andy_wilson
Well-Known Member
1. Plenty of fenders.
2. A fender mat to protect topsides from fender scuff and to offer a fall back if a fender is temporarily displaced (it will probably drop back in place after the next gust).
3. Use as many different cleats as you can (on the boat and the pontoon) to spear the load.
4. Double all lines. First one snug, lock off the figures of eight and return a little slacker. To explain, snug to restrict movement and surges, lock off figure of eight in case this line chafes through, the second line will be secure (if you don't use locking turns, the return line may pull off the cleat). The 'doubler' a bit slacker. In a surge, the first line will become taut then the secondary line will come into play, spreading the rate of increase of load on the cleat.
5. If you can, rig a line or lines from the off-side to hold her off the pontoon, even if you can only do this at the stem (or stern if rear end in first).
Other strategies? Moor with the pointy end towards the prevailing wind if you can to resist rain blowing around the hatch.
Use long lines forward and aft. I prefer not to use breast ropes as they tend to be a bit too short to have much give, resulting in more snatch.
Look at the lead of the ropes and apply chafe protection as required.
Reduce windage if severe storm expected (remove furling head sail, main, drop spray hood and dodgers, drop and lash boom to side-deck).
In all cases, but especialliy if expecting storm, tie a lashing from tack of furling headsail to pulpit. If the wind worries the sail it can release the furling line. With this lashing it will not be able to unfurl in this event.
When we were in Lymington Yacht Haven we had 100mph recorded at The Needles lighthouse (well, they did, we were 260 miles away). With great concern I called the next morning and on giving my name Dee immediately responded 'oh yes, Aspire'. My heart dropped in anticipation of hearing the worst. No such problem, all was OK. However, on the next visit I was puzzled to see wood spinterings on the side deck. A neighbour advised that in gusts the boats were leaning sufficiently for my mid-ships cleat to get under the pontoon and start eating it away!
Happy mooring!
2. A fender mat to protect topsides from fender scuff and to offer a fall back if a fender is temporarily displaced (it will probably drop back in place after the next gust).
3. Use as many different cleats as you can (on the boat and the pontoon) to spear the load.
4. Double all lines. First one snug, lock off the figures of eight and return a little slacker. To explain, snug to restrict movement and surges, lock off figure of eight in case this line chafes through, the second line will be secure (if you don't use locking turns, the return line may pull off the cleat). The 'doubler' a bit slacker. In a surge, the first line will become taut then the secondary line will come into play, spreading the rate of increase of load on the cleat.
5. If you can, rig a line or lines from the off-side to hold her off the pontoon, even if you can only do this at the stem (or stern if rear end in first).
Other strategies? Moor with the pointy end towards the prevailing wind if you can to resist rain blowing around the hatch.
Use long lines forward and aft. I prefer not to use breast ropes as they tend to be a bit too short to have much give, resulting in more snatch.
Look at the lead of the ropes and apply chafe protection as required.
Reduce windage if severe storm expected (remove furling head sail, main, drop spray hood and dodgers, drop and lash boom to side-deck).
In all cases, but especialliy if expecting storm, tie a lashing from tack of furling headsail to pulpit. If the wind worries the sail it can release the furling line. With this lashing it will not be able to unfurl in this event.
When we were in Lymington Yacht Haven we had 100mph recorded at The Needles lighthouse (well, they did, we were 260 miles away). With great concern I called the next morning and on giving my name Dee immediately responded 'oh yes, Aspire'. My heart dropped in anticipation of hearing the worst. No such problem, all was OK. However, on the next visit I was puzzled to see wood spinterings on the side deck. A neighbour advised that in gusts the boats were leaning sufficiently for my mid-ships cleat to get under the pontoon and start eating it away!
Happy mooring!