My plan was to keep my E32-3 on a buoy year round, topped with a canvas boat cover. I've only had the boat in since early last month. Before installing the cover, I was satisfied with the mooring, though I was surprised by how much the boat “sailed” or “horsed” in 12+ knots of wind. Often the bow would swing rhythmically up to 25-30 degrees off center, but I could live with that.
I thought the canvas cover would help, as there is more canvas behind than mast than in front. Man, was I wrong! With the cover on, the swings increased to 60-80 degrees. Occasionally, the bow would actually get pointed slightly downwind, the boat “sailing” away nearly broad-reached until jerked back in the opposite direction by the mooring lines. As it was late in the evening, dark, and cold, I decided this would have to make do for the night (winds were forecast at 10K). I was going to remove the cover the next day.
Then, hesitating to undo all the work I’d done just the day before, I thought I’d try tying by to the stern, just to see how it would fare. I was amazed at the difference. Tied to stern, the boat remained rock solid in 15K wind—no oscillations at all. It only moved, in a very controlled manner, when wind gusts changed directions.
Time to rethink my plan. Options: 1) leave the boat covered and tied to stern as pictured, 2) remove the cover and go back to tying off at the bow, 3) try a riding sail with the boat tied to bow and covered, or 4) suck it up and pay for a slip--at least over the winter.
Any long term concerns over tying off to stern long-term? Any experience with a riding sail on a permanent mooring buoy?
Conditions in the bay where I’m moored:
Any advice or experiences appreciated....
Ken
I thought the canvas cover would help, as there is more canvas behind than mast than in front. Man, was I wrong! With the cover on, the swings increased to 60-80 degrees. Occasionally, the bow would actually get pointed slightly downwind, the boat “sailing” away nearly broad-reached until jerked back in the opposite direction by the mooring lines. As it was late in the evening, dark, and cold, I decided this would have to make do for the night (winds were forecast at 10K). I was going to remove the cover the next day.
Then, hesitating to undo all the work I’d done just the day before, I thought I’d try tying by to the stern, just to see how it would fare. I was amazed at the difference. Tied to stern, the boat remained rock solid in 15K wind—no oscillations at all. It only moved, in a very controlled manner, when wind gusts changed directions.
Time to rethink my plan. Options: 1) leave the boat covered and tied to stern as pictured, 2) remove the cover and go back to tying off at the bow, 3) try a riding sail with the boat tied to bow and covered, or 4) suck it up and pay for a slip--at least over the winter.
Any long term concerns over tying off to stern long-term? Any experience with a riding sail on a permanent mooring buoy?
Conditions in the bay where I’m moored:
Bay is very well protected from waves.
MLLW depth 12’ / tide range of -4 to +15.
Mooring is an 18” buoy on 6’ chain + 30’ of 1” double-braid nylon, with 2 swivels, shackled to a helix anchor
Peak/Average “High” winds are 35K/18K (Jan-Mar), 38/16K (Sep-Dec) over the last two years
The boat: Raised stern with 7 thru-hulls:MLLW depth 12’ / tide range of -4 to +15.
Mooring is an 18” buoy on 6’ chain + 30’ of 1” double-braid nylon, with 2 swivels, shackled to a helix anchor
Peak/Average “High” winds are 35K/18K (Jan-Mar), 38/16K (Sep-Dec) over the last two years
Eng exhaust (with a seacock I can close)
2 Cockpit drains (seacocks that need to stay open for drainage)
3 Bilge pump drains (2 for electric pumps, one for the manual pump that I can bung for protection)
Propane locker drain
2 Cockpit drains (seacocks that need to stay open for drainage)
3 Bilge pump drains (2 for electric pumps, one for the manual pump that I can bung for protection)
Propane locker drain
Any advice or experiences appreciated....
Ken