Rafting Up

by Capt. Barnacle
©  (Al Darbyson)

1. The largest boat of an anticipated raft should be the anchor boat (given that the boat's ground tackle is appropriately sized for the purpose). The skipper of the anchor boat will ordinarily be the "raft captain". As such, he/she will make whatever judgment calls are necessary to ensure a safe operation. Factors for the raft captain to consider are depth, swinging room, scope of rode, current, weather, bottom type, boat/ground tackle combinations, boat sizes, rig and spreader alignment and adequacy and placement of fenders and lines.

2. Unless current, weather or the raft captain dictate otherwise, approach the raft from the stern of those already anchored.

3. Alternate sides when rafting to main balance on the anchor (s).

4. Before joining the raft, prepare your lines and place fenders or fender boards where you think they will do the most good. Adjustments can be made once the vessels are secured. By custom, the boat coming into the raft uses its own lines and fenders. this makes it easier to sort things out when breaking up the raft. Each boat should have the items as shown with the sketch.

5.Place your crew members in position to pass lines and fend off.  Ensure they are fully briefed. Co-ordinate with the skipper of the receiving boat. Customarily, a looped end of each line is passed to the raft from your boat; the line is adjusted and secured on your boat. Be sure that someone on the raft is prepared to take your line(s) and fend off if necessary.

6. Once along side and positioned, ensure all lines are properly placed and secured, taking particular care to un-align your spreaders with the boat you have rafted against to avoid possible damage to rig damage in the event a swell or boat wake should "rock the boats".

7. With due consideration for conditions, the raft captain may, at his/her direction, have the second or third boat on each side place their own anchors 45 - 60º to the outside of the primary anchor and forward (windward of the raft.... properly setting their anchor(s) and maneuvering back into the raft using power and passing line -- or joining the raft and placing the anchor(s) by dinghy. If using a multi anchor setup, the raft captain should consider using a stern anchor from the primary anchor boat, or from other boats as

A. Bow line (blue lines)
B. Stern line (green lines)
C. Forward spring line (black line)
D. After spring line (red line)
E. Minimum of two 4"-6" fenders (red dots)

 well depending on the size of the raft, to keep the raft from swinging and rodes from tangling. Before doing so, however, the raft captain should consult predicted weather conditions for the night. Being held by a stern anchor in high winds either from the side or stern may jeopardize the entire raft.

8. Should a boat significantly larger than the outboard boats approach the raft, the raft captain will evaluate the alternatives of having that vessel anchor separately, set a separate anchor and then manouver to the raft, or "slip in" to the existing raft alongside the anchor vessel, keeping in mind that "slipping in" requires the line crews on the three boats involved and can be an intricate operation. 

9. once secure in the raft, boat etiquette requires that:

a. The cockpit should not be used as a highway between boats. When transiting vessels, use the foredeck forward of the mast if at all possible. This is particularly important when those on board are below and/or asleep! Please respect their privacy.
B. Unless invited below, the salon is to be considered private. Not looking into portholes and hatches is common courtesy. 
C. Once the crew has retired for the night, those who wish to remain above and socialize should move to minimize noise.

Adherence to these basic guidelines will go a long way toward making your raft-ups as safe and as enjoyable as possible. One consideration, however, is that no set of procedure can replace good common sense. Raft captains and other skippers must remain alert at all times and exercise their experience and judgment in applying these principles.

Abridged from the Pentagon Sailing Club Web Page