Shorthanded Mooring from a centre cockpit

[beancounter]

There was some discussion on this forum a while ago about centre cockpit boats (e.g. Moody). Another thought has accurred to me - how does one handle short handed (i.e only self & wifey) bows- or stern- to moorings? Given that the helmsperson is up in the centre cockpit, a little way from the stern cleats and lines, doesn't this make life a tad difficult? At least in an aft cockpit the helm is close to the action. This has been exercising my mind as something like a Moody 33 or 34 would be on our potentials list.

Ideas/experience anyone?

Thanks

John

<hr width=100% size=1>Fabricati Diem, punc

 

[heerenleed]

Yes, John, it is somewhat more difficult in a centre cockpit.

We have a Nicholson 48, that has not only a centre cockpit, but also a cockpit shelter, that makes leaving the cockpit and getting back in a little bit slower.

Mooring up in Marinas is not that difficult, once you have the right routine. Locks, (and we have a good many of theme here in the Netherlands) require such a routine even more, as nobody whishes to be the laughing stock of an entire lock.

So here's our routine:

I am always at the wheel.
My Partner always does the lines. The one time we swapped tasks we ended in a bl***dy mess...
Before entering the lock we try and decide which side we will moor. This is to minimize the number of fenders having to be brought out. We usually use just two. Then, my partner fixes the aft line to its cleat. This line is laid forward to approx. amidships, and then lead back to me at the wheel. Another line is made ready at the bows.

When entering the lock my partner stands on the side deck, amidships, where bollards are within reach (never ever try to put a line over a bollard from bows or stern, you will be much too far away from it). I steer parallel to the lock wall, at a distance of 1 yard or less, keeping my speed down as much as possible, depending on wind and/or current. Partner tells me which bollard the aft line will be put over and as I approch it I slow down some more. Now, the aft line is put over the bollard by my partner, I keep the end in my hand, loosely, just in order to keep it out of the water. Meanwhile, I steer the bows to a next bollard, partner can easily put the forward line over this bollard (doing this, the stern swings out considerably, so watch out for other boats) Once the forward line is over the bollard, I stop the boat. It will be diagonally along the wall, but I now leave the cockpit and pull the aft line to bring the boat back parallel to the wall.

This routine ALWAYS works for us. You can also use this routine coming alongside other boats, but you often need help from the other boat to put your lines over their cleats.

Coming into a box mooring is no more difficult, if your boat fits the box moorng properly. If it's too small you might get scratches from the aft poles, unless you can stop the boat in time and can fend the pole off using your hands (thus leaving the cockpit).

Now, this may all seem very complicated, but I can assure you it isn't. The advantages of our very sheltered cockpit more than make up for any inconvenience.

cheers

PS.: if you have a cleat amidships, you could try and temporarily moor you boat alongside with just one spring, leaving the gear in slow fwd, and steering away from the wall, untill all lines are fixed at ease. Depends very much on the boat if she'll do it. Ours does, but not under all circumstances. So if you want to try this, do it first when there's no-one around to damage.....

<hr width=100% size=1>Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.heerenleed.tk>http://www.heerenleed.tk</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by heerenleed on 15/09/2004 11:23 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[piscosour]

When sailing short, or even single handed, I secure a warp to the midship cleat and loop a bollard whilst moving slowly forward. All fenders on that side means I can nudge up to the wall protected and in gear but only on tickover. When we are secured fore and aft I take her out of gear. This works for me even when I sail alone, if I have crew the only difference is that I have them standing amidships with one line from the aft cleat and another with a line from the fore, they each step off and secure to appropriately positioned bollards. Although I try to explain what will happen to the boat as we lose way and tie on, they always seem to want to discuss knots or some such thing at just the time when we start to swing out, back or front depending on wind or tide. It seems to me to be better to assume single handed and use the midships cleat in any event which I usually do with inexperienced crew.

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[AndrewB]

I'm surprised at the subject of this thread, as for me one of the real discoveries of a centre cockpit cruiser was the relative ease of mooring. Perhaps it depends on layout.

Like you, single-handing I also rely on the central cleat method. Motoring gently ahead against a single short, centrally placed spring is the standard method used in locks by Dutch barges, even the big cargo-carriers, and works for yachts too. It helps to find the spot to take the line from, such that the yacht neither turns in or out when the load comes on, and position the midship cleat there. The advantage of the centre-cockpit is that will be right to hand.

I have to admit though I knock out of gear before going ashore with lines.

 

[Trevethan]

Its also the way the Thame clipper fast cats do it. Just be sure of your cleat lines and the bollard and their was supposed to have been accident where a bollard came loose from the pontoon and killed someone as it flew through the air.




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[beancounter]

Ooops- maybe I wasn't clear enough in the original post - I was thinking specifically of a) Med style bows or stern to mooring, where you are chucking an anchor over one end and trying to control it, whilst getting lines ashore at the other end. b) the Baltic bows-to mooring where you are trying to hook a stern line onto a mooring bouy as you pass it on the approach to the pontoon/wall. Both of these would seem to be more difficult if the helm is up in a centre cockpit.

cheers

John

<hr width=100% size=1>Fabricati Diem, punc

 

[steve_cronin]

I thought that\'s what you said...

