[Rhodes22-list] Robert...snow

[Robert Skinner]

elle wrote:
> Hi, Robert,
> ...
> Tying lines these few days has been a challenge. The
> problem during these extreme days is that the wind is
> from the N (broadside) blowing WM into the dock. I
> have to keep the outboard lines loose enough to allow
> it to fall w/the extreme lows...but then at high tide
> they are way too loose (note the lotsa fenders on the
> boat & bumpers on the dock). If I tighten the stbd
> lines & loosen the port lines, that would keep her off
> the dock but then I wouldn't be able to get off the
> boat after adjusting them.....;^)

When you have pilings to tie to as in this case, 
one option is to use springers.  One goes from 
the forward piling to a stern cleat, and the 
other could go from the aft piling to a forward 
cleat.  As these springers are longer, they 
allow more travel to compensate for the tides.

If both are equipped with pulleys, as the 
forward piling is, then adjustment would be 
easier.

Using one or more concrete blocks as weights per 
your suggestion, you could compensate even better 
for tide/storm surge -- up to a point.  You know 
best where the winds come from and how strong 
they are.

We can go a lot deeper into the subject of 
springers, but I wanted to see if this 
discussion was going in the right direction
before writing a book.

Speaking of books, I believe Chapman has a 
pretty good description of the use of 
springers in a slip -- better than I could do.

/robert