Mooring

[12130]

I will shortly need to more my 18ft powerboat to a wall.
It is fitted with rings and bollards.
The river dries out so the boat will sit on the mud.
Tidal range is about 4M springs.
Is it just a case of waiting until she settles on the mud then rig fore and aft lines to allow her to rise and fall - or is there more to it than that?

 

[Guest]

Spring, and breast lines also some good fenders might be a good idea?

 

[andy_wilson]

Is that 4m total range, or 4m between HW springs and the mud?

If the total rise and fall of your boat is approaching 4m, I would consider using weights along the lines to take the slack at HW. Make all lines as long as possible, and sufficient fenders and a fender board if the wall is rough or has projections.

 

[LadyInBed]

You don't say how long it will be there for, but a heavy /weighted fender board with shackles to attach the ropes / chains to it is a good idea.
But make sure the plank stays outside the fenders and can't beat the boat to death!!

 

[Searush]

Just look at what others are doing! Best practice has a habit of spreading. The most popular mooring set up is likely to be the best. This isn't an absolute rule, your boat may not suit all possible options, so check how boats like yours are set up. But the comments above are all sound.

 

[whisper]

We have an alongside berth against a wall. Tidal range is 5m at Springs but berth dries 2m so actual range is 3m.
We've found that what suits us are :- 1) longish (8m+) lines taken forward along the wall from boat's forward cleat and taken aft along the wall from aft cleat on the boat.
2) Plus short (2.5m max) breast ropes at right angles to the boat from fore and aft cleats.
The longish fore and aft lines do the job of "springs" and could be arranged in the more normal way i.e. one line runs forward along the wall from the aft cleat on the boat and one goes from the forward cleat in an aft direction onto the wall.

This arrangement will depend on what rings/bollards you've got on the wall and where they are in relation to the boat's berth.

We use our method because it keeps the lines from snagging on any fenders that you have rigged along the side of the boat or attached to the wall itself.

PS. Welcome to the fold.