On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 20:13:41 GMT, "chuck h"
wrote:
A side note is that this time I put on a third much longer lines at bow and
stern and fastened to the pilings because I expected that the regular dock
line loops might be pulled up over the pilings by the forecasted 14 foot
surge, which we didn't get thankfully. I don't know that it would have
helped, but couldn't hurt.

I'll be interested to hear what others have to say about this.

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If your pilings are high enough that the deck and rub rail can't ride
over the top in the storm surge, you're in fairly good shape. Next
step is to use long and strong spring lines to position the boat fore
and aft. With solid fore and aft positioning you can hang horizontal
fenders in the right places to absorb the side force against pilings.
I'd recommend doubling up on fenders in case one lets go or moves out
of position.

If you're docked against short pilings you MUST find away to spring
the boat away from the dock using anchors to the side, or spiderweb
lines to an opposing seawall or dock. The damage caused by riding
over the top of a piling is really ugly and difficult to repair
properly. A lot of boats have been totaled that way.