Handling

[sfh]

Our boat is in a marina on a "blowing off" pontoon, when we release our lines we would blow on to the boat next to us, there is only 18"-24" between us and the next boat (we are both well fendered)

from a mooring line point of view, what do you consider the best way of leaving and coming too this mooring

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[DIW]

Do you have a Bow Thruster ??
Ian

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[hlb]

Well you could faf about with a spring off a centre cleat. Or just get out smartish before the wind can affect you. Going in, again, just get in smartish then have some one holding you off your neighbour. Whilst some one sorts the ropes out. Theres little you can do with only two foot to spare. Just avoid getting hooked round the corner of his boat. Nothing wrong with laying alongside him if you have to. Well fendered of course.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Blue_Blazes]

Is it a "Blowing off" pontoon because you're VERY WORRIED about hitting your neighbours boat? Enough to put the wind up anyone)

Bill.

<hr width=100% size=1>One of these days I'll have a boat that WORKS

 

[ianainge]

agree with Haydn, although the wind only effects me from time to time currents are more my problem, but either way if you come in too slowly the wind and current will catch you and there is nothing you can do, but recently ive tried coming in under a bit more power and leaving smartish, you just have to trust yourself, dont take risks with your boat of your neighbours,but i found now i can get in everytime with no problems, just make sure you have someone on the boat side to fend off just in case.

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[Renegade_Master]

Have the crew on board with the bow & stern lines "lassoed" thus they can release
both lines simultaneuosly on your command from on the boat. At this point as hlb says
move out a bit sharpish and you should clear in time. Also a bit of fendering from the other
boat is not the end of the world.

When coming in, wether you come in bow or stern to the main pontoon, ensure you are
going into the wind and drive the boat in from an angle against the wind do not take the power
off part way or the wind will take you, making sure your crew are ready to lasso bow & stern.

If you come in parrellel with your finger pontoon you'll soon end up against the other boat.


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[Renegade_Master]

I have to come in stern to here in the med (no finger pontoons) and we do not have the
luxury of 24" to spare. Often the wind is blowing the bow of your neighbours boat into
your space, which is now less than your boats beam. Its a case of squeezing a well fendered
stern in but once your past the first couple of feet the two adjacent boats guide you and stop
the effect of the wind.


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[hlb]

Tutts has patented the method of lassooing cleats, but I fear that zooming into the pontoon at great speed, then breaking hard, could unsteady the bow person!! and with 18inch to spare, they would have to be very quick lassoing and tieing before sticking the nearside engine in forwards and the outer in reverse to hold the arse end to pontoon. Also inducing a ferry glide as entering the berth could be utilized, Though I doubt whether much ferry glide momentum would be left owing to the angle of attack required with only 18 inch to spare. No I fear that unless very experienced pilot and crew. It is much safer in this case to just moor alongside the other boat. Ok. Hows this for a solution. Moor alongside other boat and tie bow line to it. Using engines, get back end to pontoon. Crew walk off, tie stern and then throw another bow line over to them. Take rope off other boat and pull bow in. As I see it, theres no room for angle of attack against the wind, but of course if there is, use it. As I said though. Worst case is going to slow and getting stuck round corner of the other boat, then fenders dont work and you get an anchor or a set of davits through your rails. Uupps!!

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[sfh]

Yes we have just had a thruster fitted, not even tried it yet

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[DIW]

You will notice a big difference having a certain amount of control over what the bow does, a bit of nifty balancing work between throttles and thruster could/should help you in this situation.
Ian

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[Renegade_Master]

"but I fear that zooming into the pontoon at great speed, then breaking hard, could unsteady
the bow person!! and with 18inch to spare, they would have to be very quick lassoing and
tieing"


I didnt say zoom in at speed, I said make sure you keep the power on whilst approaching from
a slight angle (into the wind) to ensure the bow comes round too. I have to do it all the time
when coming in stern two with sod all gap, else the bow ends up being blow across the bow of
the adjacent boat. This is preferable to trying to turn & line up to come in alongside completely
parallel with your finger pontoon cos you sure as will hell end up using up those 24 inches.

That will only work with no wind & current.

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[hlb]

No. I said zoom at great speed. It sounds much more impresive than <font color=red>keep the power on whilst approaching</font color=red>{laugh] Anyway. It now seems he has a blummin bow thruster now. So all our endevers have been completly wasted .

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[Renegade_Master]

God no not a blimin bow thruster "orf with his head"/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[hlb]

I know. I know. AaRrrrGggg!!........./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn