Specifications on Line/Clips for Mooring at Bouy

[TMT]

Looking for suggestions on line and clip specification for mooring my Ranger Tug 21EC at a mooring bouy. How long should the line be for my weight of boat? How thick should the line be? What type, material and size should the clip be? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Chimo]

If you’re talking about a permanent mooring pendant attached to the buoy I will bow to the knowledge of others. If you’re thinking of an overnight or few nights then take a look at the pendant in my album. That’s what I use to make picking up a buoy single handed really simple and stress free.

 

[knotflying]

For a permanent setup you need two lines for safety and they should be attached to the mooring ball with a shackle wired so it will not loosen and the lines should have metal thimbles so they do not wear. See this link for the mooring line. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/new-...P8P50yWDAFgOIlz031BAGdTC7Fu79iBIaAsZHEALw_wcB

 

[TugScout]

I use a hook and retrieval system that is very slick. You can see a picture of it in my album. The two lines that return from the hook are each about 10' long and when attached to the buoy run through the two bow chocks and secure to the cleat.

When it's time to leave, I just use the boat pole and grab the wire loop on the hook and it pops right off.

This system was introduced to me by fellow tugnuts members John and Laurie Gray during their small boat cruising workshop. It's a great weekend of information and fun for anyone cruising in small boats. Their blogs are linked on the homepage of this forum.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[knotflying]

I use a hook and retrieval system that is very slick. You can see a picture of it in my album. The two lines that return from the hook are each about 10' long and when attached to the buoy run through the two bow chocks and secure to the cleat.

When it's time to leave, I just use the boat pole and grab the wire loop on the hook and it pops right off.

This system was introduced to me by fellow tugnuts members John and Laurie Gray during their small boat cruising workshop. It's a great weekend of information and fun for anyone cruising in small boats. Their blogs are linked on the homepage of this forum.

Cheers,
Mark

Nice system, but I would be reluctant to use that as a permanent set up if the boat is always on the mooring. In our harbor they require two separate connections with a shackle. If one line fails the other is still there. Probably not a likelihood that one would fail, but if I were away from the boat for a long period of time I would sleep better knowing that I have two independent lines. I use a small mast buoy which makes it easy to grab and pickup the lines right at the bow without having to reach down to the mooring ball or use a pole. See link https://www.boatersland.com/tay2210...mYtjdcDF8b68wDwkblFoAVDOuUHYwP6hoC3nEQAvD_BwE

 

[TugScout]

Nice system, but I would be reluctant to use that as a permanent set up if the boat is always on the mooring.

Absolutely agree. I would never use this for permanent mooring and didn't mean to imply such. I only use this for transient moorage for a night or two while cruising and always set an anchor alarm as well just in case something happened during the night and the boat begins to wander off.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Chimo]

I use a hook and retrieval system that is very slick. You can see a picture of it in my album. The two lines that return from the hook are each about 10' long and when attached to the buoy run through the two bow chocks and secure to the cleat.

When it's time to leave, I just use the boat pole and grab the wire loop on the hook and it pops right off.

This system was introduced to me by fellow tugnuts members John and Laurie Gray during their small boat cruising workshop. It's a great weekend of information and fun for anyone cruising in small boats. Their blogs are linked on the homepage of this forum.

Cheers,
Mark

That looks a great system for overnight. How would one deploy single handed on a windy day or in a current? Wouldn’t one need someone on the bow during approach?

 

[TugScout]

That looks a great system for overnight. How would one deploy single handed on a windy day or in a current? Wouldn’t one need someone on the bow during approach?

I guess like anything, it depends on how much wind or current there is. 🙂

Normally on a calm day I will position the buoy along the side of the cockpit and hook it with the pole. Then I just carefully make my way to the bow while holding the lines and connect it.

When there is mild current or wind, I pre-run the bow line to the cockpit (my bow line is 25'. just short of being able to tangle my prop) and tie it off on a hand railing. When it's time to hook up, I tie the two loop ends of the hook lines to the bow line and then I'm able to make my way up through the forward hatch and pull the boat to the buoy.

If winds were so bad that I couldn't reach the buoy with my 8' pole or current so strong that I couldn't get the boat in position I would likely go to "plan B" and find someplace else to moor.

 

[Chimo]

When there is mild current or wind, I pre-run the bow line to the cockpit (my bow line is 25'. just short of being able to tangle my prop) and tie it off on a hand railing. When it's time to hook up, I tie the two loop ends of the hook lines to the bow line and then I'm able to make my way up through the forward hatch and pull the boat to the buoy.

That looks perfect, actually very similar to the pendant idea I use except that I always run the actual pendant back to the cockpit. Your setup has the advantage of having a double line to the buoy. Thanks.

I wish more people would pick up at the cockpit with an existing bow line. The remote thruster control makes it much easier. Too often one sees people either have a crew member struggling to hold a buoy ring with a boat hook while they try and put a line through it or pick up at the cockpit and then risk getting dragged off the side as they attempt to reach the bow to tie off while holding a taut line.

 

[Red Raven]

We always have grabbed the buoy from the cockpit but several times have scratched the boat while bringing the line forward. I think maybe using this clip would allow me to stay further from the ball while clipping and going forward. I have ordered one! Great tip!

Curt