Bulletin Post

Rafting Up Done Right

Rafting up — tying two or more boats together at anchor — is a Chesapeake summer tradition. Done well, it's the best way to spend a Saturday on the water. Done poorly, it damages hulls, drags anchors, and turns friends into former friends. A few basics go a long way.

The biggest, heaviest boat sets the anchor first, and others tie alongside with bow, stern, and spring lines and plenty of fenders. Everyone in the raft accepts the anchor set — if you're unsure, don't join. Break up before dark or before wind picks up, and never raft up in a busy channel or too close to shallow water. When in doubt, err on the side of leaving room.