Ep 54: Picking Up a Mooring Buoy Part 2 

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

Thanks for the video, valuable tips 👍🏻

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.

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

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

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

"Swiftie Matic "

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.

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?

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

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?