Using a bridle on a mooring ball

[rupertfb]

As an ‘aside’....

If you use a line (on a catamaran) from each bow, if you want to sail off the mooring safely: release the port line (to sail away on a stbd tack) and the boat will swing to about 40 degrees off the wind before releasing stbd - sweet!

[valhalla360]

Never mind, image won't display

[getthejibin]

Do none of the brides mind this kind of work?

[rreid01]

In a word, chafe. Often times the pendant you are picking up has growth on it, sometimes sharp. And even if it does not, eventually it will chafe your line anyway.

Learned that one the hard way. Fortunately the only damage was the mooring line.

[LoudMusic]

I've done bridle and two independent loops each returning to their own cleat. I like the two loops best because it's the easiest to disembark from and adjust length on. It also provides redundancies. The bridle is fine, though. The only negative I can think of is in an exceptionally rare circumstance it might be nice to be able to uncleat lines and be away quickly, but a bridle could be rigged that way as well.

[LoudMusic]

Originally Posted by getthejibin

Do none of the brides mind this kind of work?

Could you be more specific?

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by docwood

To the post that mentioned the mooring ball tapping the boat. I just watched a video the other night where they tied a third line the mooring ball and drew it fairly tight to the pulpit (directly under the pulpit) so it couldn't drift into the
bow. Don't know if this would work or not. Plus it didnt explain whether you then bring your bridle in snug because to me if you don't your putting all your stress on the pulpit line?O-o

For years I've used a piece of 5/16" shock cord to keep the mooring ball from touching the hulls: One end attached to the end of the bow sprit, the other end clipped to the ball. If the wind dies and current pushes the boat forward over the ball, the elastic cord will keep the boat from overriding the ball. The loads under such conditions are light, and when the wind comes up again the boat pulls on the bridle, not the stretchy cord.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by getthejibin

Do none of the brides mind this kind of work?

Why do you think they come with long veils...makes a great snubber.

[geoff326]

Originally Posted by StuM

Two lines ARE a bridle (not bridal !)
BRIDAL = relating to a bride/wedding
BRIDLE = two lines forming a triangle between attachment points on the vessel and an anchor rode, mooring buoy or tow line.
SNUBBER = single shock absorbing line between boat and anchor rode/mooring.

I would take issue with your contention that a bridle cannot be used at a wedding or the bride would have no use for one.

A different type of wedding or bride maybe, but as they say "whatever floats your boat."

[StuM]

Originally Posted by geoff326

I would take issue with your contention that a bridle cannot be used at a wedding or the bride would have no use for one.

A different type of wedding or bride maybe, but as they say "whatever floats your boat."

Of course, there's always a "scold's bridle", but the wedding might be a little early to use it.

[geoff326]

Originally Posted by StuM

Of course, there's always a "scold's bridle", but the wedding might be a little early to use it.

Touché.

I wouldn't mind betting that there are few sailing couples out there that wish they had one on board.

[CaptJPMcGuire]

On a BRIDLE where the two legs attach to the pennant (crotch end) they must be short enough to NEVER be able to sink below the surface of the water. If the boat rotates around the mooring buoy and the crotch of the BRIDLE gets caught under the buoy--this in fact reduce the effective scope of the mooring pennant to the BRIDLE leg length.
If the BRIDLE legs are long the crotch will be chafing on the bottom of the buoy balls and possibly chafe through. A BRIDLE crotch and Buoy Balls rubbing fort a period of time can create a lot of friction thus creating heat and render the whole marriage into a failure and salvage operation.

[Perfect Ride]

Originally Posted by Nahbrown

We were taught not to use a bridal on a mooring ball but to use two lines run independently to our forward cleats .
Why?

Primary reason we do not use the bridle is for flexibility of adjustment and release.

I have seen moorings drag to deep water and a release would require diving to the ball while the boat was adrift. Not fun in the kind of seas found with winds that cause moorings to drag. I also like to have quick release option in case someone is dragging anchor towards me. Sail long enough and eventually someone will drag anchor towards you.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by mcon12000

Just another opinion..

Two lines and if you hanging out for a bit some old fire hose and some pool noodles.

You’ll also find a few places in the US that require you to use an easy to release two line setup. Nothing else is allowed.

What is the purpose of the pool noodle?

[CaptainRivet]

Hi all,

I bought a FP Lavezzi cat not long ago and be the first time on a mooring now.
Is there a way I can connect to the mooring ball using both eyes/loops inside of the bows meant for the Anker bridle?

The big issue I am having when mooring is that both mooring lines that go to the cleats are chaffing on the outside of both hulls and also damaging the wrap that the former owner put on both bows. I need to be able to run the mooring lines from inside of both bows and the only attachment point are the eyes for the anker bridle.