5.
To keep the boat from drifting, the other end of the
mooring line must be secured by an individual or a
mooring element (i.e., dock cleat, pier pillar, etc.)
on shore.
6.
Launch the boat; move it down and OFF the trailer into
the water.
7.
Make sure the boat is still secured to the mooring
element.
8.
Pull your towing vehicle away from the launch ramp.
9.
Park only in designated areas. When parking, be sure
your towing vehicle and trailer do not block other
boaters from approaching the launch ramp or hinder
their ability to maneuver a boat and trailer when
launching.
Mooring Lines
The mooring lines you will use most often are the bow line,
the stern line and spring lines as shown in Figure 3.1.
Each line has a specific purpose. The bow line and the
stern line secure your boat’s bow and stern. The two
spring lines keep your boat from moving forward or back-
ward when you are moored alongside a dock.
Mooring lines must be long enough to secure your boat in
any docking situation. For example, the length of the lines
for a 16-foot runabout should be at least 15 feet. An eye
splice at the end of each line (shown on Figure 3.1) should
be large enough to fit comfortably over bow or stern cleats.
NOTE: If you are mooring your boat in an area where tides
are a consideration, be sure to leave slack in the lines to
make up for the rise and fall of the water.
If you are mooring your boat for a short time, bow and
stern lines may be the only lines you will need. If you are
mooring your boat for a longer time or if the currents are
swift, you should use spring lines. The stern spring line
leads from the boat’s stern cleat forward to the piling or
cleat on the dock. The bow spring line leads from the bow
cleat aft to the dock. (See Figure 3.1.)
If you are mooring your boat in a slip, bow and spring
lines, port and starboard, will keep your boat in position.
FIGURE 3.1
–
MOORING LINES
3.4
5. To keep the boat from drifting, the other end of the
mooring line must be secured by an individual or a
mooring element (i.e., dock cleat, pier pillar, etc.)
on shore.
6. Launch the boat; move it down and OFF the trailer into
the water.
7. Make sure the boat is still secured to the mooring
element.
8. Pull your towing vehicle away from the launch ramp.
9. Park only in designated areas. When parking, be sure
your towing vehicle and trailer do not block other
boaters from approaching the launch ramp or hinder
their ability to maneuver a boat and trailer when
launching.
Mooring Lines
The mooring lines you will use most often are the bow line,
the stern line and spring lines as shown in Figure 3.1.
Each line has a specific purpose. The bow line and the
stern line secure your boat’s bow and stern. The two
spring lines keep your boat from moving forward or back-
ward when you are moored alongside a dock.
Mooring lines must be long enough to secure your boat in
any docking situation. For example, the length of the lines
for a 16-foot runabout should be at least 15 feet. An eye
splice at the end of each line (shown on Figure 3.1) should
be large enough to fit comfortably over bow or stern cleats.
NOTE: If you are mooring your boat in an area where tides
are a consideration, be sure to leave slack in the lines to
make up for the rise and fall of the water.
If you are mooring your boat for a short time, bow and
stern lines may be the only lines you will need. If you are
mooring your boat for a longer time or if the currents are
swift, you should use spring lines. The stern spring line
leads from the boat’s stern cleat forward to the piling or
cleat on the dock. The bow spring line leads from the bow
cleat aft to the dock. (See Figure 3.1.)
If you are mooring your boat in a slip, bow and spring
lines, port and starboard, will keep your boat in position.
FIGURE 3.1 – MOORING LINES
3.4
