Securing Your Boat To A Dock's Bull Rail

Tying a boat to a bull rail is a commonly required docking skill. Many docks don't have cleats, or they are not in a convenient location. Not being able to quickly tie a boat to a dock can put your crew at risk of injury as they struggle with the dock lines. There are several methods to tie a boat to a bull rail, including using a loop of the dock line passed around the bull rail and back to a cleat on the boat, or a round turn and two half hitches.

Pass the dock line under the bull rail

Passing the dock line under the bull rail is the first step in securing your boat to a dock that has a bull rail. This is a commonly required docking skill that is often done the hard way. Many docks don't have cleats, or they are not in a convenient location, so knowing how to tie up to a bull rail is important.

When passing the dock line under the bull rail, start by passing the line from your boat under the bull rail on the dock. This will have the line over the bull rail if it is led back to the boat. This is the correct way to start as it makes it easier to feed the line back to the boat when you are leaving the dock. If the line starts over the bull rail, it will wrap around the bull rail when you are releasing it and will probably jam.

Once you have passed the line under the bull rail, you can then pass it back over the bull rail and back to a cleat on your boat. This is also how the line will look when you leave the dock. When casting off, release the cleat and pull a bit of slack in the line to allow you to take the loop off the cleat and flip the loop onto the dock. Then, pull the dock line back onto the boat.

Passing the dock line under the bull rail first helps to prevent the line from jamming. If you pass the line over the bull rail first and then under, the line will wrap around the bull rail when you try to retrieve it, causing a jam. By passing it under first, you can simply pull the line under the bull rail to retrieve it without any friction or tangles.

There are several ways to secure a vessel to a bull rail, but this method of passing the line under the bull rail first is a quick and easy way to tie your boat to the dock. It allows your crew to stay on the boat when releasing the boat from the bull rail and helps to prevent injuries and damage that can occur when crew members have to struggle with dock lines.

Avoid passing the line over the bull rail first

When tying your boat to a dock bull rail, it is important to avoid passing the line over the bull rail first. Here are some tips and tricks to help you tie your boat safely and efficiently:

Firstly, start by passing the line from your boat under the bull rail on the dock. This is a crucial step to prevent the line from jamming when you release it. If the line starts under the bull rail, it will be easier to feed it back to the boat, and your crew can cast off the mooring lines without leaving the boat. This technique also helps to prevent injuries and reduces the risk of damage to your boat.

When you pass the line under the bull rail, it will be led back over the bull rail as it is pulled towards the boat. This is the correct way to ensure the line doesn't get stuck. By passing the line under the bull rail first, you can then throw the dock line back onto the dock, and it will slide smoothly under the rail without wrapping around it.

A useful knot to secure your boat to the bull rail is the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. This knot is secure and quick to tie. It also helps control a loaded line and keeps the line from pulling your crew's hands into the bull rail under strain.

If you are in a hurry or planning a quick getaway, you can use a single turn around the bull rail with two half hitches instead of the Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. This method is also useful when dealing with long dock lines – by middling the line (doubling it up close to the bull rail), you avoid feeding the full length of the line around the bull rail and through the knots.

Remember, passing the line from your boat under the bull rail first is the key to a safe and efficient docking process. This technique will make it easier for your crew to cast off and prevent the line from jamming, reducing the risk of injury and damage to your boat.

Use a loop in the dock line

To tie a boat to a dock bull rail, you can use a loop in the dock line. This is a quick and easy way to tie a boat to a bull rail. This method ensures the crew can stay on the boat when releasing it from the bull rail.

First, pass a loop in the dock line coming from the boat under the bull rail. This will result in the line being over the bull rail as it leads back to a cleat on the boat. This step is crucial as it ensures the crew can easily cast off the mooring lines from the boat.

Next, secure the end of the dock line to the cleat on the boat. Pass the eye of the dock line through the centre of the cleat and loop it over one end. This step provides a secure attachment point for the dock line.

Then, bring the loop back over the bull rail and back to a cleat on the boat. This step ensures that when you are ready to leave, the dock line can be easily released by throwing it onto the dock, and it will feed back nicely to the boat.

Finally, put the loop around the base of the cleat on the boat. This step provides additional security and ensures the boat is safely tied to the dock.

Using a loop in the dock line is a simple and effective method for tying a boat to a dock bull rail. It allows the crew to work from the boat when releasing the mooring lines, enhancing safety and efficiency during the docking process.

Secure the end of the dock line to the cleat

To secure the end of the dock line to the cleat, follow these steps:

Pass a loop in the dock line coming from the boat under the bull rail. This will result in the line being over the bull rail as it is led back to a cleat on the boat. The crew can then easily cast off the mooring lines from the boat.

Bring the loop back over the bull rail and back to a cleat on the boat. When the dock line starts under the bull rail, it can be easily thrown onto the dock, and the line should feed back smoothly to the boat.

Put the loop around the base of the cleat on the boat. Wrap the bitter end of the dock line around the base of the cleat, ensuring it goes around the far end of the cleat from the direction of the load.

Secure the dock line to the cleat with several figure eights. If you are just stopping briefly or need a quick getaway, you can put several extra "eights" on the cleat without using a weather hitch.

Use a round turn and two half hitches

To use a round turn and two half hitches to tie a boat to a dock bull rail, follow these steps:

Firstly, pass the dock line coming from the boat under the bull rail on the dock. This will have the line over the bull rail if it is led back to the boat. It is important to start the line under the bull rail to prevent the line from jamming when leaving the dock.

Now, wrap the line around the bull rail, creating a round turn. This provides friction and makes it easier to control the load on the line. Then, start the bitter end of the line (the end that is not attached to the boat) around the standing part of the line (the part that is attached to the boat). You can wrap the line in either direction around the standing part, but be sure to maintain that direction for the rest of the knot.

Next, tie a half hitch by bringing the bitter end of the line around the standing part. Repeat this step to tie a second half hitch. At this point, you will have created a clove hitch around the standing part of the line.

Finally, work out any remaining slack in the line to finish the knot.

The round turn and two half hitches is a secure and quick way to tie a boat to a dock bull rail. It also helps to control a loaded line, preventing the line from pulling crew members' hands into the bull rail under strain.

Frequently asked questions