mud berth

realslimshady

realslimshady

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who's got one? and what are the pros and cons, apart from the obvious (cheap, very restricted access)
I'm looking into getting a 24-26 foot sailboat so would I have to get bilge keels? Or would a lift keel be ok?
And what about putting my present 20' mobo on one?
 
used to have one. Main drawback as you have noticed is accesss. Both getting out and getting to it to work on.

Antifoul seemed to be a bit less effective but that could just be down to difference in temperature. Also depending on location wash from other boats can bounce them about a bit.

I have a lift keel but it is unusual in that the keel does not fully retract so the boat bounced on the mud with the keel rather than hull.
 
...so would I have to get bilge keels? Or would a lift keel be ok?

I'm not an expert, but I suggest it might depend upon the type/consistency of the mud; I have an acquaintance who kept a long-keeler or a mud berth for several years without problem - the keel cut and maintained a 'groove' for itself within what appeared to be some very soft mud.
 
Some of the lift keel boats that I know on drying moorings have a problem with stones jamming the keels. If it's pure mud (e.g. amonst the salt marshes) there's no problem but those anywhere near a beach suffer with stones.
 
i have one (the only way I can afford a berth in Cowes where I live). I have a 19ft Bilge Keel Seawytch so she is perfect for a mudberth but previously had a fin keel 20 ft yacht in the same berth. I have access from 2 hours before or 2 hours after LW

Most boats will make a nice hole after a few tides, and if you are close enough it is easy enough to plan your day around the tide.

If the mud berth hasn't been used for a while might be worth putting your boots on and checking out what lies just under the mud.

Really works for me and means I can keep a 19ft Boat in Cowes for £600 a year.
 
Watch out for splayed bilge keels sinking into soft mud, there can be a lot of lateral force pushing & pulling them sideways as they go in & out. A few Laurent Giles Westerlies have had to have keels refastened as they have come loose over time.

I have had drying moorings on hard sand/stones for some 27 years in 5 different locations with two boats (both Laurent Giles Westerlies) and had fewer problems than the average marina berthed owner.

As for a MoBo, how well will your rudder/ prop/ shaft bearings cope with being immersed in mud 2x a day?
 
I have used a mud berth on a pontoon for years with a bilge and now a triple keeler. There are all types of boat here, every size, sail and motor, and just about every keel and shaft configuration you can think of plus outboards and legs. The mud is very soft and deep where I am and even shallow fin keels up to about 4 foot will even sit happily after a few tides. Traditional stuffing boxes seem to survive better than the rubber seal type of shaft seals. You just have to plan a bit more for tides.
 
Hi
Interesting point about lateral forces on bilge keels, never really thought about it before but will make a point of checking the bolts when she comes out.

May be worth trying to check the state of the bed where you plan to moor her, this is how mine looked a few weeks ago when I just about got aboard on a spring tide.

100_1040.jpg


BUT a boat only 100 feet away looked like this!
100_1036.jpg
 
Re. your present mobo, there should be no problem on a mud berth so long as your outdrive is "up". Check/clean your water strainer before departure.

You will need to wash the sides of the boat more often 'cos the mud will splatter it during heavy rainfall.
Have kept ours on a mud berth, for 3 yrs or so, with no problems other than these.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Watch out for splayed bilge keels sinking into soft mud, there can be a lot of lateral force pushing & pulling them sideways as they go in & out. A few Laurent Giles Westerlies have had to have keels refastened as they have come loose over time.

[/ QUOTE ]

My brother owned a Westerly Centaur for a few years and the pre-purchase survey highlighted that as the (only) major problem. He was told it was extremely common, but I don't know whether that was intended to mean all bilge keelers or just Westerlies.
 
Thanks for all that guys.
Feel very positive about it now! Yes, an interesting point about bilge keels on soft mud-will bear it in mind.
And of course to lift the leg if I put my mobo on one! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
I love my current walk on pontoon mud berth in Brightlingsea

£50 a month

24 hour access to the boat - so I can arrive at any time of day or night - afloat for a couple of hours over high tide - more on springs.

Power for the laptop.

I also think the boat gets less growth. Some of my neighbours have traditional deep keels

Go for it

Dylan
http://uk.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft
 
all my boats have sat on the mud!

Not a problem, the berth gets the shape of the boat in time and makes a very safe and secure moorings! no need to antifoul as much and less anodes to change,
Once a float make sure that cooling water runs through engines and make sure toilet flushes and log whell is free but otherwise a very good and affordable moorings.


Tom

ps I can add some images if people are intreasted?
 
No one has mentioned the fouling problem. By the end of the season we have a layer of barnacles where the mud touched the hull but clean above. I have yet to hear a solution apart from scrubbing 2 or 3 times a season.
 
Have a very nice mud berth at a yard on Hayling and have to say I have never had a problem with barnacles where mud touches maybe it's different in different areas. The mud is very silty and don't know of anyone ever having any major problems with sticky keel. Would highly recomend them to keep the costs of berthing down. Go for it.
 
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