Vertical pull on cleats in the marina

The Docks Committee received a complaint from a member. "The mooring rings are tearing out of the planks at my dock. Please replace the mooring rings."

Investigation revealed that the hull design of the member's boat results in a nearly "vertical" pull on the mooring lines.

When bow lines, stern lines, and spring lines are led up to the boat at an angle, the relative angle between the line and the top of the dock can change when the boat tosses around in a storm or the aftermath of a wake. The vessel remains firmly attached to the dock, but the angle of the line provides shock aborbtion to prevent damage to the dock, the cleats, or the boat itself.

When the location of a cleat, and the hull design of the boat, dictate that the line runs from the boat to the dock almost straight up and down, there is no potential for shock absorbtion in the line. When the boat heaves in the slip, the cleat is expected not only to keep the boat from moving fore and aft or abeam- the mooring line (and the cleat) are literally tasked with resisting the entire weight of the boat.

Fortunately for the concerned member, in this case the cleat on the dock (rather than the boat) proved the weaker link. We can and will replace the mooring rings. If the planking was seriously damaged when the rings "pulled out", that will be repaired at club expense, as well.

The solution? If your tie-up results in some lines with a vertical or near vertical pull, consider investing in a rubber "snubber". These devices are relatively inexpensive (cheaper than the line you are at risk for ruining) and when installed will permit a nearly vertical pull to enjoy the same sort of "slack" afforded to other lash-ups that enjoy the additional safety of an adequate angle.

Thanks