Protecting Re-Painted Topsides from Mooring Buoy

[wolfmt]

All -

As a preliminary matter, and as a new member, let me say how informative I find these forums to be. There is a collective base of knowledge here that simply can't be replicated by me calling my handful of sailing buddies to ask their opinions on various issues. Thanks to all who contribute to these forums.

I'm a life-long sailor but relatively new to keelboats. We've been in Beneteau First 265 for the last three/four years and are now about to upgrade our boat. We've settled on a so-called plastic classic, a Tartan 34C, and will likely have her topsides repainted navy blue before the season begins. To that end, I'm concerned about the wear I've seen on the Beneteau resulting from our mooring bouy and its likely effect on the newly painted topsides of the Tartan. We moor in Monroe Harbor in Chicago. The harbor is pretty well protected (except when the wind blows from the SE) but I suspect that damage from the mooring buoy occurs when there is no wind or waves and the boat rides up on the buoy. While I'm not sure of the material the bouys are constructed, they are of sturdy construction and are pretty good-sized (at least a couple of feet in diameter). I've seen people use "noodles" on the mooring lines and somehow affix upside down laundry baskets to the mooring bouy (presumably in an effort to reduce wear and tear on the topsides). However, I'm interested in whether anyone on this forum has any other suggestions.

Many thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Maine Sail]

Soft buoys and the pendant connects to the swivel under the ball is how it's mostly done up here in Maine. I've never had a problem with scratching my hull. The important thing is to keep all metal parts below the water and to use a "soft ball" or one that's inflated..

[wolfmt]

Thanks Halekai36. Unfortunately, we don't have a choice of buoys back here in Chicago. The harbor managers lay out the mooring field, including all of the buoys. The positive side of this is that I understand that there hasn't been a problem with mooring break-aways in some time. Unfortunately, however, the buoys used are not soft and the u-bolt and swivel are located on the top of the buoy.

[steelboat]

I had this problem last year, as our harbor has recently gone to requiring through the buoy gear, which means large shackles and an eyebolt above the buoy. They have had too many of the type halakei shows break loose when the pennants wrapped around and around the chain, under the buoy, and then took a strain and, if the swivels don't work well, chafe through. The present system eliminates that problem, but leaves a lot of gear above the buoy to bang the topsides in no wind conditions. I was able to get an inflatable buoy, with gear through it, but still managed to scratch the top sides until I wrapped carpet with duct tape around the whole mess of large galvy fittings. I don't think there's much you can do from stopping the hard plastic buoys from scratching, but you can wrap the eyebolt and shackles, and cut down on a lot of it. The inflatable buoys don't scratch, but are harder to find. Hamilton Marine has them. Hope this helps. Bob www.sv-restless.com

[erps]

I've seen some folks throw an inner tube around the buoy to remedy this problem.

[heinzir]

How about rigging a hold-off pole (temporary bowsprit) with a light line or heavy shock cord to keep the buoy away from the boat?

Henry
Chiquita