Catching Mooring Bouys

[comsnark]

This weekend, I did something stupid. OK. . .I admit it. I made a mistake, had predictable goof ball result. Now I want to know how I could have done it better.

On Sunday, between thunderstorms, the crew and I headed to our favorite watering hole. Usually, the easiest docking method is to send someone to the bow to grab a line off a mooring ball. This time. . .the water was a tad rough, and nobody really wanted to crawl on the bow (my boat is a 280SS cuddy) to grab the mooring line with a hook.

So the question was asked: Why don't we snag the mooring line on the stern, then walk the line up to the bow? It would be ALOT easier to grab the line from inside the passenger compartment at the stern. Well. . .worst case would be "mooring line in prop"; but that risk seemed reasonable considering the pitching of the bow.

So, we make the approach. The line is retrieved and onboard. . and a second later we realize: Ain't nobody walking to the bow with THAT line in hand. Fortunately, I had shut down the engines. . .because the mooring line had already snagged on a skeg of the one of the outdrives. (clearly, I approached the bouy from the wrong direction. IDIOT!) Thanks to the wisdom of having the engines off, the line was not wrapped around the prop, merely raising the drive allowed the line to slip off and freed the boat.

We did not make a second approach, as while this was going on we were approached by the "water taxi" and informed that the mooring bouys were "shut down due to rough weather".

* * * * * * *

So here is the question: What is the best way to moor on a ball in rough weather like this, when you don't want to sent someone to the bow with a hook?

a) Give up and go home.

B1) Send admiral foward in life jacket with hook and hope the admiral doesn't fall in.
B2) Make sure Admiral's life insurance is paid up and send her forward with hook and high heel shoes.

C) Tie long line on bow cleat (you can keep your center of mass on the boat centerline); Then grab mooring bouy from stern and IMMEDIATELY tie on bow line onto the mooring line. Then after boat spins around, go forward and haul up the bow line. Better approach slow and from downwind to make this happen.

D) Heck with the Mooring ball: Toss the anchor. (Although. . .I wasn't going to leave the boat alone on a Hook in that weather!)

Any thoughts?

 

[dpvandy01]

Any option of passing to the starboard where you can have a good eye on it and hooking the ball as you pass?? sort of like when you pass back around to collect a fallen skiier or tuber?

 

[comsnark]

That was the idea; but once you have the line in hand, it immediately comes under tension. Walking forward (down the center of the boat) with a line under load in rough conditions is not desired.

 

[Alex F]

Hey comsnark,

That was some quick passing storm on Sunday. We were chilling at the usual spot and clear blue skies turned very dark grey and here it comes fast and hard. It was interesting to how people were taking off. About 70% of the crafts all sizes took off during the passing storm. In my opinion it wasn't smartest thing to do. If one is in a open boat, listen to the forcast and be prepaired to take off before storm approaches, not during. If you have canvas or hard top or whatever keeps you dry, why take off if you're in the safe harbor? We simply continued to stay on the hook and enjoy mather nature "painting" it's way through. It was actually very nice seen when half of the sky remained dark gray with pooring rain and the other have was clearing up with some sunshine.

As for mooring ball situation you had there, if I was in your situation I would do the following:
1. Get the rain gear out (at least hooded jacket) and have a person wear it.
2. If everyone chickens out then, the next question is if there's anyone who you trust (admiral or a friend) taking control of your helm. If the answer is yes, I'd do the dirty work and make sure they listen to my commands.
3. If there's no one to take your spot and/or go to the bow for that line (your crew stinks )), just kidding, I would pick the right approach to the ball and pass it while catching it by the stern. Tie it to the stern cleat and when the boat is secured I would go for the bow line, bring it to the stern to re-arrange things the right way and get it secured by the bow.
4. I would not back the boat up to the ball, unless I'm going against the wind. This way I know that of I put the boat in neutral the wind will push me away from the ball and I'm safe. I wouldn't shut my engines until the boat is secured. No need to warry about the line if the boat is not in any gear (neutral). By shutting the engine you have greater risk of collission in case if you fail to get that line and have the boat secured on time.
5. Lastly, being on the hook in a safe harbor near by is just as good, if we're talking about something reasonable like that passing quick storm we had.

