Med stern to mooring to a centre point??

DavidJ

DavidJ

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Got back to my boat in Spain a couple of weeks back and found my stern ropes had been changed to a centre point on the pontoon. (by whom we will never know!!)
Like many Med marinas the allocated 'slots' were originally designed for smaller boats and they have squeezed in bigger boats, in consequence the mooring points are all over the place.
For me 45 degrees 'outwards' would chaff the next door neighbour (often visiting boats) so I tend to go parallel.
So to my point!!
I have the advantage now of the stern not swinging from side to side (as it did with parallel) and with the bow ropes going 45 degrees outward on to poles it doesn't seem to 'tilt' so it seems to be a good idea.
Because no one else is doing it, there must be a disadvantage I haven't thought of....any thoughts?

2014-07-15185039_zps68040774.jpg
 
Ok you don't have a tender to chafe but I wouldn't accept that myself for the simple reason that the security of the boat is entirely dependent on one hoop and just 2 lines. If there are no convenient existing hoops or cleats, could you not get the marina to provide a couple of chains looped around the aluminium beam, positioned directly behind your stern cleats to be used for your stern lines? Or do it yourself? You may have to lift a couple of planks to do this but it shouldn't be a difficult job. Then you could retain the existing hoop for your cross lines
 
With Deleted User- the bow line will be tight and the lines on the back are typically holding it with some fair tension. Compared to a bollard embedded in concrete the steel ring looks pretty small.

I always do lines parallel and then crossed lines as well if we are there for more than a night or the stern is moving about so there are lots of ropes going to several cleats and 2 bollards.
 
jrudge said:
With Deleted User- the bow line will be tight and the lines on the back are typically holding it with some fair tension. Compared to a bollard embedded in concrete the steel ring looks pretty small.

I always do lines parallel and then crossed lines as well if we are there for more than a night or the stern is moving about so there are lots of ropes going to several cleats and 2 bollards.
Click to expand...

+1 In fact your insurance company may consider that negligent should that hoop fail in a storm. No way would I accept that.
 
I'm not disagreeing with what has already been said, in principle.

But looking at your pic, I really doubt that the dock hoop is the weaker link.
'Fiuaskme, before worrying about the rest, I'd rather:
1) get rid of those (rusty) carbine hooks, and replace them with shackles;
2) connect the two ends of each spring with a chain, just in case the spring falls apart - which yes, can and does happen!
 
I certainly agree with MapisM regarding bis last point.

Springs should always have their ends connected together for the reason given.
 
I agree all the comments above about the weak dock loop, coil springs, carbines, etc

But as regards the geometry, I don't like this method. Yes it stops the stern swinging sideways using just 2 lines instead of 4, but it increases the cleat load by a factor of 1.4x and on a GRP boat I just wouldn't do that
 
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