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Mooring Ball Etiquette #131100
05/25/2017 07:57 PM
05/25/2017 07:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline OP
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sail2wind  Offline OP
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This is copied and pasted for the charter boat and cruisers forum, thought I'd share.

I just returned from BVI and I noticed a sharp increase in the number of people taking mooring balls with their dinghies to reserve them for their friends.



The worst example was at Cooper Island. My girlfriend and I were lounging on the beach when a small cat came in for the last mooring ball. As it approached, a guy on the dock jumped in his dinghy and raced over on plane. He snatched the pennant when the older lady was 2 feet from picking it up! I got up from my lounger to help, but while my girlfriend and I discussed the merits of me assaulting someone in a foreign country, the older couple relented and left. Even my girlfriend said if it happened to her, she would have whacked him in the head with the boat-hook. If it had been a group of guys, I'm sure this would have become a brawl. I hope this is not the norm, rude.



Mooring balls are for yachts, not dinghies.

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Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: sail2wind] #131101
05/25/2017 08:08 PM
05/25/2017 08:08 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 263
Reno, Nevada
T
TIMRIM Offline
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TIMRIM  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 263
Reno, Nevada
That guy was A Whole

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: sail2wind] #131102
05/25/2017 08:16 PM
05/25/2017 08:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,114
West Palm Beach FL
bviboater Offline
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bviboater  Offline
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West Palm Beach FL
Quote

Mooring balls are for yachts, not dinghies.


Agreed totally, but it has been discussed here many many times and its seems that quite a few people on TTOL think its ok to 'save' a mooring for later use with their dinghy. But I digress best to stick with Mark Twain's quote...

“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”

Last edited by bviboater; 05/25/2017 08:17 PM.

John
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: bviboater] #131103
05/25/2017 08:21 PM
05/25/2017 08:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 263
Reno, Nevada
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TIMRIM Offline
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TIMRIM  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 263
Reno, Nevada
Can't fix stupid

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: TIMRIM] #131104
05/25/2017 08:33 PM
05/25/2017 08:33 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Massachusetts
Saving a mooring ball you've already paid for with a dinghy is very different from seeing a boat coming in and rushing to grab it with a dinghy.. Only way I could see this being ok is if the dinghy was in paying for that ball.

Personally, I'd never save a mooring myself - get there or let someone else have it.


Matt
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: maytrix] #131105
05/25/2017 09:45 PM
05/25/2017 09:45 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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USVI
I just pick up the mooring - tie the offending dinghy off the stern and pay my mooring fee - and make no bones about it.

Mooring etiquette has gone the way of anchoring etiquette as the sailing knowledge of the rental boat Captains has approached Zero in many cases.

Last edited by LocalSailor; 05/25/2017 09:48 PM.
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: LocalSailor] #131106
05/25/2017 11:12 PM
05/25/2017 11:12 PM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 239
S
steve74 Online content
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steve74  Online Content
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Last year - our first year bareboating - we raced a sailing cat into Cooper for the last ball. We were in a power cat. We beat them, but I came in hot and one of the motors shut off as my wife was trying to grab the ball. She tried to hold on to the boat hook, but of course it was ripped from her hands. She was upset and we rolled all night on the worst ball in the place given the wind. The guy we beat for the ball wasn't even close, but knowing what I know now, we got what we deserved. There are too many amazing places down there to be a selfish a-hole. I was one that day and it will not happen again!

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: steve74] #131107
05/26/2017 12:20 AM
05/26/2017 12:20 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline
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Kentucky
More than once we have had other boats actually pass us up as we are heading directly to a mooring ball when maybe only 300 feet or so out.... What's funny is when they do that, then you get another mooring, then later that evening you end up seated right at the next table during dinner that night. I personally would be embarrassed to pass someone up to grab a mooring that they obviously intend to pick up.... What ever happened to having a little consideration for other people? Life's better when you can chill out a little --- and drop an anchor when necessary.

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: Mandknky] #131108
05/26/2017 05:59 AM
05/26/2017 05:59 AM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 239
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steve74 Online content
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In our situation, it could be argued that both boats showed intent for the ball about the same time. However, I certainly didn't disadvantage myself for the betterment of another person. I grew up in eastern NC and some of my southern racing roots came out. Anyway, I felt bad about it, we suffered for it, and we learned our lesson.

