Rather apt

[ex-Gladys]

"Midships" is relative, it really needs to be aft of point of max beam. My fave cleat on Gladys is the old jib sheet cleat at aft end of mid cockpit, which then gives the desired result. Midships, bows go in....

 

[tillergirl]

we have one with a galvanized spike :encouragement:

Yes, don't most people call that a spear?

 

[sailorman]

Yes, don't most people call that a spear?

I had a very nice bronze one, that is now under a mooring @ the lower end of The Walton Channel :disgust:

 

[Fr J Hackett]

When I resided in Shotley on arriving for the first time with a relatively inexperienced crew and the wind up the arse of the boat with me taking my time the lock keeper appeared with his galvanised tipped spear and was about to hook it under my nice newly fitted expensive teak cap rail at that point my demeanour changed and became somewhat authoritarian and he was told where said implement would be inserted should he complete his offer of assistance. He took the line that was proffered and no more was said after that locking in and out seemed to go fairly well either with the midship cleat or stern line first the boat hook only ever being used to drop a line if needed over an out of reach bollard or cleat.

 

[Leighb]

I have been in and out of Shotley a number of times, mainly without embarrassment. There was the one time however when , in a chartered yacht, we were departing all very cool until the aft line which I thought I had slipped, did as all ropes do when not watched carefully, and hung up on the cleat. I had not noticed and thought more power was needed and tried to tow the floating pontoon out of the lock.

 

[PeterWright]

"Midships" Cleat Positions

"Midships" is relative, it really needs to be aft of point of max beam.

Interesting, I would offer a different view.

Using a cleat just ahead of the point of max. beam ensures a good pull in for the bow and a good bit of rudder steering away from the pontoon / quay will hold the stern in. That way, even if there is a hooly trying to blow the bow off, she will lay nicely alongside. You can even adjust the angle at which she lies a bit with the helm. I learned that 40 years ago from the late sailing barge master Vic Wadhams, and it has always worked on many different boats since. If the boat has the cleat at point of max beam or further aft, I usually arrange a lead to it from a foot or two forward. When I forget to do this, I generally end up regretting my laziness.

My previous boat, a Westerly Storm, was really well provided with mooring cleats - 2 at the bow, one on each quarter and two "midships" on each side located about 8 feet apart, ahead and astern of the point of max beam - you may have to zoom the attachment to see them. This was a real treat allowing proper alongside mooring with 1 line per cleat.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Just goes to show how different configs may work out. With 47bhp even at idle, it's not possible to keep my bows out whatever the rudder position... my mid cleats are about a foot forward of max beam. Fortunately having Moody style toe rail, I can move my midships cleats, just not got round to it....

 

[pvb]

With 47bhp even at idle, it's not possible to keep my bows out whatever the rudder position...

With 43hp, my old 352 could be positioned easily with the steering when secured to a midships cleat.