Mooring Question

[neosoul]

As I am getting ready to put my CP19 in the water and I have a question. I have a mooring in the Peconic Bay and I know it may not be needed in this sheltered body of water, but I'd feel a bit more confident having two lines going to the mooring rather than having a single line attached to a forward port or starboard cleat. I was hoping to find a bridle that will suit this need. Any one out there tied to a mooring that can share some advice?
Neo

[Gerry]

When I moored my CP16 (or any moored boat); I suggest two mooring lines.  One should attach to the chain BELOW the ball.  This is the primary...attach it to the eye.  Secondary line from the top of the ball to the cleat (if you have two cleats, attach one line to each.  I lash the two lines together in the middle so you have only one line to pick up.

[Bob23]

Neo:
   I moor my 23 in Surf City, NJ where it is protected from the NE winds but vulnerable to NNW winds and the accompanying wave action. Definitely use 2 lines! Think of it as cheap insurance. I keep my lines (both 5/8") protected from chaff and they usually last at least one season. But one year, one of my lines wore through overnight due to chaff. If I could run a third line, I would.
   I do not use the bow eye as I understand this is for towing only. Both lines are run around the forward cleat. My boat has been out in 60, yes that's right- 60 mph winds overnight and I've never lost her, although did loose considerable sleep. With mooring tackle, overkill is the name of the game. It's better to overdo it than regret it when your boat breaks loose. I've seen that later...not a pretty sight.
Bob23

[jb]

if the second line will make you comfortable do it !   A lot depends on the weather conditions of your mooring location.

I've had various size boats on a mooring for 20+ years and have only used a single lines with chaffing gear... rarely seen anyone use the second line  in my area of Cape Cod unless there was a threat of hurricane force winds.

j

[Jon898]

I'd recommend a bridle to both cleats.  If you only go to one side, you're more likely to have the boat "sail" around its mooring unless you can lead the line in amidships.  On a previous boat (admittedly 40ft ketch) the bridle was part chain with nylon tails made up to the chain using thimbles and splices, together with plenty of chafing gear near the boat.

[Bob23]

Neo:
   I should have mentioned that I also fly a riding or steadying sail while moored or at anchor. It cuts the swing down to less than half thereby reducing the strain on the mooring or anchoring tackle. In addition, it makes being at anchor a lot more comfortable.
Bob23

[crazycarl]

bob,

i have a riding sail i purchased some years ago.

i tried it for the 1st time in florida last month.

the boat still seamed to move back and forth, obviously i didn't mount it correctly.

do you have and pics you could post?

cc

[Bob23]

Carl:
 I could email  you some photos. Can't really post here efficiently because PB and my computer don't play well with each other.
  The boat will still swing while moored but it has been cut in half. I sat in the cockpit before I raised the sail and check the swing with the compass and did the same after the sail was hoisted. I use the jib halyard, which is unused, as a topping lift but while moored it serves to hold the steadying sail. For a downhaul, I tie a simple line down to the sternrail, which counteracts the line holding up the rudder.
Bob23

[neosoul]

Although it may not be needed, I still want to cobble together a bridle and use two pendants when I moor my boat. Has anyone done this before and if so what parts did you use that worked best?
Neo
BTW - The riding or steadying sail is something I'll consider.

[Bob23]

Not sure if this will help but here goes:
  I shackle a large galvanized ring to my main mooring chain (1/2"...I know- way overkill). Before that ring is another shackle which holds the mooring ball. Off the ring are 2 separately shackled 5/8" 3 strand lines which are cleated individually to the mooring cleat of my 23. The reasoning is if one line fails, the other will still be intact. Of course it goes without saying that constant vigilance and frequent inspection will help you sleep at night when the wind howls.
  I moor in a tidal bay where wind conditions can vary greatly. Usually summer is calm but once October arrives, the NW wind blows and brings the accompanying wave action. I like to overkill just about everything I do. Over the years at the cove where I call home port, I've seen too many boats break loose and some end thier lives because someone "assumed" thier mooring tackle was ok. Ok ain't good enough for me.
   Sorry for the soapbox rant and wish I had some photos for you. But you get the idea.
Bob23