Dear Tom, I've been a fan of yours for decades, long before the Internet, starting with Hand, Reef, and Steer. Your knack for the right phrase with just a tickle of proper British idioms comes across as well in print as it does in your live presentations. You seem a wonderful chap. Although I can't compare with your experience, I have a few miles under my keel as well, having managed a circumnavigation about 20 years ago. But it really is with humility that I must differ with you on the bowline on the cleat ashore. A bowline can't be easily adjusted or untied while under strain, so if this needs to be done you must get aboard. In most cases, this is just a minor inconvenience--and of course if I really wasn't up to an inconvenience I'd remain home on my couch. Keep up the great stuff; I look forward to every video.
The Birmingham Navy is developing a taste for the midships cleat. It is the device of the Gods as it facilitates short-handed sailing. We have a nice short line with a huge bowline in it that is dropped elegantly and effortlessly over the dock cleat as we arrive. One fender either side of midships, pull her in snug and the rest is history. None of this arse-out approaching with someone hanging off the shrouds obscuring the helm’s view. We have had to develop this technique because we have upset so many crew we have to sail alone.
Ahoy Birmingham Navy. Thanks for flagging this up. I didn't have enough time to mention it, but it's an excellent method, especially if single-handed. Tom
Tom, It’s good you still enjoy your bike! I know once they get in your blood, that’s it for life ! What a combination of enjoyment! Sea and bikes 👍 Great video.
Hi All Just had a note from my old mate Ian Redsell which needed a reply because it's important. Somehow, his comment has disappeared, so here goes! Ian suggests using a midships springline to hold the boat while you sort yourself out. On many boats that's a good option, so long as there's a cleat in the right place. It'll never work on my own yacht because the midships fairlead isn't where you'd want it in an ideal world, but I've used it successfully on others. As I mentioned at the outset, there's more than one way to skin the cat!Thanks
“Hops off like a spring lamb” Tom in all seriousness, there is not a better compliment to a crew member. My wife’s many jumps, leaps, and dashing around, make for more relaxed conversation with cocktails after we are all tied up.
As simple as that. Brilliant. No “if you can’t tie a knot, you tie a lot” here - easy to adjust, loosen or tighten or whatever you need. TC’s seamanship is second to none 👍
One thing I’ve got is rubber shock absorbers that the line threads. I think it’s a good idea. I also used bowlines for my permanent dock lines, but I think that they can undo, so double bowlines or a figure of 8 loop would be better. If I’m only stopping a short while then I will use slipped lines, then they can be released from the boat and no-one gets left behind.
Another wonderful Reithian video Tom. I try to down load a marina map before I set off so I can see where I4 or B22 etc. is. As you say better to be prepared, paticularly as I sail alone. Regards Buster.
Here in Sweden we most often use thin booms that go out from the dock and that you can tie your lines to but which take up as little space as possible. This means you have to get off in the front or back of the boat, but since this is Sweden most boats and people are used to doing that as they tie up to different islands anyway so it's not a problem.
Adurian, I love to sail in Sweden. The only thing I don't like are the rings on docks instead of cleats. I need to leave the boat to fix a line. As a single handed sailor this is not what I wanna do before the boat is safely moored to the dock. I wonder if there is a reason to have rings rather than cleats? Greetings from Germany
Wonderful videos! I thought you did a video about going very slow to dock but can't find it. Also, do you have a video about docking and leaving on a boat with prop walk pushing the stern away from the dock? Thanks.
Thanks Mike. That's good to hear. Have you thought about joining my online club on www.tomcunliffe.com? It's just £15 a year and we have monthly forums with sailors from all over. Tom
Really like the bowlines ashore, will give it a go next season. Only addition I would offer is don’t hand the dock line for your bow to a stranger, (or powerboat neighbour), without clear instruction on handling as they almost always ruin a nice approach by hauling it in with all their might and send your stern out into the boat next door. Thanks for the great video once again.
Hi Jim. I couldn't agree more. I couldn't count the number of times the person on the bow has handed a bowline to a person on the dock and asked them to put it over the cleat, only to have them catch a turn and 'helpfully' bring the boat to a standstill with all the fun you so eloquently describe! Drives my wife mad! Tom
Saw a Canadian (I think) vid once, that promoted the "correct" way of tying up with bowlines aboard. The theme was that the marina "boatman" would be more likely to maintain your vessel's lines in your absence.... without having to go aboard.
Excellent, Tom! I didn't realise two bowlines can share a cleat and each can be undone without disturbing the other. I'm now playing with two pieces of rope and a cleat in front of the TV....
