[Rhodes22-list] Moorings

[Bill Effros]

In our mooring field almost everyone has a "highboy" -- a mooring float 
with a tall plastic stick on top.  You grab the stick, pull the little 
float with the lead counterweight on board.  That is attached to the 
mooring bridle, which you pull on board and deploy.  No poles required.  
Easy to spot (put some reflective tape on the stick to make it stand out 
at night.)

My mooring is also near rocks.  (Because the Rhodes has such a shallow 
draft we are often assigned spots that more conventional sailboats of 
our size cannot sail to--many of us have shallow moorings--a mixed 
blessing.)

I think it is important to learn how to sail up to your mooring in case 
you ever find yourself in a situation where you must do so.  Practice 
under different conditions--but not when you have compound difficulties 
(crowded mooring, hurricane approaching, low tide, wind blowing toward 
the rocks).

That said, I always motor to my mooring except when practicing under 
controlled conditions or the unexpected happens.  I leave my motor 
running until the mooring line is exactly where I want it on board.

I generally furl my sails before entering the harbor.  Away from other 
boats.  Outside shipping lanes.  I coil lines.  Put away things I might 
trip over.  Prepare for the mooring.

I don't usually sail into the harbor, even though I am perfectly capable 
of doing so.  I think it is irresponsible--I see too many accidents and 
near accidents in our extremely busy harbor.  If you don't have a motor 
that's one thing, but if you do have one--this is the time you should be 
using it.

I always single hand the mooring, even when there are people on board.  
I do it from the cockpit--I neither run nor walk to the bow.

I always approach the mooring from the leeward side, even if this brings 
me close to the rocks--I know where they are, I know where the tide is 
(I always print out a tidal graph every time before I go out for a sail) 
I know how to safely navigate between my mooring and the rocks.

If I'm coming in from the rocky side, I turn the boat at the last minute 
to approach the mooring dead into the wind.  I put the engine into 
neutral, and coast up to the high boy.  The sharp turn will slow me 
down.  If done properly, the boat will come to a complete stop when the 
highboy is beside the forward end of the cockpit.   I grab the highboy 
at the top, and while holding it at the top carefully walk toward the bow.

If I'm coming in from any non-rocky direction I try to make a straight 
shot to my mooring, putting the engine into neutral hundreds of yards 
before getting within arm's reach, and gliding to a full stop just as 
the high boy reaches the forward end of the cockpit.  If I overshoot I 
can stop my forward progress by holding onto the highboy.  If I 
undershoot I can put the engine back into gear for a few seconds.

This technique is the same one I use when sailing up to my mooring, so 
every motor approach also teaches the important lessons of sail approaches.

The highboy remains essentially in the same place, once you grab it, 
while the boat moves astern under your feet pushed backward by the 
wind.  Then you put the bowline over the cleat, walk back to turn off 
the engine, tidy up, and you're done within minutes of entering the harbor.

I keep 15 foot lines in both cubby holes in the cockpit for general 
docking and emergency mooring.  Remember you can always slip a line 
through your anchor bridle and put the line on a cleat while you are 
trying to figure out what you're going to do next.

This is not quite as pretty a picture as a successful mooring, but it 
will keep you out of a lot of trouble if you stay attached to your 
mooring instead of floating around in a panic.

Bill Effros

Michael D. Weisner wrote:
> 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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