How to do it safely!
Tying up to other vessels is a great way to connect and interact with family and friends. But there is still plenty that can go wrong if you do not do it the right way. Just ask the repair guys at your marina or boat repair facility!
Fact is, there is no such thing as truly calm water. And even though tying up to other boats is usually done in calm conditions, there is always some movement, which becomes more significant the closer boats get to one another.
In addition, along with fast-rising natural conditions like wind and storms, we have the occasional socially awkward yahoo who cruises up tossing a bigger-than-safe wake.
While it may be tempting to pull two boats together stern to stern, especially when both vessels have inviting swim platforms, this practice should be strictly avoided. It is difficult to judge distances this way. The last thing you want is for the swim platforms to slam into one another, causing boat damage or, worse, sending a waiting passenger into the water.
A beam-to-beam crossing is the best way to transfer people and goods. Have the vessel with the disembarking person approach against the wind. Come in slowly with fenders deployed and have spring lines ready to toss to the other boat. Most problems during a beam-to-beam transfer will result in the vessels drifting apart, so make sure the lines are secure before anyone moves from one boat to the other.
At the moment of transfer, boat transmissions should be in neutral (i.e. the props are not turning) but both boat Master’s should be ready to engage the controls should something go unexpectedly wrong.
Once the passengers, boat bags, coolers, and whatever have been safely moved from one boat to the other, simply untie the lines and part ways.
Of course, the best place to visit from boat to boat is when both are in their respective berths. It is so much easier to just walk down the pontoon or wharf and step aboard. In other words, why leave a perfectly good boat that is not sinking?
Firstly, when considering rafting up, especially for any length of time always consider not only the prevailing conditions but also conditions over the time you’re intending to be rafted up.
While the current conditions may be favourable there may be a sudden change forecast and if it comes in suddenly you could have major problems that lead to boat damage or injuries.
A great tip is when positioning fenders start with the midship fender then ensure all other fenders are located where the boats are likely to come together. This will be dependant upon each boats shape!
Also, when tying off fenders ensure the knot is not going to slip. If a fender slips down due to a poorly tied knot they become useless allowing boats to bang together and potentially cause costly damage!