Tying to a mooring buoy

[Rich L]

I've seen this asked but not answered...

I shall be mooring my RIB to a buoy for 2 weeks shortly.

What's the prefered method of tying to the bouy (where do you tie to?)?Would you rely on the painter or add a secondary rope to the anchor point as well? How about security? Maybe a cable with a padlock?

Thanks for any help.

Rich L

[Nick Hearne]

Hi, yes us the bow line off the D ring at the bow, you could take a second line in to the boat but let the painter take all the strain or you will end up damaging the top of your tubes!
For security yes a chain & padlocks to the mooring chain (your insurance company many want you to do this anyway I would check your policy!)
Nick

[Rich L]

How do you tie to the buoy? I know some have eyes or 'handles' but I've seen buoys being dragged out of the water for easy tying to the chain. I presume this is the safest route but it isn't going to do my tubes much good! Whats the recommendation?

Thanks!

[Headhunter]

We use a warp from the bow D ring to the chain attached to the mooring buoy.

Most mooring chains will have a loop where they attach to the buoy.

We take two tight turns around the loop in the chain with the warp and then two or three half hitches to secure. This avoids the warp chafing on the chain and is more secure than a warp looped through the chain loop and back to the boat.

Any remaining warp can be made back to the boat if long enough, but make sure there is no load on this end of the line.


John

[Alan]

Best place to tie onto a buoy is the chain immediately underneath it - usually a ring for this purpose. Don't tie onto the handle of the buoy - some have moulded plastic ones or the pickup buoy - a smaller buoy tied to the main mooring buoy that can be picked up from the deck of a yacht with a boathook and then used to haul the main buoy inboard. If leaving the boat for a period I would definately have two lines - one from you towing eye and another one from another hardpoint. As Nick says make this one looser so your painter takes the strain and your tubes are preserved!!