Distance between boats

[SolentPhill]

At my marina we are moored on several long pontoons so boats are attached on both sides length ways if thats sense.

each boat is 1 metre apart and on a river it makes it hard to moor up hence a few boats get hit on the inside pontoons. The 1 metre is from the back of one to the front of the other.

What I would like to know is, if anyone else has this type of mooring and what distance you have between boats, is there a set limit or can the marina do as they like.

Thanks

 

[jfm]

There's certianly no "set limit". Marina can do what they like subject only to what's in your contract.

It's a difficult call. Increasing the 1 metre means in general higher berthing fees. 1 metre each end is fine for a skilled helmsman but I can imagine there will be bumps if less skilled drivers park there. (At least, if you mean bigger boats: 1metre is fine for RIBs and dayboats etc). If it were me and my neighbours crashed me I'd either move marina or do a deal with marina and pay for an extra 1m space each end

 

[gjgm]

do you mean that you have 1m between boats, bow and stern? I imagine that takes some rope work to berth then.
Mind you, on finger pontoons, sometimes there is only room between boats for a fender and thats it, so I guess you takes your choice...!-

 

[SolentPhill]

yes 1m between bow and stern.

being on a 6kt river it makes it really hard

 

[DAKA]

3ft was set at our club 50 years ago when boats were 26ft.
Still 1 m gap now they are up to 50ft.

It is tidal too (flood water) which makes it even more difficult to keep it in the right place.

Best way to moor is to have your bow land line on a 1m high pole that crew catch with a hook, once the bow is on just power the stern in.

Coming out is the hard bit, leave the bow line on the 1m pole and use your boats bow line to power the stern out, then slip and reverse out.

The difficult bit is making sure your neighbours don't encroach on your 1m gap.

 

[afp]

[ QUOTE ]
The difficult bit is making sure your neighbours don't encroach on your 1m gap.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Hamble harbour master's pontoon mooring off Universal has about a metre between boats and when we were there it was quite common to come back and find your neighbours hadn't left you enough space. If several boats had all been out at the same time and were all in the wrong place, making space was next to impossible.

 

[npf1]

Could be worse. Last year, Deacons reduced that distance to well under a metre on some of their berths! I heard that some peeps voted with their feet as a result

 

[AIDY]

Oh yes we had fun and games parking at deacons..... not that simple with the tide running either, even against the tide

 

[seamaster30]

[ QUOTE ]
yes 1m between bow and stern.

being on a 6kt river it makes it really hard

[/ QUOTE ]

This should actually help matters - you can 'ferry glide' in - come up to your space against the flow, match the speed of the flow so you remain level with your mooring, then ease the rudder over and you will move sideways. - It may take a little practice, but is a very easy way to get into a space that is little bigger than your boat.

 

[SolentPhill]

thats true it is but when the tide is running and a cross wind is coming as well, your 40ft and the under currents from the pontoon its no walk in the park.

I know it can be done I wanted to go to the marina and ask for more space but this now will not be possible as it seems the norm.

 

[nherring]

What Willson says is perfectly true, I used to be at the cabin boatyard up the Hamble and it was the easiest mooring I ever did, much easier than a finger pontoon, and the faster the flow the easier it was, line up alongside, nudge in the stem/front/nose and you will slowly move in and alongside, and the same works for getting out just dont try when there is no flow !!

 

[hlb]

A whole metre, wow. We regularly used to moor on alongside pontoons in the west country, with just a foot fore and aft. It's not difficult. Get the nose in, to about the right position, leaving the back end out. (Easy escape) if things go wrong. Lassoo cleat, with just enough rope to stop the front end, hitting the boat infront. Now bring the arse in. Hold alongside with engine(s) Crew steps off. Ties on and also spring, so cant go forwards or back.

Going out, always, always backwards. Arse out first, till clear, then straight back.

I hemmed a little navy ship in a couple of days ago in Holyhead. He got out just the same way. Sept there was alot of shouting and bellowing going on. Except for that, he got full marks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[nherring]

Sorry to disagree Haydn but never ever try to go out backwards if you are facing flow/tide, you will get put onto the boat behind. In a river always go out into the tide be it front or back and the flow of water will slowly push you clear

 

[hlb]

Ok theres an exception to every rule.