Tying up to dock during large tide swings?

R

robchappelle

New member
Hi, here on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, there's a public floating dock near my house. I'd like to tie up my Tomcat 24 to it during the day, so I can use the boat at low-to-medium tide, instead of only at very high tide. I keep the boat on its trailer normally. Most of the time the floating dock is actually floating, but at lower tides it can spend a few hours on the ground, on the beach. Under the dock is mostly sand with some pebbles, so I'd be comfortable with the Tomcat sitting on the beach if the tide goes way out.

What's a good way to tie the boat to the dock to account for the boat beaching while still tied to the dock? I've measured the height difference between the boat and the dock when it's floating vs. beached, and when beached the relative heights change by about a foot. I've thought about tying the lines a little looser so there's more play (with fenders deployed of course), but sometimes it's also a little windy, and I don't want the boat to get banged up. I also don't want the boat hanging in the air by just its cleats. :)
 
ssobol":3gxrmpkt said:
Tie the boat to the downwind side so the wind holds the boat away from the dock.
Click to expand...

Might work. It's good advice, but you do need to consider the tidal flow as well. Big and many fenders are your friend there. And, as mentioned, tie loose to the dock, with engines way up.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Judicious use of spring lines will tend to keep the boat at the relative same place at the deck as tide goes out. It would not hurt the boat--as long as there is no wave action--which would pound the boat on the bottom...

I would put bow and stern breast lines and fore and aft spring lines--enough flexabliltiy so that the lines don't hold the boat up, when the dock is grounded.
 
thataway":3nujvk4a said:
Judicious use of spring lines will tend to keep the boat at the relative same place at the deck as tide goes out. It would not hurt the boat--as long as there is no wave action--which would pound the boat on the bottom...

I would put bow and stern breast lines and fore and aft spring lines--enough flexabliltiy so that the lines don't hold the boat up, when the dock is grounded.
Click to expand...

Or that the boat does not hold up the dock either.

Agree, spring and breast lines and skip the bungee.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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