On Jun 27, 8:29*am, "Jim" wrote:
"John H." wrote in message

...



do you add extra lines to the bow ring and another to the stern ring, or
do
you use the bow and stern dock lines on the boat?

One person launches like this:
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"I use the knot to attach a stainless steel carabiner to the line. When I
launch or retrieve the boat, I attach one carabiner and line to the bow
ring and another carabiner and line to a stern ring. I tie the end of the
stern line to the dock and then push the boat off the trailer into the
water while holding the bow ring line, which I walk over to the dock. That
way, it makes it easy for me to tie the boat to the dock while I move and
park the truck and trailer.

For retrieval, I tie the boat to the dock, back the trailer down into the
water, and pull the boat onto the trailer by hand with the bow line.

I use carabiners because they snap on better and a bit more elegantly than
snaps."
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This is an elegant sounding method, but it leaves me wondering what
happens
to the line attached to the bow ring. Removing that while kneeling on the
bow could get pretty *hairy*.

As I'm always open to good ideas, I thought I'd present this and see if
anyone has a better way.

What you do depends on your situation. I am not a big fan of using tiedown
fittings as cleats. At your own slip you might use eye splices on one end of
your dock lines to go over your cleats and the bitter end to tie to the
dock. Leave the lines on the dock and its a snap to get set up again when
you return. You will need a second set of lines if you plan to dock
somewhere else during your outing. Carry a minimum of 3 lines with eye
splices on one end. On a 20 foot boat, I would keep 20 foot lines.
If you are a trailer boater, 3 lines the length of your boat with eyes on
one end is probably sufficient. When in doubt keep the lines rigged and
ready. Not good if you need to reach for a line and there is nothing there.
The caveat: Whatever you do. Do not allow lines to be in the water behind
your boat.
Be wary of dock walkers offering to help you tie up.-

YaImKool has cleats and ropes all over. My 3/8 bow line is usually
bent to a forward cleat under the front deck. It can be removed
quickly if necessary, and is not quite long enough to reach the prop.
I have smaller cleats (3 on each side) with various lengths of 1/4
inch from say, 1-2 feet long. I use these to tie down equipment, rods,
gear etc. while towing, as well as underway or fishing. I like to
keep the stern ropes short, but a quick sheetbend makes them as long
as you want. The shorter ropes along the sides are what catches the
eye of most fishermen, well aside from Shortpants favorite paint job
The stern cleats all carry a combination of a short rope and a small
bungee chord. I wrap the bungees around the rods while towing or
cruising, and being a lazy anchor fisherman, I tie off the rods with a
quick slipknot while I am not paying attention or even trolling. A
quick tug and the rod slips out of the holder. As well, I sling a
quick loop around poles hanging over the sides, those short ropes also
meet requirements for boats under 20 foot long to have "handles" or
steps along the sides in case of capsize.

I also carry a crate with several extra lengths of rope, mostly 1/4
and 3/8... I do have a length of 3/4 inch hemp too. The same crate
carries the extra anchor and chain, some ratcheting tie downs,
bungees, rain gear, first aid, and lantern... Somehow I always
thought these things all belonged together

Personally, I feel there is no more important tool on a small boat
than ropes and cleats.

Phewww.