Dock lines,correct height?
- Thread starter jmas
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The lower on the piling, the better for the piling. But it depends on your tidal range as to length. Parallel at mid-tide is a good start.
Related: We moved to a private house slip last year. The pilings were set so there was no way we could cross lines, and they were way too short for the changes in tidal levels we get in MD. I bought Tide Minders (sets of 9 "balls" that go around a piling via a bowline in a line) and rise and fall with the tide. One piling was under our pier and such a system would get hung up. I bought a Tide Slide for that one, and it does work well. However, I do have to change the slack on that one for extremes. But it's very nice to have the boat tied up tight the majority of the time.
Related: We moved to a private house slip last year. The pilings were set so there was no way we could cross lines, and they were way too short for the changes in tidal levels we get in MD. I bought Tide Minders (sets of 9 "balls" that go around a piling via a bowline in a line) and rise and fall with the tide. One piling was under our pier and such a system would get hung up. I bought a Tide Slide for that one, and it does work well. However, I do have to change the slack on that one for extremes. But it's very nice to have the boat tied up tight the majority of the time.
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"Is there a proper height that dock lines should be secured"
Not particularly. It is desirable to secure the fixed part such that at tidal mid-point the line is parallel to the water, but this is only so that you can secure the boat as snugly as possible throughout the tidal range. This is not always possible or practical. A line that has it's fixed part significantly higher or lower than this point will be excessively tight at one end to the tide range, and excessively loose at the other. Looking at your home port, I'd guess your daily tidal range to be less than 4 ft. If this is true, then "somewhere sort of close" should be plenty good enough. Ther range is not great enough to really make it matter.
In my opinion, of course.
Not particularly. It is desirable to secure the fixed part such that at tidal mid-point the line is parallel to the water, but this is only so that you can secure the boat as snugly as possible throughout the tidal range. This is not always possible or practical. A line that has it's fixed part significantly higher or lower than this point will be excessively tight at one end to the tide range, and excessively loose at the other. Looking at your home port, I'd guess your daily tidal range to be less than 4 ft. If this is true, then "somewhere sort of close" should be plenty good enough. Ther range is not great enough to really make it matter.
In my opinion, of course.
It depends upon several factors.
The width of the slip will influence the placement as will the tidal range.
I always secure mine high on the posts to allow for more movement in the event of a storm with high tides.
George
The width of the slip will influence the placement as will the tidal range.
I always secure mine high on the posts to allow for more movement in the event of a storm with high tides.
George
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Doesn't make much of a difference here in Florida, especially with longer lines
If you have to use short lines, like i do for my stern (can't cross as the stern extends past the pilings) then yes, put them at the height of your cleat at mid tide
If you have to use short lines, like i do for my stern (can't cross as the stern extends past the pilings) then yes, put them at the height of your cleat at mid tide