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: steve74] #131109
05/26/2017 06:14 AM
05/26/2017 06:14 AM
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 52
Montreal, QC, Canada
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Freedom21 Offline
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Montreal, QC, Canada
What is the etiquette for mooring if you have paid for two nights but want to go for a sail during the day?

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: maytrix] #131110
05/26/2017 07:18 AM
05/26/2017 07:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
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NCSailor Offline
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Charlotte, NC
Quote
maytrix said:
Saving a mooring ball you've already paid for with a dinghy is very different from seeing a boat coming in and rushing to grab it with a dinghy.. Only way I could see this being ok is if the dinghy was in paying for that ball.


I agree with this. If I pay for a mooring and want to use it for a paddle board that is my choice. Cutting in front of someone that has demonstrated intent to pickup a ball is bad form.

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: Freedom21] #131111
05/26/2017 08:32 AM
05/26/2017 08:32 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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Quote
Freedom21 said:
What is the etiquette for mooring if you have paid for two nights but want to go for a sail during the day?


I think this is where it would be fine to leave a dinghy to mark it - maybe with a visible note that says already paid for.

I've never paid for two nights at once though and we've even stayed 3 nights in one place before - I just think its better to pay each night in case plans change. Say you go for a day sail and decide to stay elsewhere.. etc.


Matt
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: maytrix] #131112
05/26/2017 08:41 AM
05/26/2017 08:41 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
denverd0n Offline
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Quote
maytrix said:
Saving a mooring ball you've already paid for with a dinghy is very different from seeing a boat coming in and rushing to grab it with a dinghy...

THIS ^^^^^

The difference between these two scenarios is HUUUUUGE!

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: denverd0n] #131113
05/26/2017 11:28 AM
05/26/2017 11:28 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline OP
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I have never paid for 2 nights in advance.

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: sail2wind] #131114
05/26/2017 09:04 PM
05/26/2017 09:04 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline
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Quote
sail2wind said:
I have never paid for 2 nights in advance.


Only on Mustique.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: Freedom21] #131115
05/27/2017 06:00 AM
05/27/2017 06:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
42.77N 76.14W
jmon Offline
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Lets see...what did we do in the 80's before mooring balls???? Oh yeah, we anchored!!


Jeff

Tug William B
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: jmon] #131116
05/27/2017 10:03 PM
05/27/2017 10:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
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Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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Tonight! Arrived inAnchorage off the Caves and a boat was ANCHORED in between 3 balls. Even after fee collected, he remained anchored.... I don't understand reason, but cat coming in just before sundown is definitely at risk from swing....


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: Deepcut] #131117
05/30/2017 03:14 PM
05/30/2017 03:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
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Ottawa, Canada
Okay... here's a scenario. Two families travelling on two cats. Wake up early motor to White bay to get two mooring balls. both pay for the mooring balls until the next day. One Cat leaves dinghy behind to do some sailing while the other Cat and some crew stay behind to relax and enjoy the beach.

Acceptable mooring etiquette?

Thanks!

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: UncleLuff] #131118
05/30/2017 03:29 PM
05/30/2017 03:29 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
Kirk Offline
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Maryland
We've paid for two nights at Cooper and tied the dinghy off to the ball to go diving nearby during the day-per instructions from the staff at Cooper.


Kirk in Maryland
Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: jmon] #131119
05/30/2017 03:57 PM
05/30/2017 03:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 385
Florida
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rfrimmel Offline
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Florida
Agree. If you can't find a ball, use the hook and save the mooring fee for some drinks on land.

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: UncleLuff] #131120
05/30/2017 11:38 PM
05/30/2017 11:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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USVI
Quote
UncleLuff said:
Okay... here's a scenario. Two families travelling on two cats. Wake up early motor to White bay to get two mooring balls. both pay for the mooring balls until the next day. One Cat leaves dinghy behind to do some sailing while the other Cat and some crew stay behind to relax and enjoy the beach.

Acceptable mooring etiquette?

Thanks!


A paid for mooring with a dinghy on it is a different scenario then "saving" a mooring for your friends.

Re: Mooring Ball Etiquette [Re: LocalSailor] #131121
05/30/2017 11:47 PM
05/30/2017 11:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Massachusetts
At the end of the day, it still doesn't mean someone won't take the ball not understanding the situation. But I think you'd be in the right doing that.. Personally, I wouldn't do it myself.


Matt

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