Offshore Log: Fit To Be Tied

Musicians practice their scales, wrestlers their grips. No reason why sailors shouldn't go back to the primer once in a while, and review how best to keep a boat secured to something solid.

Clear PVC hose is a poor choice for chafing gear. For starters, it's difficult to hold in place. In this case, one piece of hose is 'seized' to the dockline with a stainless steel hose clamp, which could chafe on the adjacent line or on the boat. The other piece of hose was not secured in any way, has slipped out of position, and is now doing nothing. As the hose ages, it can become so stiff and brittle that it can actually cut through docklines.

Tying a boat to a dock and pilings isn’t exactly rocket science, but it's surprising how easy it is to forget some of the basics. Bow and stern lines stop the boat from moving transversely in the slip, while spring lines control fore and aft movement. For a side-tie, a bow line, a stern line, and fore and aft springs will have to do. For a tie-off in the middle of a slip, add a second set of bow and stern lines, but a single set of springs will normally suffice.…