Ep 54: Picking Up a Mooring Buoy Part 2

Welcome to Episode 54 of Carpe Diem Sailing. In my first video on mooring buoys viewers and subscribers made several suggestions outlining alternatives such as how to run the line through the ring, picking up the mooring buoy from the stern and backing onto the buoy. In this video I explore all those suggestions and try them out.
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[@alrenobenjamin6566]

Don't ever stop making these videos, you may not realize it but you are doing n incredible education service

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Hi Alreno. Thank you for the very kind and encouraging comment!

[@goodlifehomebrew6339]

I absolutely love the way you are happy to correct your advice in the light of viewers suggestions. This gives me total confidence in the accuracy of your videos - not that I doubted them anyway.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Hey Goodllife, Wow! Thank you for the kind comment. I’m delighted you’re enjoying the content.

[@Misteribel]

That's some real dedication to your audience. Reading the comments, evaluating them, and ultimately making a new video with additional tips and tricks. I like the stern approach, mostly because it's lower, and you've better visual. Especially single handed, this is probably the way to go. When it comes to chafing, I'm always looking for ways to improve, it's the single most likely reason why i need to buy new lines every two years (and i use protecters). When there's a lot of swell, and it's windy with steep waves, i often need many tries to catch the buoy. I've occasionally slung a line around the whole buoy, let it sink until it got to the chain under the buoy and then tighten it. Not ideal and not safe (it can slip from under it), but I'd then take the dinghy with a line to properly attach it.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Thank you for the comment and support. Some good ideas there

[@windonwater3895]

Thanks for the great video. I've been told this before and I often single hand but I've never done it this way (Old Dogs/New Tricks). It's so nice to hear you acknowledge the contribution of others for these tips. We ALL have things we can learn. Your gift is the ability to clearly communicate and produce great videos. Who cares whose idea it was! Thanks again. Ron

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Thank you so much for the kind comments Ron 🙏 I appreciate it

[@SoundzAlive1]

I throw a loop over the buoy as I have high sides on my catamaran. But it is basically the same technique. Our buoys are a ball so it works and may not work on your buoys as they seem to sit lower in the water. Yes, we are always learning and glad you access the merit of the comments, kudos to you. André in Sydney

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Thanks Andre! I appreciate it.

[@matthewhigginbottom8328]

Another great video. And answered a question that I was thinking about. Once again thank you for consistently helping me become a better sailor.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

You’re very welcome Matthew. My pleasure

[@tedgayer336]

I do this all the time. Works great, except the time I tied of on the stern, got drunk and forgot to move my tie forward to the bow. I woke up in the morning and the 40 miles of fetch, even with a 1 mph wind, created a single handed nightmare against a lee shore. Got it figured out and moved on, but jeesh, never again lol. We REALLY LOVE your videos, Sir!

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Thank you Ted

[@PetrHosek]

I was taught another neat trick - instead of threading the line through the eye of the buoy, one can simply throw a loop of line around the buoy. The loop will fall under the buoy and hold there well enough for temporary fixing. A secondary line is then threaded later to secure the boat properly. This is especially useful for mooring buoys without solid loops on the top that have to be picked up from the water and threaded below the buoy.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Good tip. Thanks for sharing Petr 🙏

[@moriver3857]

Great video. I'm single handed and that exactly the way I do it, letting the mooring ball on the leeward side, if there's significant wind. This way the boat can drift or spin, but gives ample time to walk the lines to the bow. I do a similar drill when leaving the mooring.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Thanks Mo. Keep up the good work

[@MarkusKraemer]

Thanks for the video, valuable tips 👍🏻

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Thanks for the kind comment

[@myWiivideo]

Thanks for the tips and tricks...just started watching your videos looking forward to more...wondering where you got your dodger...

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Hi Tom, It came with the boat. I suspect it's original. The boat was purchased new by the original owner in Montreal in 1989. She eventually ended up in San Fran and then sailed up to Vancouver and then went to Alaska in 1995. She came into my possession as a teaching platform in 1999

[@spaceoddity2485]

how about doing a video about when you have a front and a back boy to attact to?

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

I'll see what I can do

[@cycharbormaster7171]

What do you think of those clever hooks/clips (mounted on a boathook) that push a line through the mooring ring and bring it back all in one motion? Seem to be a good idea if you can't reach the ring from the boat.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

I’ve never used one but they do seem quite slick.

[@koobikibuildingblocks5264]

If you put the line on same side clit the boat won’t point into wind and waves and won’t be stable and comfortable

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

I agree. Have you seen my first Mooring Buoy video? It’s the way I’ve always done it. Comments on my first video made a point that if they come back to the same side they reduce chafe. But in the end I prefer the centred approach 😉

[@mickeydawson348]

I have the same boat, same style anchor, and moor during the season in NY. I've found that if I leave the anchor on the roller, the pendants rub against it. So, I keep my anchor up on the foredeck to avoid that chafe. Looking at your arrangement, how do you prevent chafe on the pendants/mooring lines against the anchor?

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Hi Mickey, great to hear from you again. That's a good point. In dont found that it chafes that badly and I use chafing gear on the snubber.

[@albertlabos8400]

"Swiftie Matic "

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Yes I've seen demos at boat shows. Looks quite slick but I've never used one. Not sure why they're not more popular. Thanks for watching.

[@demetriosbaris3570]

I concerns of the mooring line to the sea floor being that close to your prop?

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Engine should be in neutral when you stop beside the buoy

[@nathanaichase]

I've also struggled with wind or current alone. The problem I have I have to fight the boat as I walk my line to the bow. The blows to leeward so as I walk forward I'm muscling to hold on as the bow rounds into the wind. Anyone have suggestions?

[@PetrHosek]

I was taught in my sailing course to simply put the boat in reverse (just in gear, not adding power) then walk the buoy to the bow, fasten the line really quickly there and return immediately to shift back to neutral. Our instructor managed to do that without even running, which was not the case for us students :)

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

Just a thought but if you're having that much trouble I would use two lines, a long one from the bow and a short one in the cockpit on a cleat or winch. Secure the boat with the short one and then run the long line to the bow. Hope this helps.

[@nathanaichase]

@@CarpeDiemSailingMagazinethanks for the tip. I think that would be a good option. Temporary secure at the cockpit with the short line, then secure the long line from the bow. Release cockpit line and let the bow align with the current/wind. The combo of my boat and the strong current just moves the bow to quickly for simpler options.

[@CarpeDiemSailingMagazine]

@@nathanaichase I’d love to hear how it works out for you.