Med mooring..single handed?

[Appleyard]

At the moment,we moor stern-to..SWMBO drives,I stand at the bows ,foot on "down switch" until we are about 1-2 metres from the quayside and then quickly make my way to the stern to deal with the mooring lines. Up till now this has worked very well,however this procedure may have to be done single handed on occasion,and I am wondering how best to accomplish this.
The obvious solution would be a remote anchor windlass control,but no having one as yet,I was thinking along the lines of some sort of tripline from the cockpit to the anchor ,which would enable the anchor to be released .I am sure that someone can offer some advice.

 

[jerryat]

The simple answer is to fit another windlass 'up-down' switch in the cockpit as well as the foredeck switch. I have had this arrangement for years and it's brilliant.

As my 35lb CQR self-launches, it's a relatively simple matter to line the boat up, hit the switch in the cockpit as I steer astern, and stop the boatwhen near enough to reach to step ashore or I use the switch to take up the slack until I feel the boat just slow against the anchor. Once secured astern, use the windlass to haul the anchor until it bites.

Ok, it doesn't always go as smoothly as that of course, but most times it does, especially if there's a handy bod or two to grab the stern lines as you get near the jetty/pier.

The 'Spanish marina method' which is even simpler. I seen loads of 'em drop the anchor and go astern far enough to grab onto the boat next to them whatever the wind conditions. They temporarily secure to the boat until their stern-lines are ashore and secured, then they haul the anchor in. Ok on a lot of occasions, but I have seen a fair bit of damage done when they've got it wrong!

 

[Appleyard]

Jerry..I know that the best idea would be to fit another switch in the cockpit as you quite rightly say,however as I stated in my query,I don't have one as yet ,would like to fit one when I get the chance,but am looking for an alternative solution until fit one. Thanks

 

[Appleyard]

PS Jerry... What sort of arrangement is your "up-down" switch? I do intend to fit one and would be interested to know how you did it ,and where to get the bits Thanks

 

[orizaba]

we have been in med a short while and found the lazy lines to be a bit of a problem,on occasion( a slight understatment ) trying to grab lazy line ,not get pulled of course by hard pulls on the bow,keeping hold of boathook, reversing,passing stern lines,not hitting the quay or other boats ,all at the same time somwhat traumatic,we were given a good tip by one who has used them alot,this is mainly for stern to mooring
reverse into slot as best as possible,there is usually somone on the quay . have ropes ready on both sides of the stern, attach ropes to the bollards , gently motor forward,casually pick up lazyline,boat held in central position by stern lines,attach lazy line to bow cleat adjust as needed,then large g&t as a congratulations on making it look so easy.we havn"t tried it yet but it does make sense.this does not work so well bows to as there is a danger of the lazyline fouling the prop etc when you reverse off.hopfully there will be some more ideas,we could do with them

 

[Roberto]

an alternative way would be to let all anchor cable go almost freely (just to avoid chain pile up on the anchor), tie up with the stern lines, then leave the engine in idle+ forward just to tension the two aft mooring lines, go to the bow and arrange anchoring while the boat is still

 

[Richard10002]

Which is a bit like the method when the lazy line is attached to the quay and you walk it to the bow.

Not easy to get in position to reverse in, dash up front, drop the anchor, then reverse in. Any kind of X wind and you're knackered..... or are you?

 

[Roberto]

orizaba

does the name come from Hart Crane "last" ship ?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Richard10002]

You could always take the anchor to its' spot in the dinghy, after getting the stern lines on .. leave the engine running slow ahead to keep the tension on until the anchor is sorted.

 

[orizaba]

re "orizaba "its the name of a mountain in mexico so google tells me,she had that name when we bought her.

 

[orizaba]

just one other question are there anchor type moorings in the med ,we had been told that the majority were lazylines or pontoons

 

[TigaWave]

I've used the kedge on a rope run back to one of the cockpit winches, ease it out with one turn as you back in. On one boat the kedge had about 5m chain which was just laid down the side deck, anchor dangling.

I've used it once or twice on a bow anchor on all chain, running 6-7m down the side deck attaching a rope and using this to let the anchor out, having already set it up dangling off the bow roller.

I'm reluctant to use the electrics as often you need a quick ease of a m or 2, and they don't work fast enough, some will also snag up if the chain twists coming out of the locker.

Laid on the side deck you know it will run freely.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
PS Jerry... What sort of arrangement is your "up-down" switch? I do intend to fit one and would be interested to know how you did it ,and where to get the bits Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, didn't read your first post properly - too late at night!

I bought the cockpit switch (Lofrans) along with the Airon windlass and the foredeck switch complete, though any simple self-centering up-down switch will do. It's carrying very little current so doesn't need to be massive. Install it where you can reach it while still retaining control of the helm and run a wire forward to the windlass solenoid.

The connections are identical to those for your foredeck switch and so both are available simultaneously. So once you are secured astern, you can stroll forward and take up the slack chain using the fordeck switch if you wish.

I very often use the aft switch even when anchoring normally, as it seems to give me a better perspective on where the boat is lying/will lie.

One word of warning if I may. Switch the circuit breaker off as soon as you are anchored unless your cockpit switch definitely cannot be played with by children (or adults!) or accidentally nudged. I had to change the location of mine, because one day in the Med. while laying out on the cockpit cushions, we woke to find that we were happily weighing anchor! The pillow had slid over and moved the anchor switch - never woke up so damned quickly in my life!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jerryat]

>> I'm reluctant to use the electrics as often you need a quick ease of a m or 2, and they don't work fast enough, some will also snag up if the chain twists coming out of the locker.

Laid on the side deck you know it will run freely. <<

I see what you mean, but speaking from memory, my windlass chucks out around 32 metres/min, so I can fling out a few feet far faster than I can get forward to do it manually.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
You could always take the anchor to its' spot in the dinghy, after getting the stern lines on .. leave the engine running slow ahead to keep the tension on until the anchor is sorted.

[/ QUOTE ]

Richard, that is an extremely risky method IMHO, unless you have total calm. Most boats bows will rapidly swing off in anything of a cross wind as I'm sure you know and there simply isn't time to do this effectively. I have seen it tried a few times, and occasionally succeeding (I've even had a go myself) but the other occasions, wow .......! You need very understanding neighbours if you get it wrong.

As I and others have mentioned, there is often someone ashore who can loop your lines over a bollard for you (we tend to throw loops in case they don't know how to secure a line properly or we know them) which allows you to concentrate on keeping the boat in as straight a line as possible.

We still got it wrong sometimes even affter several years there and I've yet to see anyone do it perfectly on a regular basis!

Loads of fenders seem the sensible, and fair to your neighbours, way!

 

[Sea Devil]

Although it goes against all the perceived wisdom I used to moor as follows, single handed, in the Med for years.. I would get the bows to a bit further out than I wanted to place the anchor finally... turn the stern to the quay... Then let go and allow the chain to run out freely in a big heap on the bottom until a marker let me know there was enough to reach the quay and then a bit..

Back to the cockpit and go astern pulling the heap of chain on the bottom backwards until I got to the Quay. fix the stern lines then go forward and winch in till the anchor chain was stretched out correctly...

In all the years I did this on a daily - well every few days ..basis, it never failed and the anchor always embedded properly... I think that most of these traditional med anchorages are so ploughed up after centuries of anchoring they are soft and the anchors dig in easily... and hold.

The other important thing is to drop the pick at least 3-4 mtrs further out than the desired final resting place so it has a good chance to dig in as you winch in the final bits of chain against the pull of the mooring lines..

It makes it much much easier to go astern, even in a cross wind, when you are pulling against the weight of the chain holding the bows....

Michael

 

[jimbaerselman]

Be radical. Go in bows to.

Prepare bow lines, prepare fenders (up front to shove your way in!)

Flake out a kedge line ready to run, with kedge hooked over the pushpit ready to be dropped. Take the line from the kedge about 240 degrees around a jib winch or other suitable winch. Wear gloves.

Line up between the other anchor lines . . . motor gently in . . . at 40m to go (give or take an inch) climb up and drop kedge. After you've covered about 20m, gently put a little friction on the kedge line to take up slack and dig it in. Engine idle, increase friction to stop boat with bows a few cm from the quay.

When the boat is stopped, slack the kedge warp to stop it from pulling the boat backwards, stroll to bows and either throw a windward line to a friendly shore bod, or leap ashore and DIY.

Being a bit ancient, and not so agile, I had a step conveniently fitted at the bow . . .

It really is a lot less fuss than all that stern to stuff . . . especially if there's a cross wind.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You could always take the anchor to its' spot in the dinghy, after getting the stern lines on .. leave the engine running slow ahead to keep the tension on until the anchor is sorted.

[/ QUOTE ]

Richard, that is an extremely risky method IMHO, unless you have total calm. Most boats bows will rapidly swing off in anything of a cross wind as I'm sure you know and there simply isn't time to do this effectively. I have seen it tried a few times, and occasionally succeeding (I've even had a go myself) but the other occasions, wow .......! You need very understanding neighbours if you get it wrong.

............

We still got it wrong sometimes even affter several years there and I've yet to see anyone do it perfectly on a regular basis!

Loads of fenders seem the sensible, and fair to your neighbours, way!

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely not ideal, and never having done it, (mediterranean mooring with anchor), who am I to talk? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I guess I was thinking that the boat would be secure between two other boats, (well fendered), with stern lines attached. If there are no immediate neighbours it could be a problem.

However, with one neighbour I find that if I get only 1 stern line on, (windward preferably), I can use forward power and steer the boat into a position relative to the quay, (which might be to lie against one neighbour, thus giving time to deal with other stuff. In any wind you need quite a bit of power to make this work, but the boat will move left and right gradually if you steer, (mostly!), and once in position against the windward neigbour, the power can be backed off until it is holding her in position, plus a bit. A line to the nearest neighbours bow is also helpful, and I have yet to find someone who wouldnt take one. I always offer if I'm around.

I wouldnt particularly like to get in the dinghy with the anchor with the boat under power like that, but single handed is never ideal and seamanship plays a great part.

Cheers

Richard

 

[Amari]

We dislike bows-to. Its quite a fag getting the kedge out and flaking the chain and insuficient room on pushpit to have it permanently rigged. Then there is the scrambling over the pulpit to get ashore (SWMBO's knees past their best). Finally we enjoy sitting in the cockpit next to the quay - good way to meet folk and invite them aboard for a snorter.

 

[dolphin]

usually, mooring without dropping anchor is better solution if have a ready anchor with leading line a shore - in this situation, just turn the boat and go with the stern toward the berth between the boats, once close to shore, 1-2 m, can throw the mooring line to somebody ashore, in case missing, slowly go more close to reach the shore and stop the movement of the boat, go ashore, attach one morring line to bollard and take the leading anchor line, go forward, take the slack of anchor line - all done !
if you dont have a ready anchor, go to a spot, where you estimate to drop the hood, go forward and realease the ready for let go anchor, leaving the chain free to go, and take the control of the boat, steer toward the mooring place and once close repeat a/m procedure but final step with the windlass !
in case you have a doubt that the stern can hit the quay, can put the boat in low revolutions forward, after securing one mooring line ! i have a remote anchor control but prefer to leave the chain free to go.
up to now, this way work good but the only problem i have, is that the boat do not steer well astern !!!


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