Mooring Ball Virgin

[sailaway78]

Well now, zeehag posted up on another thread that we were coming into a mooring field and I had never ever had to pick up a mooring ball before. And of course the comment was made by Ross, as to how many attempts it would take. So I will have you to know, that with the wind blowing 25 to 30 ( weather reports, not my guess ) I just eased up to the ball, and we got hooked up on the first pass. Nothing to it, just kind a hang it on the prop, and let her pick up the mooring. Maybe a little luck involved, as the wind didn't catch the bow, and try to turn us around, but for the sake of argument, will just call it skill. Had plenty of time to get the dink in the water, go check in and pay up, grab a really good pizza, and back on the boat long before dark.

 

[Ross]

Well done! I just had to yank your mooring chain. lol

 

[zeehag]

lol i did also---i always had to do it without anyone on bow waiting lol....even in the wind!!!!
we found a wonderful [pizza place---there are 3 in ft myers so far---2 wonderful and one goood---lol--the wonderful ones are on second floor at matanzas and one owned by old men with noo jawrk accents a bit down the main drag, and the good one is surf pies lol.....so now for the purchase of food items and showers and such!!! and a luncheon date with seadaddler!!!

 

[kloudie1]

Ahhh. Good to hear yall are having fiun and enjoying the exploration !!
Mooring Noobs.. We did the pickup from the stern platform/garage door of my buddy's boat.. None of us had done one before but we came along side and had no problem since we were at the same level as the ball.

 

[ChuckThomas]

sounds like y'all are having a blast. wish i were with y'all.

 

[zeehag]

lol----we had a lovely luncheon with seadaddler and his wife--they are coool.... she keeps him in line well!!! both are from noo jawrk in a past life and brought out the accent in me as well .lol.....meeeting you folks is a gas--want to meet more!!!!

mooring ball virgin---everyone has to be a virgin at something lol....isnt really that difficult to pick up a ball--if i can do it solo, anyone can do it with help !!!! is just a matter of approach and pick up and avoidance of drift and avoidance of being blown to sea lol....but, most importantly, is the avoidance of being laffed off the dang ball by entertained neighbors ......
is fun to laugh about and play with, tho, isnt it!!!!

 

[Bad Obsession]

Just as I say about docking....It is a controlled Crash landing. The times I say that docking will be hard I do it like a pro. The times I think that it will be easy I make several approaches!

 

[zeehag]

so far i have heard no guffaws coming from boats--but there is always a first time ..LOL

 

[PaulK]

Our mooring field is set up so tightly that you have to pick up both a bow and a stern line. The prevailing amusement is to have a drink on the upper deck and watch visitors (and the occasional member...) exhibit their boathandling skills. The first attached photo is from late October, when most of the fleet has moved towards winter storage or warmer water. Imagine it full- more like the second shot, to make it more real. We only sail in to pick up our mooring(s) when I know we have enough crew to get the spinnaker down before we have to make the turn.

 

[zeehag]

paul k--sounds as hairy as in th ecommercial basin, aka america cup harbor in san diego and in avalon!!! entertainment tonight takes a new meaning when the noobs come in and try to pick up..lol....in coronado we also like to watch the groundings on the unmarked shoal just to port of us and before the bridge..lol..is definitely a point if interest----see how many folks are sailing with depth sounders and who isnt.....the water over the shoal gets as short as 1 1/2 ft under the bridge..lol...even trimarans have become caught by it!
ye know they are watching in my neighborhood when ye suddenly cannot see anyone on deck and ye hear a lot of laughter.....

 

[PaulK]

We've got a shoal out by the breakwater too, but it's too far out to see well from the deck - you can see there's a tree in the way.

 

[zeehag]

dang ---takes all the fun out of entertainment tonite lol.....rig mirrors..lol