Mooring Whips - Good or Bad

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

I have the 2 piece oversized whips for my 24 ft FW. I have the lines connected to my dock as shown in RattesnakeGuy's illustration. I also added a spring line for extra measure to make sure that there is no forward and backwards movement and the whips stay straight as required. It doesn't take much chop to get the boat bobbing and weaving enough that I chicken out and move it to safety. Kind of defeats the purpose of the investment.

Blue Thunder

Bob and weave it might but does it crash into the dock ? We use whips but only for our PWC as there's not enough slip width to use them for the boat. The PWC bobs up 'n' down but stays away from the dock. In your case you might want to place a couple of fenders on the dock as well. Whips + fenders have to be better than fenders alone, as NB has already noted.

BTW : Did you adjust the lines to put the whips under the proper amount of pretension ?

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Bob and weave it might but does it crash into the dock ? We use whips but only for our PWC as there's not enough slip width to use them for the boat. The PWC bobs up 'n' down but stays away from the dock. In your case you might want to place a couple of fenders on the dock as well. Whips + fenders have to be better than fenders alone, as NB has already noted.

BTW : Did you adjust the lines to put the whips under the proper amount of pretension ?

Bobbing and weaving was a general statement. What I mean is that I feel like I have it all adjusted properly, spring lines, bow and stern lines and the tension. When there is a decent chop or boat wakes the bow and stern seem to alternate getting close to the dock to the point that I move the boat to keep it from POSSIBLY hitting. The real problem here is when it is blowing and choppy, it is very difficult to unhook everything and get away from the dock without damaging something...especially alone.
Don't waste your time on me guys...I'll figure it out somehow this year. My wife just said last night "are you going to use those expensive whips I bought you 2 years ago?" You probably can figure out the answer I gave her...

BT

[Yes, Dear]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

My wife just said last night "are you going to use those expensive whips I bought you 2 years ago?" You probably can figure out the answer I gave her...

BT

Yes, Dear?????

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Bobbing and weaving was a general statement. What I mean is that I feel like I have it all adjusted properly, spring lines, bow and stern lines and the tension. When there is a decent chop or boat wakes the bow and stern seem to alternate getting close to the dock to the point that I move the boat to keep it from POSSIBLY hitting. The real problem here is when it is blowing and choppy, it is very difficult to unhook everything and get away from the dock without damaging something...especially alone.
Don't waste your time on me guys...I'll figure it out somehow this year. My wife just said last night "are you going to use those expensive whips I bought you 2 years ago?" You probably can figure out the answer I gave her...

BT

BT
Best guess is you do not have enough tension on the whip lines. RG does not have enough strength to properly tension. When the kids were younger they could not pull the lines either. I would estimate that we pull about 70 - 80 lbs on the lines. We are on the broads and can get some good wind and waves. Once or twice a season, we have trouble with the whips not being enough to keep the front away from the dock. We have to supplement with a line to a tree on shore.