Three Tips for Rafting Up

Rafting up is when 2 (or more) boats are tied together side by side at anchor. We don’t raft up often, but there are times when it’s fun. So what are some good things to remember?

Calypso and Mischief, rafted together in July of 2021

Tip 1: Lots of fenders. Self explanatory, I’d imagine, but it still bears repeating. The boats will be touching in lots of places. Protect yourself and your fellow raftee.

Tip 2: Spring lines are your friend. Spring lines help minimize fore and aft movement and are often the most critical in any tying up situation. Yes, you need to keep the bow and stern in, but even this can be accomplished with spring lines. Spring lines go kind of diagonally at a sharp angle; on Calypso, we anchor our springs at the beam cleat and lead them up toward the bow and back to the stern.

Tip 3: Watch your spreaders. Often overlooked, this tip is (other than the next 2 bonus ones) is almost the most important. Your boat will roll differently than your neighbor’s. Don’t set your boats up so that the spreaders can touch in any situation.

Calypso and Luna, rafted together on the Wye River in November of 2021

BONUS TIPS!

Bonus 1: Watch the weather. Should go without saying. I’m saying it anyway.

Bonus 2: Sit to only 1 anchor. If both boats put out an anchor, they’ll try to swing independently even though they’re tied together. Not a good plan. Best if the boat with the beefiest tackle anchors.

Sunflower raft up at Fishing Bay Yacht Club in 2015. Yes, this whole circle of boats is sitting to ONE anchor.

Rafting up can be a fun social way to share an anchorage. Raft for a meal, raft for a chat. Be careful and pay attention to the weather, the anchor, your fenders and lines, and the spreaders!