My 1st boat - how do I moor/anchor it ?

flynnboy

HI Guys

We have just bought a 16' boat with cuddy 2nd hand. It's coming next Monday. I wonder if you could give me some guidance on basic principles of how I tie her up and anchor her. How much rope to do I need for the anchor, any on-line sources of info' about this stuff - in fact anything that might help me get started would be immensely appreciated as I've never had a boat before and know nothing !

Thanks !

coolvale

the best option i think would be to ask a boat owner to show you the ropes.
it would probably be better than any reading up.

fergal.b

Here is a bit of reading for you

http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/safetips.htm

Anchoring isn't just a matter of throwing an anchor overboard. First, you need to purchase an anchor designed for the type of bottom characteristics typically found in your area (sand, mud, etc.). Here are some guidelines to follow:

Before anchoring, be aware of the "swing"; of other area boats. For example, a yacht at anchor may swing out widely, so put more space between your boat and the yacht.

Secure your anchor line to something sturdy on the boat before dropping it into the water.

Drop your anchor slowly off the bow by holding on to the chain or line until you feel some slack.

Let the boat drift back while you feed out the proper amount of scope. The recommended scope ratio is approximately seven (or eight) to one. For example, if you're in 30 feet of water you'll want 210 to 240 feet of line.

Secure the line and "back down" on the anchor by keeping your bow into the wind or current to set it.

Put the engine in neutral and make sure that you aren't drifting. Reset your anchor if you begin to drift.

And as Coolvale said if you can find another boater to bring you out and teach you all the tricks.
Keep asking questions if you are not sure I and others will try and help.:)

Congrats on the new boat.

flynnboy

Thanks guys. I am busily chasing up local knowledge - sounds like a good plan !

Cheers

ISAW

flynnboy wrote: »

HI Guys

We have just bought a 16' boat with cuddy 2nd hand. It's coming next Monday. I wonder if you could give me some guidance on basic principles of how I tie her up and anchor her. How much rope to do I need for the anchor, any on-line sources of info' about this stuff - in fact anything that might help me get started would be immensely appreciated as I've never had a boat before and know nothing !

Thanks !

Learn how to tie to a cleat - once round then figure eights
Learn the bowline knot. To make a loop . You can put a cleat in a loop or put the loop through the middle of cleat and back over the horns at either end. you wont have to untie it as you can slip it off.
If there is a big bollard with loads of lines from other boats come up through all their loops around the bollard from below and then go around it . That way tour line is on ttop and can got off quite easy.

Dont forget berthing to a floating jetty you don't require any slack but if you are going into a tidal harbour for several hours and leaving the boat leave enough rope for when it dries out. You dont want to come back to find your boat hanging off the side of the peir ten feet off the ground. Likewise if you go onto an island at low tide leave enough rope so the boat isn't pulled under on a rising tide. And tide heights vary so learn about them.

The "seven times as much as the depth" is a fairly good rule but it is shorter or longer depending on chain and warp (rope tied to the chain). As mentioned above - don't forget if you go into a cove when the tide is going one way the current will set you in one direction and if you go off and the tide turns the current will reverse so make sure there are no other boats or rocks within that turning circle.

Take a look at the different types of anchor and keep a second one.

some places offer mooring buoys. You pick these up and the anchor is already attached. I see a lot of people struggling with boat hooks and sending up people straining to get them on board and peen pulled every way. Try a few turns around each hand with say ten or fifteen feet coiled in between. then throw out the cooils around the buoy to "lasso" it and using the long bit of rope get it in or cleat on your rope until the boat stops so you won't have to strain.


Know about berthing and what springers are and how to "spring off" i.e. if the wind current or prop walk is pushing you back on you can use one of the springer lines and go astern to pull the bow out.

On that "prop walk" - Propellors are a bit like water wheels when run in reverse so depending on how it is mounted the boat will pull to port or starboard when you go astern. You can use this property to bring the boat alongside a berth. the angle you will come into the berth at is therefore different depending on which way your prop walks. If for example it pulls to port then when you come port side on going astern will pull her into the berth and you wont have to move the tiller but when coming starboard on you will have to go hard to port just as you near the jetty and then put engine astern to stop forward motion.

Smaller boats are easier to handle and respond quite quickly but the bigger the boat the longer the delay between what you do and what the effect is. Imagine a car where you turn the wheel or press the accelerator and then count to three and the car begins to turn or to go faster.

Whatever the way - people should not be shoving boats or jumping on or off! they should be able to step off or on the boat.

flynnboy

Thank you for the detailed advice guys. It's very much appreciated.

joeduke

If this is your first boat I would advise you to do a boat course,

This year I got my first boat and even though I had been out in my friends boat many times when I took mine out the first time I nearly got killed.

I then did the National Power Boat Course in Dun Laoghaire and its the best money I have ever spent.. take my advice and do the course, they will teach you everthing

Ferris

+1

Do an ISA powerboat course. Not doing one and going out to sea as a novice is just being reckless.

http://www.sailing.ie/inside/default.asp?pageId=208