Anchoring, Mooring And Towing - Xo 200 S CC User Manual

5.10.4 anchoring, mooring and towing

Always moor your boat carefully, even in sheltered places, because
conditions can change rapidly. The mooring lines should be equip-
ped with appropriate absorbers to dampen shocks. For the location
of fastening points, see Figure 7. Do not use other boat components
for fastening, towing or anchoring.
Use sufficiently large fenders to protect the boat from chafing. The
eye on the stem is only designed for docking on a slipway or for faste-
ning the boat to a trailer. It is not to be subjected to lateral forces pre-
sent when, for example, the boat is secured to a dock. The strength
ratings for the fastening points are also shown in Figure 7.
The owner/user of the boat is responsible for ensuring that the moo-
ring, towing and anchoring lines, as well as the anchors and anchor
chains are appropriate for the intended use of the boat, and that the
tensile strength of the lines and chains does not exceed 80% of that
of the corresponding fastening points.
However, wear and tear of the lines and knots weakening the lines
must be taken into account. If you tow the boat, note that the strength
ratings for the front cleats differ from those of the aft and centre
cleats.
If you are going to beach the boat at an excursion harbour or similar
natural harbour, make sure that the depth of the water is sufficient
and DROP YOUR ANCHOR AT A SUFFICIENT DISTANCE FROM THE
SHORE. A fair holding power is achieved if you pay out anchor rode so
that its length is 4 to 5 times the depth of the water at the point where
you dropped the anchor. The grip is increased the more anchor rode
you deploy. The anchor holding power is also significantly increased
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if the first 3 to 5 metres of the anchor rode is weighted line or chain.
WARNING!
Do not try to stop the boat by hand or place your hand or leg bet-
ween your boat and a dock, shore or another boat. Practice dock-
ing and beaching in good conditions and remember to apply the
engine power in a gentle but determined manner.
When you moor your boat, bear in mind the wind-direction changes,
rise and fall of water level, wakes, etc. Additional instructions can be
provided by your insurance company, for example. If you tow another
boat or if your boat is being towed, always drive slowly and use a flo-
ating tow line that is sufficiently strong. Start towing carefully, avoid
sudden jerks and do not overload the engine. Make sure that the tow
line cannot get caught in the propeller. If the boat you are towing is of
the displacement hull type, never exceed its hull speed. If you tow a
small dinghy, adjust the length of the tow line so that the dinghy rides
downhill on your wake. However, you should pull the dinghy close to
the transom in narrow passages and on high waves to minimise wig-
gling. Carefully secure all equipment in the dinghy in case it capsi-
zes. Cover the dinghy if you tow it on waves in open water to prevent it
from being filled by splashing water. If you tow another boat or if your
boat is being towed, attach the tow line to the fastening points shown
in Figure 7. Attach the tow line so that it can be detached under load.
The tensile strength of the lines or chains should normally not
exceed the tensile strength of the fastening point in question.
Always attach the tow line so that it can be detached under load.