broads) but have a feeling that I will have to at some point now I'm going solentwise. The question is, what is the etiquette?

Do you have to prowl up and down for a bit looking for a non-existant mooring and then pounce? Do you aim for the nicest looking boat and just jump on board? Does the boat need to be occupied or is rafting to an empty boat and the subsequent fait a complis better? I assume I should run a line or two to the shore to take the strain off the other boats deck cleats.

All your best and worst advice plz! /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif


<hr width=100% size=1><< Sig removed at request from Kim Hollamby - he thought it might scare forumites! >>

 

[hlb]

You cna raft to any boat on visitors moorings subject to the decresion of the HM. Look around and see what others have done, else you may be directed by HM.

Shore lines or lines to buoys are
1) A very good idea if the other boat decides to leave
2) Saves dragging yours/his cleats out
3} The hight of bad manners if you dont. So you might get a thick ear!!

Always walk round the bow of the other boat , right round and not over coach rooves. Never round the stern, except when fitting lines etc. But always ask permition.

Seek assurance that both are happy with ropes/ fenders.

Try to make friends.

Now you will have an enjoyable time together...Hopefully..../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[Talbot]

etiquette really depends on the area in so far as the initial approach is concerned. In the solent, people expect to be rafted so if the people are on deck, you just call out "do you mind a raft up" or similar if no one about, just get on with it. the most important ropes to the other boat are springs to stop movement fore and aft, Head and stern ropes to the other boat, to keep the alignment to the shore correct, and lines to the shore (to take the weight if the breeze is from the shore). It is also a good plan to hang fenders outboard as well, in case another boat decides to raft with you. Once secured, it is the height of bad manners to go ashore across the stern of the other boat, climb across amidships (where the gap is narrowest for saily boats) and then walk around the bows (this can be difficult on some mobos, so if they are onboard, it is worth asking them if they have a preference in your method of obtaining the shore).

It is always worth checking what time they intend departure otherwise if it is a raggie, you might get a very early wake up call so that they can catch a tide.

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[boatone]

Look for a boat same size-ish or larger than yours.
Look happy...they want someone nice alongside them just as much as you do. This simple ploy will often result in an invite to raft alongside.
Pay close attention to fenders. Really irritating if noisy creakings from badly adjusted fenders keep you/them awake.
Own fore and aft lines to help share the strain usually good.
Sometimes good idea top and turn if only two of you...ie your cockpit at their bow...makes it easier to cross over foredeck to get ashore.
Always easier if HM directing operations......'just doing what I'm told, mate!' /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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[hlb]

Etiquette does not change on area. The french follow the same code. Dont ask if it's ok to walk round the private stern section. Most folk will reluctantly agree through politeness. Then quietly seath with rage everytime you do. Walk round the front, no matter how difficult. Then most folk wil sujest you come round the back and maybe offer you a beer.

Never ever step on folks cussions. I dont walk on mine and I dont want strangers hob nail boots on them either. They forfit the beer...../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> Flags Solly MFBR</font color=red>
Haydn

 

[Talbot]

<<Etiquette does not change on area>>

Not around UK, but understand that some area further afield do have slightly different approaches to this (IIRC from a cruising forum, South Africa may do it a bit different). Regardless, courtesy will normally get you there, and if it doesnt, do you really want to raft up to them!

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[Sunnyseeker]

Just had to add one one small point, if its a yacht with those wobbly guard rails, dont use the guard rails to pull yourself on board with, if you need something to grab hold of step across where the rigging (shrouds) come down to the deck beside the mast, same when stepping ashore. Motor boats are used to good strong guard rails we have to put up with wobbly stansions, the trouble is that when you lean on them the bolts that go through the deck move and then leak! well they do on cheap plastice boats.
We found a nice custom in Spanish and French harbours, that if you rafted when the other boat owner was not there, you leave a bottle of wine for them when they get back.
I think its the best way to park, very sociable.

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[Rustyknight]

Plan ahead, and have everthing ready in good time. Many a time boats try to come alongside with no fenders or warps ready, and expect their crew to hold on for dear life whils't they rummage around in lockers for fenders and untangle miles of string........

Not too sure about other peoples views, but to me, using a boathook to grab for stanchions and guardrails is a crime worthy of bringing back capital punishment....



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[l'escargot]

"if you need something to grab hold of step across where the rigging (shrouds) come down to the deck beside the mast, same when stepping ashore"

but only to steady yourself and not to swing from with all you weight!

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[britemp]

Thank you everyone for your advice which i shall heed!

It is OK for a mobo to raft to a raggie and vice versa then? Allowing of course for them all being of the hair shirt brigade and liable to wake you at 3am.


<hr width=100% size=1><< Sig removed at request from Kim Hollamby - he thought it might scare forumites! >>

 

[BrendanS]

Of course it is. Some of the best times are when you raft against raggies. Many a happy hour spent discussing wash, tacking, pwc's, col regs with them! They are usually delighted to find that Mobo can discuss such things, and often go away with a slightly different attitude towards our persuit.

Common sense prevails - if you are 23m mobo, then don't raft on a 8m raggie. If you are a 6m mobo, don't raft on 15m raggie- You'll take us space a larger boat could use, so you look for similar size rafts.Easier to get on and off shore if nothing else. Unless of course nowhere else to raft . Most of it really is just commonsense, unless as hlb has said, HM has told you where to go.

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[whisper]

Imagine they do that quite a lot with hlb /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[BrendanS]

Normal rules don't apply!

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[kingfisher]

1) stick to your own kind of boats
Don't put at 32 footer next to a 24ft boat. You can put a 24 next to a 32, though.
2) stick to your own kind of people
If you're a bunch of lads looking for a night on the town, don't raft up next to the boat with diapers hanging on the line and toys in the cockpit. Also vice versa, when travelling with kids, don't go alongside a [ah em!] boat and complain about lack of a decent night's sleep.
3) Always walk around via the pointy end of the boat
4) Grab something else than stanchions to pull yourself up. If you have to, grab a stanchion, grab the base, not the top (leverage, you see).
5) When moving from one boat to the other, try to avoid standing on the edges, as this will cause too much heel. Certainly with small boats. Putting your first foot 20 cm from the edge will make a marked difference.
6) End of the raft= quiet night, but long climb to get to the pub, and even longer climb coming back.
Closest to shore= easy access to facilities, but a herd of elephants over your roof all night.
You choose
7) Fenders. On both sides.
8) Spring lines.
9) Every third boat makes fast to shore, to prevent the whole raft from swinging.
10) Leave a note when you want to move out. Conversely, help a boat wheh he is moving out.
11) Check how the rest of the raft is moored. You might be a professor in cleats and knots, but that doesn't help if the first boat of the raft uses string and a granny knot to attach himself to shore.
12) For the raggies: make sure the masts don't allign.



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

 

[amf]

"12) For the raggies: make sure the masts don't align"

..interesting one that. Saw two raggies moored together in Osbourne Bay at the weekend. Bit of wash, and they had a swordfight with one another - smashed all their wind vane's (and other bits at the top of the mast) to bits! - and it was two sea school boats ;-)

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[Forbsie]

I was trying to get Rick Parfitt to moor alongside me on Sunday with his 34' Oyster? (or is that a saily boat?) He eventually came bow in to a tug and his son jumped off across the tug and neighbouring crane barge. Returned 20 mins later to pick up son together with Big Mac! Would have been much easier if he'd rafted against me.I'd even have given him a drink and a shot of my burgee!! /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

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[boatone]

Who's Rick Parfitt........or come to that, Big Mac? And was this in the delightful creeks of Twickers or Isleworth?
I fear you are moving in ever more dubious circles Forbsie, me old mucker.......or were you hallucinating through being out and about and sober on such a nice day /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

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