Tim,
Thanks for the response.
Our marina is hell on boats when the wind kicks up out of the W through NW. It's a real test of equipment and techniques. Unfortunately, several owners don't seem to care (or know?) about either. Their carelessness is compounded by cement docks with sharp edges that tower 3' above most boats, making for horrible leads and loads of chafe. Some of the dock line leads place the pull upward at a steep angle. For example, this guy's stbd stern line.
So, there's no doubt you're right about improper techniques being at fault, and I have several photos from yesterday to verify that. And, yes, that cleat in my first post screams cost savings. Hopefully, Ariel's cleats are of a much higher quality.
Here's a video I shot from our marina last season when a similar storm blew through. Believe it or not, but the waves kicked up a couple of feet higher later that day. I spent three nights aboard Ariel that time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FR13OrwIGU
And here's a photo of Ariel tied up like Gulliver during last year's storm. All of my primary lines are attached to heavy chains at their anchors to prevent chafe and provide the best lead possible. Secondary (and even tertiary) lines, again, have the best lead possible and enough chafe protection to buy me some time to rig up new lines in the event of a primary line failing. It might look silly, but Ariel came through OK. And that's all that matters to me.
![Image](http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y19/ariel-cd36/th_P1020693.jpg)