TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?

My wife and I have done several solos, and while there can be a bit of nervousness, all has gone well. Similar past experience regarding her involvement in picking up the mooring, etc, but just go slowly and be patient -- once she grabs the pennant, go forward and help...

If you are very aware of the boat and the effects of wind and current on that boat you may get away with bringing the mooring anywhere past amidship. The less experienced with that boat, those currents and wind will end up with the mooring cable on the keel, rudder, skeg, or prop. For that reason only those that really understand where the mooring cable is and how each boat will perform to any throttle or rudder change in the sea and weather conditions of the day should ever attempt anything but a simple pick up of the pendant from the bow once the helmsman has stopped the bow in that place. The person driving the boat must stop the bow where the single crew tasked with lifting the pendant onto the boat can do that without effort. All the skill and work must be with the person at the wheel and throttle. The single person on the bow simply lifts and places nothing more.

If you have a speedometer onboard ..gps..or handheld the helms person can learn the approach speed INTO THE WIND that works. Most errors are related to too much speed. You want to end up near dead in the water...way too often the boat is going 2-3 kts when the hooker attempts snagging the ball. Always goes badly then.

Agree on the speed and the most common mistake of too much headway. Totally disagree on using anything like a "speedometer" or GPS to gauge the approach to a dock or mooring. Tape that stuff over and focus on your movement relevant to stationary object near by. Once you are within sight of land the only electronic tool that should be used is the depth sounder. Into the wind at the lowest headway possible to maintain steerage is the way to go. On a cat the dual engines allow control with no headway for those that master the concept.

Well indeed we disagree. Yes with lots of experience one can stop that boat on the ball and hold it there. Or pick it up from single handling ..did it many times. My spouse and I don't recall missing a ball for last several years we had the boat..suspect our memory erased failures. However for first few tries..and since it was a screen right handy..seeing 0.1 kts was quite comforting..big difference than 0.5 or 1 kt..which feels much the same. If it helps overcome the biggest error..to hot..why on earth not use it?

Why not use it? Because on an unfamiliar boat and on many boats that some are very familiar with the knot meter is not accurate or reliable for anything. Glad it worked out for you. I would never suggest coaching anyone to rely on that boat tool/toy. The better coaching is to get and keep the head and eyes out of the boat. Note the relative movement through the water, past other fixed objects, and the closing on the mooring. One other hint is to keep everyone off the bow until the very last minute. The body(s) waiving boathooks and arms can be very distracting to the young helmsman in an unfamiliar space. If you have any doubt stop the boat well away from the mooring and then go ahead at the lowest possible headway possible with infrequent touches of forward gear to get and keep the boat moving with steerageway. That velocity will be different for each boat and wind condition. Practice bringing the bow to a mooring can be done at any time with no one on the bow. It should be done by any helmsman until the helmsman has confidence on the boat of the day.

Whatever...if someone is going out for the first time I'd strongly suggest looking at the knot meter approaching a ball. You are not navigating into skerry shoals for gosh sakes. for the novice seeing boat speed drop to near zero approaching is crucial. "Slow" is not sufficient as many spouse over boards, lost boat hooks, rope burns and embarrassed crew and marital strife will attest. For a novice..gawking at the bank or boat next door while steering won't likely give as good a quick read of speed as the screen...is it necessary? Nope..is it helpful first few pickups? Absolutely. . There's a reason my buddy down there working for moor secure replaces so many pennants...not because they were going too slow in approach. I suggest they check speed on gauge if available..you tell em to tape over it. Now they have a choice.

So my wife and I ended up booking an Oceanis 38 through DYC. Looking forward to getting back to the BVI this summer. This will be probably my 7th or 8th charter in the BVI, but first time back since 2012 and first time in BVI using anyone other than Moorings (we have used DYC in La Paz).

Sean

Yep... all this does and will happen again. "spouse over boards, lost boat hooks, rope burns and embarrassed crew and marital strife". The most important family item here. A very clear standing order to all men, women, and children if there is ever any load pulling on a mooring or docking line in your hand you always let that go and step away. Step away to the mast if you do not know where to go. No one ever should be reaching for any mooring of dock lines from a multi ton moving boat. Yes, you will see individuals doing it all the time with the appearance of success. It is always dangerous. Just as stepping in front of a car in the garage thinking the driver will surely stop is reckless. The prudent mariner, husband, and father will bring the boat to the mooring or dock. Stop the boat within reach of the line(s) to be retrieved and placed securely. Only with the boat stopped and under control should the skipper give the order to reach for the line. There is never any harm in the helmsman observing the conditions and taking the boat back around to make a more controlled approach. If the crew notices the helmsman has his head down into the instruments. I suggest sitting down in the cockpit until the driver gets his end of the boat under control. If a mooring pendant ever pulls on you. Let it go! The boat weighs tons, the engine has the power of 10's of horses, the mooring is screwed to the bottom. A gorilla could not win that battle. When the dock or mooring line pulls the helmsman has created all the error never the crew. Release the line and give the helm the chance to correct the error on the next controlled approach. Step back and away to it is clear to the helm you are clear and the line released. This also gives the helm the visibility back to exit and make another approach.

The rigging of any bridle and pendent is different for each boat and mooring. No one can type that here. If you do not understand how you will attach the the line you retrieve do not go forward. Do you best to never be a part of group effort on the bow. The retrieving of a mooring line is a one person job. Maybe two if the person using the hook would like and specifically asks someone to take the boat hook from them.

Here is a simple picture of one man safely holding a dock line. The line is outside of everything, clear, all in one hand. At the first sign of any load that line can be released on let go with no risk of any injury to the person. The single person or the bow should keep themselves free and clear of any line they many need to release.

Try this - 1. Feel the strength and direction of the wind on your face. 2. Look over the side at the water to judge your speed. 3. Adjust throttle and helm accordingly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />