What do you do with docklines?

[chef2sail]

We are with t37...dock lines are at the dock and set up for easy docking almost have permanent set lengths.

We have a least 8 one the boat for traveling when we take our trips to NE or even for just a simple raft up. Dont forget to carry spring lines as well as fore and aft lines.

These lines should laso be in as good condition as your regular dock lines.

Mmost gas docks already have lines as well as fenders.

Dave

[mgmhead]

Same as the others, a set left at the dock for use upon return to slip and a traveling set (plus extras) for when we are away. If you're rafting up don't rely upon the other boat(s) to have fenders for your use. Bring your own for sure. However, if you're rafting with me, I carry extra fenders too.

[Honda800]

THANKS for all the advice. SailNet is the best!

Thanks again,

Dale

[Tim R.]

Good point about fenders. I keep 2 large balls at the dock and take our other four conventional fenders with. One of them an oversize for neighbors who may wish to play bumper boats.

[pdqaltair]

2 sets.

* Dock set often is grimy, as parts sometimes hang in the water at certain tides.
* By leaving the dock set in place the chafing gear is always in the right places.
* My dock set is one size thicker than my travel set, for durability sake.

[hellosailor]

If you leave them ON the dock, then how do you tie up when you return? You can't, until after someone jumps on the dock, or someone on the dock throws you a line.

Where if you take the lines with you, you can always throw a line around a bollard or horn cleat and tie the boat to the dock, at least initially, without ever getting off the boat.

(Folks who run jump to the dock usually wind up falling on something at some point.)

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

If you leave them ON the dock, then how do you tie up when you return? You can't, until after someone jumps on the dock, or someone on the dock throws you a line.

It depends on your slip configuration.

At the end of our slip are two pilings, one for each stern line. Moving forward, at the end of the finger pier is another piling with one on the opposite side of the slip for our spring lines. Then on the dock are the pilings for the two stern lines.

As the boat drifts into the slip the person midship reaches down and attaches the spring line then does the same with the other spring line. The helmsman uses the boat hook to retrieve the bow lines from the two pilings and attaches those lines to the boat cleats.

So far, the boat is secure without having to either jump off onto the dock or rely on someone to throw us lines.

Once those lines are secure we're either handed the bow lines or we can then safely step onto the finger pier and retrieve them at our leisure.

A friend has a power boat and essentially has the same setup only he enters the slip stern first.

In your case, why couldn't you use your boat hooks to retrieve the lines? A telescoping hook goes out pretty far and with some practice twisting the line around the hook once, it won't slip off.

[CaptainForce]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

If you leave them ON the dock, then how do you tie up when you return? You can't, until after someone jumps on the dock, or someone on the dock throws you a line.

Where if you take the lines with you, you can always throw a line around a bollard or horn cleat and tie the boat to the dock, at least initially, without ever getting off the boat.

(Folks who run jump to the dock usually wind up falling on something at some point.)

This depends on the boat. I step down 18 inches from the lowest point of sheer on my 41' ketch, but mine's an older boat. A lot of newer vessels have developed very high freeboards; however, though I often leave lines at the dock, I always have lines aboard. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

If you leave them ON the dock, then how do you tie up when you return? You can't, until after someone jumps on the dock, or someone on the dock throws you a line.

Where if you take the lines with you, you can always throw a line around a bollard or horn cleat and tie the boat to the dock, at least initially, without ever getting off the boat.

(Folks who run jump to the dock usually wind up falling on something at some point.)

Try it. IF you leave the lines coiled on the bollards it is MUCH faster to snag one with a boat hook than to place a new one.