Just my .02c

Alex.

 

[Bridog]

Sorry not much help but...what watering hole and where is it? I figure if you like it it must be good food and drinks.

 

[fc3]

Sounds like the Water's Edge. The location is very exposed to prevailing winds which make any kind of blow on the bay a bit on the rough side.

a) if you can't do it easily, comfortably, and safely, it's not worth doing it. Boating is supposed to be fun.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[tsandu]

I do this all the time single handed with my rinker 270 (even in fairly rough conditions).. What i do is.. before i get to the mooring, I get a rope slighly longer then the boat, go on the bow, tie it to the front cleat, then throw the rope on the side of the boat, towards the back..., i then loosely tie it on a cleat on the back.. i then reverse into the wind towards the mooring.. the closer i get the slower i go.. when i get about 10ft away, i put it in neutral.. go to the back with the hook, catch the mooring.. and using bit of muscle bring the mooring ball on the swim platform to attach the rope i attached to the bow earlier. The stronger winds it is the harder it is to hold the boat.. and sometimes my muscles do get a workout.. anyway after tieing the mooring to the line attached to the bow, i head toward the bow, and slowly "reel" the mooring in.. i use the wave action to help me bring her in.. ie when bow goes down, i pull the rope.. when bow goes up, i tighten it on the cleat.. do this for about 1 min until mooring is in your hand, then just tie it up.. first time i thought.. yikes i'm never going to get this.. however after a few goes, its become prety easy.. its easier to do then friends getting out on the bow who do not know exactly what to do.. or have the misses get on the bow in rough conditions not being able to hold on the mooring line.. after its secured to the mooring i switch engines of..

 

[comsnark]

Yup. Talking about Waters Edge.
Not many dining choices out on the Barnegate. Water's edge is in a VERY exposed spot, and even on good boating days the docking is rough. One would NEVER chose that area to anchor.

Water's Edge has slips in addition to the Mooring bouys: but getting into those slips is often a challenge because of the wind and waves. I like being in a slip, but if the weather isn't calm I get lazy and look for a Bouy.

On Sunday, the conditions were goofy enough that once the bouys proved not to be an option (per restauraunt managment), the decision to not try the docks was unanimous.The approach could have been done "safely", but neither easily or comfortably.

And regarding storms: We were talking last weekend and we realized that it is generally raining when we are there more often than not. More than once we have left home when a storm is on the approaching; arrived with rain imminent; and left after the storm has passed.

 

[fc3]

A few years ago, we went to the Water's Edge. It was pretty sloppy, but we got into a slip OK. But while tying up, no one was watching the stern and the boat received a nice gouge to the swim platform. Considering that the food isn't all that good now that Jenkinson's took the place over, we skip it. Since Windows on the Bay closed, it's either Tom's river or Point Pleasant for on-water restaurants.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[rondds]

if conditions are a bit snotty, i think it'd be more dangerous walking a line up to the bow than climbing up to the bow with a boathook and grabbing the line. a stiff wind, tiny little side-decks, 1-2' chop and all the strain of holding onto the sludgey, slimey wet line as the boat wants to blow AWAY from the mooring? that's a much worse recipe.

and forget those slips at water's edge - with no shelter from wind and boat wakes, you'd spend 2 hours perfecting a scheme to tie the boat up so that it doesnt get hammered while you are TRYING to enjoy your corona.

unless conditions are perfect, i will skip the dock-n-dine if i dont have SOLID crew on board. we all know landlubbers are useless and most admirals can only do so much alone (apologies to those with admirals who ROCK). i feel much more comfortable if i have another boater (or boaters) on board. that being said, my admiral did a bang up job grabbing the mooring line SOLO on this calm day at water's edge!

 

[Alex F]

Since Windows on the Bay closed, it's either Tom's river or Point Pleasant for on-water restaurants.

Frank, any recommendations?

 

[comsnark]

Point Pleasant is too far for an evening jaunt for me. . .I start out South of the canal.

