Med Berthing away from home berth - advice please!

[jfm]

Are you not risking sucking the "lazy lines" into the props when reversing this closely to the dock? Edit: sorry, this was already commented above but still even if you counter the pull forward with the engines and keep them slack I would see a risk of sucking them with the reverse slip stream...

I've never experienced that. I suppose it could happen if the lines were just inches from the props, but in general they will be say 1m away or more, and at these prop speeds I don't think you get sucking in. At least I don't in the berths I have been in.

 

[jfm]

You'll likely leave your home berth fixed lines in situ. It's worth considering an extra pair of springs or snubber to take with you. If your visiting berth is exposed to wind or wash the snatch on the mooring lines won't be pleasant.

It's interesting how berths differ. In 15 yrs of med boating I have never used a snubber or shock absorber on my stern lines and yet never had the snatch thing you mention (with the honourable exception or portofino, the port not the poster on here, which is a special case).

 

[jrudge]

Re hurricanes post do get the crew to see the line sink

In Cannes once I asked a friend to throw off the line. It caught on the anchor. A surprising distance away the boat stopped

I relayed this story to my girlfriend. The other day released and threw it. Following y hand in air and stop. On the anchor. So it does happen

 

[NGM]

It's interesting how berths differ. In 15 yrs of med boating I have never used a snubber or shock absorber on my stern lines and yet never had the snatch thing you mention (with the honourable exception or portofino, the port not the poster on here, which is a special case).

I had a particularly bad experience with this in Marina Ibiza. The front berths on the western side are very exposed to the endless wash from all the ferries. In fact I went straight to the chandlery for a set.

 

[Truro Ex Pat]

I stopped there last year and I am sure it was a standard type fitting but varied depending on where they put you as the size of berth varied and the shore power connection was different, I am sure you can put a deposit down for one and also bear in mind its North facing and if you get any kind of rough weather coming from the North it will very rough in the marina as its very exposed as we found out. The actual main marina is in behind and they usually are full so as others have said its just a wall to tie to and if you arrive late it will be easier as there is more likely to have boats in from 7.00 onwards but if its mid afternoon then there maybe no one there, its was the most expensive Marina we stayed out as we don't do Portals just to warn you.
You can also try the new Facebook page for the Mallorca Forum as there maybe others out and about who will be able help. You can also book the marina as well.

 

[Mr Proach]

I had a particularly bad experience with this in Marina Ibiza. The front berths on the western side are very exposed to the endless wash from all the ferries. In fact I went straight to the chandlery for a set.

likewise, exactly the same issue in the same place

 

[Scubaboy79]

Thank you to everyone for all your replies - and for sharing your tips - hugely helpful!

One more small question - when you guys say that you rig a slip line before departure. Do you take one of the stern lines, undo it, and then re rig it as a slip line? Or do you add a new slip line, remove the stern lines, get on the boat and then remove the slip line from the boat before gracefully departing?

 

[Scubaboy79]

When we last visited Soller, the marina staff were very helpful with all the lines etc.

Your questions.
1
The biggest problem visiting a berth where you haven't been before is attaching the bow (lazy) lines at the correct length. Once you have been into that berth, some tape wrapped around the lines mark the position for subsequent arrivals. So, how do we get the correct length. The biggest issue is to remain assertive - the crew must issue orders to the dockside staff. We usually tie a bowline in our travelling stern lines and throw that end to the dockside crew with a specific request to attach it to a bollard. If you were to pass them a loose end, and they were to continue pulling the rope, you loose complete control. You MUST have the loose end on the boat and the fixed end ashore - that keeps YOU in control. My SWMBO does all this whilst I drive our Princess 67 from the flybridge. She insists on two lines attached to bollards with bowlines and she then loops them loosely round our stern cleats so that the excess rope can run through (the actual end is tied off). She then concentrates on picking up the slime lines (one at a time) which are usually handed to her from the dockside staff. The next bit is where we ALWAYS get advice from the dockside that we ignore. We let the boat drift forward whilst SWMBO pulls the lazy lines onto the bow cleats. We DELIBERATELY let the boat go further forward than we need (often by and much as 10 metres). The dockside staff usually shout that we are too far out. Of course, we KNOW that. By then, I can get down to the cockpit and (after SWMBO has made fast the second lazy line) I can start winching in. Of course, the boat will not get anywhere near the dock because the lazy lines are far too tight. Once the stern lines are tight, I can then assess EXACTLY how much needs to be let off the bow lines (generally we do it in a couple of stages) to get the boat back into exactly the correct position. Using this process, SWMBO doesn't need to do any heavy pulling on ropes - the lazy lines for a 20m berth can be very heavy so using this technique makes everything very do-able.

