Boating - July 2018

TOOLS AND

SUPPLIES

SKILL LEVEL

FINISH TIME

38 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JULY/AUGUST 2018

DIY

+ Weekend

Workbook

BOAT DOCTOR ///WEEKEND WORKBOOK

TIP

• SlideMoor Plus
  (starting at $959 per
  piling, slidemoor.com)


• Marker, such as a grease
  pencil or Sharpie


• Level


• Tape measure


• Drill motor and^1 / 4 -inch bit


• Pneumatic impact
  wrench, air compressor
  and air line


• Impact socket-wrench
  set
  -^1 / 2 -by-6-inch stainless-
  steel lag bolts (10 per
  8-foot track)
  -^3 / 16 -by-3-inch stainless-
  steel lag bolts (two per
  parking cleat)


• Low-stretch dock lines
  (two per piling)


• Slotted screwdriver


• Socket-wrench set

Side-tying your boat to pilings at a stationary

dock poses a problem in waters subject to

tides: How to do you keep the boat securely

moored, prevent dock rash and avoid sinking

your vessel while also accommodating daily

f luctuations in water levels?

Boaters often employ out-pilings and

crossed-tied bow and stern lines, as well as

spring lines, which allow the boat to f loat with

the tide. It’s a hassle and also complicates the

docking and boarding processes.

Florida-based SlideMoor Docking Systems

LLC offers another solution. It uses tracks on

pilings that allow sliding fenders and cleats

to move up and down on the track as the

boat rises and falls. Vessels less than 60 feet

require only two SlideMoor Plus units (one

at the stern cleat and one at the spring cleat).

With a wide choice of fender sizes, tracks are

available in lengths ranging from 8 to 20 feet

for various tidal ranges. This makes docking

and boarding much safer and easier.

SlideMoor recommends professional

installation, but a competent DIYer can

handle the job with the right tools and helping

hands. —Jim Hendricks

INSTALLING A

SLIDEMOOR PLUS

SYSTEM ON YOUR DOCK

Approx. 3 hours

3.5 OF 5

MAINTENANCE

Each time the SlideMoor is untied from your boat, allow it to drop to the bottom stop bolt (while holding onto

the line) to remove any marine growth from the track. If it does not slide all the way, repeat until it cleans the

track enough to hit the bottom stop bolt. If this has not been done for a while, it might be necessary to clean

the track with a scraper.

It helps to have at

least two people and

your boat handy for this

project. Much of the

work will need to take

place from the boat.

ILLUSTRATIONS: TIM BARKER

Keep your boat secure and free of damage with sliding dock fenders and cleats.