BoatU.S. - August/September 2011

the full width of the slip and to give you a clear picture that separates your slip from your neighbor’s. On days when wind and current don’t cooperate when backing in, the crew can grab these lines and encourage the boat into its proper alignment. The lines also help to keep the boat from getting pushed at an angle that might result in contact with the boat in the next slip. Polypropylene line is a good choice for this purpose as it floats, and it’s cheap so you won’t mind replacing it every few seasons when it degrades from UV exposure.

If the slip has pilings forward and aft, the slip width is easy to define and mark. If the bow lines are ordinarily secured to cleats on the dock rather than to pilings, it may be necessary to tie the line around one of the deck planks or place an additional cleat on the dock, if the marina allows this.

Line Snubbers

When the boat is tied in a slip, it moves around with every wind shift and wake roll; abrupt jerks are common when the line is pulled as far as it can go. To minimize the jerking and the accompanying wear on lines and cleats, attach a line snubber to each dock line. Snubbers are made of a material capable of stretching enough to absorb the shock of a quick stop. With the familiar black rubber ones, the dock line feeds through an eye on one end of the snubber, then wraps around the snubber a few times before leading through the eye at the other end.

Tide Aids

TideMinders and TideSlides are helpful additions to dock line assists, definitely a “wish I’d thought of that” idea that allows dock lines to move up or down the pilings as the boat floats with the tide. With either system, there’s no need to

Line snubbers absorb the shock of a quick stop as the boat shifts with wind or current.

I
S
L
A
M
O
R
A
D
A

There’s a slip with your name on it and plenty of fish in our ocean.
Whether you’re traveling with family or fishing buddies, our 14-slip marina,
gulf front pool and 25 contemporary townhomes offer everything
you need for an extended getaway – 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchens,
washer / dryer, 37” flat screen TVs and amazing views of the Gulf.

townhomes & boat slips

305-664-0082 ; info@islanderbayside.com ; ISLAMORADAISLANDER.COM 81450 overseas highway, islamorada, FL 33060

Fuel Additives Since 1965

FISH MORE...
SPEND LESS...

www.biobor.com

Available at

“BIOBOR EB protects my outboard from the ethanol problem plus it improves performance. I use it to ensure more time shing and less time in the shop. Try it in your boat today.”