On-water security and short-term docking

It's been cool, overcast and drizzly so I'm sitting here pondering a couple topics that have had me wondering for a while...


I've watched a number of YT videos where people sail to "somewhere else" (another city, a beach, an island...) then get off the boat and do "something else" (head to a restaurant, go hiking, swimming, diving...) and I always wonder - HOW do you SECURE an Island?!?

First, how do you keep someone from sailing off with it? I suppose if you're at a dock or pier you could cable-lock through the drivewell or something, but at a beach?

Second, do you do anything to discourage theft of other items? The pedal drives, PFDs, all the other gear you might carry...

I suppose I'm more cynical and mistrustful than most but I really worry about this sort of thing...!


I've also wondered if there is a better way to approach and use a floating dock. I have yet to *need* to use one but *could* have on a number of occasions.

When approaching, what's best? Just head right at it - slowly! - then step off the bow onto the dock? Come alongside and step off the side? When I've tried coming alongside the dock by my regular boat ramp I can usually get *almost* into position but then the wind starts pushing me to the side. if the amas are collapsed it's hell trying to do any side paddling. If they're out I could (though I'm not very good at it) but usually by the time I get up and ready to step off I'm drifting away again! Haven't yet tried using the paddle SUP-style while standing...

When tying off, what's the best way to do that? Bow-and-stern? Some pages I found online show using four lines in a slip to keep the boat from touching the slip at all - man, that's a lot of rope... Even more stuff to haul around! Not sure if what I've seen/read really works for a trimaran though... If leaving the TI there for a short time (an hour or two?) - say, for lunch - should I have some sort of bumpers? (Can you tell this is my first boating experience? )

Thanks again...

Here is my general routine when using a dock...keep in mind that I have a TI and am driving from the rear seat. Also, it will depend on whether you are in deep enough water to use your mirage drive and rudder. My goal is to always dock on the leeward (downwind) side of the dock, hopefully far enough down the dock so there is sufficient water to use the mirage drive and rudder. Before getting to the dock, I fold only the one ama that will be next to the dock. I have a small bungee that I use to secure the ama against the side of the boat.

If you think you are going to have trouble, I prefer to approach the dock so that the boat will be pointing away from shore when landing at the dock. That way if something happens that ruins the landing, I can simply peddle back out without having to worry about pulling the drives and rudder as I get blown into shore.

Once at the dock, I tie a line to the dock or hand a line to someone on the dock before getting off the boat. Don't want the boat to escape if the unexpected happens. I also avoid standing. I have seen more people fall off their boat while docking than when sailing. My bow line and stern line are long enough that it can be tied to the dock and come back and be tied midship if needed to hold the boat in place.

I don't have bumpers, but have used my lifejacket to provide short-term protection. Depending on the wind direction in relation to the dock, you can also try securing the boat using just the bow line so the boat will float off of the dock. You can then pull it back parallel to the dock when you want to leave.

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Randy
2013 Tandem Island "Frenzy"

For a handy source of bumper material, ask your local dive shop if they can spare an old torn wetsuit. I then cut out "calamari rings" about six inches long from the legs. I then added some 1/2 inch diameter black pvc water pipe as a spreader, and a loop of line with a snapshackle on it. You can easily clip these onto ama bungees or central ama padeyes to make handy fenders when docking.

I also hang a pair on the inside of the amas from the padeyes to help minimise chafing between main hull and amas when on the trailer.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Re the Security Joe -
My local hardware store has stainless wire, fittings and importantly the crimping tool.
I purchase the wire, about 6 yards of 3/16", a couple of yards of plastic tubing and the ferrules.
I then slide on the plastic tube and make a loop in each end, doubled back through the ferrules which I crimp in the store using their tool. Costs me about 40 AUD.

I take the wire and a padlock when I go out and secure the aka and outboard to the pontoon cleat or a tree. I will leave the wire attached to the tree when I am camping and will return.

Yes, it doesn't work on an open beach and yes it can be cut with bolt cutters but it has worked so far.
I often leave the TI in the water overnight or up on the sand, with it secured in this way.
I do remove paddles and mirage drives when leaving overnight.

Sometimes I wonder why I bother as it is insured and the 2015 TI may be fun.

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Cheers, Brian in South Australia
Tandem Island -