2
If we are feeling very confident (especially if we are coming into a berth where we have been before with marked lazy lines), SWMBO will throw a loop line to the dockside staff - one end "made off on our stern cleat - the other end round our stern winches. That way we are rigged to leave by just slipping the lines as you suggest. If we have previously docked using a single strand stern line (as described above), we will always re-rig them with slips before we leave.

3
Shore power.
I have had lots of problems in the past with different (badly wired) shore supplies.
It is amazing how many bad supplies there are out there.
Very often there are bad/burned connections.
I carry a set of test equipment that consists of a UK mains tester and adaptors that I religiously check each time I connect to a new (untested) supply.
I also have a simple method of testing using a multimeter.
If you would like some links to the test equipment that I carry, just let me know and I will post some links on this thread.
Some people on here will remember that in Tunisia, we were given a 380v shore supply that damaged five grand's worth of equipment on our boat!!
As I say, I now check and double check EVERY shore supply that we are given.
Believe me it is worth it!!

Finally, back onto your points 1 and 2.
SWMBO and I confidently manage our P67 but we found that sometimes we are unable to see or hear each other.
So, a few years ago, I started a thread on this forum about developing some on board communications to make docking easier and safer.
This is a link to that thread
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?364076-In-boat-communications

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we now use ready made Sena Bluetooth headsets which are completely wireless.
These headsets are full duplex so we can talk to each other and keep our hands free to manage lines and throttles etc.
They take the tension out of the whole docking process and help us remain assertive so that (at least) WE know what WE are doing.
You can get these really useful headsets from here.
http://sabreleisure.co.uk/
Many people on this forum have them - several are using them in Mallorca.
I really recommend them for the trickier/unknown situations.

BTW - Well done with the share in the Princess 62 - a fine boat.
Maybe we will see you around Mallorca this summer - we should be across there from the end of July until the end of August - hopefully moving on to Ibiza before home to mainland Spain.
Also hoping to do a late season cruise to the islands at the end of September.
You shouldn't miss us - a Princess 67 called Jennywren - If you see us in an anchorage, please pop over - we usually have some cold Cava in the fridge!!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to type this out. The need to "remain in control" shall become our mantra! Yes we're thrilled with the P62, and so far shared ownership is working well for us, given we're both in the middle of our careers and have limited holiday. We shall indeed keep an eye out for you! We're out in early July and then mid August. In July we're planning Vells (crowded but I love the drama and people watching...), Andratx (overnight on a buoy) Soller and Sa Colobra are on the list. In August, we're hoping to do Cabrera and then a little way up the east coast. I like the east coast as more chance to overnight on buoys....whilst we build the courage to spend a night on anchor....!
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...erth-advice-please!/page3#k86ZEWIjMpFUAFPx.99

 

[Scubaboy79]

Etiquette is such you use your own lines
And hope a tenant in your berth does not use your fixed line s

Yup either way works .
You need to arrange a slip when you leave ( longer lines ) and pull em through from the boat .
Sometimes there are rings so security is not an issue -- if it's windy just wrap a coil or two around the bollard and uncoil for slipping the morning

Shore power -- I probably got more adapters than fingers - collected over the past 12 y
There s no standard system but some one from the Baldrics will be along soon to answer more specifically .
If you are caught short usually via a deposit the marina office will lend an adaptor -subject to availability , or find a chandlery and start your collection .

If its windy do feel free to ask for help a kid in a rib will come out and help push the nose round etc -along with helping with the bow lines .Theres no shame better than the sound of fibreglass on concrete or an anchor !

Good point - thank you!

 

[Scubaboy79]

Shore power - have only docked in 3 ports and all had different adaptors. The portals one as far as I know is def not standard.

Which pontoon in portals are you berthed? I am out there this weekend for my new boat (prestige 500) handover, on the capaccino pontoon.

Wow many congratulations! We're on the pontoon immediately opposite Wellies. Alas not back out until July, and then another week in August.

