Another Lesson learned ......... "rafting up"

[Phillip]

You really going to do that a 2nd time??

Eight New Zealand owned Macs rafted up at Easter with no tangles surprisingly! (mine is on your left)


http://www.havenyachts.co.nz/dbimages/n ... 8bdb72.JPG

Are these pictures from a Southern Lake in NZ? The bike; background looks like the Lyttleton Harbour.
Maybe all those hills look brown.
Cheers
Phillip

[Buell_S1W]

Hi Phillip, the boats were at Akaroa Harbour for a Macgetogether over Easter organised by Neil Barnett, the NZ importer. Neil organisies a get together every Easter if possible. My avatar pic was taken on the summit road above Akaroa Harbour. My usual sailing place is Lyttelton Harbour because it is closer to home so you weren't far off with the guess! We are spoiled for choices here as to where we sail our Macs (or ride our motorcycles)
Regards,
David

[baldbaby2000]

At one of the Marinas I slipped at they liked to alternate sailboats and motorboats for that reason: big storms could cause rigging to get tangled.

[DaveB]

Never raft up unless you are in a very protective cove with no current, when you do raft up..have all boats approx. same size and freeboard.
Doing a overnight raft with several boats in very little wind forecast is ok in a well protected anchorage with the lead center boat having a anchor that can hold all boats.
Be ready to cast off in any wind or forecast that may have foul weather.
spring lines and fenders muct be succred for forward and aft movements.
Always make sure the Spreaders don't even come close to a tangle.
Dave

This weekend I met up with a buddy of mine on the Delaware river he was anchored and I pulled up next to him and we tied cleat to cleat with fenders out. All was fine we talked for a few minutes ... he went below to get something and I heard "BANG,BANG,BANG,BANG.." about 5 times.....looked at the obvious (hull to hull) and all was fine ....fenders were placed properly.... Looked up and our mast were banging hard on each other ... A boat came by with a large wake!!!!
We quickly untied and pushed off. In the 30 seconds or so we determined damage was only to his Windex which I will be going aloft next weekend in a Bosuns chair to replace.... It could have been a lot worse....Will never "raft up" with another sailboat again in a busy waterway....

Sidenote:
The other boat is a 27' ODAY with a keel ...Is there any issues with a 200lb guy going up in a Bosuns chair on this size boat? He only has one halyard for the mainsail and possibly a topping lift . I have seen this procedure done before and feel compitant that I can get up there to replace the windex and would not mind getting the expierience. I am just looking for advice on anything I should know before heading up.