mooring aid

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gshaw

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OK before the flack starts, I have had a look around already and I have searched the archives here but no direct answers found :-)

PBO had a review some time back on boat hooks/mooring aids anyone have a pointer to that review? also what are you folks actually using with success? Both dock cleats and mooring buoy attachment and release. Thanks....g
 
I have one of the giant carabiners that slides into a clip fastened to a boathook, then detaches with a line when something is hooked.

I use it to get a line ashore if it's windy when returning to the pontoon singlehanded. I expected to use it for moorings without pickup buoys, but actually it can be tricky if the ring on top isn't sticking up nice and clear. Instead, having low freeboard, I generally just reach down and pass a line by hand.

Pete
 
With a little bit of experience, most people get on fine with a strong, reliable boathook - I have a telescopic one for ease of stowage.

I for one am a bit sceptical about patent wonder-jobs, and have never really felt the need.
 
When I had a large boat, whose stemhead was about 2.5m above the water, I used a large dahn buoy for her mooring. On top of the pole of the dahn, there was a "trident". Before dropping the mooring, I would motor up to the buoy, and hook the pick-up onto the trident. When returning to the mooring, not only could the mooring be seen from the wheelhouse, but it was an easy matter to sail right up to the buoy and lift the pick-up off the trident.

This obviously only works for your own mooring. It also had the unforseen effect of keeping others off.:D
 
The problem is that you are faced with so many different scenarios when you are cruising that you need options. Its less difficult if you are just catering for your home port.

No matter how many gadgets you have the old trusty strong and long boathook is the first option.
 
The most common around S.Devon where the visitor buoys usually have just a ring is the Moorfast system. Takes a bit of practice but works. A boathook doesn`t help you thread a line and sometimes you can`t do this from midships. Eg. When rafting up on a mooring. Only a mooring aid such as this will avoid getting the dinghy out.
 
At last year's Southampton showI was tempted to buy a clever looking system,but I cannot remember its name. It was being demonstrated all day but when I tried it it did not work quite as easily, probably perseverence would help. Anybody else remember it ?
 
Thanks to all so far for the info great stuff. So it looks like there are several issues....

Devices that clip/hook/attach to the mooring buoy ring and remain attached to the rope.
Devices that thread the rope through the ring or over (lasso) a cleat detaching from the rope.
Device that catches the ring allowing it to be brought on-board/pulled in.

All of these are temporary attachments to allow the actual mooring strop to be fixed in place or for short attended stop overs, right?

So for a varied cruse you would require one of each type if you where to go down the down the "mechanical aid" route? Is there a multi headed device that can do both? Or do you just fit out a normal boat rod with the different heads?
 
johnphilip said:
At last year's Southampton showI was tempted to buy a clever looking system,but I cannot remember its name. It was being demonstrated all day but when I tried it it did not work quite as easily, probably perseverence would help. Anybody else remember it ?
Click to expand...

The side-to-side slidey thing? Looked very slick, but only because of the skill of the guy using it, like juggling. Didn't look at all practical to me.

Pete
 
I have a moorfast http://www.moorfast.com/

Have to say it's one of the few things I have brought that actually do what they say :)

Brilliant for when you raft up alongside another boat on a swinging mooring & need to get a line through the buoy ring.
 
gshaw said:
Thanks to all so far for the info great stuff. So it looks like there are several issues....

Devices that clip/hook/attach to the mooring buoy ring and remain attached to the rope.
Devices that thread the rope through the ring or over (lasso) a cleat detaching from the rope.
Device that catches the ring allowing it to be brought on-board/pulled in.

All of these are temporary attachments to allow the actual mooring strop to be fixed in place or for short attended stop overs, right?

So for a varied cruse you would require one of each type if you where to go down the down the "mechanical aid" route? Is there a multi headed device that can do both? Or do you just fit out a normal boat rod with the different heads?
Click to expand...

I have just bought a Bosco device from a forumite. its well made & looks like it will be handy at times.
 
gshaw said:
All of these are temporary attachments to allow the actual mooring strop to be fixed in place or for short attended stop overs, right?
Click to expand...

Right.

gshaw said:
So for a varied cruse you would require one of each type if you where to go down the down the "mechanical aid" route?
Click to expand...

Um, why? Pick the one you think is best and go with it. I have some sympathy with Seajet's view that all you need is a decent traditional boathook, although I do have one of the detachable carabiner jobbies, but I definitely don't think you need a selection of different devices.

Pete
 
So far.

Had a look at the Bosco hook but cant see anywhere the breaking strain (they do mention the wire loop to 10 ton) release looks easy. The Moorfast depends on the rope you use. The Talon is not quoted and looks harder to release. The Handy Duck quotes Breaking strain of 1.5 tonnes and easy release. the Swiftie-Matic looks the same as Moorfast? The Mooringmate is quoted at SWL of 900Kg but I cant see how it's released.
 
gshaw said:
Had a look at the Bosco hook but cant see anywhere the breaking strain (they do mention the wire loop to 10 ton) release looks easy. The Moorfast depends on the rope you use. The Talon is not quoted and looks harder to release. The Handy Duck quotes Breaking strain of 1.5 tonnes and easy release. the Swiftie-Matic looks the same as Moorfast? The Mooringmate is quoted at SWL of 900Kg but I cant see how it's released.
Click to expand...

the hook is substantial but only to be used as a easy but temp method of securing the boat. certainly NOT designed for an extended period
 
gshaw said:
Had a look at the Bosco hook but cant see anywhere the breaking strain (they do mention the wire loop to 10 ton) release looks easy. The Moorfast depends on the rope you use. The Talon is not quoted and looks harder to release. The Handy Duck quotes Breaking strain of 1.5 tonnes and easy release. the Swiftie-Matic looks the same as Moorfast? The Mooringmate is quoted at SWL of 900Kg but I cant see how it's released.
Click to expand...

Another Moorfast user here. You need to ditch the tiddly bit of string its provided with though and fit it with a longer 12mm line
 
Buy a boathook, and then buy a spare one, to allow for the time when one gets dropped overboard, or the head pulls off it in a moment of stress!
It's also quite easy to pass a line through an eye if you have 2 boathooks, use one with the line twisted round the head a couple of turns and a foot or so loose end; pass that through the eye, grab it with the other boathook, giving a twist to hold it, then untwist the first one. Alternatively, you can make a loop in the rope and hold it to the first boathook with a couple of turns of insulating tape - whatever method suits you best. No need for fancy gadgets!
 
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