How to Make a Boat Mooring (Expert Guide)

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So, let’s see, you got a boat, and you know a thing or two about mooring. But, just what exactly have you been told? Do you know the mooring types and techniques involved in keeping a boat steady? Are you grounded in the art of mooring a boat to a buoy, dock, wharf, or jetty? 

Well, not to worry, we’ve got you. Here, we’ve packed all the information on what you need to do and things you need to get started. So welcome, let’s show you how to make a boat mooring. 

 

Basics of Boat Mooring

 

Mooring, also called berthing (boat parking), is an important skill when sailing a boat. To moor, a boat means to secure your boat by tying or tethering it to a fixed object on the sea. This can be a dock or a mooring buoy, among several others.

Many rookie boaters might find it hard to do at first, but with plenty of hands-on sailing experience, you’ll become a master at it in no time.

Also, you need to be aware that there are six different types of mooring layout systems, and they include; 

• The catenary
• The taut leg
• The tension leg
• The single point
• The spread, and 
• The Dynamic positioning mooring systems. 

There also is the semi-taut system that combines taut lines and catenaries. It is preferably used by ships in deep waters.

 

Boat Mooring Types

 

There are different ways to moor your boat, and the technique you choose will depend on the size of your vessel, the weather conditions, and your location. Here, we’ll divide these mooring types into two broad categories. 

• Mooring to a permanent anchor in the seabed
• Mooring to a fixed platform on the shore

 

Mooring to a Permanent Anchor in the Seabed 

 

Here, concrete blocks or anchorage of any kind are embedded into the seabed. Attached to this anchorage is a riser chain that runs upwards to an attached float or mooring buoy. 

Here are types of mooring techniques peculiar to this category of mooring;

• Swing Mooring

Swing mooring is called this name because of how the boat swings about the mooring as dictated by the direction of the wind and tide. 

N.B: When you moor your boat to a swing mooring, it is crucial that you remember that you’ll need more space to swing at low water than you would at high water because the slack in the riser chain will be raised in high water scenarios.

• Fore and Aft Mooring

Here, you secure your boat by its bow and stern to a buoy, not a fixed structure or platform. Doing this keeps your boat steady and prevents it from swinging about with the tide or wind. 

• Pile Mooring

These moorings are long poles or stakes driven into the seabed with their tops protruding above the water’s surface. With pile moorings, you get fore and aft attachment points which give you the freedom to fasten the mooring lines of your vessel to two or four piles, thereby ensuring that your vessel remains steady in between these piles.

• Trot Mooring

Trot mooring is popular with dinghies, rowing boats, and other small vessels. They are secured with lines to buoys fore and aft away from the bankside. With trot mooring, your boat is fastened and doesn’t swing with the wind. 

Read Next: The Comfortable Drysuits for Dinghy Sailing

 

Mooring to a Fixed Shore Platform

 

These shore fixtures vary from piers, pontoons, jetty, and several others. Let’s take a look at these different types of mooring here.

 

• Pier Mooring

A pier is a platform or a structure raised above water supported by poles or pillars that lead into the water from the shore. So, here, you fasten your boat to the pier with mooring lines, and you also have access to your boat from land. 

• Pontoon Mooring

Pontoon mooring gives you a buoyant floating platform that provides you walking access to your boat, secured alongside the platform. The platform is called a pontoon berth. You could access it with walk-shore access or by using a dinghy. 

• Running Mooring

This is also called traveling mooring. In this type of mooring, you fix your vessel on pulleys between two fixed points. These pulleys are used to draw your boat close to the shore so you can access it at all tides.

• Jetty Mooring

A jetty is a structure that extends into the water from the land like a walkway. This type of mooring is similar to pier mooring. It is, in fact, a small pier to which boats can be moored.  

• Marina Berthing

A marina berth is like a port for boats and other watercraft. It is built along with berths and has hinged bridges for access from the shore. They are safe, designated locations for common use. This mooring type lets you secure your boat to several fixed points with lines next to a dock. 

• Mediterranean Mooring (Med Mooring)

Here, you moor your vessel at a perpendicular angle to the pier, while at the same time, you drop the anchor. Adopting this mooring method becomes crucial when there isn’t enough space for boats to moor at a wharf or quay. However, this mooring method becomes impractical when mooring in deep waters or places with high tides. 

N.B: Knowing when and where to use each type is essential. But the most important thing to note is the strength of your equipment. 

 

Mooring Equipment to Use

 

 

Getting to know the many different mooring equipment can be difficult, especially if you are new in the mooring scene, but not to worry, in this section of the article, we’ll make things easy. Here, you’ll get to know the different types of chains, lines, ropes, and mooring equipment to use.

Mooring Stoppers (Line Stoppers)

This refers to knots made by smaller ropes on mooring lines to prevent them from slipping while the vessel is being moored. 

Winches, Capstans, and Windlasses

 

These are mechanical devices that facilitate the letting out and hauling of mooring lines. They are either vertical (capstan) or horizontal (windlass). 

Each has a pulley or lever system around which the mooring line is wound and a crank or motor which provides hauling power. 

Mooring chocks (Fairleads) 

The fairleads refer to ring-like devices in ships and boats through which mooring lines are passed. In the instance where a boat takes an obtuse berthing angle, these mooring chocks can help change the direction of the mooring line.

 

Lines 

 

You use lines to fasten your boat to a berth. These mooring lines must be arranged symmetrically about the mid-ship point of your vessel as much as possible. They prevent your boat from moving against the action of wind, tide, wave action, and other forces.

