Stern tying is the act of securing your boat to the shore after anchoring. Doing this cuts down your boat’s anchorage swing by a dramatic amount; it is not only safer, but also courteous to other boaters by allowing for more boats to anchor in the harbor. The concept is simple, but the execution can be a bit more daunting.

For stern tying, have a crew of at least two and use brightly colored polypropylene floating line of at least several hundred feet and a spool; this provides visibility, durability, and a safe maximum length for tying. Ranger Tugs recommends acquiring one from Fisheries Supply here. If tying to a tree or stump, use a tree strap or other protective equipment in order to prevent damage to the bark or wood.

1. To begin, find the approximate area where you will harbor, and locate any possible objects onshore you will be able to tie to. These can include trees & stumps, and secure logs and boulders. In parks and other heavily used harbors, rangers or volunteers may have secured metal spokes, chains, or other objects to make tying easier as well. Also take into account the route to the object; consider sharp or slippery surfaces and where you can land onshore.
2. After attaching the spool of line to your stern, anchor perpendicularly with the bow facing away from the shore, making sure your depth takes into account upcoming tidal changes.
3. With one person staying onboard to help hold the boat in place as best as possible, another person takes the dinghy or tender with the end of the line to shore, unspooling as they go.
4. Once onshore and at the object to attach to, simply loop the remaining line around (utilizing protective equipment for wood, if applicable) and return to the dinghy or tender with it. Looping, as opposed to tying a knot, ensures you don’t have to come ashore again when departing.
5. Once back onboard your boat, tighten the line as best as possible and tie both ends to two separate cleats to finish.
6. In the morning, just untie the knots and spool the line back up. Voila!

Be noted that your boat will still swing, albeit much less with the stern tie. Take into account other boaters, the depth, and other hazards around you. If you need to cut down on swing even further, you can add another stern tie. However, one should be satisfactory in most cases.