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Author Topic:   Docking counterweights question

MikeF1 posted 03-28-2014 09:02 AM ET (US)
I'm the new owner of an old boat - a '82 Montauk to be exact.
We just rented a slip in an area that has a moderate tide range, sometimes more than five feet during spring tides. Anyway, most of the slips at this marina have those metal poles on each piling with rings the travel up and down with the tide. Our slip does not. I'm inclined to use a system with counter weights. My question is - how much is enough weight on each line? Is a one gallon jug filled with concrete
enough? Too much? Thanks in advance.
Chuck Tribolet posted 03-28-2014 10:26 AM ET (US)
I don't know if it's enough, but you can just use water to
fill the jug, at least to verify what's right and adjust.
Concrete will be hard to get into the typical jug.
And before somebody says "how will the concrete dry in the
jug", I'll preemptively answer the question: "Concrete does
not 'dry'. It hardens because of chemical reaction between
the water and the portland cement which forms an insoluble.
You can pour concrete underwater and it will set."
Chuck
jcdawg83 posted 03-28-2014 01:51 PM ET (US)
One gallon of concrete will weigh about 18lbs, that should be adequate. What are the other people at the marina with similar slips doing?
Dave Sutton posted 03-28-2014 04:24 PM ET (US)
The sash weights from old windows are the standard solution. They ought to be easy to find in any of the junk shops that sell old architectural pieces to decorators.

Dave
.
MikeF1 posted 03-29-2014 07:58 AM ET (US)
Sash weights do seem to be pretty common but I never thought of looking for them at junk shops. Good idea. Thanks.
Jefecinco posted 03-29-2014 09:46 AM ET (US)
Weights, pulleys, etc. are all well and good. But, a properly sized spring line remains a requirement. Given the tidal range mentioned a pair of springs may be required to keep the boat from pounding the pier or pilings in a storm. Even four 18 pound concrete weights won't keep a boat safe in a storm.
If your boat's cleat locations permit, crossed mooring lines can be helpful. Have a good look at the boats in the marina to get some idea of how to set everything up. Keep in mind that there may be several boats that are not using an ideal set up.
Butch
MikeF1 posted 03-30-2014 09:42 AM ET (US)
Being a Montauk, it doesn't have any cleats. There are eyes on the transom and a single eye on the bow. I intend to cross the stern lines. Any idea how much tide those docking whips can handle?

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Author	Topic: Docking counterweights question
MikeF1	posted 03-28-2014 09:02 AM ET (US) I'm the new owner of an old boat - a '82 Montauk to be exact. We just rented a slip in an area that has a moderate tide range, sometimes more than five feet during spring tides. Anyway, most of the slips at this marina have those metal poles on each piling with rings the travel up and down with the tide. Our slip does not. I'm inclined to use a system with counter weights. My question is - how much is enough weight on each line? Is a one gallon jug filled with concrete enough? Too much? Thanks in advance.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 03-28-2014 10:26 AM ET (US) I don't know if it's enough, but you can just use water to fill the jug, at least to verify what's right and adjust. Concrete will be hard to get into the typical jug. And before somebody says "how will the concrete dry in the jug", I'll preemptively answer the question: "Concrete does not 'dry'. It hardens because of chemical reaction between the water and the portland cement which forms an insoluble. You can pour concrete underwater and it will set." Chuck
jcdawg83	posted 03-28-2014 01:51 PM ET (US) One gallon of concrete will weigh about 18lbs, that should be adequate. What are the other people at the marina with similar slips doing?
Dave Sutton	posted 03-28-2014 04:24 PM ET (US) The sash weights from old windows are the standard solution. They ought to be easy to find in any of the junk shops that sell old architectural pieces to decorators. Dave .
MikeF1	posted 03-29-2014 07:58 AM ET (US) Sash weights do seem to be pretty common but I never thought of looking for them at junk shops. Good idea. Thanks.
Jefecinco	posted 03-29-2014 09:46 AM ET (US) Weights, pulleys, etc. are all well and good. But, a properly sized spring line remains a requirement. Given the tidal range mentioned a pair of springs may be required to keep the boat from pounding the pier or pilings in a storm. Even four 18 pound concrete weights won't keep a boat safe in a storm. If your boat's cleat locations permit, crossed mooring lines can be helpful. Have a good look at the boats in the marina to get some idea of how to set everything up. Keep in mind that there may be several boats that are not using an ideal set up. Butch
MikeF1	posted 03-30-2014 09:42 AM ET (US) Being a Montauk, it doesn't have any cleats. There are eyes on the transom and a single eye on the bow. I intend to cross the stern lines. Any idea how much tide those docking whips can handle?