windward or leeward pontoon berths/

[chubby]

I have been offered a linear pontoon berth to replace my swinging mooring, that will run along the line of the channel but across the prevailing SW/W winds.

Boat is 32 ft long keel often single or short handed.

If I have a choice is the windward berth better : will be blown on when berthing but more difficult to get off in strong winds and the boat blown onto her fenders, or the leeward berth: getting off easier but getting back on more difficult but less pressure on the fenders.

Do forumites often find they are stuck?

Is the wind direction too variable to worry about the prevailing wind in practice?

 

[BruceDanforth]

Have a think about how propwalk will help / hinder you too.

 

[sailorman]

I have been offered a linear pontoon berth to replace my swinging mooring, that will run along the line of the channel but across the prevailing SW/W winds.

Boat is 32 ft long keel often single or short handed.

If I have a choice is the windward berth better : will be blown on when berthing but more difficult to get off in strong winds and the boat blown onto her fenders, or the leeward berth: getting off easier but getting back on more difficult but less pressure on the fenders.

Do forumites often find they are stuck?

Is the wind direction too variable to worry about the prevailing wind in practice?

She will be better placed on leeward side & be blown off, that will happen all the time & protect her. the prop rotation in astern pulling her on would be nice

 

[wizard]

The leeward position is best.

After two years in a windward berth on the south coast I could see when the boat was lifted out, all the score marks on the hull of the fenders constantly rubbing the boat from the pressure of the wind.

Since 2007 I have returned to the swinging mooring, the boat presents the least resistance to the wind, and my hull stays shiny

 

[snowleopard]

The leeward position is best.

After two years in a windward berth on the south coast I could see when the boat was lifted out, all the score marks on the hull of the fenders constantly rubbing the boat from the pressure of the wind.

I had a windward position one year (on pile moorings shared between two boats). During a gale the fenders popped out and my hull ground against the iron rubbing strake on the other boat, completely taking off the outer skin of my hull.

Go for the lee side. If you struggle to berth in a strong wind you can always go in at right angles then winch the stern alongside.

 

[Tintin]

Leeward - I'd rather be blown off (apologies ) when coming back into the pontoon solo, than blown on.

 

[dunedin]

I prefer leeward - not for getting on or off but for riding out the severe gales which seem to have been very common the past year.

 

[Kukri]

Leeward every time

For he who strives, the tempest to disarm,
Will always berth to leeward of the arm

 

[AuntyRinum]

A leeward berth every time. I sometimes think that they should give a discount for windward berths because of the constant wear and tear on the hull.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

It's unusual to see a thread on this forum in which there is unanimous agreement. I wonder if it will last?

 

[grumpy_o_g]

The only thing I'd say (because I can't bear to see everyone in agreement) is are you likely to ever end up in a situation where you simply can't get on to your berth and, if so, do you have somewhere else to go, even just a fuel berth or something may be?

 

[Simondjuk]

I currently have a berth on the windward side of a finger. I'd prefer a leeward one and will be looking to move to one shortly.

In the meantime, I'm lucky in that each berth has a ring on the main pontoon on the opposite side of the berth to the associated finger (Does such a thing have a proper name?). I've found that I can hold the boat away from the pontoon with a warp from the bow to 'my' ring on the main pontoon and another warp from the stern to my neighbours main pontoon ring. The lines run at quite a shallow angle, so aren't the ideal option for holding the boat away from the pontoon, but seem to do so adequately enough.

 

[Robin]

It doesn't matter which side, because when you want to leave the wind will be blowing you hard onto the pontoon and when you return it will be blowing hard off it, according to Newtons first law of boating. For when it is parked, the lee side takes the load off the fenders mind.

 

[DJE]

I have been offered a linear pontoon berth to replace my swinging mooring, that will run along the line of the channel but across the prevailing SW/W winds.

Boat is 32 ft long keel often single or short handed.

If I have a choice is the windward berth better : will be blown on when berthing but more difficult to get off in strong winds and the boat blown onto her fenders, or the leeward berth: getting off easier but getting back on more difficult but less pressure on the fenders.

Do forumites often find they are stuck?

Is the wind direction too variable to worry about the prevailing wind in practice?

Are you going to be near us next season then? Go for the leeward berth it's better most of the time but the occasional SE blow is a bit of a bummer. - That's what finally finished off my hull stripes a few seasons back. - They're not as difficult as marina berths to get onto; in very strong SW winds blowing us off the pontoon we have been known to reverse up to the middle of the berth and put a stern line on to secure her. The boat then lies quitely pointing downwind while we sort out a long bow line and slowly haul her in.

 

[Frankie-H]

A leeward berth every time. I sometimes think that they should give a discount for windward berths because of the constant wear and tear on the hull.

Yup still in agreement! leeward every time. The mistral has now been howling for the best part of 10 days. Blowing us off our berth. All I have to do is check for chafe on our lines. Our neighbour, among many others, is being blown on. I have donated one of our fenders, when 3 of his burst and have changed 2 of his fender lines.

 

[Frankie-H]

The only thing I'd say (because I can't bear to see everyone in agreement) is are you likely to ever end up in a situation where you simply can't get on to your berth and, if so, do you have somewhere else to go, even just a fuel berth or something may be?

As per another thread, I do not have a bow thruster. The winds are likely to be blowing across our berth. The NW'ly Mistral will blow us on but the other major wind is SE'ly and blows us off. Our prop walk is also off the berth. In adverse conditions, I will make sure that we are well fendered on both sides and lean gently against our down wind neighbour. We can then attach our up wind lines, under completely controlled circumstances and either pull the boat across or, more likely, spring her across with the engine.

My biggest problem in this port, is with people who do not know what their boats can or want to do. More damage is done by idiots, who insist on going stern to in strong winds, when the boat does not want to and they can not handle it. Rant over. Sorry

 

[ianat182]

Have you considered that the berth itself may not be the problem so much as the tidal current direction;I guess you're on the Hamble and there are one or two odd places that make berthing 'interesting' due to this situation, mainly on the bends of the river.
But, Yes, definitely the leeward berth, - nice to have the choice!

ianat182

 

[Athene V30]

I have been offered a linear pontoon berth to replace my swinging mooring, that will run along the line of the channel but across the prevailing SW/W winds.

Boat is 32 ft long keel often single or short handed.

Sailing a long keel boat myself usually singlehanded I would stick with the swinging mooring. I HATE pontoon berths. The wind / tide combination is always against the limited propwash and going astern is just a nightmare!

 

[onesea]

Sailing a long keel boat myself usually singlehanded I would stick with the swinging mooring. I HATE pontoon berths. The wind / tide combination is always against the limited propwash and going astern is just a nightmare!

+1 on any boat unless it is a walk ashore pontoon or has other significant advantages of course...

Other wise leeward same as most of the others.

 

[Daedelus]

Leeward side, add midships cleat(s) to the pontoon so you can throw a line from your midships and just hold self there. Lead it to a winch if you like and wind yourself in if it's a bit blowy.