Insurance for swinging mooring in winter

[johnkeith]

Just found out that my insurer won't cover any swinging mooring outside a marina in winter. While I know that it is not the ideal way to keep a boat in winter I am looking for some credit crunch solutions to lower my costs. I have seen boats on swinging moorings all winter in a number of places ( I'm particulalry interested in Garelochhead; and Loch Kannaird, near Ullapool. I have seen boats in both locations all winter. Are my insurers more cautious than most or is there an insurer who is likely to cover a swinging mooring in winter (I would expect to pay a higher excess off course).

Any info gratefully appreciated.

Cheers

John

 

[catalac08]

navigators & general will cover 12 months in water - but sensibly are a bit selective about where they will and will not provide this cover for. I think Yachtmaster brokers also have ins co's that will do this. I do not pay any extra premium for 12 months in.
I think it is a case of shopping around the various companies and finding somewhere sheltered & safe to leave a boat in over the winter.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Our Insurance (Bishop Skinner) had no problems covering our boat on its mooring during the winter. No increase in premium but the excess was double and they asked us to double up the lines fore and aft.

 

[Searush]

Ask around (I use a broker - Desmond Cheers) who finds a company that meets my needs if & when they change. DO NOT tell them, or even imply that you have been refused cover! Perhaps say you are moving mooring & want extra quotes as you think current company is too dear . . .

I have overwintered on drying moorings in several locations for many years - usually describe them as "mud berths" if possible as it is generally seen as a more acceptable risk.

 

[lw395]

I was with Noble via Fastnet Insurance of Southampton.
12months/yr on a swinging mooring in Portsmouth. I always insured for 12months in commission as I could never plan ahead with my work.
Some people around here find it a good compromise to use a marina just for January and February, worth looking into deals on this and booking early.
Good Luck.

 

[gary3029]

I am on a swinging mooring through the winter and I insure with craftinsure. I have 24ft wooden boat and it costs me £120. They treat each case as an individual. As long as the mooring is serviced yearly and you use chain not rope I cannot see what the problem is with a swinging mooring. If, as i see often, people will use a bit of old rope to tie their pride and joy to the mooring then they are asking for trouble.

 

[Searush]

Gary, a lot depends on the location. In shallow water chain can be dangerous due to the shock loadings from short steep waves with a relatively short riser. All my moorings have always had rope strops for this reason. My only failure in 30 years pulled the solid s/s bowroller flat before the strop failed and that saved further damage as she grounded on sand as storm winds blew her ashore against the strong ebb current (hence the short steep waves). This was a very exposed location.

A "bit of old rope" may be useless, but a decent strop is better than a bit of old chain! Wire strops are also used in some locations. But my advice is check what all the locals are already using - find out why & then make your own decisions.

 

[simonfraser]

mine has no prob with winter cover on a swinging mooring, larger excess during the winter.

 

[Refueler]

In UK - I never had problem with this and only had increased Excess applied for winter IN period. When I moved to marina - premium was same and same excess applied for winter. I stopped using UK moorings 2 years ago.

For my swinging mooring - I volunteered a letter from myself detailing service and maintenance I carried out that year. They were very happy with that and never ever mentioned professional service as some quote here at times !

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
Gary, a lot depends on the location. In shallow water chain can be dangerous due to the shock loadings from short steep waves with a relatively short riser. All my moorings have always had rope strops for this reason. My only failure in 30 years pulled the solid s/s bowroller flat before the strop failed and that saved further damage as she grounded on sand as storm winds blew her ashore against the strong ebb current (hence the short steep waves). This was a very exposed location.

A "bit of old rope" may be useless, but a decent strop is better than a bit of old chain! Wire strops are also used in some locations. But my advice is check what all the locals are already using - find out why & then make your own decisions.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second the 'ol-boy' ! In fact I used 3 strops attached to diferent points on the riser and different points on the boat. I had a mooring post (Oak) carry away on one boat and buoy lanyard tied to pulpit saved the boat ! After that I had 3 strops, combination of = much stronger than a single large strop. One went to mooring post. One went to windlass. One went to mast base. Picked for strength.