Moorings in Studland Bay

[Two Sheds]

Spent a very pleasant day/overnight last week on one of the Bankes Arms buoys in Studland. I couldn't help noticing that many boats coming in eschewed the convenience of the BA buoys and dropped their hooks instead, sometimes close to a vacant one. Do they know something I don't about these moorings?

thanks
Martin

 

[blackbeard]

I think, on the whole, I would try to avoid using a Bankes Arms buoy unless I were going ashore to said pub.
If I'm staying aboard there's no problem with using the anchor, but those going ashore (or their insurance companies) might prefer a mooring while the boat is left unattended.
Incidentally does anyone know what's down there, or how regularly inspected? I work on the basis that most of the boats to use the buoys are bigger than mine ...

 

[npf1]

Interesting ... how many buoys are there? And what's the depth?

Thanks

 

[Comet]

Out of interest what's the legal position on laying bouys. It does seem that there are now far more bouys in Studland and Swanage. If it carries on like this the only space left to anchor will be way offshore. Does anyone else feel the same or is it just me?

 

[LadyInBed]

The same w/e I watched a sailing yacht attempt to lay his anchor 4 or 5 times without success, maybe the buoys should be reserved for him and the like!

 

[Two Sheds]

I should perhaps add that we used the pub whilst there, including a meal for five.

Not sure how many buoys are there, but certainly more than in previous years. We anchored in a low tide depth of 1.6m.

 

[neil1967]

In case I'm down that way - what's the deal with the buoys? Free to use but honour bound to use the pub? What's the pub like - I'm happy to patronise a pub with good food and beer if that's the price of a nights mooring!

Thanks

 

[Robin]

Why is it people will pick up a buoy and feel secure without any idea of what it consists of?

Studland is a good anchorage with good holding, the buoys are aimed at those with no confidence in their anchor or their ability to set it.

 

[lw395]

Studland can be a good anchorage, but the good bits fill up quickly in summer! Buoys save a lot of thought etc about room to swing on an anchor.

 

[rickp]

You need to be brave to use some of the buoys in Studland. Someone nearly lost their boat using an unmarked, unknown buoy. They'd gone ashore, and didn't notice their boat drifting away. Lucky for them, we halted their drift a hundred metres from the rocks.

Note the two ropes to the buoy - ever so neat....

Shame the chain holding the buoy was long past its best...

Rick

 

[Boathook]

Looks like one of the private moorings used at your own risk. The Bankes Arms one are quite large with a large ring. The pictures on the buoy though indicate that you should moor by using a loop round the base. I was there over the bankholiday weekend and it blew up during the night. Boats dragged anchors but 3 mobo's on a BA buoy stayed put. The BA stuff does looked maintained.

 

[lw395]

Same as with an anchor: A good burst in reverse to test it doesn't come amiss. In either case don't take it for granted in a real blow etc.
At least in Studland folk seem to keep an eye on each others boats and take the right action when needed.

 

[Robin]

For the benefit of those not local, Studland is actually very good holding but sometimes the anchor hooks on a bit of weed and not in the bottom which isn't noticed unless the anchor is dug in hard. We have sat out full SW or W gales there many times over the years in a variety of boats with a variety of anchors and never dragged, but we do select a patch clear of weed (it is shallow and usually clear enough to see) and we do dig in the anchor by gradually increasing revs astern to pretty well maximum and we do use a nylon line with rubber snubber incorporated to eliminate snatch. Also because it is very shallow you need more chain out than just the theoretical 3 or 4 times depth, not difficult in practice since it is so shallow and the rise is only 2m at springs.

 

[blackbeard]

[ QUOTE ]
... What's the pub like - I'm happy to patronise a pub with good food and beer if that's the price of a nights mooring!

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]
Seems good to me, but can get busy on weekends.
Gets a lot of custom from yachts, it seems, judging from the way the buoys fill up!

 

[ChrisE]

At the risk of starting yet another anchoring debate, we always found that our CQR was right sod to get in our new ****** digs in each time.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

[ QUOTE ]
..... to eliminate snatch.

[/ QUOTE ] I think you will find that most of the snatch can be seen at the other end of the beach. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Robin]

[ QUOTE ]
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

..... to eliminate snatch.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you will find that most of the snatch can be seen at the other end of the beach.

[/ QUOTE ]

And most of that probably needs eliminating if the quality is like it was last time I strayed that way many years ago, not to mention the high proportion of 'men' playing games in the surf! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif