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Mooring help

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SCnewbie
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166 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/14/2008 : 17:23:07

My boat apparently broke free of its mooring sometime this week. We had a major storm on Sunday. I got a call from the Department of Natural Resources today telling me that someone reported that my boat was tangled with theirs. Everything is fine. no damage to either vessel. They told me that another guy who has a boat moored out there tied my boat to theirs. They aren't sure when the boat broke free. The guy who tied it to their boat was asking for their help to tow it to the dock so he could claim salvage rights on it. I had 2 seperate 3/4 pennants coming off my mooring chain. They don't really look chafed to me. I am not sure how they would have rubbed through in the locations that they did. I am not 100% sure they weren't cut.
In any case the boat is back on its mooring. I need to get some new moooring lines. I was thinking of running some sorta chain from the anchor chain to the boat that is maybe a foot longer than the mooring lines. I figure that way if there is a catastrophic failure of the ropes again, there would be chain securing it to the anchors. What do you guys think? I figure I could shackle the chain to the bow eye. Any other ideas? Any good materials I should look for? I am new to this mooring. i wish I could find a slip but slip space is hard to come by here in chucktown.

In a related note, the latch was cut for my companionway and my solar panel has apparently walked off... A friend suggested I instal a motion actuated deer cam on the mast or on the boom.

S/V Cornbread
1995 C250WB #161
Charleston SC

Edited by - on

stampeder
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Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 18:40:15

Sorry to hear about your problems.

I think the idea of a chain might be a good one. I'd take a close look at your lines and figure out if they are chaffed or not.

I run a 5/8" line through a HD snubber. As you can see, the snubber line runs from the bottom of the mooring ball to the bow eye, then I have two dock lines that run from the top of the mooring ball through the anchor roller to deck cleats. The smaller buoy ball is there simply to make picking up the lines out of the water easier.

If you buy shackles for mooring ball use - make sure they are high quality. There was an incident at our lake a couple years ago where a boater had two of them break - turns out they were not load rated for the purpose.

Edited by - on

stampeder
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Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 18:44:20

BTW - I have used that mooring line for 3 years and there is not a single sign of any chaffing or wear other than some discoloration.
I'm replacing it this weekend.

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 22:07:01

So the guy is a small time crook trying to pull a scam. Now that you're on to him, you know he'll never try it again. Use a bigger lock on the companionway.

Put up a poster in the marina offering a modest reward ($50 gift certificate for a local nice restaurant) to anybody who may have witnessed this clown messing around with your boat. This will put him on notice that you're onto him.

Just get his registration numbers and keep your eye on him.

Good luck.

Edited by - on

SCnewbie
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 00:05:47

The lock was fine, it was the hasp that he cut. I'll have to get a bigger one of those. Good advice though.

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redviking
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 08:24:38

I did get a message from my Ghetto friend telling me that he couldn't readily find the boat. Maybe he was looking in the wrong place.

Anyway, that's what the derelicts do. They wait until there is a storm and stuff happens and then they pounce. They try to claim salvage and then they add that boat to their fleet. Amazing.... Sorry, for the mishap - wish I had known earlier while we were still able to assist.

The idea behind two mooring lines is flawed in my opinion as they will wrap and possible saw thru each other. I would go and try and talk with the guy that "rescued" your boat. I will bet money that he has a new solar panel...

sten

Edited by - on

Renzo
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 09:00:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by SCnewbie
 The lock was fine, it was the hasp that he cut. I'll have to get a bigger one of those. Good advice though.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Think twice about this. A determined thief might just do more damage to the hatch boards or other parts of the boat trying to get in than the cost of what he would steal. Many times these guys just use a wrecking bar (a big crow bar) to pry their way into a cabin. An alarm or hidden camera is probably a better investment.

Edited by - Renzo on 05/15/2008 09:01:09

Chris Z
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 11:01:26

I have the two lines and one of the long cables (used in construction to lock up ladders) with a lock to the bow eye. I bought it at Home Depot.

I would take a picture of my layout, however my boat is still on the trailer :(

Edited by - on

John Russell
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 11:14:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Renzo
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by SCnewbie
 The lock was fine, it was the hasp that he cut. I'll have to get a bigger one of those. Good advice though.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Think twice about this. A determined thief might just do more damage to the hatch boards or other parts of the boat trying to get in than the cost of what he would steal. Many times these guys just use a wrecking bar (a big crow bar) to pry their way into a cabin. An alarm or hidden camera is probably a better investment.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">When I was a kid I worked in a corner drug store in a neighborhood that wasn't the best. When we closed at night, we left the cash register drawers open. The thinking was that it was cheaper to replace the $50 bucks that was left in them overnight than to replace the cash register. The same might hold true for securing the boat. Brother Leo (my high school shop teacher) taught me all those years ago: "A lock will only keep honest people honest." If a bad guy wants something badly enough, a oversized padlock isn't a deterrent.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 11:53:38

