TOPIC: Mooring whips

I have a 14' boat I dock in my backyard.
I'm thinking of getting some whips but have
no experience with them. The canal I live on is
not a "No Wake" zone so my boat takes a beating
out there. Money is a factor so a davit is not an option.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Can you put up a picture so we can see the orientation of everything? Is there a current? Tides?

I seen them and the ones I've seen were all in no-wake zones. Seems they would have a lot of give to them.

Pics per request.
No current or tide.

Nice boat.

hopefully I have attached my great idea.

this is the sad drawing in case you can't open the pdf. you will get the idea. If you use it please post the after pictures. This is what I would do for better or worse with your setup. If you would like more clarification or to fly me down to set this up for you let me know.

Back in the 70's I was stationed across the river from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. For crossing the river, we used a small fleet of Whaler styled outboards from 15' to 18', and they were moored using those whips. They work. High winds and waves during snotty weather required extra ropes for security, but I never seen a whip break, or a boat damaged.

Whips are great for a situation like yours. The function of the whips is to hold the boat off the dock, your lines should control the fore and aft movement. A spring cleat mounted on the deck close to the back of the windshield would be very helpful. The line from the cleat just mentioned should lead aft to the dock near the stern quarter, restraining forward movement of the boat. A line should be run from the stern cleat forward to the dock somewhere forward of midships, restraining backward motion. Your regular bow and stern lines then control how far away from the dock the boat will float under tension from the whips.
We have used them for years at our cottage, and when I hear the wind whip up, I just roll over and go back to sleep knowing the boat is safe.

Looks like a good plan to me, simple and affordable. Schedule 40 on the pvc at minimum or schedule 80.

Thanks for the info.
I'm still mulling over my options
but will post up pics of my decision.

robert-lorigan wrote:

Nice boat.

It's outta' the water getting a makeover.
Pics coming soon.