Half-tide moorings - what do I need to know?

[MissFitz]

Moving on Saturday to a half-tide mooring at Dell Quay. Never lived on mooring before, let alone a half-tide one - is there anything we should know before we go? Do half-tiders stay on the boat overnight (the office at Dell seemed to think it would be odd if we did)? Do they go out to the boat when the tide's out (ditto)? Is there anything else we should watch out for?

All help much appreciated.

 

[ebbtide]

Avoiding comments on your domestics I do commend Bellfield's Tidal Program which, tho' not quite as accurate as Easytide, does have the facility to predict when your Centaur dries and floats, even when you can launch the dinghy.
Invaluable - mine's posted on the fridge door!
Do feel free to PM for more.

 

[James_Calvert]

Probably not relevant in your case, but don't use the heads when sitting in soft mud.

 

[seaesta]

Assuming you have a sensible boat which stays upright then there is no reason not to stay on boat when she is aground. I have done this many times and it is a bit like being at anchor insofar as you are onboard without keeping a lookout. The difficluties come when you get on and off when she is dry. Issues are How to get the tender to and from How to climb in from ground level How to stop the tender drying under the boat and then jamming underneath when the tide comes How to waddle through the mud and then not trail it on board.
Personally I prefer moorings and have used them in may different places
My method of accessing when dry has been to wear a pair of loose fitting wellies and tow the tender out to the boat - then step into the tender in stocking feet leaving the wellies in the mud - then put on your deck shoes and lift the wellies into an oversize plastic bag. Usually by the time you want to leave yon can get back without the wellies. I then leave the wellies in the garage and re use then whem necesary without bothering to clean them. As you will see an ectra old pair of wellies is really handy.
Martin

 

[fireball]

The mud up round Dell Quay is quite soft - so unless you really need to I wouldn't go out to (or back from) the boat at low tide.
There is no reason why you can't stay on the boat when it dries out - it is just a comfort thing (no flushing heads - unless you put water down the bowl) .

I would put the boat on the mooring and come back to see it at low water - see how she is sat - then you can guage if you want to be on there or not!

I'll assume you have a greesed sterngland and not one of these dripless seals which need burping ...
If the boat is sat really low in the mud then you'll need to watch your water intakes (especially the engine) for blockages of mud - some way to back flush would be in order (end of pipe above the water line - dinghy pump on the end and pump!)

I know they say it's clean - but just be aware that there is a waterworks north of where you are berthed ....

 

[flyingscampi]

If you have a dog, make sure it doesn't go for a night time wander through the mud.

The mud oozing through my sleeping bag drew my attention to this occurence.

 

[alahol2]

SeaHound (not James)

If you are a bilge keeler and the bottom is relatively flat, there is no reason not to stay overnight on board. If you can actually get to your boat at low tide then again there is no reason not to. You will need to work out when you can (and can't) get back onto your mooring at different states of tide, neaps/springs/mids etc. Start a graph giving height of low water v hours after/before that you can get on/off mooring. Also what will be your tactics if you return and can't get back on (either just run up on the mud and wait or find a nearby place you can anchor for an hour or so).

Oh, and don't wear white trousers...

 

[Fantasie 19]

Mine's on a half tide mooring and I'm in agreement with the Dell Quay office.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But, that's because the mud my boat sits on is very very soft, and having already lost one pair of wellingtons (c/w my favourite socks) I know that once the water has gone I'm on the boat until the next tide..!

Other than that I'd offer two thoughts on how I've found it..

1/. knowing when the boat will float (and the reverse) is key so that no time is lost.. round my way it's about 2 hours before and after but depends on neaps and springs - so I'll be checking out the EasyTide & Bellfield suggestions above..

2/. before you put your boat on the first time, get out at the lowest possible tide that will float your tender (or walk if the mud on your mooring isn't as soft as mine) and check the mooring from top to bottom for wear, rust, and all the rest of it - my mooring broke three weeks after I moved on to it so I've learnt my lesson.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[properjob]

I have been on a mud berth for 10 years and have owned 3 different boats during that time. I have always closed all seacocks before the boat settles on the mud and have never had any problems with mud entering the engine or heads.

