Picking up a mooring under sail

[tao]

Quite a few years ago, I had the use of a Stone Horse sloop in Roslyn harbor that was engineless. I too found it best to sail on a reach to a point downwind of the mooring then turn into the wind and let momentum take me to the buoy. The trick is to gauge the wind strength and adjust the turning point to match. If I was solo, I'd lasso the ball with a line I'd cleated off and then sort things out afterward. That particular mooring field not being very crowded also made things easier.

[Talbot]

Three points about buoy technique:

1. In addition to the wind, pay very careful attention to the tide.

2. plan your approach with an appropriate escape route if wind/tide is different to that estimated (i.e. so you dont end up T-boned by the next yacht downstream, or go aground).

3. If in doubt, do an intentional practice run erring towards the safe side away from other dangers.

[Jmolan]

Check out this previous post. I NEVER use the engine (so far anyhow) but I have an ideal location to pull this off, sure is a fun thing...to sail away and sail back......:-)

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...&postcount=150