Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I've got a WK250 that i've owned for a year. She sits on a mooring. What is the recommended way to tie to the mooring, given the storm coming. There are two lines off the mooring. One with a D ring, & one with a loop. I don't use the D ring as seen posts suggesting not to use that to the towing eye. Currently using two 1/2" lines through the loop line tying off on each bow cleat. Any other suggestions? Recommendations?
First, 1/2" line is way too big. Replace it with 3/8" line. Mooring line should be able to stretch under load, to absorb the shock. A C250 isn't heavy enough to stretch 1/2" line. If the line doesn't absorb the shock, then, when the line pulls up short, it can tear out the cleats of a small boat. Also, 1/2" line doesn't fit your cleats. It's too fat and it's too stiff to wrap tightly around small cleats.
A single 3/8" line alone is strong enough to hold the boat through most any storm, especially if the line doesn't chafe. By having two lines, if one chafes through, the other one will still hold the boat. I generally double up my lines when a hurricane is coming.
If you're a belt and suspenders advocate, hook the second mooring pendant to the bow eye. Leave it slightly slack so that it only takes up the load if the other two lines fail.
Realistically, if a storm is so violent that an arrangement like that won't hold your boat, then look to your insurance.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
This is an excellent read on how to. Especially how to tie up to a morning ball and prevent chafe in a storm. As Steve said, 3/8 line is what you want. One line for each cleat this way if one let's go you still have another. https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/tie-sailboat-to-mooring-ball
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
A chart I just read gives a dock/mooring line recommends a minimum of 3/8" working on a scale of 1/8" diameter for every 9 feet of boat. On that basis, 3/8" should be acceptable for boats up to 27' in length.
DavidP 1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52 PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess" Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
If you still have time, a rubber snubber is a good addition to your line. That adds a great deal of flex to lessen shock loads on your cleats. I use them when preparing for weather events. Your local boating store should offer them.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.