Sealine S23 - Stern Mooring

[Bewitched]

We've recently bought a 2004 Sealine S23 as only our second motor boat. One of the things we liked is the stern access but I hadn't realised just how much the stern drive sticks out beyond the transom so I'm wondering about the best way to stern moor her if we have to. We keep her on the Norfolk Broads and some locations state "stern mooring" only. We have thought about getting a suitably large fender (or two) attached to the stainless bar that sits under the fold out bathing platform but before we do that I wondered if anyone had any better ideas! Thanks.

 

[Bewitched]

Looks like I've had lots of views but no replies, could someone let me have some thoughts please?

 

[Stemar]

Yottie rather than moboer, so expert, but could a well padded bathing platform on the stern help? At worst it would be a cheaper sacrificial bumper than the drives! It might also simplify boarding. Otherwise, a pair of big ball fenders. and a big plank!

 

[footsoldier]

Looks like I've had lots of views but no replies, could someone let me have some thoughts please?

If you were to put this in the Motor Boating forum here you would have a better chance of an informed response

 

[Bewitched]

Yottie rather than moboer, so expert, but could a well padded bathing platform on the stern help? At worst it would be a cheaper sacrificial bumper than the drives! It might also simplify boarding. Otherwise, a pair of big ball fenders. and a big plank!

Thanks for replying with your thoughts. The S23 has a fold down bathing platform but it's certainly not up to taking any sort of impact. There's a small stainless bar that it sits on when down but this does not help as it's too small. Yes, we're considering either using a large standard type fender attached horizontally underneath this bar or a couple of large round ball fenders as you have suggested. I think that's probably the answer really. If I can get it to sit out a little further than the bathing platform would when folded down then we would have protection and a boarding plank - it's just that I'd need a fender 400-500mm in diameter . Thanks so much for replying to me, really appreciated.

 

[Bewitched]

If you were to put this in the Motor Boating forum here you would have a better chance of an informed response

Hi, sorry I'm a complete newbie to this forum - I didn't see there was a dedicated Motor Boating forum!! I'll go look for that now! Thanks!!!

 

[andrewbarker]

We've recently bought a 2004 Sealine S23 as only our second motor boat. One of the things we liked is the stern access but I hadn't realised just how much the stern drive sticks out beyond the transom so I'm wondering about the best way to stern moor her if we have to. We keep her on the Norfolk Broads and some locations state "stern mooring" only. We have thought about getting a suitably large fender (or two) attached to the stainless bar that sits under the fold out bathing platform but before we do that I wondered if anyone had any better ideas! Thanks.

Hi Bewitched. I have a boat out in the Med where stern-to mooring is obligatory, so I have the same issues.

First, do make sure your leg is fully trimmed in - the extra clearance at minus 1 or 2 degrees of trim can help.
Then get two of the biggest round fenders you can carry to tie on or under the platform.
I guess you don't have a passarelle, but an ally ladder with a board tied to the rungs will do. This gives you the ability to moor a couple of feet further off, with the extra margin of safety to your stern gear.
Always try to have someone look over the stern to call out the distance and come in really slow.
If really necessary, anchor a couple of boat lengths off and then go astern, paying out the anchor line as you go.

 

[PlanB]

Are you talking about mooring stern to on a finger pontoon, or with no side access at all?
If you have a finger pontoon, you can just moor as far away from the stern pontoon as you need to.
If there is no finger, how are you securing the bow? Med style, you have a pickup line for the bow, so it take the stern off as far as you need to and use a plank or a pasarelle.

Thanks for replying with your thoughts. The S23 has a fold down bathing platform but it's certainly not up to taking any sort of impact. There's a small stainless bar that it sits on when down but this does not help as it's too small. Yes, we're considering either using a large standard type fender attached horizontally underneath this bar or a couple of large round ball fenders as you have suggested. I think that's probably the answer really. If I can get it to sit out a little further than the bathing platform would when folded down then we would have protection and a boarding plank - it's just that I'd need a fender 400-500mm in diameter . Thanks so much for replying to me, really appreciated.

 

[Momac]

I used to have a S23 and we almost always moored stern to the pontoon at the marina. Never damaged a prop there . However I do understand your concern . This image shows the problem

I dont think a fender is going to do it.

 

[thamesS23]

we also moor (most of the time) stern to, in our marina and never have any problem. You can actually moor close on floating pontoons as I believe the stern drive actually goes under the pontoon without hitting it.