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Because Freedom Boat Club has such helpful, friendly dock staff, our members never have to worry about casting off, or securing the boat when they return.
But not every slip has such helpful staff, so it is important that you know how to secure a boat to a dock!
Brief Stop
For a brief stop, if you getting lunch, etc, you can use two or three lines to secure your boat, for a “port alongside tie-up”:
A stern line: going from the starboard stern cleat to a piling behind the boat
A bow line: going from the port or midship bow cleat to a piling forward of the boat
A spring line: going from the aft quarter section of the dock to the forward port quarter breast cleat of the boat (if needed)
Overnight/Extended Stop
If you have an FBC boat overnight or for an extended stop, you can also use a “port alongside tie-up”, but we recommend that you use four lines to secure the boat.
A stern line: going from the starboard stern cleat to a piling behind the boat
A stern/spring line: going from the port stern cleat to a piling forward to the midship of the boat
A bow line: going from the port or midship bow cleat to a piling forward of the boat
A bow/spring line: going from the port bow cleat to a piling to the aft midship of the boat
Non-Floating Docks
Remember, when securing your boat to a non-floating dock, always have enough slack in your lines for the tidal changes.
Safety
Don’t forget to step over the line when disembarking or boarding, and deploy your fenders on the port quarter section, aft and forward to prevent damage to the boat.
More women than ever before have discovered the boating lifestyle. Whether at the helm or as a valued second mate, they are enjoying the benefits of boating. Here are some great tips from some seasoned female skippers who train hundreds of women each year as part of the Freedom Boat Club DIVA program.
Nothing beats getting out on the water and making memories that last a lifetime with those you love. When a child enters the family, it makes sense that you want to start sharing those special times with them too! As you can imagine, there are definitely some challenges involved with bringing your toddler on board, but with a few tips and tricks, and a positive attitude, you can start creating those everlasting memories!
Every time you go out boating, you should be sure to take the following items in a “Go Bag” or “Ditch Bag”.
Keep your bag in the same place in your house, somewhere easily accessible, so you will be sure to grab it every time you go boating.
Always keep it fully stocked — never “borrow” items from it for home use!
Because Freedom Boat Club has such helpful, friendly dock staff, our members never have to worry about casting off, or securing the boat when they return.
But not every slip has such helpful staff, so it is important that you know how to secure a boat to a dock!
From a practical safety standpoint, boaters should always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device). However, every U.S. state has different laws regarding the wearing of PFDs, so you should always check your local laws to see what is applicable.
When hailing another vessel, less is always more, and there is an accepted way to make contact.