Our most useful berthing aid .... and it was free.

[Andy Bav]

As our long holiday season comes to an end a big thanks to Tim Griffin for suggesting we tie a length of ribbon on the front rail of the boat.

As we approach our berth its the first thing we always look at as in a coastal marina wind is our only challenge, and whilst mast top indicators give us a feel for direction, as they are many metres up, they dont necessarily reflect the forces at our lower level.

We immediately get a feel for if we are going to be blown onto or off the pontoon and adjust our approach well before getting near the finger.

It is quite probably the single, most basic cheapest and useful aid we have ever used. However if you go to a well known chandelry chain you can buy a foot length of red and green ribbon for £7.99 ... but very nicely packaged.

 

[Quest]

Andy,
I really like that idea! I have found myself often looking for wind indicators as we draw near to the pontoon and never considered doing this. Shall now though, I'm on it...
Thanks,
Andrew

 

[oceanfroggie]

As our long holiday season comes to an end a big thanks to Tim Griffin for suggesting we tie a length of ribbon on the front rail of the boat.

As we approach our berth its the first thing we always look at as in a coastal marina wind is our only challenge, and whilst mast top indicators give us a feel for direction, as they are many metres up, they dont necessarily reflect the forces at our lower level.

We immediately get a feel for if we are going to be blown onto or off the pontoon and adjust our approach well before getting near the finger.

It is quite probably the single, most basic cheapest and useful aid we have ever used. However if you go to a well known chandelry chain you can buy a foot length of red and green ribbon for £7.99 ... but very nicely packaged.

Great idea. I use the ensign to get an idea of windage, but the bow ribbon idea would be much better and avoid neck strain.

 

[benjenbav]

I have a glass panel above the driver's seat and a yottie windex thing mounted on the roof above that.

 

[boaterbaz]

The old dingy trick of woolies tied to the shrouds works as well. Saves getting a stiff neck looking up at masthead.

 

[blueglass]

ours is small RNLI pennant - very useful

 

[wipe_out]

At 30s in this video its exactly what is suggested..

 

[rafiki_]

What's wrong with the forum pendant?

 

[Elessar]

As our long holiday season comes to an end a big thanks to Tim Griffin for suggesting we tie a length of ribbon on the front rail of the boat.

As we approach our berth its the first thing we always look at as in a coastal marina wind is our only challenge, and whilst mast top indicators give us a feel for direction, as they are many metres up, they dont necessarily reflect the forces at our lower level.

We immediately get a feel for if we are going to be blown onto or off the pontoon and adjust our approach well before getting near the finger.

It is quite probably the single, most basic cheapest and useful aid we have ever used. However if you go to a well known chandelry chain you can buy a foot length of red and green ribbon for £7.99 ... but very nicely packaged.

I use a dinghy wind direction flag thingy whatever that is called. A wind indicator on your bow is a lot cheaper than a bowthruster, and nearly as useful! Help to keep square to the wind for MOB too. And dead into the wind for picking up a buoy.

 

[Elessar]

What's wrong with the forum pendant?

difficult to find a pole that rotates freely, and they shake themselves to bits if left up 24/7 - you won't bother to take it down on the bow.