...so I kept quiet until now!

Our Bavaria42 is aft cockpit so you would have thought that the helmsman would be in a position to pass the lines ashore whilst the crew was seeing to the windlass on the foredeck. However he will be occupied with keeping the boat going backwards and avoiding hitting the quay so the technique isn't much different with a centre cockpit.

The crew usually comes aft when called having left (by experience) the right amount of cable out to ensure that the yacht stays at right angles to the quay and hands the lines ashore to willing helpers or steps ashore with the windward line first and then is handed the leeward one by the skipper. When these are secure and a suitable offing for the passerrelle/plank made, skipper goes forward to pull up on the anchor cable to tighten the moor. This can be made easier if the windlass has an alternative control switch in the cockpit. This also allows under-estimations of the amount of chain originally let out to be corrected.

It is often quite difficult to get down from the stern of a CC boat to the quay especially when this is low as in Hydra, Saronic Gulf but most owners get this sorted by adaption or attition of extra transom steps. Dinghies in davits just get in the way unless you can rig the dinghy to hang below the passerrelle and persuade your other half to venture forth (aft actually) along and put her trust in, the suspended device to get ashore with the first line. Rarely though are you mooring up alone. There is usually someone around to take a line.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[AndrewB]

Apologies Beancounter, I should engage brain before mouth. I'm sure you are right about that type of mooring.

Two up, we've a fairly well-practised routine for bows-to mooring, whether with anchor or aft buoy. For us its basically the same approach, SWMBO steers, I pick up the buoy or drop the aft anchor, and feed the warp through an aft fairlead (once all the anchor chain is clear). Then I go forward, laying the warp along the side deck and take one turn round a winch. Pass end to SWMBO at the wheel, who pays out and continues steering while I prepare to leap over bows onto pontoon - or more usually, pass a bow-line across. It helps that our prop and rudder are well protected, so SWMBO paying out 'on demand' without looking back doesn't risk a wrap, specially as she brakes to a stop. But with an aft cockpit that would be easier, and the risk of the warp tangling as it is paid out would be less. Finally she winches the aft line taut.

I avoid stern-to mooring with our boat at all costs, not particularly because of the cockpit set up, but (a) a long keel doesn't steer in reverse and (b) I'm scared of crushing the wind-vane.

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[Sea Devil]

Just to put my 2p worth in - I have single handed my centre cockpit Moody 36 for 12 years (sometimes had crew.) It really is easy - you are already closer to the bows and much closer to midships to get off grasping a couple of mooring lines.

I fixed a couple of large mooring cleats midships which are useful.

If I am alone backing up on a quay (med type) it is not so far to go to release the anchor and get back to the cockpit and only a few paces to the stern to hand over warps or jump ashore with them.

Previously I had a 41 ft ketch with an aft cockpit and that was much harder to park because of the distance to mid ships or bows..

This is how I find it anyway

regards

Michael

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time visit my web site
www.michaelbriant.com/sailing

 

[angelsson]

This thread is of great interest to me as a relative newcomer to berthing stern and bow to.
I have a Nicholson 38, centre cockpit, which has a long keel and doesnt steer well in reverse, especialy against propwalk to port, and if has a cross wind on the nose makes life very difficult.
I have found most marinas respond to a call for help, and have practised 'I am alone require help with my lines' in several languages, with a conveinent typed crib alogside the radio, before entering. It usualy means someone waiting to help at the berth.
I do not have cleats midships, which would be a help, and considering fitting some asap.
I do use two large fenders over the transom as a precaution to protect against damage from getting to close which allows me to focus on getting the mooring lines from the pontoon forward to the bow cleats.
Also as others have said, always someone around to lend a hand, even in the wee small hours, when they see you alone and shorthanded.
I prefer stern -to, and practice is making it much easier to judge distance and speed.
To date not had to pick up a stern mooring or use the stern anchor when bows to, as have had the mooring lines from the pontoon to take to the stern cleats, usualy both on the port and starboard side.
Would appreciate anyones ideas or suggestions from their experience of alternative moorings for short or single handed.


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[Danthegorrila]

Hi,
interesting inputs from many people here.

We have a centre cockpit boat and have found very few problems bows or stern to always short handed.
There are several things to remember;
1 There are very often others about to give a hand and many Med marinas have really great hard working pontoon hands who help with lines and often climb onto neighbouring boats to hand you a lazy line in the right place.
2 The vast majority of live aboards are a couple so people anticipate problem you may have.
3 Be well fendered and fit in between other boats or along side a down wind boat and that holds the end away from the pontoon in place while you sort things out.

Our routine is;
Sarah helms ALWAYS
We decide bow or stren to and I put lines on both sides at that end.
Motor in resting against other boats if needed.
I get the windward line on then Sarah motors away to keep us off the pontoon
The I either do the other line or the lazy line depending on the wind direction.
The engines switched off and we both sort out all the lines to have us comfortable.
Then finally offer the neighbours a drink!



<hr width=100% size=1>PB

 

[beancounter]

thanks for all the useful responses. It sounds like the sort of manoeuvre to practice in a quiet corner somewhere before having to use it for real.

Right - now off to start looking for boats

cheers

John

<hr width=100% size=1>Fabricati Diem, punc