Lines for mooring include the following;

• Headlines (Bow Lines): These mooring lines lead ashore from the boat’s bow at roughly 45 degrees to the fore and aft line. They connect the bow of your boat to the dock and keep it from moving side to side. 
• Breast lines: These are mooring lines that lead ashore and are perpendicular to the boat’s fore and aft line. They help keep your boat from moving away from the pier. They also make onboarding easier by pulling the vessel closer. 
• Stern Lines: These lines lead ashore from your boat’s stern at an angle of roughly 45 degrees to the boat’s fore and aft line. They prevent the sideways movement of your boat’s stern. 
• Spring Lines: These lines lead in an almost fore and aft direction. They are generally longer than bowlines or stern lines and longer than your boat’s total length. They prevent the fore and aft movement of your boat. 

Fenders

These are also called bumpers and are very important. A fender works like a cushion; it protects your boat from colliding with nearby vessels, docks, or berthing structures. Some examples are cell fenders, cone fenders, and many others.

Cleats 

Also known as boat clears, they are T-shaped structures on your boat, and the dock is used to secure boat lines.

 

Parts of a Mooring System

 

A mooring system is made up of three parts;

• Mooring lines
• Anchors, and 
• Connectors 

The mooring line connects your boat to an anchor and keeps it floating. This layout system keeps your boat in a floating position in all water depths.

 

Mooring Lines

 

There are three types of mooring lines: wire rope, fiber rope, chain, or a combination of all three. The type of mooring line used usually depends on environmental factors such as wind, current, and waves. 

Chain is ideal for permanent boat mooring in shallow waters (depth of about 100m). Steels wire rope is preferably used for depths of more than 300m because of its lightweight and higher elasticity. However, of all three, synthetic fiber rope is the lightest in weight.

Configurations that combine all three types are used in ultra-deep waters (depths more than 2,000m).

 

Anchors

 

An anchor is the principal component of any mooring system. It provides strength and helps hold the boat, especially in harsh conditions. Mooring lines run from your boat to the anchor in the seabed. The types of mooring anchors are:

• Concrete blocks: These are the wimpiest. They provide the least holding power but are reliable if pulled out of the seabed. 

• Mushroom Anchor: This is the most common. It can dig in, generate suction, and has good holding power under favorable conditions and in the right sea bottom.

• Pyramid Anchor: This is much better than the mushroom. Because of its small size, shape, and holding power can rapidly embed itself in the seabed.

• Helical Screw: This type is fastened with screws to the seabed by a barge-mounted hydraulic device. Helical screws have extreme holding power making them the most tenacious.

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Mooring Chains

 

You need two high-quality galvanized chains: a heavy ground chain and a lighter riding chain. The riding chain is joined to the ground chain by a shackle and swivel. The ground chain lies on the seabed and holds the anchor. 

The length of the ground chain should be 11/2 times the depth of the water (30 feet long), and that of the riding chain should be as large as practical (20 feet long).

 

Mooring Shackles and Swivels

 

These are used to connect mooring lines, anchors, and other fittings. 

 

Mooring Buoys

 

The sole purpose of these is to tie your boat to. There are two designs: you either use a traditional buoy with hardware or one with a tube within. 

They come in all sizes and shapes. Choose a buoy with all the protective features you need and the one that is the right fit for your boat.

 

Mooring Pennant (Mooring Pendant)

 

A mooring pendant is used to attach the chain to the boat. It is a rope made of nylon because the inherent elasticity of nylon allows it to absorb shock. Other materials such as stainless steel wire, polyester line, and Dyneema line provide better chafe resistance.

You would need two pendants. Choose pendants that are long enough to connect your buoy and provide adequate chafe protection. 

 

Location of Mooring

 

No, you can’t just moor anywhere. For security reasons, not to mention that there are laws governing mooring locations.

 

How to Choose a Mooring Location

 

For commercial moorings, it is good to be familiar with the rules of the location you’re in; each zone has peculiar regulations and restrictions. For private moorings, a rule of thumb is that you should not use a mooring unless you know the owner.  

1. Pick a legal and safe spot that is protected from wind, waves, and other elements.
2. Make sure there is a safe and practical way to get on and off your boat after mooring.
3. Avoid bottoms that don’t hold an anchor well, like grass beds, rocks, to mention a few. 

 

How to Drop Your Mooring

 

• Check out the water bed. Ensure it is perfect for securing your anchor. 
• Choose a spot that allows enough room for your boat and other vessels. 
• Align your boat in position with the tide and the wind.
• Fasten your pennant and lower your anchor into the water. 
• Once it lands at the sea bottom, hook your boat to the line and circle the mooring gently. Ensure it holds securely by double-checking. Also, double-check that your pennant and buoy are connected. 
• Pay attention to boat traffic. Be sure to confirm that there will be no interference from nearby vessels when you want to un-moor your boat. 

 

Boat Mooring tips

 

• Never moor your boat in the middle of a channel.
• Give nearby boats a wide berth.
• In case of incoming severe weather conditions, dock your boat or keep it on land. 
• Check your mooring frequently to confirm it still holds and secures your boat.

 

Concluding Remarks

 

Besides safely running your boat out on the water, being able to steadily moor it is a must-have boating skill. A poorly moored boat is a danger to nearby vessels and itself. Expensive hassles are the last thing you’d want. So, to avoid preventable headaches, use the right equipment and techniques. That way, your boat can stay safely secured while you are away.