Mooring between 2 buoys, but...

[Alexis]

Hello there,

I have a mooring between 2 buoys in a harbour. Nothing special about that, I suppose, but these 2 buoys are set at 90° to the dominant winds (no tide), parallel and between 2 other moorings. Would any of you have a suggestion as to how I can berth easily and single handed? Boat is a 34 feet 6 ton cutter.

Thank you.

Alexis


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[boatone]

Are you permitted to leave a line rigged betwen the two buoys...perhaps with a marker buoy in the middle? How much room is there between the moorings on either side?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

 

[Alexis]

Yes, I may rig a floating line, with a couple of visible floats. Distance between my buoys and the one each side of me is approx 3m, meaning that my mooring is a bout 6m wide and the beam of my yacht is 3.5m.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[cliff]

Very carefully, and with lots and lots of fenders out.

Seriously though, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boscoboathook.info/> This </A> might help

<hr width=100% size=1>

Stay put when I hit you!

 

[boatone]

Cliffs suggestion re very carefully and with lots of fenders may have been offered in humour but probabaly holds the key !
You dont have much space to do anything other than try and get into the slot but, once in, the wind (when blowing) will presumably make sure you lie against the downwind boat whether you like it or not so fenders are de rigeur but I guess you do that anyway.
I would definitely opt for the line between the buoys so that its easy for you to pick up from the cockpit and hook on at the stern before walking it forwards to hook on for'd. You could quite easily have permanent fore and aft mooring lines attached to the bouys and let them connect to each other with a snap hook arrangement that includes a marker buoy?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

 

[Talbot]

One method I have seen (and like) is the rigging of an eight foot pole with a mooring buoy mounted on the pole at each end , and this device secured between the mooring buoys. This provides a natural point for you to come alongside, and if you secure a handling line for your own morring ropes by this pole, it should provide the support necessary for long enough for you to secure into position.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[William_H]

Hello Alexis As I see it on arrival you have to pick a path between the other boats to get to your place. This should be if possible a beam reach or even closer to the wind so that you can approach with some control of speed. Similarly if you are motoring in (preferable) come in on a path as close to the wind as possible ie pointing into the wind. If you have room you should arrive to point into the wind hopefully the wind will slow the boat down to stop or at least a speed which you can stop the boat by arm force. The line between the buoys can be picked up at the bow and fastened. You then walk toward the stern holding the line between the buoys so that you pull the stern toward the other buoy. I would expect that one buoy will be closer to the wind than the other and this should be where the bow attaches even if the difference is only slight. In my case on a single buoy mooring (swing) I attach the dinghy with a very long painter to the buoy this gives me a big easy target rope floating on the surface to pick up with the hook. We always sail onto and off the mooring.
For departure from your set up I would suggest that you let the stern line loose so that the boat can swing into wind to hoist sails then on letting go back the jib to turn the boat far away from the wind for a close hauled sail away. Similarly with a motor departure let the stern line go first you may need to sail or motor between the buoys ie across your between buoys rope in which case you will need a snap shackle to enable you to join or connect the rope up while leaning from the stern as you depart.
Thinking about it all it sounds 'orrible if you havn't got room to either side to manouvre then I am thinking the mooring is not suitable. Fenders and practice and lots of helpers. regards will

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AndrewJ]

My first thought would be to rig the line between the two buoys and the next time you come in, maneuver so you're upwind of the two bouys/line and drift down to the line, particularly if somehow you rig the line a bit higher in the middle. Not sure how you'd get out, but that's another problem, which I'm sure you would figure out.


<hr width=100% size=1>The only easy day was yesterday

 

[tome]

For single-handing I would rig a long line between the 2 buoys and come at them from upwind. I'd also rig permanent mooring lines to the buoys, and join these loosely together with floating line.

If you can place yourself alongside the long line, then the wind should hold you nicely in place against it whilst you secure the bow and stern lines. Make sure the bow and stern are well fendered. If you make the bow line long enough, you can pull in on the stern line until you can unhitch the long line from the after buoy and walk the line on board via the bow. You can loosely attach it at the bow and stow it in the anchor locker.

When leaving, I would re-reeve the long line on the windward side, then tie the floating line outside everything on to the stern line before casting this adrift. Then tie the other end to the bow line before finally casting this adrift, after setting sail.

You should end up bows in to the wind ready for the off under power or sail.

This is a variation of how I used to do it SH on pile moorings across the wind. Otherwise, If you have a crew it is best to approach the first buoy to leeward and attach a long doubled stern line from midships, paying it out as you aim to windward of the second buoy.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[alahol2]

I occasionally have this problem with my own mooring. You definitely need the line between the buoys, it must be clipped together in the middle. You cannot come at it from upwind because you will blow over it at some point no matter how quick you are. If I can stop my boat alongside the line, I can then pick it up in the middle and drop it over a midships cleat. By luck or good design, the midships cleat is roughly at the point of balance so I have time to walk forward along the line and attach bow then stern lines. Of course, sometimes it all goes wrong and then you need the fenders...

<hr width=100% size=1>I really would rather be sailing...