How Not to Tie-up

With the coming of winter, most boats on the Chesapeake will not be sailing. They may be hauled-out, placed in long safe rows that almost never topple like domminos. Or the owners may winterize them in place, pouring glycol where needed, tarping the cockpit, taking the cushions home, and double checking the lines and all wear points; they'll put her to bed properly.

Others just walk away for 6 months or more, hoping for the best or not thinking at all. A short walk down my home pier found these fine examples within just 8 boats. Some will "move" on their own before spring unless I retie them... and I may. Self preservation is a part of my motivation. Some is altruism; I would hope someone would do the same for me, though I don't expect it. Is there liability? Not unless I do it wrong and leave a note.

 Springline over the anchor. This is tight at low tide. The water here will rise as much as 3 feet without a storm, just the tide and a south wind. Really, this anchor should be removed from the roller if the slip is this tight.

Port and starboard chocks are reversed. Better, he needs straight chocks and chafing gear too. He saws through several lines each year but won't fix the chocks. Someone replaced this line (a dock mate) a few weeks ago, so it's not bad yet.

A crying need for chafing gear.

A washcloth, probably old, for chafing gear. Fortunately, the edge is so smooth and it won't be tested.

A rather short tail  on this knot. A minimum tail length of 10-15 rope diameters is typically recomended. Under any real strain it will pull through. Rock climbers are taught to tie a back-up knot, typically a double over hand, tying the tail  around the standing par; impossible to do if the tail is not long enough. There is a similar rational for always breaking matches when hiking in the woods; you have to wait until the match is cool before you break it or you will burn your fingers.

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What can you find on your home dock? Check your neighbors, before you find them sliding through the marina on a windy day. Hope they will do the same for you.