Boating etiquette question

pm203 · 08-15-2010, 10:38 PM

I have seen fist fights erupt over this. I never would move anyone's boat. It is rude and wrong.

cowisl · 08-16-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pm203

I have seen fist fights erupt over this. I never would move anyone's boat. It is rude and wrong.

Ditto. Its amazing that most people dont know how to tie properly as well

jrc · 08-16-2010, 12:50 PM

There has been a lot of agreement here, and I agree as well, don't touch someone elses property. Obvious exception for safety or good samaritan re-tying.

I think the whole moving boats things comes from the days when everyone had a small rugged runabout. It was no big deal to move them around. Now people have expensive boats that scratch easy, so a careless tie job can end up costing some serious money for gel coat repairs.

If I was trapped behind another boat, I don't know how long I would wait. Usually I try very hard not to get in that situation and I have never been trapped more than a few minutes.

It is much more likely that I will trap someone. In that case I try to stay close. The whole trapping issue makes me avoid Wolfeboro, especially since the best non-trapping dock is now for painted blue and unusable.

Winnipesaukee · 08-17-2010, 02:26 AM

I was on a friend's boat when he fell victim to one of these ignorant and empowered people.

The proper way to tie a boat to a piling is with a pile hitch (not 2 half hitches, a clove hitch, and a bowline is too fragile by losing half of the rope's rated strength).

Windy day. We came back to find his boat moved and against another boat. (edit back to my original post, which was changed by the moderator) "Capt. BH" had improperly tied up the boat after he moved it. Both spring lines were tossed back in the boat and the stern line had let go. The bow-line wasn't even a knot, just kind of barely holding on.

So please don't move someone else's boat. It might be mine, and I will make a thread about you.

VtSteve · 08-17-2010, 07:10 AM

Pile hitch

http://www.ehow.com/video_4416489_tie-pile-hitch.html

Also available as an iPhone app

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anima...376302649?mt=8

VitaBene · 08-17-2010, 08:53 AM

Winni,

You are correct the pile hitch is a great knot (as long as you can reach over the top of the pile (some of the Town Docks pilings may preclude the use of this knot))

Link to youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCamZg0gD1Q

PC31 · 08-17-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnipesaukee

I was on a friend's boat when he fell victim to one of these ignorant and empowered people.

The proper way to tie a boat to a piling is with a pile hitch

Ok Captain could you fill me in on a pile hitch.
signed ignorant

Winnipesaukee · 08-18-2010, 02:17 AM

If you don't know the pile hitch you haven't lived yet.

Some other members posted links on how to tie it.

If you cannot get the bight over the top, you can still tie the hitch but it takes a bit more practice. I think I've encountered this once (maybe in Meredith?) and just use a bowline.

Pop quiz: The 4-in-hand tie knot is the same (renamed) as what sailing/boating knot?

Bear Islander · 08-18-2010, 12:09 PM

I have moved boats. If you don't want your boat moved, don't tie it up in a stupid manner.

If you tie up such that you are blocking someone or if you tie up to the second or third post from the end, then you should expect to have your boat moved. Some people like to take two spaces when they park their car. You can't move a car but when you tie up at a busy dock such that you take up move space than necessary then you shouldn't be surprised if your boat is not exactly where you put it.

The second or third post from the end thing is really annoying. Just what are people thinking when they do that?

jrc · 08-18-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

...The second or third post from the end thing is really annoying. Just what are people thinking when they do that?

They are thinking, I just want to tie this boat somewhere so she will stop yelling at me.

Bear Islander · 08-18-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

They are thinking, I just want to tie this boat somewhere so she will stop yelling at me.

Great answer!

================

When you tie up to the second or third post you are leaving only one or two posts open, not two or three. One post is totally useless. Two posts, on most docks, is almost totally useless. When someone does that they are being a jerk, PERIOD! You can tell your girlfriend that you are leaving a spot for one of the thousands of 10' long boats on the lake, but we both know different. And if I should walk by, you boat is being moved.

Next I will be told that when you park you car in two spaces you are really trying to leave spaces for motorcycles on either side.

DEJ · 08-18-2010, 04:48 PM

BI, there very well could of been a small 12 footer tied up in the space of the three post's from the end. As mentioned in earlier post's boats and people come and go so while it might appear someone tied up three post's from the end there could be a legit reason.