 

[Scubaboy79]

I do it in three stages. First I reverse in as close as possible to allow my wife to step ashore with the lines (I have a reversing camera and I'm assuming here that there is no one to throw the lines to). She attaches them quickly to the shore cleats and then fishes out the slime line with a boathook. All the while I'm controlling the thrusters and motor to keep the boat facing straight (I think that when new to this that it's easier to slip between two boats that way you never go out of line). I then leave the controls (I have a side door and always dock from below) grab my gloves (very important) and walk the slime line to the bow. I then pull in the heavy line off the sea floor and without staining too much attach it to my bow cleat (by the way always take the slime line on thé harbour entrance side of the boat, unless some other b*****r has already got it first). This is done very quickly and smoothly, it sounds a lot but this first part requires the teamwork and with a little practice a husband and wife can make a good team!
The boat is now secured and the next two stages are done at leisure. My wife removes one of the two lines and passes it though the shore cleat and passes it to me after I return to the stern. This line is now secured to the boats cleat and then she passes the next one and after I've secured it she comes back aboard. All lines should be handled from the boat, this makes leaving easier and safer.
The final stage I return to the bow, she loosens the lines about a meter or so and I use this slack to tighten up the ground line. I then return and help pull in the stern lines till the boat is tight and secure yet close enough to step ashore (when starting out it can take several attempts to get the balance between the front and rear lines). Fenders are then readjusted to suit.
Took way longer to write it than it takes to do it

Makes sense - thank you!

 

[Scubaboy79]

Yup I've got the t shirt when it comes to catching lazy lines with the props. I used to have an AZ46 which had the anchor in a hawse pipe under the bow and it was very easy for the crew person at the bow to drop the bow lines but not notice that one of the lazy line had caught on the anchor with the inevitable result that when I went forward on the engines, the line would go tight and get caught in the props. There were one or two near divorces over that

Gah!

 

[Hurricane]

Thank you SO much for taking the time to type this out. The need to "remain in control" shall become our mantra! Yes we're thrilled with the P62, and so far shared ownership is working well for us, given we're both in the middle of our careers and have limited holiday. We shall indeed keep an eye out for you! We're out in early July and then mid August. In July we're planning Vells (crowded but I love the drama and people watching...), Andratx (overnight on a buoy) Soller and Sa Colobra are on the list. In August, we're hoping to do Cabrera and then a little way up the east coast. I like the east coast as more chance to overnight on buoys....whilst we build the courage to spend a night on anchor....!
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...erth-advice-please!/page3#k86ZEWIjMpFUAFPx.99

Calobra is lovely.
Been there a few times now.
After our first visit, I posted this thread - with lots of photos - you may find it interesting.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-early-season-cruise-via-Calobra-lots-of-pics

Anchoring in Calobra is really easy.
There are two sides to the bay - the anchoring side and the side where the tour boats come it.
The bottom of anchoring side is virtually all sand which gradually slopes off to about 3m of water at the cliff edge.
Just drop your anchor in an empty spot and you should be safe.
However, the north coast is very exposed so only when the weather conditions are good.

Some more pics of Calobra

And a couple of my favourite pics of the north Mallorcan coast - when the weather is at its best.

Finally a short video of a trip from Cala Portals (I think you call it Vells like others do) to Rapita.
Rapita (Es Trenc) is one of the best beach anchorages on Mallorca - get the weather right and there is plenty of space to anchor in turquoise water.
We always try to get to Rapita (Es Trenc - affectionately called The Trench) if the weather is right.

Sorry about the video quality - I think we are all getting better with videos as the technology evolves.



Full screen link https://www.youtube.com/tv#/watch?v=WuWvfEkx__0

 

[Portofino]

Just a few more other things you may encounter ,we have covered leccy adaptors , poss water ? Getting out -yawn :sleeping:

Muddled cleats

Sometimes when you arrive at your designated place you find the guy next door has taken "your " cleat .
It's too much hassle ( and why would you ? ) phaffing changing them ---just use "his"

Here we have used a slip ready for a bug out . I prefer slips when playing away in unfamiliar territory.
Of couse prob here is if he leaves before you and another guest turns up -( while you are onshore away ) then you look a plonka --to them .

Interesting here re leccy we used a 15 A to 32A adaptor from the other side ,so our wire straddled the pontoon .
The boxes on our side were another unknown to us plug ,yet t,other side known to us .

