Graeme: Here is a bit more information about what has worked for me. I
use a Yale Maxi-Moor pendant, the 3/4" by 12' version, which has
breaking strength of more than 9,000 kg. I think that is way more than
I need. The product is described here:
[1]
http://www.yalecordage.com/maxi-moor.html. You will want a heavy
galvanized shackle (5/8" if I recall, but best to check) to attack the
pendant to the mooring chain. My mooring has one large shackle at the
end of the chain, which keeps the chain from disappearing through the
buoy to the bottom. Then I use a second shackle attached to the first
one to secure the pendant. The second one comes off the buoy along with
the pendant at the end of the season. Both are wired shut with Monel
wire.
Note that my mooring chain passes through the buoy and the pendant
attaches on top. This is different from some systems I see where the
pendant attaches below the buoy. I figure the fewer underwater
connections the better!
How I use the pendant: I pass the large spliced eye through the base of
the port side cleat and then over the ends. This keeps the boat very
secure even without using the little blue line you see in the picture.
I use that line instead to attach a pickup buoy that just sits on the
deck when the boat is on the mooring, but makes picking up the mooring
as simple as nosing the boat up to the pickup buoy and having someone
reach over the side to grab it and pull it on board. No messing around
with boat hooks required. The one I like is this one:
[2]
https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/products/buoy-mast-mooring-6-ft--del
uxe-orange-poly-coated-15953.html. This one has a coating over the
fibreglass that protects it from the UV and also protects your hands
from exposure to bare fiberglass, and is long enough that you don't
have to reach down to grab it. Some people attach a tell-tale to the
top to give better info about what the wind is doing as you approach
the mooring.
I have tried attaching a mooring line on the starboard side but it
tends to hang up on the anchor when the boat swings. I've never had
this issue on the port side, nor have I seen a need for a second
pendant.
Scott Thompson
--------------------------------------
I work irregular hours and often write emails late in the evening and at weekend
s; that doesn't mean I expect you to do the same; reply when convenient!
References
1.
http://www.yalecordage.com/maxi-moor.html
2.
https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/products/buoy-mast-mooring-6-ft--deluxe-orange-poly-coated-15953.html