The seacock valve is only a max of a couple of inches from the outboard end of the skin fitting which means that as the boat settles onto the mud there is ‘a small amount of water’ rather than mud trapped in the skin fitting downstream of the valve. And because there is mud all around the hull this ‘small amount of water’ is trapped in the skin fitting until the boat re-floats.

I think the same principle applies to dripless shaft seals. I have had a Volvo seal and a oil lubricated seal with the reservoir mounted above the waterline, neither gave me any problems.

So when I return to my mooring as soon as I have made fast and stopped the engine my next task is to shut the seacocks. It works for me every time.

 

[VicS]

The friend I used to crew for (now deceased unfortunately ) kept his Westerly Berwick at Dell Quay (and his Pageant before that) His son still still moors it there.

You dont say where your mooring is or who owns it. Presumably from what you say one of the boat yards. My friend's mooring was (still is ) a Conservancy mooring.
If you have a conservancy mooring you can trust it without the need for inspection. The same should be so for one owned by one of the boatyards or even DQSC (well worth considering joining the sailing club IMHO)

Even privately owned moorings should come up to the standards set by the Conservancy but I would give one an inspection I think!

I agree with the others about the soft mud, very unlikely you will be able to walk out to it although the bait diggers know where to walk over the area.

The hard is accessible at just about all states of the tide, except perhaps extreme low water springs, for the dinghy but access to your boat will be determined by the location of the mooring. For loading gear onto the boat you can moor for short periods on the end of the Quay but take care of the anglers. Also given sufficient rise of tide to the floating pontoon on the north side.

The Conservancy should have given you a book that includes tide table when you paid your harbour dues. If they did not ask for a copy (Chichester Harbour News and Guide) its free. The yard may also have tide tables available (we are always given a copy). There were tide tables long before Bellfields, Easy Tide and all that Jazz. They work wherever you are and are independent of power supplies and fancy boxes of high tech electronics.

We often stayed on the boat overnight. In order to get a quick getaway next morning, if returning very late or when working on it. No reason why you should not just for pure pleasure.

The "waterworks" referred to is a Sewage Treatment works. It is well known for discharging untreated, or at least partially treated, waste at times of very high rainfall!

All in all though DQ is not a bad spot.

BTW check out the buoyage of the channel from DQ down to the yacht basin. The channel winds quite a bit although by the time you have enough rise of tide to leave the mooring you'll be able to cut many of the corners bar one ( dont have chart handy to tell you the relevant buoy so you ll have to look that one up for yourself)

Pub not the best pub in the world but popular and sells beer! Restaurant OK I believe. Possibly better pubs and restaurants in the surrounding countryside.

On practical side I'd suggest lashing the mooring to the stem head fitting. We always did and I do so on my own boat.

 

[EdWingfield]

You will enjoy the peace of the mooring when dried - try it out.

Half fill a bucket with sea water for bog flush.

My mooring is on ankle deep mud so I kick off my wellies on the scoop to prevent mud getting further aboard.

If you live on soft gunge it might be interesting to make some mud shoes. Buy a pair of knackered skis at the jumble sale, cut them back short and try em out - and report your findings back here.

 

[MonniotC]

I have been on drying moorings in Emsworth, and now Langstone, for many years. There is no reason why you shouldn't overnight on the boat. I do it vey frequently. Just remember that you will be trapped until the tide comes back. That means you will need supplies of food and water/beer/wine/cigareets/whisky, etc. I keep my boat stocked up with cans, and vacuum packed gourmet meals etc. The other thing is that you will not be able to use the heads (unless it is a chemical one). A strong bucket is essential, and make sure you half-fill it with water before the tide goes out.