As Skip mentioned in another thread if you re-tie another boat and cause damage you are liable for all damages. Seems like a risk not worth taking IMO.

VitaBene · 08-18-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I have moved boats. If you don't want your boat moved, don't tie it up in a stupid manner.

If you tie up such that you are blocking someone or if you tie up to the second or third post from the end, then you should expect to have your boat moved. Some people like to take two spaces when they park their car. You can't move a car but when you tie up at a busy dock such that you take up move space than necessary then you shouldn't be surprised if your boat is not exactly where you put it.

The second or third post from the end thing is really annoying. Just what are people thinking when they do that?

Stupid manner? Please re-read the thread, boats sometimes look like they were docked improperly when the other boats around them leave.

If someone leaves 2 or 3 posts at the end of the dock, that is enough for a jet ski or 2 or even a small runabout.

hazelnut · 08-18-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I have moved boats. If you don't want your boat moved, don't tie it up in a stupid manner.

If you tie up such that you are blocking someone or if you tie up to the second or third post from the end, then you should expect to have your boat moved. Some people like to take two spaces when they park their car. You can't move a car but when you tie up at a busy dock such that you take up move space than necessary then you shouldn't be surprised if your boat is not exactly where you put it.

The second or third post from the end thing is really annoying. Just what are people thinking when they do that?

Well a Jet-Ski may have been there or a smaller boat. You are taking quite a risk by touching someone's boat. What you THINK you are seeing can quite often be a very different story. Did you read the whole thread before you posted?

You never know who's boat you're moving and never mind the liability you better be ready to explain to the crowd of 7 guys standing around you asking you why you are touching their boat.

DEJ · 08-18-2010, 07:37 PM

BI, I pray that I find you moving my boat someday.

gravy boat · 08-18-2010, 09:34 PM

Here is one for you:

Glendale docks. Weekday. Launch dock..not island side of launch area. No boats except one...tied close enough to the ramp that a trailer with a 25 ft boat could back in ... But not launch.

How long would you all wait? Keep mind the island dock was full .

Would you rather wait until the owner returns in what could be 3 hours later? Would you turn around and go home instead of moving the boat, living by the "do unto others" rule?

I moved the boat back enough to safely launch and be on my way. And will do so again every time without hesitation.

Gb

ps. We did wait a few before launching in case the owner had just launched and was parking the trailer.

Winnipesaukee · 08-19-2010, 06:48 PM

If it blocked the ramp, then I would have called NHMP (on the phone because VHF is almost useless here

) and had them move it.

NoBozo · 08-18-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I have moved boats. If you don't want your boat moved, don't tie it up in a stupid manner.

If you tie up such that you are blocking someone or if you tie up to the second or third post from the end, then you should expect to have your boat moved. Some people like to take two spaces when they park their car. You can't move a car but when you tie up at a busy dock such that you take up move space than necessary then you shouldn't be surprised if your boat is not exactly where you put it.

The second or third post from the end thing is really annoying. Just what are people thinking when they do that?

I'm trying to remember when I have agreed with BI. I TOTALLY Agree this time. OH NO: I guess I just ruined Bear Islanders Credibility. That was not my intent though.

It's a judgement call.......NB

08-17-2010, 02:26 AM	#4
Winnipesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 233 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Let me put it this way... (rant on those who can't tie knots) :) I was on a friend's boat when he fell victim to one of these ignorant and empowered people. The proper way to tie a boat to a piling is with a pile hitch (not 2 half hitches, a clove hitch, and a bowline is too fragile by losing half of the rope's rated strength). Windy day. We came back to find his boat moved and against another boat. (edit back to my original post, which was changed by the moderator) "Capt. BH" had improperly tied up the boat after he moved it. Both spring lines were tossed back in the boat and the stern line had let go. The bow-line wasn't even a knot, just kind of barely holding on. So please don't move someone else's boat. It might be mine, and I will make a thread about you. __________________ Sail fast, live slow! Last edited by Winnipesaukee; 08-18-2010 at 02:22 AM. Reason: Moderator changed my wording. I just had to change it back. :)

