Page 29 - LLE 2024 Show Program.indd

RAFT -UP
RAFT-UP ETIQUETTE ETIQUETTE

raft-up (nautical) The roping together
of a number of small vessels
to form a raft-like structure.
A social gathering based on such a structure.

THE FIRST BOAT SETS THE TONE.
T HE FIRS T B O A T SETS T HE T ONE .
ALWAYS ENTER AN ANCHORAGE OR MOORING AREA AT A SLOW SPEED.
DON’T CREATE A WAKE THAT WILL DISRUPT OTHER ANCHORED BOATS.
CHECK OUT THESE HANDY RAFT-UP ETIQUETTE TIPS BELOW.

• Prepare your anchor and plenty of properly sized • When you’re leaving the raft-up, conduct one last
fenders and lines in advance. visual check before turning over the engine; as
you move to retrieve your anchor, again, watch for
• Put your fenders into position ahead of time. swimmers and other boaters.

• Check the height of the fenders both fore and aft. • When initiating a raft-up, know that it’s accept-
able to ask, and to be asked, to join. It is also ac-
• Try to tie up to a boat that is similar in size both ceptable to decline.
for ease in moving from one boat to another and
for matching up fender heights. • Respect the privacy of your neighbors and their
boat.
• Move slowly into position from behind, being
careful to watch for other boaters and swimmers. • Always ask fellow boaters before turning up your
music.
• Move up past the line, drop anchor, reverse, and
back into position, ensuring tension on the anchor • Be careful when crossing from one boat to an-
line. other. Tread lightly when crossing to avoid heavy
rocking.
• Tie bow, stern, and spring lines onto the adjacent
boat. • If you’ve gone ashore, ensure your feet/deck
shoes are sand-free before crossing other boats.
• Consider dropping a stern anchor for more stabil-
ity for the raft-up. • Charge up your boat’s batteries in advance and
turn the generator off .