Securing Lines

[TurboWarp]

Question: When I tie lines in a transient slip, I prefer to place the eye on my boat cleat, loop once over their pilings, and secure the bastard end to the same or different cleat on my boat. I do this so I can adjust as needed and also when leaving I don't usually need any line handlers because I control both ends. This is a little more problematic when securing to a transient dock cleat. In that case, I secure the line to the slip cleat and then the bastard end to my boat cleat.

Any problems with this method? What do others do?

 

[toofast]

Funny I've never heard the bitter end of a line called the bastard end? Not that it realy matters, but I found this funny.

 

[November Charlie]

Neither have I, but I like it.

Turbo, sounds about good. Either way, I'm of the firm and learned belief that you should always be in control of your lines, from your boat. Always pass the eye. Whether it's to a dock or piling or another boat, if you pass the eye, you can work the line the way you want it from your boat, without having to take the foolish leap of faith that the person on the dock or other boat knows exactly how you want to work that line.

You CAN still do the same with dock cleats as with pilings, though. If it's not a temporary thing, like bringing it alongside a windward mooring singlehanded, that half turn around the cleat isn't enough to bank on, though. Simple take a couple half hitches across the cleat. It'll be more secure, and you can still remove it from the deck of your boat.

 

[stmbtwle]

Good setup Turbo; I often do it the same way. However I have LARGE eyes in my mooring lines and with just the eye around the cleat or piling I can flip it off from the boat.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

There is no problem with doing that if you're short handed or want to leave in a hurry without the need for help on the dock.

You can do the same thing to a cleat. Just go around it twice. When you are ready to leave it usually isn't a problem to undo it with a couple of flicks of the line.