08-17-2010, 07:10 AM	#5
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Right on Winni Pile hitch http://www.ehow.com/video_4416489_tie-pile-hitch.html Also available as an iPhone app http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anima...376302649?mt=8

08-17-2010, 08:53 AM	#6
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,612 Thanks: 1,660 Thanked 1,650 Times in 853 Posts	Pile Hitch Winni, You are correct the pile hitch is a great knot (as long as you can reach over the top of the pile (some of the Town Docks pilings may preclude the use of this knot)) Link to youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCamZg0gD1Q

08-18-2010, 02:17 AM	#8
Winnipesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 233 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	If you don't know the pile hitch you haven't lived yet. Some other members posted links on how to tie it. If you cannot get the bight over the top, you can still tie the hitch but it takes a bit more practice. I think I've encountered this once (maybe in Meredith?) and just use a bowline. Pop quiz: The 4-in-hand tie knot is the same (renamed) as what sailing/boating knot? __________________ Sail fast, live slow!

08-18-2010, 09:34 PM	#16
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 601 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	What would you do??? Here is one for you: Glendale docks. Weekday. Launch dock..not island side of launch area. No boats except one...tied close enough to the ramp that a trailer with a 25 ft boat could back in ... But not launch. How long would you all wait? Keep mind the island dock was full . Would you rather wait until the owner returns in what could be 3 hours later? Would you turn around and go home instead of moving the boat, living by the "do unto others" rule? I moved the boat back enough to safely launch and be on my way. And will do so again every time without hesitation. Gb ps. We did wait a few before launching in case the owner had just launched and was parking the trailer.

08-15-2010, 10:38 PM	#1
pm203 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 225 Thanks: 41 Thanked 86 Times in 46 Posts	I have seen fist fights erupt over this. I never would move anyone's boat. It is rude and wrong.

08-16-2010, 12:50 PM	#3
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	There has been a lot of agreement here, and I agree as well, don't touch someone elses property. Obvious exception for safety or good samaritan re-tying. I think the whole moving boats things comes from the days when everyone had a small rugged runabout. It was no big deal to move them around. Now people have expensive boats that scratch easy, so a careless tie job can end up costing some serious money for gel coat repairs. If I was trapped behind another boat, I don't know how long I would wait. Usually I try very hard not to get in that situation and I have never been trapped more than a few minutes. It is much more likely that I will trap someone. In that case I try to stay close. The whole trapping issue makes me avoid Wolfeboro, especially since the best non-trapping dock is now for painted blue and unusable.

The Following User Says Thank You to Winnipesaukee For This Useful Post:
VitaBene (08-17-2010)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to VtSteve For This Useful Post:
GsChinadoll (08-18-2010), Rose (08-17-2010)

The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post:
boat_guy64 (08-17-2010)

08-18-2010, 12:09 PM	#9
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	I have moved boats. If you don't want your boat moved, don't tie it up in a stupid manner. If you tie up such that you are blocking someone or if you tie up to the second or third post from the end, then you should expect to have your boat moved. Some people like to take two spaces when they park their car. You can't move a car but when you tie up at a busy dock such that you take up move space than necessary then you shouldn't be surprised if your boat is not exactly where you put it. The second or third post from the end thing is really annoying. Just what are people thinking when they do that?

The Following User Says Thank You to jrc For This Useful Post:
Jonas Pilot (08-18-2010)

08-18-2010, 04:48 PM	#12
DEJ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 556 Thanks: 528 Thanked 324 Times in 157 Posts	BI, there very well could of been a small 12 footer tied up in the space of the three post's from the end. As mentioned in earlier post's boats and people come and go so while it might appear someone tied up three post's from the end there could be a legit reason. As Skip mentioned in another thread if you re-tie another boat and cause damage you are liable for all damages. Seems like a risk not worth taking IMO.

08-18-2010, 07:37 PM	#15
DEJ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 556 Thanks: 528 Thanked 324 Times in 157 Posts	BI, I pray that I find you moving my boat someday.

08-19-2010, 06:48 PM	#17
Winnipesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 233 Thanks: 14 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	If it blocked the ramp, then I would have called NHMP (on the phone because VHF is almost useless here ) and had them move it. __________________ Sail fast, live slow!