Mooring with lazy lines - Do you follow the RYA advice?

[RichardS]

I received the RYA Cruising email the other day so had a look through and saw a section on Med mooring and thought it might be interesting.

This was the advice for mooring with lazy lines:

Lazy lines can appear confusing, but actually simplify matters by eliminating the need for dropping an anchor off the bow. If you see ropes rather than anchors running from other boats, then you know what to expect.

Lazy lines normally, but by no means always, come in pairs and when not in use they are attached to the quay at one end and sinkers at the other.The procedure is much the same as for traditional Med mooring except, very importantly, you don’t drop your anchor.

After securing yourself to the quay, find the lazy lines and walk them up to the bow and then tension them up.

I was somewhat surprised by the advice to "find the lazy lines after securing yourself to the quay" as that is not how we do it. As we approach the quay our first priority is always to get hold of the lazy line as soon as possible and start that on its journey towards the bow. Once the lazy line is on its way, we turn our attention to the stern lines. I suppose that the basis for this approach is that we can easily control the stern of the boat in terms of distance from quay and position along quay with the prop and rudders ...... it's the bow of the boat which can decide to go awol and therefore getting the lazy line onto a bow cleat is the first priority so it can't wander off as it, or the wind, pleases.

It set me wondering how other forumites approach the issue ...... lazy line priority or stern line priority?

Richard

 

[Solwaycruiser]

Always been lazy line priority for us. Strong crosswinds can create chaos otherwise and sometimes it takes some quick footwork before the bow goes astray. I suppose in calm conditions it would be okay to do stern first but that would not be the norm.

 

[Tranona]

Usually get the windward stern line on first, then the lazy line picked up and walked forward. This gives you two points of control if you keep the stern line as a slip.

 

[duncan99210]

After much experimentation and the provision of entertainment to others, we now follow the Tranona recipe. Windward stern line on first, hold the boat against that with the engine, then walk the lazy line out to the bow and make fast. If the wind isn't too bad, then the second stern line can go on whilst the lazy line is being sorted out, otherwise it waits until the lazy line is secure. We usually aim to stop further off the quay than our final position and then use the engine to bring the boat back a final metre or so, which tensions the lazy line without too much muscle work.

 

[AndrewB]

Usually get the windward stern line on first, then the lazy line picked up and walked forward. This gives you two points of control if you keep the stern line as a slip.

+1.

 

[RupertW]

Tranona recipe also but simulatneously normally with stern line done by my wife and me walking the lazy line up to the bow.

I can only imagine the RYA advice working if you are already lying against a previously secured boat.

 

[FirstAway]

Usually get the windward stern line on first, then the lazy line picked up and walked forward. This gives you two points of control if you keep the stern line as a slip.

+ 2

 

[markhomer]

Generally as a rule of thumb i ignore rya advice , perhaps foolishly , my disrespect comes from early dinghy racing days and witnessing rya capsize righting ��

 

[tudorsailor]

A lot depends on the wind direction and strength and then also the dock guy. Also the number of crew on board. Finally, all is more difficult with centre cockpit if short handed.

Some dock guys insist on giving you the lazy line first whatever the conditions. If being blown off, then if possible stern lines first and then lazy line. If being blown into the space, then get that lazy line tied off ASAP. Wind on the beam and in a tight space, not such a problem. WInd on the beam and lots of room, get the lazy line and the stern windward lines on.
If you have a bow thruster and need to use it to get the bow towards the wind, make sure that the lazy line is not sucked into the thruster (and ask me how I know....?)

Lazy lines do not always come in pairs, especially in Balearics for some reason

+1 for securing the lazy line while a way off the quay and then motoring astern to take up the slack on the stern lines. No need for huffing and puffing. If you end up too far from the quay simply slacken the bow lines. If you end up too near, slacken the stern lines lots and then tighten the bow line without fighting the stern lines. Once done then motor astern again. Avoids angina.
TudorSailor

 

[Norman_E]

Usually get the windward stern line on first, then the lazy line picked up and walked forward. This gives you two points of control if you keep the stern line as a slip.

Agreed. It does however somewhat depend on where you are. There are calm bays and windless days where you can sort out the bow line at your leisure, and one windy place I go to where there is often a man in a dinghy who gives you the lazy line first if the wind is blowing towards the quay. When single handed I generally try to throw someone the windward stern line then just get the lazy line forward and secured as quickly as possible with the boat well off the quay, then pull back to tension it and adjust lines as required. The good thing in Turkey is that there is always someone ashore to help, and they know what to do. In Greece they all sit in the tavernas and take bets on whether you will hit anything!

If its windy and there is a choice of spot I always go on the windward side of a moored boat, tucking the stern in close and get a stern line attached to stop the bow swinging into the moored boat. All too often I see people go in too far from the moored boat, then their bow swings round and their anchor threatens the neighbour's gelcoat. Or they go on the leeward side and can end up swung round almost alongside the quay, giving them a hard job getting the lazy line pulled tight against the wind. In most Turkish restaurant jetties you only get a single lazy line, but you usually end up tightly packed, so its no problem..

 

[macd]

Like most things in sailing there's can surely be no hard and fast rule: it depends on conditions, the layout and orientation of the berth, whether there are adjacent boats etc. The biggest pickle we got in last year was in a marina where the marinero (in an inflatable) insisted that the bow line be secured first, in conditions that screamed out for a stern line. Berthing by rote is dumb.

Our general preference is to get the windward stern line on first; the boat can then usually be held in place on the engine, even left to tick over in gear so the helmsman can help with lines.

Of course if you have sufficient crew, there's no reason bow and stern lines can't be dealt with at the same time.

On most Greek quays, mind, one lazy line, let alone two, is a rarity.

 

[De.windhoos]

Like most things in sailing there's can surely be no hard and fast rule: it depends on conditions, the layout and orientation of the berth, whether there are adjacent boats etc. The biggest pickle we got in last year was in a marina where the marinero (in an inflatable) insisted that the bow line be secured first, in conditions that screamed out for a stern line. Berthing by rote is dumb.

In most Turkish marinas, when notifying them that you're singlehanded, the marineros come in pairs. One to do the lazy line for you and one to catch the stern lines.

Really made me lazy ?

 

[gerry99]

Lazy line priority