 

[ebbtide]

Re: Half-tide moorings -

Your Westerly Centaur should be robust enough for frequent drying out BUT they have a history of weakness in the bilge-hull joins and some boats have had to be repaired and/or strengthened. I would suggest you post this as a separate topic.

After commuting past Langstone moorings for years am quite sure that owners don't know what their boats get up to when left alone! Bows down one day or stern down the next, one bilge in deep the other trying fly - but sometimes they actually dry out level!
You have been warned . . .

Your nearest 'port' is Itchenor; Eastytide, Neptune and Belfield include this so don't accept tide tables for Chichester Bar in lieu. Easytide is free but for 7 days only; for example, today there's a 0.3m disparity which would prolong your waiting time or might catch you unawares.

Don't hesitate to ask more - we've all been there.

 

[MissFitz]

Re: Half-tide moorings -

Lots of wonderful advice, as always, thank you all very much - fingers crossed that we stay upright for Saturday night /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jusw]

I'm on a half tide mooring at DQ - This is my third season - Overall very satisfied - the location is beautiful but getting on and off the mooring is restrictive to say the least.

Once the tide goes out you will be marooned in a sea of mud do NOT try and cross it - you only do it once!

I wouldn't recommend staying on the boat - over a low tide - only because you may go "stir crazy" waiting for the water to return.

Agree with others it depends exactly where the mooring is - kine is almost opposite DQ marine pontoon. I used to be further up towards Fishbourne - that is even worse for mud!

However it is a very friendly yard no pretentious and plenty of helpful types to give good advice etc.

The pub gets very busy at weekends but during the week is fine. Also good walking around the harbour.

There are a couple of "live aboards" there but they are hard up on the beach and as such can get on or off at any time.

Finally, winter can be a bit bleak with most boats out of the water - If you want to know more PM me

Julian

 

[Searush]

Make sure you have some food, a few drinks & books on board. You won't care then how long it takes for the tide to come back.

Centaur bilges are slightly splayed, deep mud may cause them to flex sideways as they sink & rise. Make sure they are re-inforced if it is an early model. I am currently on a hard standing half-tide with my Pentland & was formerly on sand without problems. I sometimes walk out at low tide, buit then you need to wait for a low tide to walk off.

With my first boat I wanted to walk ashore thro deepish mud, but SWMBO was very reluctant. No probs, sez the gallant skipper, "I will give you a piggy back ashore". We were going quite well, but the extra weight was making me go deeper than usual. Then a welly stuck, my foot came out & I lost my balance & we keeled over together full length in the mud. Fortunately we both saw the funny side & had a good laugh. But don't take deep mud too lightly!

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
But don't take deep mud too lightly!

[/ QUOTE ] Too true. Young lad ventured out into the mud not far from where I am based a few years ago. Got stuck and now there are lots of warning notices and a memorial seat!

 

[Inselaffe]

Mine was on a half tide mooring year before last in Brightlingsea. (mud, mud, mud, oh! how I miss home - really)

I pretty much lived on her for a week each month and loved it to bits.

Just needed some planning about when I could get on and off her.

Sometimes I messed up (or became distracted...) and had to stay in the Yachtsman's waiting for the tide which was never the end of the world /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Try it - if you dont like it you can always not do it any more /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dur]

[ QUOTE ]
The mud up round Dell Quay is quite soft

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually it varies enormously. Where I am it is about 4" in top of hard clay. 100 yards away there is a spring which bubbles up and there it is very soft. In places you are pretty much sat on gravel. One or two places where boats have swung the same arc for a long time there is quite a ridge around them so if you are different size from what went before you might not sit flat. From time to time you see a boat where the the front of the bilge keels find something soft and they fall forwards which would be pretty uncomfortable. Most of the Centaurs around seem to sit ok. We don't have bilge keels so always lie on one side except for when she decides she doesn't want to lie over at all.

You'll soon see how long you float for. We are about 3 hours either side. However much I hope for more and whatever the tide, it is always pretty much the same time.