[Rhodes22-list] Moorings

[Michael D. Weisner]

Dan,

I do understand rocks all too well.  They are not forgiving!

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)

From: "daniel snyder" <danielsnyder at adelphia.net> Sent: Wednesday, November
22, 2006 3:56 PM

> Michael, my mooring is in about 12 feet of water in a small cove in front
of
> my house...about 45 feet out from a rocky shoreline.  When I'm departing
> I'll remove the mooring line from the bow cleat and snap on a ball type
> fender which I then deposit in the bow of my dinghy....which is also
> fastened to my mooring ball.  When coming back to the mooring I don't have
> much margin for error in that I'm not far from the rocks.  My mooring line
> stays permanently attached to the mooring ball and is very heavy duty and
is
> six feet long.  I'll come in slowly, throw the motor in neutral (if I'm
> using it) and quickly get to the bow with the boat hook.  It is always a
> "first time success" snagging the line because the round fender lying in
the
> bow of the dinghy always keeps the line up out of the water and never
> tangled with anything.
>
> Now to your point, I very much try to make this look very smooth to anyone
> who might be watching....but if a strong wind is blowing in toward those
> rocks, I privately sweat!
>
> If you ever happen to be with Elton, ask him about the very unique
> experience he had with my mooring ball this past May when the water was
> about 40 degrees!
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael D. Weisner" <mweisner at ebsmed.com>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 3:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Moorings
>
>
> > Dan,
> >
> > Your post brought back a "fond" memory of the first time that I tied up
to
> > my mooring.  I too use a mooring, on the Nissequoque River.  Due to the
> > 7-8
> > foot tide changes here on the north shore of LI, the current can be very
> > strong in and out to the LIS.  I sailed right up to the mooring and
leaned
> > out of the cockpit and hooked the buoy nice and solidly.  Brought the
> > buoy,
> > covered with all forms of marine life up the side of my nice, new R22,
> > yuck!
> > The Admiral held the boat pole near the winch while I tried in vain to
> > fasten the mooring pennant to the buoy.  The tide was going out,
quickly,
> > and we were broadside to the flow.  The Admiral almost went over the
side
> > from the force on the pole.  I dropped the buoy, released the boat pole
> > and
> > sailed away, vowing never to try to do that again during tide changes.
> > Now
> > I am smart enough to drop anchor and use a dinghy if mooring maintenance
> > is
> > required.
> >
> > As far as "race to the bow with the boat hook to snag my mooring line"
> > goes,
> > you might want to add a pickup buoy to the mooring lines when you depart
> > and
> > sail or motor to the mooring, into the wind or current, if any.  Cut
your
> > power and just glide up to the mooring, WALK forward and gently reach
down
> > to pick up the "flag".  You, and all watching you, will be impressed
with
> > your relaxed attitude.  Sailing is all about the illusion of controlling
> > nature.
> >
> > Mike
> > s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
> >
> >
> > From: "daniel snyder" <danielsnyder at adelphia.net> Sent: Wednesday,
> > November
> > 22, 2006 1:07 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Life Lines
> >
> >> Nan, our 06 Rhodes was delivered in May.  When my wife and I were in
> > Edenton
> >> in April going over some final items with Stan she happened to spot one
> >> of
> >> his new boats getting ready to be delivered.  It had the life rails
(not
> >> life lines) and immediately felt these would be a good addition to
> >> support
> >> moving to and from the bow.  So we ordered them and have said to
> >> ourselves
> >> frequently that we're glad we did.  They provide a very solid hand hold
> >> as
> > I
> >> race to the bow with the boat hook to snag my mooring line...I sail
> >> single
> >> handed 99% of the time.  They are also handy with the kids.  They are a
> > real
> >> handy spot to hang a fender from also.  Personally, I kind of like the
> > looks
> >> of them on the boat.  Others on the list will say they aren't necessary
> > and
> >> for the most part, they're right.  It was sort of a last minute splurge
> > but
> >> I'm very happy with them.  They show up a bit in the attached photo.
Dan
> > in
> >> NH
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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