Refueler
Well-Known Member
I've done it on a 28 footer. The problem is that once you've lifted the mooring you have very little manoeuvrability and it can go horribly wrong if there is any tide running.
After doing it that way once I found a better was to lash a piece of 4 x 4 between two dinghies moored together, using a couple of fenders to separate them. At low water lift the riser and tie to the 4x4 with some warp ensuring the riser is free to run.
As the tide rises the mooring will be lifted and you can tow the dinghies to where required, position them over where you want the mooring to sit and using a sharp bread knife on the end of a long pole cut the warp making sure you are well clear.
I found this worked well for us.
That was the usual way for putting blocks in place ... two dinghys. With large blocks as I moved - you risked actually pulling gunwhales under as the 'suction' holding large blocks is too great. Its why we preferred using my 25ft'r