Hello We currently use a dock at a local marina, however this year the boat took a heck of a beating. The lake (Lake Champlain)was high, and rough. Now we are considering using a mooring for next season. Never used one and was wondering what was involved, do sailors prefer mooring or docks, what do you use for power solar or wind. My boat has neither and a outboard engine so no alt. Any other info would be appreciated Thanks in advance John
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Mooring
John, We have an O'Day 25 on the Tennessee River/Ft. Loudon Lake here in the mountains of east Tennessee. We belong to a club. The club has quite a few but not unlimited number of slips. I've been there long enough now to be able to get a slip but stay on the mooring. We did two summers in summer/high water slips. Problem is they are closest to the channel and take a real beating. I broke a rudder and never went back. Slips are nice if you like to go to your boat real regularly and putter about with a hose and a rag or sitting and drinking/socializing or plug into shore power to watch TV. But that's why I have a home. Me, I'm lucky if the wind is blowing and I get to go out once a week on average. For that, the two minutes it takes me to row out to my boat is no big deal. Even with this freakishly windy July when I got out a lot I still don't mind the short row. Just make sure to carefully take everything you meant to to the boat as going back and forth is a drag. (still have a small piece of hardware in the trunk I can't seem to remember.) I sail off the mooring and sail back on. I rarely use the motor 'cause I only go out when the wind is blowing. Being on a narrowish body of water with commercial traffic and no shortage of "pleasure" boats too large for the lake makes for lots of wake and lots of banging around in the slip. Mine swings free as needed and I don't worry about my lines working loose if its a couple of weeks between trips. At our club the difference in annual rent is only about $60 between slip and mooring. To each his own. As for me I like the mooring and I think my boat does too. At least the parts where the cleats are attached. Mike
John, We have an O'Day 25 on the Tennessee River/Ft. Loudon Lake here in the mountains of east Tennessee. We belong to a club. The club has quite a few but not unlimited number of slips. I've been there long enough now to be able to get a slip but stay on the mooring. We did two summers in summer/high water slips. Problem is they are closest to the channel and take a real beating. I broke a rudder and never went back. Slips are nice if you like to go to your boat real regularly and putter about with a hose and a rag or sitting and drinking/socializing or plug into shore power to watch TV. But that's why I have a home. Me, I'm lucky if the wind is blowing and I get to go out once a week on average. For that, the two minutes it takes me to row out to my boat is no big deal. Even with this freakishly windy July when I got out a lot I still don't mind the short row. Just make sure to carefully take everything you meant to to the boat as going back and forth is a drag. (still have a small piece of hardware in the trunk I can't seem to remember.) I sail off the mooring and sail back on. I rarely use the motor 'cause I only go out when the wind is blowing. Being on a narrowish body of water with commercial traffic and no shortage of "pleasure" boats too large for the lake makes for lots of wake and lots of banging around in the slip. Mine swings free as needed and I don't worry about my lines working loose if its a couple of weeks between trips. At our club the difference in annual rent is only about $60 between slip and mooring. To each his own. As for me I like the mooring and I think my boat does too. At least the parts where the cleats are attached. Mike
John, We deal with a four foot tide here and
winds from all points of the compass and powerboat wakes. All of the boats slip stern to and use crossed stern lines. springs and bow lines on the floating peirs we keep our stern lines quite tight an the bow lines just keep us from the piles at high tide. The springs keep the stern off the dock.
winds from all points of the compass and powerboat wakes. All of the boats slip stern to and use crossed stern lines. springs and bow lines on the floating peirs we keep our stern lines quite tight an the bow lines just keep us from the piles at high tide. The springs keep the stern off the dock.
Another approach
You probably already have 3 or four fenders. Go buy 3 or 4 more and attach all of them to the dock long ways. Make it so there is no hard surface for your boat to rub on. Use all 7 or 8 and when day sailing, just leave the fenders on the dock. When cruising take 3 or 4 off the dock and put them on board. Those ball type fenders work great tied to the dock. This makes docking less hassle because you do not need to put out fenders and there is nothing hard to run into. You can never have too many fenders.
You probably already have 3 or four fenders. Go buy 3 or 4 more and attach all of them to the dock long ways. Make it so there is no hard surface for your boat to rub on. Use all 7 or 8 and when day sailing, just leave the fenders on the dock. When cruising take 3 or 4 off the dock and put them on board. Those ball type fenders work great tied to the dock. This makes docking less hassle because you do not need to put out fenders and there is nothing hard to run into. You can never have too many fenders.
Mooring
Have used moorings most of my sailing life. I never worry about storms beating my boat into a dock. I never worry about approaching the dock in cross winds and tides. With a mooring there is nothing to beat up your topsides. There is no stray electrical current from the docks to worry about. The only power that's needed is a battery to run the bilge pump if a leak develops and that has a solar panel to back up the charge. Sure having a slip is convenient to just step onto your boat, but the price that the boat pays for it is not worth being able to swing on the mooring when I want a little peace and quiet or just hoist sail and sail right off the mooring and go.
Have used moorings most of my sailing life. I never worry about storms beating my boat into a dock. I never worry about approaching the dock in cross winds and tides. With a mooring there is nothing to beat up your topsides. There is no stray electrical current from the docks to worry about. The only power that's needed is a battery to run the bilge pump if a leak develops and that has a solar panel to back up the charge. Sure having a slip is convenient to just step onto your boat, but the price that the boat pays for it is not worth being able to swing on the mooring when I want a little peace and quiet or just hoist sail and sail right off the mooring and go.
Been on a Mooring 10 yrs, Now in a dock/slip
Here in my LI Sound area, the town mooring fees run ~$150 plus you pay another ~$200 for in/out/inspection every year. Plus you buy your own 350-400 lb mooring mushroom, chain, ball, & pennants. Or you can rent one with launch service for ~$650 a season. Dock/slip fees run ~$50/foot/season (30 ft = $1500) with free water & electric. Private marinas are usually more $$$, if they have room. There is an approx 8-10 yr waiting list for slips, and depending on your boat size, it might be a year or two for a mooring spot. I was on a mooring so long, I had forgotten I was on the list when my name came up. I considered staying on the mooring, knowing my name would not come up again on the list during my lifetime. But I decided to go for a slip, that was 4 yrs ago, and I'll never go back if I can help it. The convenience of walking to your boat and not having to do the "dinghy shuttle" (dinghy to boat, bring boat & dinghy back to dock to get water, fuel, food, supplies, guests, etc. - then reverse the process when coming back from sailing). Even with launch service, you sometimes still have to come back to the dock. As Nick said, be sure you can go back if you want too. Consider all factors carefully.
Here in my LI Sound area, the town mooring fees run ~$150 plus you pay another ~$200 for in/out/inspection every year. Plus you buy your own 350-400 lb mooring mushroom, chain, ball, & pennants. Or you can rent one with launch service for ~$650 a season. Dock/slip fees run ~$50/foot/season (30 ft = $1500) with free water & electric. Private marinas are usually more $$$, if they have room. There is an approx 8-10 yr waiting list for slips, and depending on your boat size, it might be a year or two for a mooring spot. I was on a mooring so long, I had forgotten I was on the list when my name came up. I considered staying on the mooring, knowing my name would not come up again on the list during my lifetime. But I decided to go for a slip, that was 4 yrs ago, and I'll never go back if I can help it. The convenience of walking to your boat and not having to do the "dinghy shuttle" (dinghy to boat, bring boat & dinghy back to dock to get water, fuel, food, supplies, guests, etc. - then reverse the process when coming back from sailing). Even with launch service, you sometimes still have to come back to the dock. As Nick said, be sure you can go back if you want too. Consider all factors carefully.
Boat Slips
I live on the South Shore of Long Island and we do not have any moorings. However, when I first purchased the boat I was on the North Shore where I was placed on a mooring for a few weeks. In addition I had purchased my first boat up on City Island (Bronx) and was on a mooring ball until I could bring the boat around. Having done both (although for a very short period of time) I would never by choice be on a mooring. Having to wait for the launch to get to my boat, or having to load up the dinghy is not for me. I live about 5 minutes form the marina, and I come and go at will. Being a volunteer fireman has allowed me access to all of the firehose I could ever need, and placed on every pole and dock allows me the cushion I need when the wind and tide do not cooperate. I realize that in certain parts of the country, moorings are all that are available, however given the choice; I would chose a slip anytime. I realize money can also be an issue, but think about how much you already spend on being a boat owner. As to the stray current, I replace all my zincs every season, and I hang a "zinc guppy" at the level of my prop and except for the cable itself giving way from coorosion it has not lost any zinc in two seasons. I have all of the fresh water I need for filling water tanks and hosing down. No launch operators to tip for quicker service. I am in a town marina, and I do wish it was better maintained. Rumor has it it is do for a major "facelift" in the next season or two.
I live on the South Shore of Long Island and we do not have any moorings. However, when I first purchased the boat I was on the North Shore where I was placed on a mooring for a few weeks. In addition I had purchased my first boat up on City Island (Bronx) and was on a mooring ball until I could bring the boat around. Having done both (although for a very short period of time) I would never by choice be on a mooring. Having to wait for the launch to get to my boat, or having to load up the dinghy is not for me. I live about 5 minutes form the marina, and I come and go at will. Being a volunteer fireman has allowed me access to all of the firehose I could ever need, and placed on every pole and dock allows me the cushion I need when the wind and tide do not cooperate. I realize that in certain parts of the country, moorings are all that are available, however given the choice; I would chose a slip anytime. I realize money can also be an issue, but think about how much you already spend on being a boat owner. As to the stray current, I replace all my zincs every season, and I hang a "zinc guppy" at the level of my prop and except for the cable itself giving way from coorosion it has not lost any zinc in two seasons. I have all of the fresh water I need for filling water tanks and hosing down. No launch operators to tip for quicker service. I am in a town marina, and I do wish it was better maintained. Rumor has it it is do for a major "facelift" in the next season or two.
2 cents - common sense
The rocket scientist next door, oops, next slip over, told me my cable system wouldn't work. So did the know-it-all at the end of the dock, after all, he had been there over 25 years (our season is 6 months) and he only had a problem once. So what did I do to merit this attention? I replaced my 80% of each dock line with cable. 1/4" plastic coated, with three U-clamps on each end, with locking nuts. There are thimbles on each end. After the cables, the lines start. 5/8" three twist lines. And I cross the lines, From right rear of the boat to left cleat on the dock, and from left rear of the boat to right cleat on the dock. We dock med style, so at the bow there are two poles, with blocks on each. Lines run from the bow of the boat, through blocks on the poles to cleats on the dock. Most of those lines are also cable. 4 years ago my boat got real beat up using only nylon lines. Then I fiured out the cable method. Not a problem since. There is no chafe to worry about because the cables don't stretch or give. There is no sawing of the boat in half as some people claim would happen. The naysayers were all wrong. In fact, now everyone is going to this system, and if they don't do cables, they at least cross the lines at the aft end (the part of the boat closest to the docks). And I don't put fenders out. They would get caught in the lines and the boat never touches the lines, so why have them out? We dock stern in, which means you could tie up this way, but it would work for any other way to I suppose. Oh yeah, the little nylon line I do have gives me just the right amount of stretch and play so the boat doesn't jerk when waves come through, or the wind does its thing. Only not as much as 100% nylon lines did.
The rocket scientist next door, oops, next slip over, told me my cable system wouldn't work. So did the know-it-all at the end of the dock, after all, he had been there over 25 years (our season is 6 months) and he only had a problem once. So what did I do to merit this attention? I replaced my 80% of each dock line with cable. 1/4" plastic coated, with three U-clamps on each end, with locking nuts. There are thimbles on each end. After the cables, the lines start. 5/8" three twist lines. And I cross the lines, From right rear of the boat to left cleat on the dock, and from left rear of the boat to right cleat on the dock. We dock med style, so at the bow there are two poles, with blocks on each. Lines run from the bow of the boat, through blocks on the poles to cleats on the dock. Most of those lines are also cable. 4 years ago my boat got real beat up using only nylon lines. Then I fiured out the cable method. Not a problem since. There is no chafe to worry about because the cables don't stretch or give. There is no sawing of the boat in half as some people claim would happen. The naysayers were all wrong. In fact, now everyone is going to this system, and if they don't do cables, they at least cross the lines at the aft end (the part of the boat closest to the docks). And I don't put fenders out. They would get caught in the lines and the boat never touches the lines, so why have them out? We dock stern in, which means you could tie up this way, but it would work for any other way to I suppose. Oh yeah, the little nylon line I do have gives me just the right amount of stretch and play so the boat doesn't jerk when waves come through, or the wind does its thing. Only not as much as 100% nylon lines did.
moorings
We just launched the boat for the first time last week. Launching went well even if was a 7pm. The boat spent the night on the dock but had to be moved before 9am. Our sons raised the mast and put it out on the mooring in the morning. We had planned to trailer the boat each time we used it, but after the hassel of hauling the O"Day 19 out in the dark decided to put it out on the mooring. For us the free moorings are for a limit of two weeks. And between ourselves and friend will be checked everyday. This looks like it will be our plan for next summer also.
We just launched the boat for the first time last week. Launching went well even if was a 7pm. The boat spent the night on the dock but had to be moved before 9am. Our sons raised the mast and put it out on the mooring in the morning. We had planned to trailer the boat each time we used it, but after the hassel of hauling the O"Day 19 out in the dark decided to put it out on the mooring. For us the free moorings are for a limit of two weeks. And between ourselves and friend will be checked everyday. This looks like it will be our plan for next summer also.
mooring vs. slip
I started with a small 17 ft day sailor in the late 70's early 80's and now sail a 26 . I have always been on the hook [mooring] the boats weather the storm rather nicely on the hook , you will see some of the older boats that are normally at the dock move to a mooring for a storm and they normally come thru just fine. However having the best of both worlds is not always feasible, as I age I believe having a launch service and leaving the boat on the hook would make my life a little easier. But for now I'll take the dink ride out over the dock any day. I sometimes just like to sit ouit there and read or swim,so the boat on the hook gives me some privacy also. I too do not use the motor often , usually 1 or maybe as much as 2 tanks of gas will get me thru the whole season. I enjoy sailing off the mooring and sailing back up to it later on. There is an art to it, I will often sail to the dock if the wind and the crowds cooperate. I guess it just comes down to personal preference.
I started with a small 17 ft day sailor in the late 70's early 80's and now sail a 26 . I have always been on the hook [mooring] the boats weather the storm rather nicely on the hook , you will see some of the older boats that are normally at the dock move to a mooring for a storm and they normally come thru just fine. However having the best of both worlds is not always feasible, as I age I believe having a launch service and leaving the boat on the hook would make my life a little easier. But for now I'll take the dink ride out over the dock any day. I sometimes just like to sit ouit there and read or swim,so the boat on the hook gives me some privacy also. I too do not use the motor often , usually 1 or maybe as much as 2 tanks of gas will get me thru the whole season. I enjoy sailing off the mooring and sailing back up to it later on. There is an art to it, I will often sail to the dock if the wind and the crowds cooperate. I guess it just comes down to personal preference.
Slip is Better
We kept our boat on a mooring for a couple of years. It really took a beating from passing powerboats unless everything inside and out was really secure. On trips to the boat you had to either laod everything into the shuttleboat and try to get it safely onboard or wait for space at the dock to tie up and then load everything. The dock made it clear that they didn't like us taking up dock space when they were busy. It was doable and not horrible but I prefer a slip. When possible we tie spring lines so that the boat doesn't touch the dock and put fenders so that if the boat would touch a fender would prevent damage.
