New to a slip......advise needed

[Keystonefisher]

After years of trailering a 21cc, I am finally making the jump to a 28’ cc wa. I got slip 34 at frank’s pier at AH Marina. Looking for advise on what I’ll need with respect to bumpers; dock lines; spring lines.... length of lines; type etc.. I know it’s a learning experience but I want to be as prepared as possible on day one. Thanks in advance.

[Dclark2]

suggest you look at the regulars before you splash..

[Irish Jigger]

Was on Franks for years. For starters you need counter weights on pulleys attached to your two bow cleats. We used cinder blocks one one each side with galvanized chain through the blocs and attached to the 1/2 inch line run thru the stainless pulleys. Do it at low tide so you know the blocks are not on the bottom or suspended in the air. Now your boat is centered in the slip. We then ran a spring line from the cleat on the dock to another pulley on each piling and put a loop in the line at your mid hull cleats.This set will pull you back from the dock/ ladder to the distance your comfortable with while the bow is attached to the counter weights. The last set of lines are in the stern cris crossing your motors from the pilings to the stern cleats. Spend a day and a full tide cycle to make adjustments. Worked for us and many others for years. Your choice of counter weights can be anything from 45 lb weight lifting plates to concrete filled 6 inch pvc with an eye hook mounted in the concrete to a simple cinderblock. I replaced the blocks every 2 years and never had an issue.Sounds complicated but is a very quick and stable way to keep your boat safe. So it's 4 stainless 3/4 inch pulleys, 2 15 foot lengths of 1/2 inch line for the stern, and a long length of good 1/2 inch line probably roughly 150 feet when all is said and done. Cutting and burning the ends with each line made.
Feel free to pm me with any questions I can help you out if needed.

Sean

[Capt. Debbie]

After reading all this you should now see the advantage of floating docks.

Wait until you lower a cooler with a 100 lbs of ice down to the boat... aka PAIN IN THE ASS. And going back on the dock at low tide is just as bad.

Check out your slip and see how wide and tight it is. As well as how long. You'll find the hardest parts are keeping it in the middle of slip when not in use. Cant have it smashing into the boarding ladder. Can we? Now design it with your cleat location. How many and how long are the lines? And getting on it every time is an adventure. Get lines that are the biggest that will fit on your cleats.

The tow boats were on floating docks at our marinas. Great side boarding with finger docks. Now at Bakers you have to make the LEAP of FAITH going down a ladder with gear to get on it. Hoping the deck is not slick. And then later jump off it on to the slimy low tide ladder.




Was on Franks for years. For starters you need counter weights on pulleys attached to your two bow cleats. We used cinder blocks one one each side with galvanized chain through the blocs and attached to the 1/2 inch line run thru the stainless pulleys. Do it at low tide so you know the blocks are not on the bottom or suspended in the air. Now your boat is centered in the slip. We then ran a spring line from the cleat on the dock to another pulley on each piling and put a loop in the line at your mid hull cleats.This set will pull you back from the dock/ ladder to the distance your comfortable with while the bow is attached to the counter weights. The last set of lines are in the stern cris crossing your motors from the pilings to the stern cleats. Spend a day and a full tide cycle to make adjustments. Worked for us and many others for years. Your choice of counter weights can be anything from 45 lb weight lifting plates to concrete filled 6 inch pvc with an eye hook mounted in the concrete to a simple cinderblock. I replaced the blocks every 2 years and never had an issue.Sounds complicated but is a very quick and stable way to keep your boat safe. So it's 4 stainless 3/4 inch pulleys, 2 15 foot lengths of 1/2 inch line for the stern, and a long length of good 1/2 inch line probably roughly 150 feet when all is said and done. Cutting and burning the ends with each line made.
Feel free to pm me with any questions I can help you out if needed.

Sean

[Irish Jigger]

Oh I've been on a floater for a few years now Capt Frank. My days on hurricane row and climbing that ladder are long gone. I was on franks for years prior to Sandy slip 14 so I was tucked closer to the bulkhead and had no issues at all. I believe the Harbor now offers 30% discounts for anyone interested in Franks so it's budget friendly for first timer looking to go to a slip or anyone looking to save a few bucks and still be in a great location.

[Capt. Debbie]

I guess that's why it is available? LOL




Oh I've been on a floater for a few years now Capt Frank. My days on hurricane row and climbing that ladder are long gone. I was on franks for years prior to Sandy slip 14 so I was tucked closer to the bulkhead and had no issues at all. I believe the Harbor now offers 30% discounts for anyone interested in Franks so it's budget friendly for first timer looking to go to a slip.

[Keystonefisher]

Thanks for the much needed advise everyone!!! After taking it all in I called and switched over to a floating dock. Seemed like a lot of pressure for someone who is brand new to the slip game. Any special hints or advise you guys are willing to share regarding the floating dock? Thanks again!!!

[Irish Jigger]

Take a walk around the piers in the marina and find a boat with similar dimensions and cleat layout and go from there. Dock to the bow, piling to the stern and mid cleats and done. Just depends on if you are coming in bow first or stern. It’s 50/50 in Atlantic and I don’t like walking a plank to get on and off so I am bow in.

[Maritime Matt]

After reading all this you should now see the advantage of floating docks.

Wait until you lower a cooler with a 100 lbs of ice down to the boat... aka PAIN IN THE ASS. And going back on the dock at low tide is just as bad.

Check out your slip and see how wide and tight it is. As well as how long. You'll find the hardest parts are keeping it in the middle of slip when not in use. Cant have it smashing into the boarding ladder. Can we? Now design it with your cleat location. How many and how long are the lines? And getting on it every time is an adventure. Get lines that are the biggest that will fit on your cleats.

The tow boats were on floating docks at our marinas. Great side boarding with finger docks. Now at Bakers you have to make the LEAP of FAITH going down a ladder with gear to get on it. Hoping the deck is not slick. And then later jump off it on to the slimy low tide ladder.

I couldn't agree more. Floating docks are well worth the extra coin. And remember, It can get pretty rolly in there on an East wind. I remember renting boats from Frank's back in the late 60's. Oh those good ol'e fluke days.