Also in this case the guy next door had taken what he thought "his" slime line --which was under "his" cleat .
Yup you guessed it I picked that up walked it fwds --only to find he had used it !
So I then ended up taking the one under the cleat we used .

Next
Snapped slime line
As others above has mentioned about snagging the slime line ---what they have not said is as they drove off --is what happens to that line .
Yup --sometimes you arrive on a busy visitors berth in the summer that has been bashed to death ,only to pick up the right slime line under the right cleat etc etc ,walk it fwds to find is connected to nowt ,sweet FA ---cos a recent visitor has severed it !
Thankfully usually there are two .

Lastly
If it impromptu ( I know you have booked ) then if you arrive late ish--- 1/2 a loaf is better than no loaf at all is the mentality some marina staff adopt -- they put you in a berth that's not normally used for your size ,but has sufficient beam
It's explained this is the only place left at the inn and we only charge you for a62 .
Wife comes trotting back all beaming "were in " -as you wait on the fuel pontoon or what ever ,after eyeing up that nice restaurant on shore ,listening to the worstening met forcast .

Great you think --that will be real easy to park up ---it is until you pull up the slime line to find chain .
Here unless you want to chip your gel coat on the bow ,you need a hook or large SS caribena or tie a thin line through a link just short of dragging the chain on deck .
Normally it's heavy that keeps enough force to pull the stern off the jetty .
Somtimes a lad in a rib will help you rig something up ,tie a line if you give them one .
Just make sure what ever you do is easy to man handle -out -in the morning .Normally ladies have not got the strength to handle it and don,t fancy the nail busting barnicle ecrusted chain handling after breakfast !

 

[jfm]

Cor blimey porto! You must have really annoyed them to get that berth in fontvielle! #longschleppintotown

 

[Bouba]

There is a how to article on MBY about stern to mooring

 

[Portofino]

Cor blimey porto! You must have really annoyed them to get that berth in fontvielle! #longschleppintotown

Did not mind ---- infact more than happy as we had tickets to Champions league Monaco Vs Juventus --that PM-- and got cold feet over the ability of SNCF to get us there on time .

So plan "B" worked fine for a lads trip ---bars opened after the Match kick off ---I,can't remember much

Actually you are kinda 1/2 right as my mates did say the beer in the Ship n Castle was 8hit --and I would have agree .

 

[Scubaboy79]

Calobra is lovely.
Been there a few times now.
After our first visit, I posted this thread - with lots of photos - you may find it interesting.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-early-season-cruise-via-Calobra-lots-of-pics

Anchoring in Calobra is really easy.
There are two sides to the bay - the anchoring side and the side where the tour boats come it.
The bottom of anchoring side is virtually all sand which gradually slopes off to about 3m of water at the cliff edge.
Just drop your anchor in an empty spot and you should be safe.
However, the north coast is very exposed so only when the weather conditions are good.

Some more pics of Calobra

And a couple of my favourite pics of the north Mallorcan coast - when the weather is at its best.

Finally a short video of a trip from Cala Portals (I think you call it Vells like others do) to Rapita.
Rapita (Es Trenc) is one of the best beach anchorages on Mallorca - get the weather right and there is plenty of space to anchor in turquoise water.
We always try to get to Rapita (Es Trenc - affectionately called The Trench) if the weather is right.

Sorry about the video quality - I think we are all getting better with videos as the technology evolves.



Full screen link https://www.youtube.com/tv#/watch?v=WuWvfEkx__0

Great photos! Did you anchor overnight at Calobra? Very conscious that it's exposed to the weather, so hoping we're lucky and get a decent window.

 

[Hurricane]

Yes we have been there a few times.
And anchored overnight.
Even before our anchor upgrade.
The local restaurant didn't seem good but it's views were fab.
Take food with you and eat on board.

 

[MAFWeiss]

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we now use ready made Sena Bluetooth headsets which are completely wireless.
These headsets are full duplex so we can talk to each other and keep our hands free to manage lines and throttles etc.
They take the tension out of the whole docking process and help us remain assertive so that (at least) WE know what WE are doing.
You can get these really useful headsets from here.
http://sabreleisure.co.uk/
Many people on this forum have them - several are using them in Mallorca.
I really recommend them for the trickier/unknown situations.

Thanx for the 'heads-up'. Just ordered two pairs for our boat... hopefully will stop the wife/crew screaming at me :encouragement: