Raft up short-handed

Alastair Buchan explains the techniques needed by solo or short-handed for crew rafting up in busy marinas and harbours

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When rafting up, try to lie alongside a boat that is the same size as yours or slightly larger. Always give them a hail before going alongside. The crew may be aboard and can help by taking your lines.

Even though they may be rafted up, some outside yachts will leave their dinghies alongside as a hint to go elsewhere. Sometimes, skippers will attempt to discourage you from coming alongside by appearing in the hatchway and announcing that they are leaving very early in the morning or in the next half hour, whichever is the soonest. If you have chosen the best (or only) place to berth, then be politely ruthless. It is surprising how often these boats change their plans.

If there is no-one aboard the yacht you have chosen to lie against, then you must go aboard with your lines. This always involves clambering over guardrails and working on an unfamiliar deck full of tripping hazards.

If you're making the bow line fast first, then throwing the stern line into their cockpit as you come alongside makes good sense, rather than taking it with you to the bows and then, when you do take it to their stern, discovering that it is wrapped round their guardrails, fenders and shrouds.