Mooring Buoy Pick-up Devices

[earlybird]

In the last few months, either PBO or YM ran a review of mooring buoy pick-up gadgets. I'd be grateful if anyone could remind me of the particular issue.
Alternatively, in that article, there were 2 plastic hooks for threading line which got good reviews, one slightly better than the other IIRC. Can anyone remember the names of these?
TIA

 

[Modulation]

Yes the Moorfast. It's the one with the yellow handle.
I've had one for the last 4 years and wouldn't be without it.

 

[VO5]

I have a swiftiematic.
Superb.

 

[earlybird]

Those are what I was trying to remember.
Thanks.

 

[ditchcrawler]

In my experience they do not work so well if there are any waves or a swell running.It can be quite difficult to thread a rope through,and you need to be very accurate with the positioning of the snap on hook type.They are fine in still conditions.

 

[Leighb]

In my experience they do not work so well if there are any waves or a swell running.It can be quite difficult to thread a rope through,and you need to be very accurate with the positioning of the snap on hook type.They are fine in still conditions.

I agree with this, in conditions when they work, it is just as easy to use a boathook, if conditions are tricky it is definitely easier with a boathook. Mind you the helmsperson needs to place you in just the right spot.

SWMBO is ace at bringing us up to the buoy while I do the easy bit at the bow.

 

[Ubergeekian]

I agree with this, in conditions when they work, it is just as easy to use a boathook...

Along with "device to retrieve an MOB", about the most common category of no-honest-this-one-really-will-work-invention is "device to attach a line to a mooring buoy". There are always a few bright ideas in both categories lurking around, looking good at the Boat Show ... but utterly impractical if you actually try to use them for real.

 

[johnalison]

I have spent many happy hours at places like Fowey watching owners of these hook gadgets struggling to get a hold on a buoy. If I were pressed to find a gadget I would go for a version of the Swedish hook where the hook is closed off but opened by a catch triggered at the holding end. This can also be used on pontoons where there is only a ring.

 

[boatropes]

I sail with a friend who has broken two Moorfast units over a few years. They aren't very robust and dont take kindly to any accidental twist in a swell. Also the neck broke under moderate strain on one of them. If anyone needs spare parts just send a diver down in the vicinity of any busy mooring buoy????
If my friend didn't keep a dinghy across the stern I'd get him to practice taking a mooring stern-to with someone on the sugar scoop, maybe?

 

[Monique]

Along with "device to retrieve an MOB", about the most common category of no-honest-this-one-really-will-work-invention is "device to attach a line to a mooring buoy". There are always a few bright ideas in both categories lurking around, looking good at the Boat Show ... but utterly impractical if you actually try to use them for real.

Give this man a cigar^^^^ SPOT on Uber....

In my lingo, I call them "contraptions"... another thing to clutter up the lazarettes.

 

[VO5]

In my experience they do not work so well if there are any waves or a swell running.It can be quite difficult to thread a rope through,and you need to be very accurate with the positioning of the snap on hook type.They are fine in still conditions.

Because using these gadgets is an acquired skill involving timimg and positioning, rather like hitting a cricket ball with the sweet spot on your bat.

 

[Silent Lady]

Its Usually

Its usually the wife / girlfriend / partner thats got the dreaded device and is having allsorts of agro. We swap over SWMBO takes the helm and I catch the bouy with a standard boat hook. She is very good . We very rarely miss and if we do its a quick round the block and back again. Who needs weird bits of kit when you have a SWMBO who can . SWMBO also uses the bow thruster to line us up

The evenings entertainment is usually the guy on the helm . Trying to get near so that the female at the bows can get hold of the bouy . Then the dash forward by the helm to try and sort it out . When will they learn .

 

[Sadlermike]

Moorfast

I have used a Moorfast for 5 years. It has transformed picking up a mooring without a pick-up buoy when single-handed. Never used it in any wind above force 7 but it has stood up to some demanding use in moderate to strong winds without damage.

 

[Sandyman]

Gimmicks & gadgets. You dont need them. I dont know why people buy them.
I have an 8 foot boat hook.
Does fine for me as no doubt it has served sailors for generations.

 

[VicMallows]

The Banks Arms buoys at Studland have the biggest, highest mooring rings I have ever seen. Single-handers invariably just thread a warp through first time. Couples generally get it right with either a basic boathook or fancy device. Fully crewed yachts nearly always miss, frequently several times. Sailing school boats insist on lassoing the buoy ...and then hanging like that for their stay.

Vic

 

[Burnham Bob]

I have a Moorfast and it works - just like it's supposed to, but there is a knack to using it. i got the hang of it quite easily but i suppose some people might give up after a few goes (which is what it took me)

you have yo get the position just right and then go for it - noi half measures - push kard and then pull

 

[prv]

There are always a few bright ideas in both categories lurking around, looking good at the Boat Show ... but utterly impractical if you actually try to use them for real.

I bought one of the various clip-a-carabiner-to-the-end-of-the-boathook devices. Rarely need it as buoys tend to have pickup strops round here, and the one time I did try to use it I couldn't get the carabiner through the plain shackle on top of the buoy.

It has, however, turned out to be a vital component of my technique for returning to my home pontoon singlehanded

Pete

 

[Elessar]

In the last few months, either PBO or YM ran a review of mooring buoy pick-up gadgets. I'd be grateful if anyone could remind me of the particular issue.
Alternatively, in that article, there were 2 plastic hooks for threading line which got good reviews, one slightly better than the other IIRC. Can anyone remember the names of these?
TIA

I've got one somewhere in the bottom of a locker. First person to collect and promise a few quid in the RNLI pot can have it. Pm me if you want it.

Mrs E can lasso a buoy or pontoon cleat from about 10 feet, if she isn't with me I can teach people to lassoo very quickly.

The only possible use for it IMHO is those dangerous French style marina cleats that are only loops. Even then we can never be bothered to get it out.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I have a swiftiematic.
Superb.

Seconded.

 

[Ubergeekian]

I bought one of the various clip-a-carabiner-to-the-end-of-the-boathook devices. Rarely need it as buoys tend to have pickup strops round here, and the one time I did try to use it I couldn't get the carabiner through the plain shackle on top of the buoy.

It has, however, turned out to be a vital component of my technique for returning to my home pontoon singlehanded

I confess that I am saving up for a Davey & Co "Grabit".

A mere £175 ...