Proper raft-up etiquette ???

eyeinstine

· Registered

Joined Apr 11, 2006

·

2,306 Posts

Discussion starter · #1 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

Well i thought this woul dbe a good time for a post like this.. I have been thinking of posting this for a little while now since finally getting back on the water afyter a 6yr boatless timeframe.. With all the threads going on about not rafting/rafting, etc, etc, this should be very helpful for a lot of us newer rafters..

This is our 3rd boat, so boating is not new to us, but joing up with a raftup type gathering would be new.. We have tied up to a boat or two, friend/family, etc.. but never into a large raftup with people you mighnt not know, or know to well..

how bought some ideas of proper rafting??Techniques?? what not to do, what to do??

Start with the basics.. Bumpers, ropes, side by side, platform to platform, etc, etc...
obviously, no shoes, climbing on other boats, etc.. i assume walking from platform to platform to get down the line to someone you want to see is okay.. do you ask permission at each boat before stepping on the platform??
etc, etc, etc.....

Ron

 

DonMan

· Premium Member

Joined Mar 18, 2002

·

12,030 Posts

#2 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

Around here, you jump into the water and swim down to the boater you`d like to visit. Most everyone is in the water anyway......

If you are going to "deck hop", please don`t have a drink or cigarette in your hand. In case you should slip, you`ll spill beer on everyone --- yes someone did that on my boat earlier this year :angry1:

Someone flicked ashes and burned a small hole in my buddy`s brand new upholstery. He will not allow anyone around his boat with a lit cigarette now....

I personally don`t like people stepping across my platform, but that`s just me....

 

t500hps

· Registered

Joined Jun 12, 2005

·

2,667 Posts

#3 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

A boat is your "home", Treat the boat as you would someone's home. Ask before tying to it and ask before crossing it. People will typically tell the new guy what their "rules" are.
we always put the spliced/looped end on the rope on the rope owners boat. That way everyone knows whose rope it is. Round fenders with cloth COVERS are a must with us. It took just a couple raft-ups for me to learn that one the hard way!

 

Go Fast Daddy

· Registered

Joined May 12, 2003

·

1,696 Posts

#4 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

Have your fenders and lines out and on before approaching. And when starting a raft, rule is first in, last out.

 

R

ray628

· Registered

Joined Apr 9, 2004

·

411 Posts

#5 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

I don't mind people walking across my swim platform (girls pay a toll! ) but how about when they jump onto the sundeck? You say something and they give you a tude! Or you say "no shoes" and they say "but they are boat shoes!!" I don't give a f---!

 

D

DonziGirl

· Registered

Joined Jul 29, 2004

·

1,035 Posts

#6 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

There are a lot of places that we boat where walking across other people's boats is a must (PIB, Kelly's). There just simply isn't another way to get to your boat. Usually no shoes and walking on the swim platform are the rules. If people have towels on their sun pad, I ask if I can walk across it. A lot of boats we hang out with don't have swim platforms. The other thing is BE READY when you pull up - lines and fenders out.

 

H

Holy Smokes!

· Registered

Joined Mar 29, 2002

·

255 Posts

#7 · Jul 20, 2006

Only show this user

Funny this topic should come up. Check out what happend to me last weekend at LOTO.

OK here's the deal.... Pull in to Franky & Louie's on Sunday for lunch, let the kids swim and just hang out. The end of the dock positions were open so we tied up there. A while later, I go out to check on the boat and here's this 30 something Trojan cruiser tied up to me. The two guys that just got through walking all over my sunpad and deck WITH SHOES ON ask "Uh...This your Cigarette? It's OK isn't it? We told the dock girls to check on it every now and then."

What do you say in response?

An hour or so past and it's time for us to go. I have to go find the guy and tell him we're leaving. Him and some woman go be-bopping across my swim pad WITH SHOES ON. I'm coming down the dock and yell "SHOES!, SHOES!, SHOES!" She looks back and attempts to throw out a towel for the third person about to walk across my sunpad. He asked her what she was doing that for. The driver then asked me if were really needing to leave right now or could we wait for the rest of his party. By now I'm steamed and just untie him and let him float away. He takes an attitude and then got pissed because he has to pull back to the docks to get everybody else.

Where's the courtesy? There open slips available, but I think he thought this spot was easier for him. I totally understand this when you know the boat owner and ask for permission first. But to just blatently tie-up and walk off.... Is it me or is this WRONG!