PDA

View Full Version : Tip on how to set up ropes and fenders



freddofrog
23-05-2007, 01:59 PM
Hi all

Did my boat licence on the weekend and was very impressed how the instructor had his ropes set up so I thought I'd share it with you being the kind hearted soul that I am.;D

On each side there is a rope from the bow bollard, around the aft bollard and finishing off at the miship bollard - see the top brown rope in my wonderful diagram below. (There is also a loop spliced halfway-ish that also slips over the midship bollard to stop the rope dragging in the water). So if anyone happens to fall off, there is always a rope they can grab onto that goes all way round the boat

When launching, take the loops off the midship bollard, attach the end to the aft bollard and you have your launching bridle, piece of cake!

When tying up at the jetty, have the end on the aft bollard, loop over 2 jetty pillons and tie off at the midship bollard. (see bottom rope in diagram) When you pull away from the ramp you simply step in boat, slip rope off rear aft bollard and off you go. No coiling rope around pillons, no jumping from jetty to boat, no walking around to the bow, everything controlled easily and safely from within the boat, nice and simple. Once you're underway, you can return the rope to original position as above so everything is neat and tidy.

And as the ropes are permanently on both sides, everthing is set up ready to go no mater what side you launch or berth on.

For the fender, he had the rope tied to both ends of it. It is set in the same way as attaching a hook to a dropper loop (see my amazing pic below). By adjusting the proportion of the rope "arms" l you can either position it vertically or horizontally and you can also adjust the height when set vertically, pretty cool huh8-) …well I think so.

Then again all you old sea dogs may already know all of this but for a newbie like me I thought it was a great system and I've already modified my ropes and installed 2 midship bollards.:D

Hope all that makes sense...

Cya
ff

kingtin
23-05-2007, 04:55 PM
Yeah, ff

Having a rope down both sides saves heaps of hassle. How many times do you see boats at jetties with a painter tied to the bow and a wife or child hanging onto it whilst the skipper parks the trailer. he comes back to see the bow into the jetty and the stern floating beyond reach of anyone...............I was that skipper! ;D

I've learned that two extra long painters, one down each side of the boat and secured at the stern cleats are the best way to go. They're always there, depending which side of the boat you're docking. Slacken 'em off prior to docking and once a crew member steps onto the jetty he can grab the painter amidships and this pulls the stern and bow in together so that the whole length of the boat is alongside of the jetty. slip the painter over a jetty cleat near the bow, and likewise near the stern, and they'll keep the rig hard in, once you take up the slack.

As you say, also good for a grab rope if anyone goes over...........a grab rope is compulsory in some States in the USA.

kev

kingtin
23-05-2007, 04:55 PM
Double posting, sorry.

kev

charleville
23-05-2007, 05:06 PM
Goodonyer Freddo and Kingtin. Very helpful.

Many thanks! :)

TOPAZ
23-05-2007, 08:22 PM
Hi All,

Just for interest, a line connected to a stern cleat at one end, and the central bollard on the bow, such as described in these posts, long enough to hold the slack in both hands to control bow and stern when launching and retrieving, is called a SNOTTER!

When I was teaching boating safety at Coastal Patrol Melbourne, this always caused a snigger amongst the students, but it is one of the must useful pieces of line you will ever own - total control over the boat at both ends . It must be used on the windward side.


Richard.

freddofrog
23-05-2007, 09:17 PM
:D snigger snigger:D

kingtin
23-05-2007, 09:32 PM
Hi All,

Just for interest, a line connected to a stern cleat at one end, and the central bollard on the bow, such as described in these posts, long enough to hold the slack in both hands to control bow and stern when launching and retrieving, is called a SNOTTER!



Probably gets it's name from those cold days when you get back to the ramp and one side of your nostril is blocked up or running.............the cure of course being to press the other one with your finger and blow hard. The result being that the 'snotter" always seems to go where it shouldn't......and in this case.........onto the painter, that henceforth shall be called a "snotter" ;D

kev

Wyoming
24-05-2007, 03:55 PM
Kev - you continue to be creative! How have you been? I've been away again for a bit and now I have to re-learn how to fish.

Neil

kingtin
24-05-2007, 04:40 PM
Kev - you continue to be creative! How have you been? I've been away again for a bit and now I have to re-learn how to fish.

Neil

Hiya Neil,

I wondered where you'd got to............the States again?

Mate, I've been good, but the last 3 months has seen the last foster boy gone. That's it for me now..........I'm getting too bloody old for the hassle. It's nice getting to know my own kids again.

Nice to see you back mate. Enjoy your re-skilling ;D

kev