Water tap
Hardstanding
The RABC hardstanding on Little Beach provides a smooth concrete surface to moor the boat for work. There are two large, padded posts – up and down stream. Its height is 4.2m ACD at the channel side and 4.3m at the land side with the surrounding sand around 0.3m lower, so boats can be moved on high Spring tides (anything over 4.9m depending on your draught) allowing a few days when it stays completely dry around Neaps before floating, probably at the next but one Springs. This is a very useful dry working platform for antifouling and topside work when the paint may need 24hrs to dry before immersion. Also suitable for stepping and un-stepping the mast. To reserve the platform, speak to the Moorings Officer, Gordon Pope.
Preparation:
LW: Scrape or brush sand & slime off the concrete. There is an old ground anchor to the south channel side for a stern line. Use bower anchor for the bow. Warp from ground anchor to loose around a post for bow bitt. Prepare warps from midships cleats with bowlines to lasso the posts. Rig horizontal fenders.
Moving to:
HW: Tie dinghy/canoe to boat. At or near to high tide the current is likely to be gently downriver. Motor upwind and/or uptide and turn to rest facing ashore (best for dropping mast) between posts. Loop a line over the up post then the down post. Adjust lines to centre the boat. Fit the bow line. Row ashore. Attach line for stern or kedge anchor later. Remove motor.
Leaving:
Fit & start motor. Move bow line to upstream post (spring). Remove downstream line. Tighten upstream midships line. Tighten bow and slacken midships until clear. Motor away.
