Read the tide before you read the bank

On a tidal river, the water is rarely still. A stretch of bank that looks perfect at lunchtime may be a muddy ditch by teatime, and a peaceful mooring at low water can become a surging channel when the flood tide arrives. On rivers such as the Severn, Trent, Ouse and Thames, the tidal range can be several metres. Before you choose a spot, check the tide tables for the day. Note whether it is springs or neaps, and find out how the river flow interacts with the tide. On the ebb, the current can run faster than you expect; on the flood, the tide may push you back upstream. The key question is simple: where will your boat be at low water? If the bank dries out, your boat may settle on mud or stones. Look for a mooring that stays afloat, or at least sits comfortably. Allow for the full range, not just the water you see now.

Pick a bank that suits a falling and rising tide

Not every stretch of bank is suitable for a tidal mooring. Look for established mooring rings, bollards or strong posts set into a wall or hard bank. Avoid trees and wooden stakes, which can rot or pull out under load. Check the bank profile. A gently sloping mud bank may be fine for a shallow-draught boat, but a steep wall needs plenty of fenders and long lines. Watch out for submerged obstacles, outfall pipes, chain ferries and other moored boats. At low water, walk the bank if you can. Ask yourself: will the lines chafe on the edge? Will the boat sit on the bottom? Is there room to swing? If in doubt, move on. A little patience now saves a lot of trouble later.

Set lines that can breathe with the tide

On a tidal mooring, your lines must allow for vertical movement. Use long warps and lead them to high points on the bank. A bow line and stern line alone are rarely enough. Add spring lines to stop the boat surging forward and back, and a breast line to keep the boat close to the bank. Allow plenty of slack, but not so much that the boat can swing into trouble. A useful rule of thumb is to allow a line length of at least one and a half times the tidal range. Use a snubber or a length of chain at the bank to take the wear. Where possible, run a line from the boat to a high ring or bollard, then back to the boat, so you can adjust from on board. Check the angle: lines should be at least 30 degrees from horizontal where possible. Remember that a rope that is tight at low water will be bar-tight at high water. Check every line for chafe, and use chafing gear where it passes over a wall or rail.

Anchor points: test them, then test them again

Never trust a single anchor point on a tidal river. Even a stout-looking bollard may be loose. Give each point a firm pull. Use two independent points where you can. If you must use an anchor, set it up and down the river, not across the channel. A kedge anchor can be useful as a secondary point. Avoid mooring to trees or vegetation. On tidal rivers, the bank can be soft, so a stake may pull out under load. If you use a mooring pin, drive it deep and at an angle, and back it up with a second. Consider using a length of chain around a tree or post to reduce chafe. Test your setup at half tide, then again at high water if you can. If a point moves, replace it. If you are unsure, add another line. Redundancy is not fussiness; it is seamanship.

Before you leave the boat, do a full walk-through

Before you step ashore for the day, walk the full length of the boat and check every line. Look for chafe where ropes pass through fairleads or over the bank. Check the fenders and adjust them for the tide. Take a photo of the setup so you can compare when you return. Ask a neighbouring boater to keep an eye on things, and leave a note with your mobile number. Set a phone alarm for high water if you are nearby. If you are leaving the boat for a while, consider a second set of lines and a secondary anchor point. Check the weather forecast: wind against tide can create a nasty chop. Remove loose items from the deck, close seacocks and make sure the boat is secure. A few minutes now can save hours later.

When the tide turns: what to watch for

The moment of high water is not the end of the story. As the tide falls, the boat may settle, and lines that were slack can suddenly snatch. Watch for lines going tight, then slacker, then tight again. If you are on board, tend the lines as the tide moves. If you are away, return before low water. Listen for the sound of the boat touching bottom, and check the fenders for signs of rubbing. Keep a sharp knife handy in case you need to cut a line under load. If something feels wrong, add a line or move the boat. The best tidal mooring is the one you have checked twice, at different states of the tide. Take your time, trust your eyes and your hands, and the river will reward you with a quiet night and a safe boat.