Is there anywhere else on Toms River other than the Lobster Shanty? There isn't much water back there. . and we have not been impressed by the food.

Rondds is right. . the slips at Water's Edge are dodgy. When I was in the slips, keeping the outdrives from banging into the dock (while still being able to board the boat) was difficult. There are exactly TWO spots where you can tie broadside to a finger pier such that the boat lies downwind and downstream of the chop. If those slots aren't open. . I ignore the docks. Even so. . when docked there, the boat is bobbing like a cork the entire time you are there.

I like the idea of the extended mooring line from the bow to tie to the mooring ball. . .but at this point I suspect if we find ourselves resorting to this, then maybe the day will always be too rough for the water taxi. . so the point would be moot.

 

[Weave]

OK being a noob to this kind of thing and trying to learn I am wondering how one knows this is a public mooring buoy? Is this something established over VHF? Common knowledge or buoy markings??

 

[comsnark]

Usually, I assume private buoys.

But here. . .restaurant. . no marina. . . water taxi. . . those are "public" bouys!

 

[Alex F]

Is there anywhere else on Toms River other than the Lobster Shanty? There isn't much water back there. . and we have not been impressed by the food.

I like the idea of the extended mooring line from the bow to tie to the mooring ball. . .but at this point I suspect if we find ourselves resorting to this, then maybe the day will always be too rough for the water taxi. . so the point would be moot.

In TR I know only Labster Shanty. Did anyone try Pilot House?

From what I know Water's Edge has limited spacing between those mooring balls, so I'm not sure if extending the bow line is an option. If you're there for couple of hours the wind direction may change and what looked to be safe distance to begin with may end up a problem if the boat move in different direction.

The only issue I found with those mooring balls at WE is that some were missing their lines. in this case you either look for differnt ball, or use your line and start from the stern if the bow is too high. Even on my 240DA I couldn't get the line attach to the ball from the bow, so I had to start my way from the stern and then walk the line to the bow and make the adjustment.

 

[rondds]

pilot house is good but good luck navigating back there

clarks landing is up on the right a bit after you exit the canal. if you take a left out of the canal and head under the new (26' clearance) Rt. 70 bridge there's marina grill (formerly petersons).

 

[comsnark]

I like the marina grill. Plus. . .you get to look at the boats at Marine Max.

Pilot House is very good. We go there regularly now. We generally eat towards evening; and there is no way I will navigate the sticks after dark.

The bouys at W.E. are tight. . generally don't have a problem with the lines. If I do the "rope trick", I would make sure I have empty bouys around; and I won't leave two lines in series as I head for food.

 

[Tacoma290]

Back to topic, I like grabbing buoys from the stern. Another poster's response was pretty much right on. Here is how I do it:

Approach from upwind/upcurrent so that a "miss" sends the boat by the buoy without the prop getting caught;
Attach the buoy to a separate line from the stern;
Have a long line pre-run from the bow to the stern;
Run this bow line through the buoy eye (while buoy is still made to the stern line);
The bow line is almost twice the boat's length so I am able to go to the bow before there is tension. I can then start pulling from a safe position as I direct the mate let the stern line go;
Slow and steady pulls timed with the waves brings the line in.
Back to topic, I like grabbing buoys from the stern. Another poster's response was pretty much right on. Here is how I do it:

Approach from upwind/upcurrent so that a "miss" sends the boat by the buoy without the prop getting caught;
Attach the buoy to a separate line from the stern;
Have a long line pre-run from the bow to the stern;
Run this bow line through the buoy eye (while buoy is still made to the stern line);
The bow line is almost twice the boat's length so I am able to go to the bow before there is tension. I can then start pulling from a safe position as I direct the mate let the stern line go;
Slow and steady pulls timed with the waves brings the line in.

 

[rondds]

we drove (by car) over to shrimp box on saturday evening. there was lotsa room at the dock until a late 90s early/00s 480DB(?) pulled in (in the pouring rain). i had never eaten here but great food, great service, easy approach (and calm - in a lagoon off the channel). AND a great early bird diner menu (before 5pm:thumbsup

 

[comsnark]

Where is this "shrimp box"?