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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Mooring to a Can

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austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/22/2004 : 17:35:36

Okay, this may possibly be the dumbest question ever posted here but what the heck...
I am mooring my new 1979 C25 to a municipal can in Monroe Harbor, Chicago this summer. Can anyone tell me the best setup for mooring to these cans from a hardware and execution perspective? There's no mooring 'U' on the bow and assume I'll have to do that but don't want to poke holes in the hull if I don't have to.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2004 : 19:55:03

The easiest way is to make a bridle that connects to the bow cleats. The bridle is attached to one end of a swivel. The other end of the swivel has about five feet of chain which attaches to the mooring pendant. The bridle length should be the same as the distance from the bow to the water. My system was made with half inch rope, 5/8 swivel and half inch chain. The one drawback to this is the chaffing of the bridle were it goes over the gunnel. You can add some old hose to the line to ease it or purchase some leather chaffing protectors. During hurricane season (which was my date for changing out the bridle) I would attach the new bridle to the bow eye with a shackle. This eliminated the chaffing problem and made the boat ride better in high winds and rough seas since the pull force was closer to the water. At the end of hurricane season I would move the bridle back up to the cleats and add chaffing gear. I had a 79 WK and it came with a bow eye. I did not know Catalina made them with out it.
Making the bridle also gives you practice in making eye splices. If you have never done it before just get a good book, some color felt tip pens and take your time. By the time you've done two you will be an expert. Good luck.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2004 : 22:06:46

I would only add 2 things to Jerry's post:

(1) Make the mooring line long enough so the boat is pulling the mooring can sideways and not up - same theory as scope on the anchor line.

(2) I used copper pipe insulators to keep the mooring lines floating on calm days - keeps the line from getting tangled around the buoy anchor line.

I think swivels on top of cans are a must and splicing <i>is</i> good therapy!

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2004 : 22:48:38

On my 1988 I can and DO use 5/8 for the lines as Frog described. I made a lighter setup out of 1/2 3-strand and used it for a while. I came back to the boat after a pretty ggod blow to find one line cut and the other one hanging on by a single strand. Now I am back to the 5/8. Where I moore they dont trust the buoys and make us attach the bridal to the main chain under the buoy. This fact alone makes fouling a big problem. That is where I go into trouble before. The ropes wrapped up under the buoy and sawed themselves to pieces.If you can attach to the top of the buoy, you have it easy. Just keep the ropes short enough as to prevent fouling. Good luck.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2004 : 23:56:59

Tom, when I use to moore at the base I had the same problem. What I did was take two one gallon milk jugs, painted them orange and wired them together with stainless safety wire. When I would leave I would shackle the eye splices to the jugs. This kept them on top of the water so it did not wind around the pendant. When I came back I sliped the boat hook between the jugs and pulled it up. Took the jugs off and stowed in the anchor locker until the next sail day.
I still replaced the bridle every hurricane season and shackled to the bow eye. With your trailer I assume you will just take her out when required.

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austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 00:47:10

Wow, I thought that was a dumb question (and it was) but I guess the ingenious relpies really helped my ego on that.
I have pictures of my new lover from when we met and where we are today. I will post as soon as I steal my co-owners' digital camera....She's a hottie!
Thanks Folks, I'm almost sailing.
-M

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 02:05:51

Welcome to the group. You will soon see that there are no dumb questions. A few Dumb Replies, I'm guilty of many of those, but mostly help help help.
Good luck

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