In article KR_og.2315$TC1.1920@trndny08,
"Lester Evans" wrote:

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,,

Lester, many interesting ideas.

I sail my J/100 (33', furling jib, fin keel) single handed a fair bit.
Here are my thoughts:

1. Invest in a tall mast pick up buoy
(http://www.mushroommooring.com/Pick_Up_Buoys.html) if you don't have
one. I use a short line with a bowline affixing one end to the buoy and
a snap shackle at the other end which I loop around the mooring's
eyesplice. When things start to go south (e.g., you start running over
your mooring), it gives you an extra few seconds, you don't have to bend
down (at my age and weight a blessing), nor do you have to futz with a
boat hook. You may thank me for this one.

2. Don't run is absolutely correct. Nothing good happens.

3. I loved the post about dead slow. Slow is good. It is the one thing I
sometimes botch, especially in a wind.

4. I think the idea of letting your boat drift on the mooring is
interesting. I don't do it on Lake Champlain. The wind here, even when
strong is too flukey and I have found it easier to head directly into
the wind (slowwwwwly) leave the mooring on my port side (the side
opposite my spinnaker pole, throw the boat into neutral before going
forward, grab the mast of my pick-up buoy forward of the beam if I can
(don't want my dingy line or anything to foul my rudder or sail drive)
and walk forward to the cleat.

5. I don't like butterflies when sailing. They belong in my wife's
garden (there is a reason I single hand), not on my boat. I recommend
picking your poison based on these posts and spending a day (in a not so
strong blow) picking up and dropping off your line at least ten times or
until you say, this is ridiculous.

Much joy and better weather.

harlan

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To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?