Operating instructions

3B4: Shore Lines
When a shore line is required, anchors are set 75 - 100 feet from shore, with the boat
backing toward shore during anchor-setting. The stern line is put around a tree, and brought
back to the boat. During this process, be sure to keep clear of rocks near the shore, and allow
for our Northwest tides, occasionally twelve feet, and sometimes 20 feet when further north!
Check the present tide, and high and low tides before beginning anchoring: No sense
anchoring in 15 feet of water if you're at the "top" of a 15 foot tide!
To get to the shore, you will need to have a dinghy down, and then have your mate
keep the boat's stern toward shore with short bursts of reverse gear. Sometimes a helpful
boater already anchored will help you by taking your line to shore for you with his dinghy, a
neat "good deed" that you might reciprocate. We've met some nice boaters this way!
The shore line is in the lazarette, and is long enough to usually allow taking it to a tree,
around it, and back to the boat so you don't have to go ashore to untie when leaving. With a
crew member keeping the boat in position, take the dinghy to shore pulling the end of the
shore line with you. Pass it around a tree, and pull it back to the boat if you can, since then to
get away in the morning all you have to do is release the bitter end from the boat, and pull it
aboard. Pull the line tight, as long as you've got over 100' total of line out: there is plenty of
sag/stretch, and we want to keep the boat in its area! If necessary, put a crab pot float or
fender on the line to warn others it’s there!
Here is a sketch of a properly anchored boat with a shore line (In this drawing, S=Scope,
which should be at least 4 x DL, the Depth at Low Tide):
Section 3B: Maneuvering Suggestions 3.5