I have given up on docking stern too as I have a folding prop. You need a flow of 3 to 5 kts, before you have any steering in reverse, which you cannot get in a close maneuvering situation.
Another superb video. Good to stress the importance of spring lines, esp. from the stern. Unfortunately, I don't often have a "Ros" or a first mate to take lines to the pontoon. As a single hander, I secure a line around the coach roof grab rail mid ship before I step off, and wrap the bitter end around a pontoon bollard, then attend to cleat the bow and stern breast lines. Have to be nimble about it. Tom, how would you go about tying up when single-handing?
As Tom says, many ways to moor up. The only issue with bowlines on shore-side cleats is that some arse can easily cast your boat adrift... it's not as secure as taking the line back on- vessel for cleating. For example, I've seen this up the Medina, at Newport, IOW, where late arrivals have shifted boats so they can 'fit in'. Much harder for them to do this when the standing part of lines are secured on the boat away from meddling hands.
Hi Moon Hand. I take your point, but I've been known to shift boats along, so that I can fit on a pontoon. It's usually because they are moored without regard to anyone else who might need a berth. However, the boats with lines led back on board might also need to shift in a hurry. Much easier with bowlines. Tom
Hi Tom, do i see it correctly that the lines over the cleats are not “locked”? Seems “2 rounds and one simple cross” only… We were taught to always clock a line on a cleat…
In Mexico the marinas routinely send out two or three dockhands to help you tie up. Challenge is they are completely untrained and haven't a clue. Throw them a line and they try and hold the boat by strength alone (no turn on a cleat) or maneuver the boat by pushing on (and potentially bending) the stanchions. I actually miss single handed docking!
Hi Stephen. I can sympathise with you there. It doesn't just happen in Mexico though. Throughout Europe, my wife despairs when she hands someone a warp and asks them to put the bowline over the cleat, only to have them pull it in. Tom
Rya calls the Bow spring the aft one. And the stern one the bow one. They say that's the correct way but I see a lot of people say the opposite. Which is it?
Hi Tom. Locking turns. I approve of them where they're needed. Not when they're not, but I've known some first-class seamen who use them every time. As for me, I don't like to be dogmatic...
Aha! The Dutch do it by default, and so do the Swedes. Informed Brits generally don't. I rig them when I need them and when I don't I use solid lines. Easier to make fast, less chafe and easier to handle for all purposes except when letting go. Tom
Thanks for the nice video! We are all waiting for the Pandemic to leave us and the summer to come. Different places different habits! I have stuck to the same procedures since I started sailing. That is four mooring lines, with spliced ends that are ready to be used before entering the port. In the Nordic countries, the chance to get help when entering a harbor is rare. You have to do the job yourselves maybe some fellow sailor will help you. I put the spliced end on my boat and the other end of the line via the onshore mooring cleat back to the boat. Then I can adjust the lines without leaving the boat. Sailing in the Skerries you must be able to leave the shore without jumping down on the rocks! When we have been sailing in Finland, we have to our surprise seen that most Finnish boats use carbine clips that they secure to the mooring cleat which means they have to get ashore when leaving their berth. Not a good idea! Regarding bowline, we had a long debate in the Kryssarklubben journal På Kryss. West Coast sailors insisted that the bowline was to used tying up the boat. Yrvind the well-known sailor with mini yachts ended this debate advising everyone to look at how the West Coast Trawlers did. They put the mooring line around their boat mooring pole a couple of times, the friction was enough to hold the line! Easy to unwind when leaving.
The advice to pass your loop under the other so you can get either off first has always puzzled me. Of course it works if you do it while tiring up, but it works equally the other way. If you want to get the bottom loop off first just pass it through the other loop, off the horns, and then pull it back through. But the chances are the last line on will be the first off anyway unless you need to spring off in some way.
Hi Andrew. It's best to always 'dip the loop' under the other. If you put it on top, it can be hard to get the bottom loop off if there's a load on the top one, pressing the bottom one down. There will be times when you need the bottom one first - for example if you are sharing a cleat with a neighbour and you want to leave first. Tom
I'm a big believer in a breast line attached midship. Then other lines are attached from ship, around a bollard and back to the vessel where it's secured. Ferries use a breast line while passengers disembark and more come aboard.
I like to have some lines redundant, so failure of one line will not get me into trouble. I find slack lines to give more comfort, and rather tight lines more safety. I am quite often adjusting for the circumstances.
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns on TH-cam I believe. Maybe it was on a different channel. Anyway, I watched it again and remembered some of the things I had forgotten from the first time!
In NZ most marina's have those awful upside down U hoops instead of traditional T cleats. Why on God's good Earth NZ Marina's think those are a good idea is beyond me. Makes tying up short handed way more difficult.
Marinas are the reason I don't own a cruising boat. This make it even more discouraging. That line is singled up. Every ship I've ever tied up doubles up it mooring lines.The motorcycle doesn't give me confidence in your commitment to safety.
Sorry to hear that Will. I'm not fond of marinas myself. Rather be at anchor. Single lines are fine, but often when it looks like I'm in for a big blow, then I'll double them up. I've been riding bikes - defensively - since I was 18. It's amazing how many sailors are also bikers. Tom
Dear Tom, I've been a fan of yours for decades, long before the Internet, starting with Hand, Reef, and Steer. Your knack for the right phrase with just a tickle of proper British idioms comes across as well in print as it does in your live presentations. You seem a wonderful chap.
Although I can't compare with your experience, I have a few miles under my keel as well, having managed a circumnavigation about 20 years ago. But it really is with humility that I must differ with you on the bowline on the cleat ashore. A bowline can't be easily adjusted or untied while under strain, so if this needs to be done you must get aboard. In most cases, this is just a minor inconvenience--and of course if I really wasn't up to an inconvenience I'd remain home on my couch.
Keep up the great stuff; I look forward to every video.
The Birmingham Navy is developing a taste for the midships cleat. It is the device of the Gods as it facilitates short-handed sailing. We have a nice short line with a huge bowline in it that is dropped elegantly and effortlessly over the dock cleat as we arrive. One fender either side of midships, pull her in snug and the rest is history. None of this arse-out approaching with someone hanging off the shrouds obscuring the helm’s view. We have had to develop this technique because we have upset so many crew we have to sail alone.
Ahoy Birmingham Navy. Thanks for flagging this up. I didn't have enough time to mention it, but it's an excellent method, especially if single-handed. Tom
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns .... on a yacht less that 40 ft with a low freeboard and preferably a tiller so reaching is easy!
Find these videos so interesting. Wonderfully informal, it’s just like Tom’s giving you personal tuition. Thank you.
That's lovely Tom. Couldn't agree more. "Different Ships, different long splices" & One rope one job... perfect!
Many thanks Grenville! Tom
Tom, It’s good you still enjoy your bike! I know once they get in your blood, that’s it for life !
What a combination of enjoyment! Sea and bikes 👍
Great video.
Thanks Max. It's amazing how many sailors are also bikers. I even know of one who keeps his Sunbeam in the focsle (in bits when crossing oceans). Tom
Hi All Just had a note from my old mate Ian Redsell which needed a reply because it's important. Somehow, his comment has disappeared, so here goes! Ian suggests using a midships springline to hold the boat while you sort yourself out. On many boats that's a good option, so long as there's a cleat in the right place. It'll never work on my own yacht because the midships fairlead isn't where you'd want it in an ideal world, but I've used it successfully on others. As I mentioned at the outset, there's more than one way to skin the cat!Thanks
I like the mid-ship line too. Better for when you're blowing-off or short-handed (which might cause you to blow off 🤭).
Yes, like the method, I will try it. If I was leaving the boat for some time, I would definitely put on extra lines. Nice three-ply rope too!
“Hops off like a spring lamb” Tom in all seriousness, there is not a better compliment to a crew member. My wife’s many jumps, leaps, and dashing around, make for more relaxed conversation with cocktails after we are all tied up.
As simple as that. Brilliant. No “if you can’t tie a knot, you tie a lot” here - easy to adjust, loosen or tighten or whatever you need. TC’s seamanship is second to none 👍
In front of a lovely fire watching this with a beer anchored to my egg chair 😄👏👍 Always good to go over things happy sailing keep safe
Couldn't be better! Tom
One thing I’ve got is rubber shock absorbers that the line threads. I think it’s a good idea. I also used bowlines for my permanent dock lines, but I think that they can undo, so double bowlines or a figure of 8 loop would be better. If I’m only stopping a short while then I will use slipped lines, then they can be released from the boat and no-one gets left behind.
Crisp advice as always, thanks.
Many thanks! Tom
Good video Mr Tom......my old marina (1984) Hamble Point. Now up to the Jolly Sailor for a pint.....thanks, Andrew
Another wonderful Reithian video Tom. I try to down load a marina map before I set off so I can see where I4 or B22 etc. is. As you say better to be prepared, paticularly as I sail alone. Regards Buster.
Thanks Buster. That's a really good tip. Tom
Cheers Tom 🥃
Always great advice
Thanks very much. Tom
Well done, flawless and nicely presentet.
Here in Sweden we most often use thin booms that go out from the dock and that you can tie your lines to but which take up as little space as possible.
This means you have to get off in the front or back of the boat, but since this is Sweden most boats and people are used to doing that as they tie up to different islands anyway so it's not a problem.
. I spend a lot of time in Sweden and I love your systems Adurian. However, in a 20-foot tide, things are different.
Adurian, I love to sail in Sweden. The only thing I don't like are the rings on docks instead of cleats. I need to leave the boat to fix a line. As a single handed sailor this is not what I wanna do before the boat is safely moored to the dock. I wonder if there is a reason to have rings rather than cleats? Greetings from Germany
there is nothing like good practical experience. great stuff.
Many thanks! I'm pleased you found it useful. Tom
Wonderful videos! I thought you did a video about going very slow to dock but can't find it. Also, do you have a video about docking and leaving on a boat with prop walk pushing the stern away from the dock? Thanks.
Very informative. Thanks Tom.
That was great guide line thanks for sharing your awesome video 👍
My pleasure Ross. Thanks for watching. Tom
I love these chats - pleasant and informative for all
Thanks Mike. That's good to hear. Have you thought about joining my online club on www.tomcunliffe.com? It's just £15 a year and we have monthly forums with sailors from all over. Tom
Well done & simple
Really like the bowlines ashore, will give it a go next season. Only addition I would offer is don’t hand the dock line for your bow to a stranger, (or powerboat neighbour), without clear instruction on handling as they almost always ruin a nice approach by hauling it in with all their might and send your stern out into the boat next door. Thanks for the great video once again.
Hi Jim. I couldn't agree more. I couldn't count the number of times the person on the bow has handed a bowline to a person on the dock and asked them to put it over the cleat, only to have them catch a turn and 'helpfully' bring the boat to a standstill with all the fun you so eloquently describe! Drives my wife mad! Tom
Thanks for the great video keep up the good work and keep safe
Thanks for watching Steve and the good wishes. You too. Tom
Yep on the midships cleat if you have one.. easiest way to dock...can do it single handed...good call Tom...
Saw a Canadian (I think) vid once, that promoted the "correct" way of tying up with bowlines aboard. The theme was that the marina "boatman" would be more likely to maintain your vessel's lines in your absence.... without having to go aboard.
Thanks! 🙏🏻
Excellent, Tom! I didn't realise two bowlines can share a cleat and each can be undone without disturbing the other. I'm now playing with two pieces of rope and a cleat in front of the TV....
Have fun George! Tom
I have given up on docking stern too as I have a folding prop. You need a flow of 3 to 5 kts, before you have any steering in reverse, which you cannot get in a close maneuvering situation.
Thanks Stephen for the input. Tom
Another superb video. Good to stress the importance of spring lines, esp. from the stern. Unfortunately, I don't often have a "Ros" or a first mate to take lines to the pontoon. As a single hander, I secure a line around the coach roof grab rail mid ship before I step off, and wrap the bitter end around a pontoon bollard, then attend to cleat the bow and stern breast lines. Have to be nimble about it. Tom, how would you go about tying up when single-handing?
Tom Cunliffe with a leather biker jacket and a frigging BMW bike is worth a thumbs up at just 0:07 in!
I expected you to drive Triumph, mr Cunliff ;-)
As Tom says, many ways to moor up. The only issue with bowlines on shore-side cleats is that some arse can easily cast your boat adrift... it's not as secure as taking the line back on- vessel for cleating. For example, I've seen this up the Medina, at Newport, IOW, where late arrivals have shifted boats so they can 'fit in'. Much harder for them to do this when the standing part of lines are secured on the boat away from meddling hands.
Hi Moon Hand. I take your point, but I've been known to shift boats along, so that I can fit on a pontoon. It's usually because they are moored without regard to anyone else who might need a berth. However, the boats with lines led back on board might also need to shift in a hurry. Much easier with bowlines. Tom
Great video Tom, from one biker to another get somebody to blur your bike registration out to keep the bike safe.
Thanks Martin. I never thought of that. Shows that I'm just dug up. Tom
Hi Tom, do i see it correctly that the lines over the cleats are not “locked”? Seems “2 rounds and one simple cross” only… We were taught to always clock a line on a cleat…
In Mexico the marinas routinely send out two or three dockhands to help you tie up. Challenge is they are completely untrained and haven't a clue. Throw them a line and they try and hold the boat by strength alone (no turn on a cleat) or maneuver the boat by pushing on (and potentially bending) the stanchions. I actually miss single handed docking!
Hi Stephen. I can sympathise with you there. It doesn't just happen in Mexico though. Throughout Europe, my wife despairs when she hands someone a warp and asks them to put the bowline over the cleat, only to have them pull it in. Tom
That's how you do it!
Rya calls the Bow spring the aft one. And the stern one the bow one. They say that's the correct way but I see a lot of people say the opposite. Which is it?
This must have been reposted as I 'm quite shure I saw this not too long ago
You may have seen it on MDL site? Tom
Some great advice. How would you do it if you were sailing single-handed?
Shout for help
@@Horriblebastad i haven't felt the need to, but the strategy described in this video doesn't work if you are on you own.
Great advice - I notice that this yacht doesn't have locking turns where they've cleated them off - how do you feel about them?
Hi Tom. Locking turns. I approve of them where they're needed. Not when they're not, but I've known some first-class seamen who use them every time. As for me, I don't like to be dogmatic...
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns thank you!
Excellent video Tom.
What bike do you ride? I see it is a BMW but what model?
Kind regards,
Paul.
Hi Paul. It's BMW 1200RT. I've had it for a year now after I sold my 900 Triumph. I'm really enjoying the comfortable ride. Tom
Hey Tom, what are your thoughts on having lines permanently set to slip? Thanks
Aha! The Dutch do it by default, and so do the Swedes. Informed Brits generally don't. I rig them when I need them and when I don't I use solid lines. Easier to make fast, less chafe and easier to handle for all purposes except when letting go. Tom
Thanks for the nice video! We are all waiting for the Pandemic to leave us and the summer to come. Different places different habits! I have stuck to the same procedures since I started sailing. That is four mooring lines, with spliced ends that are ready to be used before entering the port. In the Nordic countries, the chance to get help when entering a harbor is rare. You have to do the job yourselves maybe some fellow sailor will help you. I put the spliced end on my boat and the other end of the line via the onshore mooring cleat back to the boat.
Then I can adjust the lines without leaving the boat. Sailing in the Skerries you must be able to leave the shore without jumping down on the rocks!
When we have been sailing in Finland, we have to our surprise seen that most Finnish boats use carbine clips that they secure to the mooring cleat which means they have to get ashore when leaving their berth. Not a good idea!
Regarding bowline, we had a long debate in the Kryssarklubben journal På Kryss. West Coast sailors insisted that the bowline was to used tying up the boat.
Yrvind the well-known sailor with mini yachts ended this debate advising everyone to look at how the West Coast Trawlers did. They put the mooring line around their boat mooring pole a couple of times, the friction was enough to hold the line! Easy to unwind when leaving.
I will never disagree with another’s opinion. We’re all entitled to one. For me I’ll moor on a string. Better company...🤠
The advice to pass your loop under the other so you can get either off first has always puzzled me. Of course it works if you do it while tiring up, but it works equally the other way. If you want to get the bottom loop off first just pass it through the other loop, off the horns, and then pull it back through. But the chances are the last line on will be the first off anyway unless you need to spring off in some way.
Hi Andrew. It's best to always 'dip the loop' under the other. If you put it on top, it can be hard to get the bottom loop off if there's a load on the top one, pressing the bottom one down. There will be times when you need the bottom one first - for example if you are sharing a cleat with a neighbour and you want to leave first. Tom
I'm a big believer in a breast line attached midship. Then other lines are attached from ship, around a bollard and back to the vessel where it's secured.
Ferries use a breast line while passengers disembark and more come aboard.
I like to have some lines redundant, so failure of one line will not get me into trouble. I find slack lines to give more comfort, and rather tight lines more safety. I am quite often adjusting for the circumstances.
I get the feeling I have seen this before
I know I have, but I like to listen to Tom talk, so I’m good with it
Probably on the MDL site?
Thanks Andrew.
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns on TH-cam I believe. Maybe it was on a different channel. Anyway, I watched it again and remembered some of the things I had forgotten from the first time!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
In NZ most marina's have those awful upside down U hoops instead of traditional T cleats. Why on God's good Earth NZ Marina's think those are a good idea is beyond me. Makes tying up short handed way more difficult.
Yes, I hate the rings too. Makes putting a rope on a lengthier business when you might want a quick result! Tom
Marinas are the reason I don't own a cruising boat. This make it even more discouraging. That line is singled up. Every ship I've ever tied up doubles up it mooring lines.The motorcycle doesn't give me confidence in your commitment to safety.
Sorry to hear that Will. I'm not fond of marinas myself. Rather be at anchor. Single lines are fine, but often when it looks like I'm in for a big blow, then I'll double them up. I've been riding bikes - defensively - since I was 18. It's amazing how many sailors are also bikers. Tom