Mooring equipment and pennant lengths

[Richie50]

I'm very excited to have received my first mooring permit today however I need some assistance. Based on the below regulations I have a few questions from the experts.

What length should the pennants be and are they saying I need to use 2 pennant lines?

What is the length of the top chain to be?

Is the reference to high tide is a figure for me to determine or is a figure the harbor would supply?

Any other related information for a first time "mooring" will be greatly appreciated

Just trying to make sure I have all the right equipment when I go the harbor for the inspection prior to installing the mooring. I’m about 2 hours away from the harbor and cannot get there during the day. I spend the weekends there all summer or as soon as the weather is right. I tried placing a call to the harbor and didn’t get the information.

My Catalina C22 is considered a large boat for the purpose of the below chart.

Thanks

Regulations
Anchorage Specifications for Large Boat Moorings
Mushroom Anchor 200 lbs.
Bottom Chain 3/8” Galv. 20’
Top Chain 5/16” Galv.
Nylon Dacron Line 5/8”
Stainless Steel Chain 5/16”
Wire ¼”

The effective length of each of the above pennant lines shall be two (2) lines the distance from the bow chock to the water plus the distance from the bow chock to the mooring cleat, or shall be two (2) times the distance from the stem mooring ring to the water. All pennants shall be six (6) feet in length.

The length of the top chain shall be determined by the depth of the water in the assigned mooring area and the total scope shall be at least 40’ or two and one-half (2-1/2) times the depth of the water at high tide as determined from local charts, whichever is greater.

Thanks again,

Richie

 

[Roger Long]

There is a generic, generally accepted set of standards here:

http://www.capeelizabeth.com/harbormaster/Mooring_Standards.htm

A lot of the cost is in the labor. The incremental cost of going heavier on the gear isn't much and you'll sleep better at night.

 

[Maine Sail]

I suspect your town has not studied moorings well. That's okay many have not. 3/8" chain for a permanent mooring is VERY light and can wear out quickly. Equal length pendants wear EQUALLY as fast in a storm, not the best situation. Good mooring installers will usually recommend two un-equal length pendants so one is always a new fresh spare. If you chafe through the first one you have a virtually brand new one ready to go.

I much prefer 3-4X bow height for a pendant plus cleat distance as it softens the radius over the chock..

Too short foreground / good length back ground:

Another good pendant length:

 

[Richie50]

Thanks for the insight. I also reviewed the information in the Compass Marine Services "how to" link. Good stuff.

 

[Don12364]

A picture sometimes helps. See attached sketch.
I think there is a typo in your previous and they meant to say
The effective length of each of the above pennant lines shall be two (2) TIMES the distance from the bow chock to the water etc.
However two rope pennants are good in exposed locations as Maine shows and it is surprising how quickly one can chafe through, particularly if nobody is on board to check.
I read the requirements as meaning that in deep water the chain length to be 2.5 x depth (in my sketch depth is 50' rode is 125').
In shallow water the scope allowed for the boat to move and pitch in rough water needs to be not lass than 40'.
As already stated 5/16" chain is too light and the idea of having a lighter riser chain for bigger boat moorings was to make it easier to pull up and not need such a large buoy.
Tip: If you get a buoy with a hole through the middle and fit length of 3/4" plastic water pipe tube through it with a wrapping of lead sheet (from plumbing supplier) on the bottom, then you can pick it up from deck level without need for a boathook. Also helps others to see it and not chop it off with their props!

Sorry the pic is so poor but this site ALWAYS takes my .jpgs and renders them a quarter of the file size even though they were already a fraction of the max permitted.
Anyone know of a work around or how to load .pdf or .doc files please?:cussing:

 

[sinnettc]

We're usually in a marina on a reservoir, but I'm curious for our next trip to the San Juans: Does the 2-4x bow-water measurement hold true when you're on a transient mooring ball as well? I don't recall anyone running that much line when we were up there last summer.

Also, while we're on the subject, what's the approved knot for tying off to a mooring bouy ring? I ran my line from one cleat, through the ring, and back to the cleat on the other side of the bow, but I know that would have chafed through pretty quickly in a blow.

 

[w4pyleii]

I used an anchor hitch (fisherman's hitch or bend) on my mooring last summer. I've heard it's a good knot to use as it will clamp down under pressure and won't slip as much, so less chafe. Mine was premanent though, not sure how easy the knot would be to undo if you want your line back.