We kept our boat on a mooring for a couple of years. It really took a beating from passing powerboats unless everything inside and out was really secure. On trips to the boat you had to either laod everything into the shuttleboat and try to get it safely onboard or wait for space at the dock to tie up and then load everything. The dock made it clear that they didn't like us taking up dock space when they were busy. It was doable and not horrible but I prefer a slip. When possible we tie spring lines so that the boat doesn't touch the dock and put fenders so that if the boat would touch a fender would prevent damage.
There are many factors to consider.
If your slip is located in an area that is relatively calm and protected from wind and tide, there is nothing better than to have the convenience of walking up the dock to your boat. We had our boat in a protected (from the wind) cove on our lake and it was nice. but it was on the other side of the lake so the drive was not convenient and it cost 3 to 4 times more than our current mooring and there was no power or water. So we did not want to continue there. I've also had our boat in a slip at a marina that has horrible exposure to northwest winds in the late fall while waiting for the yard to pull it out. The problem there was that frequently, a strong wind would wreak havok in the marina. I got a rash on the gelcoat on the bow during one blow from rubbing against the wood decking, and there were a few days when I considered sailing, but I didn't want to risk a mishap in the fairway due to the high wind and waves coming in. In the slip, the boat was sloshing back and forth in the churning water way more than you would consider to be comfortable and certainly prevented me from puttering around on the boat. And with those inconveniences, this is easily the highest priced marina on the lake. Now we keep our boat on a mooring that is much more convenient to home and also a very pleasant county park. Even though some strong winds can come in from the west, its exposure to southwest and northwest is fairly protected, but being on a mooring, it is never uncomfortable. I use dual tethers and make sure every visit that they are not being worn. The inconvenience is a big problem though. I tolerate the dingy shuffle but my wife hates it. It is a real nuisance when dealing with the dog on occasion. More than once, I have swum back to shore when my wife got fed up with me and didn't feel like waiting for me to tidy up. *grr If I had a decent slip, I would keep it for sure.
If your slip is located in an area that is relatively calm and protected from wind and tide, there is nothing better than to have the convenience of walking up the dock to your boat. We had our boat in a protected (from the wind) cove on our lake and it was nice. but it was on the other side of the lake so the drive was not convenient and it cost 3 to 4 times more than our current mooring and there was no power or water. So we did not want to continue there. I've also had our boat in a slip at a marina that has horrible exposure to northwest winds in the late fall while waiting for the yard to pull it out. The problem there was that frequently, a strong wind would wreak havok in the marina. I got a rash on the gelcoat on the bow during one blow from rubbing against the wood decking, and there were a few days when I considered sailing, but I didn't want to risk a mishap in the fairway due to the high wind and waves coming in. In the slip, the boat was sloshing back and forth in the churning water way more than you would consider to be comfortable and certainly prevented me from puttering around on the boat. And with those inconveniences, this is easily the highest priced marina on the lake. Now we keep our boat on a mooring that is much more convenient to home and also a very pleasant county park. Even though some strong winds can come in from the west, its exposure to southwest and northwest is fairly protected, but being on a mooring, it is never uncomfortable. I use dual tethers and make sure every visit that they are not being worn. The inconvenience is a big problem though. I tolerate the dingy shuffle but my wife hates it. It is a real nuisance when dealing with the dog on occasion. More than once, I have swum back to shore when my wife got fed up with me and didn't feel like waiting for me to tidy up. *grr If I had a decent slip, I would keep it for sure.