There is also the argument of natural selection: the easiest prey will fall first. A modestly expensive heavy duty cable system is extremely difficult to cut with normal hand tools, and, if it is attached to the bow eye, it will at least deter casual thieves.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 15:32:28

I've moored my boat for all of the 18 years I've owned it. Not once has it broken free, and it's been in some rough weather including storms with 60 mph gusts. I only use 1/2" line on my pennant but have load rated shackles, etc. I've changed pennants every five years. My pennant also has a bridle spliced into it to keep sailing arouund the mooring at a minimum. Throughout all the rough weather it's gone through, the pennant has always been attached to the standard bow cleats provided by Catalina. They are stronger than you think.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
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Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 22:32:12

My buddy, the Police Chief, showed us by putting a small lock that could easily be removed would do less damage that the big lock. He did lose the gas can out of the back of his pickup. I did see a C25 broken into by just kicking in the hatch so the lock was still connected.

I moored my boat for over 15 years and used the 3 lines with the main line, 5/8", to the bow eye and the two to the deck cleats. I have backed up the fittings on the deck at the pointy end with a 1/4" aluminum plate. Pulled all the bolts of the pulpit and cleats, made a pattern and cut the aluminum and put it in place with fibre glass putty then re drilled and use longer bolts. I felt I had to do this after my first storm on the mooring and had green water over the bow. This was a bit over kill but we had the boats moored in a place open to the full length of the lake and it really got rough.

The security I have used is a Radio Shack personal alarm with a horn and a strobe light. It is secured to the cabin wall and the strap is on one of the hatch boards. Once activated very difficult to stop and at least harass the intruder. Boats are very difficult to secure so keep insurance.

The best protection is knowing your boating neighbors and check on anything unusual. Good luck to us all.

Edited by - on

SCnewbie
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Response Posted - 06/03/2008 : 17:30:49

Jeez I am moored in the ghetto!!! I was out on the boat today everything was great. Before I left I wanted to check the condition of the mooring lines so I motored up to the ball. The new lines are in good shape but then I noticed the chain asn't attached to the boat. ( I went with a chain from below the ball to the bow eye that is longer than the mooring lines so it should never have stress on it unless the mooring lines fail. I thought to myself that it was odd for the chain to detach it self as it was held on with a good sized snap shackle. I reach into the murky water to discover the entire chain is missing. Someone has a nice length of chain for their anchor now I would imagine. I couldn't believe it. I was always felt there was a kinship amonst boaters but now I realize that I was being niave. Bought a new chain today and a corrosion resistant lock to attach it to the bow eye with. I guess bolt cutters can easily get it free but I am guessing someone won't make that effort. now I better come up with a good way to make sure my new Nissan doesn't wander off. Currently the two mounting screws are padlocked to each other so it can't be loosened from the transom. Those $450 a month slips are looking better and better.

Aeckhart, I am not sure I understand you on your mooring line and bridle. Do you have one line going to the mooring and it splits in two to go to each side of your bow? Did you make that yourself or did you find one to buy?

Edited by - SCnewbie on 06/03/2008 17:32:13

redviking
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 07:58:32

Dude, you are in a tough spot... Good golly, I wonder if someone is just waiting for your boat to "move" and then they can claim salvage and live on their derelict vessels for another year without having to work. You are not being naive, you are just in a weird spot on the planet boating wise. I guess I am still not understanding your setup. You have a pennant and chain attached to the boat? Don't they twist around each other with the tides?

As far as the outboard goes - I would drop the engine and spray paint the heck out of it such that it looks like hell. Other than that, some floating hobo will be eating rice and beans with budweiser for six months on the proceeds from your new motor...

As much as we like your fair city, we are not keen to return for all of the aforementioned reasons. Someone needs to rid the waterways of those folks.

Sten

DPO C25 #3220 "Zephyr", SR, FK
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Cape May, NJ

Edited by - on

Stardog
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 08:59:11

It seems like it's just not worth all of the worry to keep your boat in its present location. I've had my boat at a number of marinas and my experience is that the best places to keep a boat are marinaa slips where you: 1- pay a bit more, because the derelicts can't afford to be there, and 2- where there are some live-aboard neighbors who will be aware of any monkey business from thieves. Slips may also offer the added convenience of ship's store/chandlery, shore power and other amenities like restrooms and showers, etc.

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SCnewbie
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 09:28:33

Yeah it is a bad neighborhood. I am worried about being the victim of a sail-by shooting one day.

