Docking my new Z3

[Travism]

Hey guys,

I have a few questions about my docking my new Z3.

My dealer informed me he doesn't recommend docking the boat and prefers to drop and anchor and then swim to shore due to the fact that the boat gets marked up while docked. He said he has tried all different types of bouys etc...

What are you guys doing to doc the boat without any damage to the gel coat ?

(sorry if this sounds stupid but I want to keep the new girl looking great for years to come)

Thanks,

Travis.

[Bruizza]

Get some of these and don't worry about it.

http://exileaudio.com/store/index.ph...ll-fender.html

[houstonshark]

Post some pictures of your dock. Mooring whips would be the way to go with lines criss crossed from bow cleat to stern dock cleat and from stern cleat to bow dock cleat. That keeps the boat from moving back and forth.

If you are pulling it into a slip, I would put a bumper on each cleat and tie the boat straight from the cleat to the dock on all 4 corners. This keeps the boat floating in the middle. I use a bungee style of line on at least one side.

[Travism]

We just purchased our lake lot and I have no pictures at this time but from what I understand they there is only the dock on one side. Basically two boats pull into one slip and one tie's off on the left and the other boat tie's off on the right.

[chpthril]

A You looking for a solution for a temporary docking or will the boat be left in the water tied up to a dock when not in use. If the later, then you need a lift, but I dont see that working with how you describe the docking setup. If just for temporary docking, good fenders and proper mooring technique is all that needs to protect it. Maybe even one of those dock skirts (dont know what they are rally called) to cover the side of the dock as an added layer of protection.

[Travism]

Yes basically temporary docking. Maybe overnight on the weekends/holidays we spend there but the boat will be on the trailer other than when we are useing it.

I purchased two anchors with it to leave it out in the water but this also worries me and I would feel better about it being at the dock if I know it will not be scratched/damaged.

Any idea where I can purchase a dock skirt and where I can find proper mooring techniques ?

Thanks for all the help so far guys !

[boardman74]

We did this last summer. We would tie up during the day to the **** with bumpers, but I don't trust it at night. I would more the boat in the open with a triple anchor set up at night. This year we bought a lift so no more messing around.

[Travism]

Boardman,

Can you eloborate on your triple anchor setup ? I purchased two 28lb anchors with the boat but am open to changing this up if need be.

[konajay]

I have some inflatable boat fenders that I use when tying up for extended periods or with other boats. They have a larger diameter and come in different sizes than normal fenders. So far I have never had any damage to my gel coat using these fenders. The nice thing about them is they inflate and deflate quickly and stow away nice.

[b/w05]

X 2 on the Exile buoys, they work really good for docking and tying up with other boats. If you are not concerned about the logo, go to WakMart, Toys R Us etc and get the Lightning McQueen hippity hops, they are about $9.99. I have 6 on my boat and they have lasted several years.

[rensink]

A majority of the places around my area have Boat Goats on the docks (marinas/resorts with gas), and then a local hoist company makes another similar product that people place on the docks company is called Duralift out of Milford, Ia. These are just what I'm familiar with either have the boat in the hoist or tied up on the gas dock at work both have wood dock post not sure what your set up all has on it..

[boardman74]

I used 3 anchors I had around all were hook type and ranged from 14-22 lbs. We have hard sand bottom and it's only about 5 feet deep. So I am able to preset the anchors. I had a pre-made rope Y that I started with. Then I added another line the same length to make 3. So imagine like 3 fingers to the hand(hub). I would set 2 of the anchors side by side(about 3 feet apart) the direction the boat was blowing. I would then set the third 180 degrees opposite in case the wind shifted, the anchor was already set. Then if that anchor was drug the other 2 would flip and reset. Probably over kill but it helped me sleep at night with my boat in the water. I ran 2 independent roped from the hub to the boat the same length.

If your in deep water and can't manually set them best way it to run 2 similar size hooks in a chain. #1 anchor ran to #2 with about 6 feet of chain. Then #2 with atleast 6 feet of chain then rode to the boat. #1 shank chained to the front if #2, then #2 shank to the boat.

Sounds a little confusing but not to bad. Search anchoring or mooring and you will find lots of different set ups.

[whitlock87]

Hey guys,


My dealer informed me he doesn't recommend docking the boat and prefers to drop and anchor and then swim to shore due to the fact that the boat gets marked up while docked. He said he has tried all different types of bouys etc...

What are you guys doing to doc the boat without any damage to the gel coat ?

(
Travis.

Travis
are you talking about BEACHING the boat?

[Ewok]

I have 4 of these fenders, I think I got them from iBoats or overtons but I have the 8.5" and you can probably find a color to match your boat. I also had my dealer add an extra pop up cleat near the windshield. When I tie up to a dock to just one side of the dock I use 3 fenders on that side. There have been many nautical books written about various mooring techniques so its good reading over the winter. Get yourself some good fenders and dock or mooring lines and read up on the various ways to tie up your boat and you'll bee good to go.

I know it's a beautiful boat but just like a car, if you use it enough your going to scratch it. The first one hurts but they are usually not to hard to repair.

[Travism]

I used 3 anchors I had around all were hook type and ranged from 14-22 lbs. We have hard sand bottom and it's only about 5 feet deep. So I am able to preset the anchors. I had a pre-made rope Y that I started with. Then I added another line the same length to make 3. So imagine like 3 fingers to the hand(hub). I would set 2 of the anchors side by side(about 3 feet apart) the direction the boat was blowing. I would then set the third 180 degrees opposite in case the wind shifted, the anchor was already set. Then if that anchor was drug the other 2 would flip and reset. Probably over kill but it helped me sleep at night with my boat in the water. I ran 2 independent roped from the hub to the boat the same length.

If your in deep water and can't manually set them best way it to run 2 similar size hooks in a chain. #1 anchor ran to #2 with about 6 feet of chain. Then #2 with atleast 6 feet of chain then rode to the boat. #1 shank chained to the front if #2, then #2 shank to the boat.

Sounds a little confusing but not to bad. Search anchoring or mooring and you will find lots of different set ups.

Thanks for the reply ! I will do some searcing and reading. I was thinking with the two 28lb anchors I would drop on off the bow and one off the back. The lake is a sand/fine rock bottom and I would be leaving the boat in about 5-10ft of water if I decide to go this route.

Travis
are you talking about BEACHING the boat?

No not beaching the boat. I meant leaving it out in the water in approx 5-10ft of water.

I have 4 of these fenders, I think I got them from iBoats or overtons but I have the 8.5" and you can probably find a color to match your boat. I also had my dealer add an extra pop up cleat near the windshield. When I tie up to a dock to just one side of the dock I use 3 fenders on that side. There have been many nautical books written about various mooring techniques so its good reading over the winter. Get yourself some good fenders and dock or mooring lines and read up on the various ways to tie up your boat and you'll bee good to go.

I know it's a beautiful boat but just like a car, if you use it enough your going to scratch it. The first one hurts but they are usually not to hard to repair.

I will look into these. They should work similiar to the exile balls ?

Any ideas on which book a guy should pick up ?

Thanks again for all the reply's guys and keep them coming !