solar power
I love my mooreing, much better sleeping and the boat rides out the storms better .The 12pm dog walks are bad im 600 feet from the beach and the cold windy dog walds in the snow are worse .but i still love being moored out. I have a 70 watt solar pannel on SS bimini hard ware and use 2 32watt flex pannels on the boom if i need it. I was runing 2 70 watt pannels and 2 32watt flex pannels and its enough power to run the refer all the time in june july augest I have three stage charging and large alt but in the summer it stays on flote charge 13.8 volts wount kick up to charge 14.1volts. my refer died the end of last year now i use just one 70watt pannel.my alt was on the blink last year for two months and never new it . John
I love my mooreing, much better sleeping and the boat rides out the storms better .The 12pm dog walks are bad im 600 feet from the beach and the cold windy dog walds in the snow are worse .but i still love being moored out. I have a 70 watt solar pannel on SS bimini hard ware and use 2 32watt flex pannels on the boom if i need it. I was runing 2 70 watt pannels and 2 32watt flex pannels and its enough power to run the refer all the time in june july augest I have three stage charging and large alt but in the summer it stays on flote charge 13.8 volts wount kick up to charge 14.1volts. my refer died the end of last year now i use just one 70watt pannel.my alt was on the blink last year for two months and never new it . John
It is this Simple
I live in a neigborhood. It is a nice enough place. You have your people and their dogs and kids and their bright lights and their music and so on. My boat on the other hand sits 1500 feet off shore floating on a hook 600 feet from any other mooring -- Their is fifteen of us floating inside the break wall of the Lower Harbor in Marquette Michigan on Lake Superior. With all that said, I will gladly paddle out with any amount of hassles with stuff or animal or any thing else. There is nothing nicer than just sitting out there with a view that changes with the wind. The marina is nice too. It has its people and dogs and music and kids and bright lights and they are 4' away in nice neat little rows. No thanks. I can have that at home and have a yard with a fence. Dont skimp on your mooring anchor, mine is a 2500lb block of rebar enforced concrete. Dont kimp on the chain and be sure to ad a swivel in there. Have fun and hands down on the mooring over the Marina. -S-
I live in a neigborhood. It is a nice enough place. You have your people and their dogs and kids and their bright lights and their music and so on. My boat on the other hand sits 1500 feet off shore floating on a hook 600 feet from any other mooring -- Their is fifteen of us floating inside the break wall of the Lower Harbor in Marquette Michigan on Lake Superior. With all that said, I will gladly paddle out with any amount of hassles with stuff or animal or any thing else. There is nothing nicer than just sitting out there with a view that changes with the wind. The marina is nice too. It has its people and dogs and music and kids and bright lights and they are 4' away in nice neat little rows. No thanks. I can have that at home and have a yard with a fence. Dont skimp on your mooring anchor, mine is a 2500lb block of rebar enforced concrete. Dont kimp on the chain and be sure to ad a swivel in there. Have fun and hands down on the mooring over the Marina. -S-
Stuart we almost never stay at the marina
If we have time we almost never stay at the marina. That's why we have a boat "to sail away to someplace". This past weekend we spent one night anchored in a cove and the next night tied at the marina. But there was a purpose for staying at the marina. We wanted to shower and to eat at the seafood buffet. We considered grilling out at an anchorage that looked like it might have some gators but the thought of piles of all you can eat snow crabs won out. We have looked at a couple of exposed marinas where we didn't want a slip. The Panama city marina is really exposed to some winds and even though they had a slip available we decided that it would be too rough. But at Watson's Bayou marina the boat didn't bounce around even when a hurricane was near. Now we are in a lake in a small cove that is further protected by three large coal barges parked across the front of the cove. It is never rough and there is little wind most days. If a marina is too rough look for another marina.
If we have time we almost never stay at the marina. That's why we have a boat "to sail away to someplace". This past weekend we spent one night anchored in a cove and the next night tied at the marina. But there was a purpose for staying at the marina. We wanted to shower and to eat at the seafood buffet. We considered grilling out at an anchorage that looked like it might have some gators but the thought of piles of all you can eat snow crabs won out. We have looked at a couple of exposed marinas where we didn't want a slip. The Panama city marina is really exposed to some winds and even though they had a slip available we decided that it would be too rough. But at Watson's Bayou marina the boat didn't bounce around even when a hurricane was near. Now we are in a lake in a small cove that is further protected by three large coal barges parked across the front of the cove. It is never rough and there is little wind most days. If a marina is too rough look for another marina.
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