Tying off dock lines

[HappyPlace]

We have an R31 CB and like many people utilize a dinghy that is carried on the swim platform. Our dinghy does not lift up on a 90 degree angle like the Weaver systems, but cradles the inflatable and lifts it out of the water. (http://Www.dinghycaddy.com) Thus far we love the system, but I have found that we cannot cross the stern lines at the dock. I am assuming that you would not be able to do so with the Weaver system either, as the ropes would strike the dinghy. That is, if you utilize the main cleats on the boat near the corners of the transom.

So my questions are:

Are the cleats on the swim platform suitable (strong enough) to utilize as dock tie offs?
How do most people carrying a dinghy on the platform tie off their dock lines?

It seems a little odd that the main rear cleats are slightly to the sides, thus they rub the rails or gunwales a bit if crossed.
We have floating docks at our marina that make boarding and tidal changes easy to deal with. I got by last season by utilizing a dock cleat as far away from the boat as possible that created the deepest angle that I could, get without crossing the rear lines.

Just wanted to make sure "Captain Obvious" wasn't missing something here!

Al Sr.

 

[Chimo]

I'm interested in the system you are using and took a look at the website. Now I have questions and comments.

I don't see the system used with swim platform railings. Is that how yours is mounted? Pictures?

I would be very careful using the swim platform cleats as primary. Indeed, though we have the much smaller boat we were told during the factory demo days that these cleats were for dinghy only.

You are in Lancaster, PA, somewhere we lived for 20 years and boated the Chesapeake. We crossed stern lines because we had fixed docks and relatively small tidal range. You have found somewhere with floating docks. Why not just side tie the boat to the dock with bow+stern and if necessary two springs? No need to cross at the stern.

 

[captstu]

We use a Weaver system on our R25 and cross the stern dock lines in the usual way.

I'm concerned that if not crossed, they would be to short to accomodate the tidal changes.

 

[JeffE]

We have an R31CB with the Weaver snap davits. We only have a finger dock on one side. I run the dock line from the opposing side to the cleat on the dock. I have canvas chaffe protection on the end of the line near the cleat on the boat. I use a couple of bungie cords, looped on the swimstep rails to "encourage" the line to stay away from the propane locker. We've used this setup for a couple of years, and it seems to work ok.

The swimstep cleats are very light weight, I won't use them to hold the boat.

Jeff

 

[Phil Nersessian]

I've been told not to use the swim platform cleats to tie off the boat. I installed additional cleats on my slip's dock so I can tie off well, at good angles, without crossing my lines. Also makes it easier to get on and off from the swim platform. Then again I am tied to a floating dock...

 

[HappyPlace]

Phyl,

We are on floating docks as well. I installed extra cleats on our pier as well. Our shipmates next to us, tie off similarly, so I use one of his cleats and he utilizes one of mine. I was just making sure that I wasn't overlooking something.

Thanks all for the input!

Al Sr.