| Author | Message | ||
     Ted Lavino New member Username: Tlavino Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2004 |
Agreed David, hence my caveats re: ground tackle, conditions and anchor watches. I would't want to be rafted in conditions that would lead me to ponder whether the ground tackle was up to the task  . | ||
| David Sheriff Advanced Member Username: David Post Number: 105 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ted, your advice makes sense when anchoring from the bow only. As the group swings with changing wind and current, the anchor rodes from the various vessels do not twist and tangle. The negative, of course, is that all assumptions regarding anchor holding power and scope do not apply unless the anchored boat (and it's ground tackle) is much larger than all the others. I do not think I could sleep with two or three boats of similar size on the same hook. Note that Mark's method involves everyone anchored bow and stern perhaps 50 feet apart before pulling together for the side tie. | ||
| Ted Lavino (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest |
I would suggest only one center boat have an anchor out, the rest side tied via bow, stern and springs. Of course this applies in sheltered anchorages and having the proper anchor and scope. I don't recommend spending the night this way unless anchor watches are present to recognize conditions that would require splitting up. | ||
| markhowe |
The method we have used for class raftups in the Channel Islands has been for all boats to first anchor bow and stern separately but side by side. Then the boats warp together. [that means pulling together by means of ropes] But since conditions are sometimes uncalm we frequently do this without actually touching each other. Then we separate for the night so that if conditions change we are able to each accomodate independently. Also unanchoring is done the normal way. Yacht club/ cruising club etc. rafts are often done like designing a building. Key boats are anchored in key positions depending on the shape of hte raft; eg. circle, arc, star shape, crescent, etc. Then the other boats simply side tie without using any anchor at all with the entire spasm drawn together with warps. Very architectural. If another boat comes along, simply separate a spot and let them in. A central lagoon may be left for dinghy races, drunk swimmers, or other cultural events. I would be nervous about all on bow rodes rafted because what if they all loop around during the night. That is like a bahamian on one boat twisted up but times three. But you could have the center boat put out a stern hook. | ||
| Jack Durish |
Sailboats don't back well under power. Thus, I like to join a raft moving forward. I simply drop the hook on the same side as the raft and snub the line as my bow reaches theirs. I pivot on the spot (to the same side as the anchor line is paying out) and lay alongside. It has the added advantage of setting the hook really well. Sounds tricky, doesn't it? Actually it works like a charm but I recommend that you practice the maneouver before attempting it alongside another vessel. | ||
| hughston (hughston) |
I think it depends on the conditions, how many boats, and for how long. Remember when Besame tied a line to us (Pilgrimage) in Elephant Seal Cove at SBI and hung off our tackle, and our stern? That was when conditions where very calm, and only for about an hour and a half. I dove on our bow anchor for a look and we were not even putting any tension on the rode (all chain) while I saw it. I think if conditions are fairly light, you can set your bow anchor and take a rafter on either side without any worry. With a third rafter, it would be interesting for that vessel to set a bow anchor and back down along side the others. | ||
| susie (susie) |
When I see all those boats rafted up together in the turn basin in Dana Point(Sometimes there are as many as 15) I wonder to myself...do they ALL have their bow anchor out? What a mess that would be when it was time to raise the anchor. When we went to Newport, we all dropped our bow anchor and then pulled up next to each other. Raising the anchors the next morning was a bit of a delemma. My question...Let's say I wanted to invite the Friday sailing class over to the turn basin some Friday night for some Campbell's soup on Campbell's Sloop. What would be the best way for you all to do this? |