Sten currently I am connected as follows. I have two 5/8" penants from a swivel at the top of the mooring chain above the ball. There is a chain ( I can't ermember what size I bought) attached to the mooring chain below the mooring ball. and that goes to the bow eye. It is 12 feet long and my pennants are 8 feet. I can see the chain wrapping around the anchor chain as the boat swings but as long as it is, I would think as long as I am out there enough it should never be able to wrap too many times. (at most 2 times a day right?) Thinking on it, if my other two lines chafed through, it was from rubbing on each other and maybe a single penant with a bridle spliced into it would be best. I just wanted the chain as a back up. Maybe it makes things worse, I don't know. I would think the best solution would be to attach a swivel in the anchor chain below the ball. Connect both a short length of chain to the top of the ball as well as the boat chain to the swivel. Then put another swivel at the top of the ball for the pennants. That way it should all be able to rotate a bit.

Stardog, believe me I agree. The wife is seriously considering a slip. She makes the calls not me in these matters. Also thinking about asking some neighbors down the street if I could tie up to their dock.

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redviking
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 10:39:33

Hmmmm... did not now that there was a bow eye on the 250. Like for towing? Hmmm... yeah it will wrap. But was this the chain they removed? They had to disconnect the chain from the boat and from the ball? Balzy if you ask me. I like the single pennant with a bridle better BTW. Our Swedish cruising friends had to cut the twin lines on the NYC 79th street mooring balls because they were twisted so badly the bow threatened to go down. The swivel idea sounds cool.... never heard of it nor thought of it. Who installed your mooring? Perhaps they will have a suggestion that works.

As far as the theft of the chain - I'd report it to fish and wildlife and to whomever would listen. The derelicts - and SeaTow

probably want EVERYONE to pick up a dock. Maybe the derelicts are on the payroll!

I did have a discussion with the dock master of the MEGA dock about the direlicts and he knew several of them and thought they were ok, including the guy in his canoe powered by a trolling motoer that comes out every day to his vessel. Yes, I saw him in 22 degree weather with 40 knots of winds coming from behind the MEGA dock and make it to his boat.

I put all of my safety gear on and was waiting for him to go in and I woulda been bound to go and tow his ass to the dock... Anyway, I would raise a stink. Don't I always anyway?

Stealing chain is a pretty low thing to do, and I'd make them set up a sting operation!!!

They - Fish and wildlife were sitting in an UNMARKED boat after we arrived in Charleston. As we were going ashore, they came out of nowhere and made us stop and prove we had flotation devices. It was WINTER, what the heck are they doing now?(I have heard that they boarded a foreign sailing vessel and arrested the guy 'cuz he pulled a gun as he did not know who they were... Lucky no one got hurt.) So I'd press all of their buttons until something happened. BTW - being at the dock doesn't prevent "creepers" from hanging on the docks. In the winter we spotted a couple of derelicts hiding here and there on the MEGA dock. Apparently they were charging batteries from shore power and perhaps getting their christmas list in order! Who knows?

keep us posted!

sten

Edited by - on

Stardog
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 11:03:11

I would agree being at a dock doesn't necessarily mean you won't have derelicts hanging around, I would visit some reputable marinas and talk to the locals; ask if there are any residents living there on there boats, ask about security, about how well maintained the docks are, things like that. I've never had my boat broken into, or parts/engine stolen from it, but I've had it happen to people who were in the slips on either side of me. Guess I'm lucky. If you choose a marina with live-aboard residents, you can request a slip as close to them as possible. The option of tying up to your friends dock sounds like a really nice choice, you know you'll have the best neighbors you could ask for.

Edited by - on

SCnewbie
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 12:58:36

Appreciate the advice. I really hadn't thought about reporting the chain. I will try and give DNR a call. The bow eye is just like you are thinking Sten. It is for trailering. And teh chain they took ran from the bow line to the anchor chain so they had to reach down and remove and undo a shackle under the mooring ball. The boat side would take about a second. it was just a snap shackle. For your single pennant and bridle, are they one piece? I mean do you splice the bridle into the pennant so that it has one line going to the ball and then it splits in a Y shape? That makes alot of sense to me and I will get one made if that is what you mean.

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 14:18:19

Quote: "For your single pennant and bridle, are they one piece? I mean do you splice the bridle into the pennant so that it has one line going to the ball and then it splits in a Y shape? That makes alot of sense to me and I will get one made if that is what you mean."

I always hated how my C25 did not have proper chocks and had to be tied to one side always - SO yes, I wish i had done this myself years ago. new England cordage or some other cordage dealer should be able to make you whatever you want.

sten

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 14:19:50

UNDER a MOORING BALL? Just sunk in, sorry... Good golly, what has the world come to?

sten

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SCnewbie
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Response Posted - 06/05/2008 : 16:44:06

Yes whoever the jerk was had to reach about two feet down into the water to get to the shackle. My ball has a bit of growth on it. With luck they cut themselves on a barnacle and it has become infected. :)

Edited by - SCnewbie on 06/05/2008 16:45:56

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