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Hi -

I have a new mooring for my 1985 13 Whaler for this season. For those who have theirs on a mooring, what is the best way to attach, I was thinking the primary on Norman Pin and a secondary on the bow eye. I have read differing opinions on using stainless carabiners / clip setups.

I'm a mooring newbie, any pictures, especially of the norman clip tie off / advice would be appreciated!!

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Bill, I use a clip-style mooring pennant from here: http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|2276108&id=2226886 attached to a nest-top mooring buoy from here: http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2276108|2276138|2276139&id=1637478

I use a swivel between the pennant and the shackle on top of the buoy to prevent twist. I clip the pennant to the bow eye as the primary connection, and use a simple dock line as a safety line looped around the backside of the clip. I lead the safety line throught the bow chock, a couple of times through the interior eye, and cleat off on the Norman pin. That way no matter what you don't end up with a lot of strain on the Norman pin, which it wasn't designed for.

You'll find that making the primary connection lower down, to the tow eye, makes the boat lie a lot quieter at the mooring. And no matter what, you don't want two separate lines to the mooring buoy - that's a guaranteed snarl.

Tim

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Tim -

Super helpful, thank you!

One other question, are you on a mooring full time and are you in salt water? The boatyard here says to not use the bow eye, as it is intended only for pulling up onto a trailer. A lot of what I am reading says to use it as it eliminated chaffing and reduces diving in weather.

Bill -

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The bow eye is through bolted. The yard guys don't understand Boston Whaler construction. Pay them no mind.

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billjnh,

Download the 9-17 foot models Owners Manual in our Download section.

Look under "Tying Up".
It says on page 17 of the manual:
"If mooring, the bow eye should be used"

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Salt water, but not full time with the Whaler as it's not bottom painted. Our other boat (different brand) is full time on the mooring in salt, and we also use the bow eye. It's through-bolted into the chain locker, as I am guessing most boats are.

You'd think the boatyard guys would know all this, but they often don't. But think about the force required to pull a boat up a steep ramp onto the trailer, and the safety margin required for highway travel - you have nothing to worry about using the bow eye on pretty much any boat.

Tim

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Tim -

I agree, I had the mooring constructed and installed by the boatyard, barge with a crane on it, they do it all the time and are reputable, and have been around forever. The mooring, however is mine, deeded water access at the end of the private lane way my house is on. They have slips and moorings farther up in the harbor. I did go by today and looked at 3 13' foot Whalers on moorings at their location, none were using the eye bolt, maybe a policy of theirs? Maybe a personal opinion of the guy I spoke with?

Anyway, I'm a cautious person and want to make sure that I do my due diligence and secure it properly. Everything you describe makes sense to me.

Thanks for all the help!!

bill -