Upright posts docking question
 

I was just looking at a pic of when we went to Lake George, NY last Fall. I've just gotten back into boating after quite a while and the docking situation there is unfamiliar to me.

Every dock up there uses 4x4 upright posts rather than cleats to tie to. Looking at the accompanying pic, I'm concerned that with any wakes, waves, etc., that the hull will contact the posts when the boat rocks.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...eGeorge006.jpg
I did check around in the area and there are many different ideas to protect the hull with varying degrees of success. Is anyone familiar with this type of docking and is there a good way to protect the Imron?

How far apart are they? Could you transom tie instead?

Looks like some cheap docks!

Some folks like to use the flat foam fenders specifically in these situations.
Personally, I hate the flat fenders. I usually tie a polyform fender horizontally suspended across the face of the post, a few inches below the rub rail on the boat. Unless you have scale and/or growth on the post, it's no likely to damage the boat unless you get a ferry wake or something.

This!

That's ridiculous.

Hmm, That would be a good idea except that this was at a restaurant, The Algonquin, and it would be difficult for any other boats to pass the bow to come in to dock. The Cobalt, across the way at the next dock, is too close to do that.

Not a bad idea for the day use islands, though. They all have the same dock setup. There are specialized fenders for the swim platform that I could use, in that case.

OMG, that's funny. That's exactly what I thought! They look pretty rinky dink to me but they are like that all over up there.

Actually, the ferry wake could be a reality. A small tour boat, the Ethan Allen was capsized and sunk with many casualties by a wake from a big tour boat? a couple of years ago on that Lake.

These might work, I wonder if anyone has experience with this setup. A bit of a PITA to set up as compared to fenders which are easier to deploy but they might work.
http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Product...ef=pd_sim_sg_1

If they saved the Imron they would be worth it.

I grew up in lake george and boated there my whole life. Worked at many of the local marina's. The reason the docks are built like that is becuase many of them are removed at the end of each year, and then re-installed at the beggining of the next year. They do this because the ice will typically take them out anyway.

Building the dock this way is the easiest, and im sure, cheapest way to do it. The 4x4 post are sunk into the ground by using long steel tube hooked up to a water hose. You position the end of the tube where the water comes out down on the lake floor right next to the 4x4. When you turn on the high pressure water, the water coming out of the tube displaces the ground on the lake floor, allowing the 4x4 to sink into the mud. As soon as you turn off the water the mud caves in all around the 4x4 post and you have a secure post.

In most cases, the places where you would dock like that, and tie up are in 5 mph zones, and little to no wake really affects them.. Ive since moved to Charlotte NC, and now Jax FL, each area does docking a little different, each with its own set of pro's and cons.

So to answer your question, the reason we always put docks in like that was ice and costs.

That looks like the best way, but hanging your fenders from your boat horizontally as Sydwayz suggested works just fine, too. We hange them horizontally for raftups as well.

Spring lines each way will help hold your position as well.

Boomer35: Thanks for the explanation, now it makes sense! You're right, every type of docking has pros and cons. I think I'll be able to work around the posts next time I return.

Yes, that's true about the no wake zones so that there shouldn't be a problem with a lot of bouncing around. That was our first experience in boating at Lake George and I have to say the Lake is absolutely beautiful! You have to really miss boating there, especially after living there so long.

You guys are right, the horizontal fenders will definitely help. I saw one boat that was taking no chances and had large fenders at the waterline tied to the dock and the Taylor post bumpers there too!

Yup, also going to order spring lines!

I have been using these on Lake George for years. They work great. Funny thing is I've never seen another boat on the lake that has them.
They are easier to use than horizontal fenders.

Great, that's good to know! That's what I was leaning towards since they cover the upright post. Since you also have a 260SS, I know they will work with my boat, too. You probably only need 2 to do the job, I would think.

That's exactly what I use too. We have the exact same dock setup. I'm the only guy around here that has them, and everyone always asks where I got them. They work great. I often tie off fenders horizontally too, just because I'm a bit anal. :)

I throw my small stearn anchor out before I dock then tie it off the center cleats, helps keep boat off the dock

Yes I use 2 of them. I have had the same pair for over 10 years and 3 different boats. I also camp on the islands often and some of those docks get really rough. My Imron is still perfect after 5 seasons.
I do hang an 8" diameter fender on the stern cleat if its real rough. It holds the stern away from the dock. I will try to find a picture to post.

Now that's also an excellent idea especially for the island camping docks. As lg260ss said they get really rough and the anchor would help stabilize the boat. Never thought about using the anchor that way.

We are all used to tying across a single boat slip to suspend the boat without using fenders. You can do the same with 2 boats in a bigger slip. It keeps the boats from banging the dock, and usually keeps some idiot from trying to squeeze between the two boats.

Piling ties
 

I bought some flat pads from west marine. Sometimes I lash them to the pilings. Surprisingly the piling faces are usually soft pine, that is easy on the rub rail

Brian, I think I know what you mean. That type of slip is a "U" shaped slip where you tie off to 4 points?

Yes, I "got away with it" when I tied up in that pic without fenders or post covers. The 4x4's are pretty soft pine and the rubrail was unaffected.

Yep, you got it. Tie the aft of the boat criss-cross; to the dock. And tie the front midship cleats so they spring the boat forward, off the dock at the rear. Typically, with springs such as these, you don't have to worry about tides, which is of concern in tidal widers & fixed docks.

Here are a couple of pics. This is the east side of Fork Island. It can get really rough there.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2...D550/ry%3D400/

I've never had any issues docking this way. I don't like to have fenders rubbing on my Imron, even with fender covers.

Ok, I can see the large fender on the swim platform and then the 2 post bumpers, forward. Very nice setup!
Black Flagship Elite is a beautiful paint treatment!

I was at Lake Winni in NH this year and the house we rented was similar good enough for a week. What I use at our home docks are mooring whips the best $300-400 you will spend.