"Lester Evans" wrote in message
news:KR_og.2315$TC1.1920@trndny08...
Going out single this weekend. Not worried about leaving and sailing etc
.. it is the coming back in that has me in butterflies.

This is a 30' sailboat. Not huge, but not small.

How do you approach a mooring for pick up? The boat has a full keel so
she is heavy. The mooring is in a tight area. I want to do a one time
pick up .. no going around and trying again.

My thought.. get the boat going in the right direction. Once I am
getting close, put her in neutral. Try some coasting. See if I can coast
up to the mooring, leaving the mooring ball on the starboard side ( this
way, if I must go on I can turn to the port which is where the escape
route is,, the deep water ).

Anyway,,, I will have my mooring pick up stick at the ready. Once I grab
the line, get the line on deck and cleated..

I thought that I might ask for help if there is a friendly boater around.
The boat is at a dock now. I must move it to the mooring or $$$$$$.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,,

The best approach is to slow down as Roger suggested. The only thing I would
add is to not run anywhere on the boat. If you are going slowly enough, you
should have plenty of time to walk forward. Also, you might want to let the
mooring ball come back a bit more. The boat is widest on the beam, and you
can use that to help you capture it. Try to grab it just forward of the
beam. You can also let it come all the way back to the cockpit, stop next to
it, and grab it there. Not quite so elegant, but you'll know where it is
without going to look.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com