-The Problem of Complacency
- Relocation
2
- Where to go?
3
- Storm Prediction
- Overcrowding
4
- Making of a Good Dock
- What About Floating Docks?
Makings of a Good Dock The essentials are strong pilings and adequate width. Pilings need to be of sufficient height that they're likely to remain above the level of the storm surge, and if they're too close together, as the water rises, your dock lines will end up leading straight down. The illustration below shows what happens when you don't have enough space for adequate line length when the water rises.
Check the pilings down below the high tide line where they are likely to be eroded. If they are, you can guess what will happen. Pieces of lumber bolted to a wood dock, or lagged to a concrete pier are totally inadequate, so don't expect them to hold anything.
The best dockage consists of a slip that is four-cornered with large wood pilings, whether you're paralleling the bulkhead, or on finger piers. Wood pilings are good because they bend with heavy shock loads, sort of like a mooring whip. And speaking of the later, don't expect these to overcome the effects of wind and waves -- they won't.
The illustration above shows a more or less ideal dockage arrangement for a boat against a bulkhead. Below, a good arrangement for finger piers.
Note that the bow pilings are set well off the ends of the piers, allowing for adequate bow line length, and the ability to keep the stern well away from the dock. The width between pilings is enough to allow for enough slack in the lines without the boat hitting against them.
What About Floating Docks? If they are made of wood, forget it. These don't stand a chance. Newer floating docks are usually steel framed, and so long as they're not threatened by wave action, they should be okay. The main problem with floating docks is that you have a lot of boats which are basically all moored to the same structure. If part of it goes, usually the whole thing goes. Plus, you have no pilings to tie to. You're completely dependent on how well the mooring cleats are attached.
The good news to come out of this is that with good, thoughtful consideration and preparation, the chances of your boat surviving are very high. And the more you know and learn about these terrible storms, the higher that probability becomes. >> Back to Part 1
The
Problem of Complacency 
David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.
Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.
Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:
In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.
In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.
On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.
Biography - Long version