Page 29 - TRLCC Boat Smart 2021 Digital Version

FUN & ADVENTURE

Raft-Up 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.

Always enter an anchorage or mooring area at a slow speed. Don’t create
a wake that will disrupt other anchored boats. The first boat sets the tone.
Check out these handy raft-up etiquette tips below.

• Prepare your anchor and plenty of • When you’re leaving the raft-up,
properly sized fenders and lines in conduct one last visual check before
advance. turning over the engine; as you move
to retrieve your anchor, again, watch
• Put your fenders into position for swimmers and other boaters.
ahead of time.
• When initiating a raft-up, know
• Check the height of the fenders that it’s acceptable to ask, and to be
both fore and aft. asked, to join. It is also acceptable to
decline.
• Try to tie up to a boat that is similar
in size both for ease in moving from • Respect the privacy of your neigh-
one boat to another and for matching bors and their boat.
up fender heights.
• Always ask fellow boaters before
• Move slowly into position from turning up your music.
behind, being careful to watch for
other boaters and swimmers. • Be careful when crossing from one
boat to another. Tread lightly when
• Move up past the line, drop anchor, crossing to avoid heavy rocking.
reverse, and back into position, en-
suring tension on the anchor line. • If you’ve gone ashore, ensure your
feet/deck shoes are sand-free before
• Tie bow, stern, and spring lines onto crossing other boats.
the adjacent boat.
• Charge up your boat’s batteries in
• Consider dropping a stern anchor advance and turn the generator off.
for more stability for the raft-up.

28 Boat Smart Table Rock Lake