Rafting 2 of 4

with additional rafts being formed as more boats arrive at the destination. When arriving at a destination anchorage, contact the Cruise Director/captain for rafting instructions/advice and to request permission to raft up. Each boat on a raft (or starting a raft) is responsible for putting out fenders initially. THE BOAT JOINING THE RAFT is responsible for providing the necessary lines to safely secure to the anchor boat and to place fenders facing the boat already in the raft. The boat joining should have two (2) breast lines and two (2) spring lines, all with loops, ready before coming alongside of the raft. (The diameter of all lines should be equal to your regular docking or anchor lines). Extra fenders are always welcomed.

WHEN JOINING THE RAFT, if possible, approach from astern. The raft captain will direct you to the side to join. Deploy your fenders on the inside of the raft and have all lines and crew ready for tying up. Coast to a stop beside the raft; do not push the raft around by bumping into it at speed. Extend the loop of your line to the inside boat and cleat your end, temporarily at first. Secure a breast line between your bow and the bow of the boat inside of you; do the same with the sterns. Run the first spring line from the bow of the boat inside of yours to your stern. Adjust the spring line so your spreaders, if you have them, are one (1) to three (3) feet aft of the inside boat's spreaders. Adjust breast lines so that the centerline (fore and aft) of the two boats are parallel. Run the second spring line from the stern of the inside boat to your bow. Drawing the spring lines against each other will prevent the boats from seesawing forward and backward. They are used for raft maneuvering, if necessary. Do not bend any line back upon itself as doing so will reduce its breaking strenght by half.
While most rafts stay together throughout the night, severe weather, storm threat or other potential for a raft dragging anchor or excessive boat motion are causes for breaking up the