ianat182
Well-Known Member
Similar to Bosun Higg's I do have a pickup line and buoy in the middle each end attached to the main mooring lines fore and aft. We do pick up some times but now more often with a very strong ebb or flood current, pick up the lines directly from the upstream buoy, get the spliced loop on our centre cleat as quickly as possible, approaching from the leeward side of the pickup line and buoy; this way gives me a second chance should my crew miss the pickup/mooring lines, and also enables the boat to stream bow first into the tide which is often stronger than the crosswind.
As said above I too keep the engine in gear until the actual pickup and this takes some of the strain from the mooring rope. The boat then lies alongside the pickup line enabling me to use the boat hook for the aft lines,bringing the pickup buoy inboard at the same time.
Even when leaving my tender attached to the pickup buoy and line, I use this method upon my return if strong winds or tidal stream.
I use carabiners at both ends of the pickup lines and the bridle loops tied together with a short piece of cordage 'spliced' through one of the eyes.
ianat182
As said above I too keep the engine in gear until the actual pickup and this takes some of the strain from the mooring rope. The boat then lies alongside the pickup line enabling me to use the boat hook for the aft lines,bringing the pickup buoy inboard at the same time.
Even when leaving my tender attached to the pickup buoy and line, I use this method upon my return if strong winds or tidal stream.
I use carabiners at both ends of the pickup lines and the bridle loops tied together with a short piece of cordage 'spliced' through one of the eyes.
ianat182