Single Handed Mooring Techniques
- Thread starter Jtcf78911
- Start date
Run a line from the bow back to cockpit. Bring cockpit up to the mooring ball and step out of cockpit with the line to run thru the ball painter. Then as your boat drops back you take up your line while walking it forward and cleat it off
A mad dash is only an invitation to stubbed toes or worse.
I set up my mooring with an extra long line (non-floating) and a second buoy a few feet from the main one, before I cast off.
I'll come up on the mooring bow to wind and continue a bit passed the mooring, then turn the helm so he falls back toward the mooring. I'll go forward, pick up the boat hook and grab the extra long line as the bow passes the mooring and secure it however I can. Then I wait for the boat to come bow to wind and pull in the extra line and drop the eye splice over the cleat.
It's pretty simple system which gives one plenty of time to pick up that extra line, no matter how hard the wind be blowin.
I set up my mooring with an extra long line (non-floating) and a second buoy a few feet from the main one, before I cast off.
I'll come up on the mooring bow to wind and continue a bit passed the mooring, then turn the helm so he falls back toward the mooring. I'll go forward, pick up the boat hook and grab the extra long line as the bow passes the mooring and secure it however I can. Then I wait for the boat to come bow to wind and pull in the extra line and drop the eye splice over the cleat.
It's pretty simple system which gives one plenty of time to pick up that extra line, no matter how hard the wind be blowin.
When I am by myself its just a quick pop up to the bow. Of course my boat is only 20 some feet long and it's not that far. Come up to your ball head to wind and use the boat hook to grab a mooring line. I have two, both with flotation. Also, the dinghy has a line on it that is hooked to one of the mooring lines so, I usually grab that as I can get to it first and then slip the loop in the line over the bow cleat. All situations and boats are different of course so the real answer is the typical sailor answer of "It depends". 
Tom's boat is in Newburyport when on an ebb tide the river is honking so when he says mad dash from cockpit to bow, he really means it. I boated out of there for 15 years & I've had a twin screw powerboat sideways trying to back down into a slip more than once. Couldn't imagine trying to back down a sailboat.
Bob S's suggestion of a mooring stick would work well providing the current doesn't bury it. Go past the mooring till you can reach your arm out of the cockpit & grab the stick. Then just the walk forward as your boat drifts back.
Bob
Bob S's suggestion of a mooring stick would work well providing the current doesn't bury it. Go past the mooring till you can reach your arm out of the cockpit & grab the stick. Then just the walk forward as your boat drifts back.
Bob
There you go Bob! Feeling my pain and unease..but still a challenge I'd like to handle. Merrimack defined as "one of the most dangerous entry ports on the east coast." So of course a rookie like me ends up there...!!
The mast buoy may really help...a 12 footer maybe!! Heard of some interesting mooring approaches utilizing a dinghy left on mooring...i.e. it's essentially a big mooring float...
Thanks for the empathy,
Tom O'Day 28
If there's wind blowing, I "Cross the T" on my mooring. I come up to windward of the buoy, with the wind on my beam. Then I bring the boat to a stop with the buoy a little aft of the bow. As the boat drifts down on the buoy I take the leisurely walk forward with the boat hook to snag the mooring lines. I can usually get both lines on the cleats before they come up tight. It's a plastic buoy so it doesn't bang up the hull.
Even though I live in Newburyport, what's been said about the Merrimack is the reason I keep my 21ft boat in Salem. When I bought my boat I knew it would be too small to sail comfortably in the Merrimack. The only other thing I can add is that I've put pool noodles on the pennants to keep them floating.
You could take a slip instead. But even that comes with hazards
https://www.facebook.com/OceanReality/videos/1663514660538395/
https://www.facebook.com/OceanReality/videos/1663514660538395/
Thanks Tom. I'd like to think my 28 will stand a better chance, but I may also go to Salem...I don't like the river and tides dictating when I can come and go. Which Salem marina are you in? Any moorings available? Tx. Tom O'Day 28.
Or you could adapt this technique.
https://www.facebook.com/1572854079614715/videos/1672935359606586/
https://www.facebook.com/1572854079614715/videos/1672935359606586/
Tom,
I did a short 2 min Youtube on something that might help. It's at;
https://youtu.be/op-fczR45EM
Greg
I did a short 2 min Youtube on something that might help. It's at;
https://youtu.be/op-fczR45EM
Greg
With a small 19 foot sailboat, its not a very big deal. I just motor slowly up to it on the starboard side and grab it with the boat hook. If I miss, I come around again, until it grab it. Once I grab it, it's a piece of cake. I just walk it forward(after turning off the engine), and connect.
Smaller boat and no current to speak of here, but it always worked for me to get close to the ball and, holding a line in both hands, toss a loop around the ball from the cockpit. Then I'd snug the line and cleat both ends off so that I could reach down and grab the mooring lines (tied in a loop, of course). I'd tie a line to the mooring lines or even the buoy ring if I could reach it, lead that line to the bow outside the life lines, through a bow cleat and back to the cockpit. Then I'd release the loop from around the ball, bring in the line and snug the bow up with the other one. From there, the boat is in the right position, no need to rush forward.
Tom, if you want to stay on the Merrimack, check over in Salisbury, there might be slips available over there, and cheaper.
Salem has a couple of options. I use the Salem Water taxi, your rental of the mooring includes launch service. Simplest way to get on the water in Salem. Note, I've only been doing it for two years there. Interestingly, the first week we were there we met two couples, from Newburyport, who had just moved there boats down to Salem because they were tired dealing with the Merrimack and the power boats. The taxi is managed by Hawthorne cove Marina, which is part of the Brewer Yards.
There are several private clubs in the area, Salem Willows, Palmer Cove and Jubilee. Long term they can be cheaper than the taxi, but there is the high initial cost of joining and buying a mooring. Also, some have a waiting list. The rest of my family is involved with other things so I haven't pursued joining a club.
Send me an email through my profile if you want more detail on the clubs.
Salem has a couple of options. I use the Salem Water taxi, your rental of the mooring includes launch service. Simplest way to get on the water in Salem. Note, I've only been doing it for two years there. Interestingly, the first week we were there we met two couples, from Newburyport, who had just moved there boats down to Salem because they were tired dealing with the Merrimack and the power boats. The taxi is managed by Hawthorne cove Marina, which is part of the Brewer Yards.
There are several private clubs in the area, Salem Willows, Palmer Cove and Jubilee. Long term they can be cheaper than the taxi, but there is the high initial cost of joining and buying a mooring. Also, some have a waiting list. The rest of my family is involved with other things so I haven't pursued joining a club.
Send me an email through my profile if you want more detail on the clubs.