On occasions, my husband takes overnight business trips. To prevent loneliness, he often invites me to go along with him. Whenever I discover what city we will be visiting, I immediately start researching it. For instance, I map out landmarks we’ve never seen, restaurants with good reviews, entertainment options, and hotels that look appealing. By the time we get in the car, board the plane, or get on the train, every minute of our trip is already planned out. If your spouse travels frequently for work, consider mixing business with pleasure from time to time. On this blog, you will discover how to make the most of an upcoming business trip.
Business and Pleasure
2 Tips For Securely Mooring Your Boat At The End Of Your Vacation
Delores Tucker
If you vacation several times a year on the coast, you may decide to leave your boat at the marina so it will be there waiting for you on your next visit. However, before you leave, you may want to make sure you have properly prepared it for any possible storms. If so, use the following two tips for securely mooring your boat.
Choose The Right Rope
Before you begin securing your boat the dock, make sure you are using the right type of rope for the job. While ropes with natural fibers are strong and a popular choice, they are susceptible to salt water. Eventually, they will break down and rot. If this happens and a strong storm blows through the area, the fibers could snap and send your boat adrift.
Instead of natural fibers, choose a rope made from synthetic material, such as polyurethane. Ropes made from these types of fibers do not rot. They are also resilient and springy, giving them the ability to stretch slightly without breaking during strong winds.
Check The Cleats Before You Tie The Rope
Once you have your ropes, carefully check the cleats before you tie them to your boat. If they are loose or the wood beneath them has started to deteriorate, the cleats may not hold during a storm.
Put your fingers in the loop, then wiggle the cleat from side to side. You should not feel any movement. If you do, however, check to see if the base is firmly attached. If not, use an electric drill with a screwdriver tip to tighten the screws. Using an electric drill will give you a better hold than you can achieve by hand tightening the screws.
If the cleat still moves around the base, look at the wood beneath it. If it has started to deteriorate, apply a thin layer of wood putty around the base to give it better support.
If the loop on the cleat has become loose or cracked, find a replacement for the cleat at the marina's store. If the rope loop is damaged, it will most likely break during a strong storm so the entire cleat will need to be replaced.
Using the above tips can help keep your boat securely docked at the marina. However, you are still concerned about leaving your boat, you may want to contact a moorage service like South Park Marina who can see to the mooring and maintenance of your boat in your absence.
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