[C320-list] Using bow cleats for mooring

[Graeme Clark]

My 1996 320, hull #366, has no bow fairleads, just the usual cleats either side a couple of feet back from the bow.

Here in Britain it is very common  - but I believe less so in USA - to have boats moored on a ‘swinging mooring’ rather than docked or ‘alongside’ in a marina.  This, for those that are unaware is large gauge chain connected to a heavy weight or block on the sea-bed. The chain is held up by a large floating buoy and a mooring strop or mooring chain is then connected to the top of the riser chain. The free end of this has a small “pickup” buoy attached.

Until now I have been using the mooring chain by removing the anchor and leading the chain over the anchor roller to the large central bow cleat. It works well but has two problems. It can be a pain to remove the anchor and stow it (it has to be taken aft as insufficient room in anchor locker), and it is easy to get fingers trapped when threading chain over the bow roller, especially if the sea is a bit choppy . Also the rusty chain leaves stains on the deck.

Instead of mooring chain, I am therefore considering having a double rope strop made up, to lead either side of the bow to the two bow cleats, having a soft spliced eye at the cleat end and a hard eye at the riser chain end. I envisage using some of the self-adhesive thin stainless steel sheet to protect the edge of the deck where the line might chafe.

The real question though is whether these cleats are up to the load - compared to the large central cleat.  i think they must be as they are, after all, what is used to secure the boat alongside in a dock or marina berth. On the other hand the swinging moorings are a little further off shore from the marina and have less shelter so a strong gale and choppy seas might put quite a strain on them.

I’d be interested to hear of other owners who have used or do use similar mooring techniques and any alternative recommendations.

Thanks

Graeme 

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