BARE COVE SAIL & POWER SQUADRON EVENTS
HINGHAM , MASSACHUSETTS
A Unit of United States Power Squadrons^®

THE "RULES" OF RAFTING
(a primer for people who are new to cruising)

Rafting can be fun, or it can be a horror show. When you arrive in a crowded anchorage too late to get a mooring or slip all your own (and these days there is hardly an anchorage which is not crowded) you really only have two choices left. The least desirable choice may be to anchor out beyond the mooring area in a less protected position and, the most desirable (depending upon whose boat you tie up to) may well be rafting.

When you make up your mind which option you will attempt, before laying alongside anyone's boat be sure that you have permission to do so. Then, make all of your preparations well in advance of approaching your new neighbor. Put out your fenders in positions and at heights which will protect, not only your hull and fittings, but to assure that the boat to which you will attach yourself will encounter no damage.

Fendering is an art in itself. The most effective means to fender boats in a "raft" is to use a fender-board. This is about a six foot long piece of 2" x 12" with fenders laced into position vertically and spaced evenly along its length, on "your side" of the board. On the other side, fenders are laced into position laterally along its length on "your neighbor's side". Of course, we all don't have fender-boards so, the next best thing is to use your big fat individual fenders, placed strategically where they will do the most good.

The best arrangement is for a smaller boat to raft to a larger boat along its port side (your starboard side to his port side). This is because most club or livery launches are prepared to come alongside to pick up or discharge passengers from their port side. Therefore, it is the starboard side of your neighbor's boat from which you will come and go. In addition, since the larger boat may well have a larger crew than yours, you will avoid the constant and noisy parade of feet across your deck.

It is best (and certainly more convenient) to use the larger boat's lines to tie off on your bow and stern. Of course, after you position your boat in such a manner as to keep your spreaders out of the neighbor's spreaders and shrouds, (and his out of yours) you will want to lay out your own spring lines (fore, aft, and breast) to maintain your position relative to the boat to which you have rafted.

Of course, it helps to leave some slack in your bow and stern lines ( more slack in the bow line) and let the spring and breast lines provide the elasticity needed to keep your boat in position and, to allow it to "lay off" and avoid the constant bumping otherwise caused by 'chop' or boat wakes in the anchorage.

In this manner, when you are ready to depart, all you need do is take in your own springs, coil your neighbor's lines and toss them aboard with a "thank you", take in your fenders, and go.

While you are alongside, for the duration of the raft, try not to be too boisterous, don't play loud (or lousy) music, and under no circumstances (unless you are invited to do so) should you cross over the other boat through its cockpit. That is your neighbor's private "back yard" or "sun porch". Instead, cross over quietly at the waist, and walk around the bow to the debarkation point. (that way, you will be less likely to intrude on any "private moments" and, should you do so inadvertantly, you really did not "see" or "hear" anything anyway).

If you are cooking aboard, especially from a stern rail mounted charcoal grille, be sure that it is on the side of your boat away from your neighbor. No one likes to share the smoke and odor of a cooking fire, or become concerned over the hazard of hot coals falling on an AllGrip paint job. Be sure to ask your neighbor if he minds if you start the grille (maybe he's still using an Atomic Four and has leaky fuel fittings which, under the worst of circumstances, could end both voyages).

If there was a charge made to the original occupant of the mooring, at the very least you should inquire of your kind neighbor if you may share the cost. He will most likely decline, but it's nice to ask. You might also think to invite your neighbor to share in a libation or two, in which case you may invite him aboard or the reverse might occur. In either case, don't overstay your welcome and, if he joins your "party", hope that he has read this article.

When getting underway, be sure that, if he is aboard, you let your neighbor know that you are preparing to leave and, by all means, take only your own fenders and lines with you because, no doubt, your neighbor has added some of his own to the pile since you arrived.

In the final analysis, rafting can be great fun and you will meet some very nice friendly people along the way. The underlying thought to keep in mind at all times, however, is fundamental courtesy and, remember the "golden rule": do unto others, etc.

Press here to return to the Bare Cove Sail & Power Squadron Home Page