Med mooring ?

[u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp]

While med mooring in a cross wind, is it acceptable/professional to cross the stern lines to help keep the stern parallel to the dock? Or am I missing a skill… attaching the stern line without crossing them is not working for me in a skill building VR (quest) lesson plan.

Anchor/slime line doesn’t matter.. I’m just trying to keep the boat straight once I’m tied up and the engine is in neutral.

[u/dbalocca]

I just retuned from Croatia, on a cat, Once you get the stern lines secured (not crossed) I put the it in forward gear then I can secure the slime line(s) The forward tension will keep the stern parallel to the dock (given your stern lines are equal length.)

[u/markboats → u/dbalocca]

If you do this leave the stern lines longer than you want while you fix your ground lines, then come back and pull the boat to the quay

If you don't you won't have enough tension in your ground lines. Have watched dozens of charter boats bouncing off the quay in these exact circumstances over the years

And for the love of god if you're going to walk away fron the helm with the props engaged don't wrap a line, especially if you've got revs on. Sinking in the marina is fairly poor seamanship

[u/lunenburger → u/markboats]

"sinking in the marina is fairly poor seamanship" 🤣🤣🤣

[u/markboats → u/lunenburger]

You may laugh, but I've watched a few do it... 😁🙃

[u/lunenburger → u/markboats]

... and that's what makes that sentence all the more funny🤣

[u/markboats → u/lunenburger]

😂😂😂

Sometimes all you can do is observe and smile.🙃

[u/dbalocca → u/markboats]

I don’t leave the helm. The crew handles the lines. And yes, we tension the stern lines after the ground lines are secured.

[u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp → u/dbalocca]

Once you go to neutral the cross wind is going to blow the bow leeward and the leeward stern corner heads for the dock… unless the lines are really taut there’s always gonna be some yaw… so crossing is my solution at the moment

[u/dbalocca → u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp]

Yes. You need more forward power to keep the lines taut in a crosswind. You leave it in forward until you get the lazy line secured.

[u/nickelchrome → u/dbalocca]

This is the correct method, no need to cross lines.

The most important part is the windward line needs to go first and carry the load.

[u/the-montser]

Yes that is fine.

Also some movement is going to happen when med mooring. Just leave out a bunch of fenders and all the boats kind of squish together.

[u/flyingron]

Crossing the lines would be bad. Imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously, and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.

[u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp → u/flyingron]

I know right?!!!!

[u/X_kansas_x]

The norms are mixed in Greece that I’ve seen. In a busy harbor when boats are coming and going in good weather, don’t block vacant spots with wide stern lines. Alternatively, I just spent a week med-moored in Limnos with heavy and consistent cross winds, and boats put out wide stern lines wherever possible reducing yaw and reducing swing into the quay.

[u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp → u/X_kansas_x]

That’s what I’m thinking… the only way to stop the bow from blowing downwind is to use cross crossed stern lines.

[u/caeru1ean → u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp]

You’re just not using enough engine. Loosen the leeward stern line, drive forward on the windward line aggressively. Get the bow line on tight, and then reverse aggressively and tighten the stern lines.

[u/Particular_Leg_6204]

Once windward stern line is on go forward and turn the helm to leeward once boat straightens out secure other lines and you can sit there all day and adjust with no worries.. higher winds just higher rpm’s. Here is a great video to help https://m.youtube.com/shorts/CgXiugZFtBc?ra=m

[u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp → u/Particular_Leg_6204]

Thank you just what I was looking for

[u/kharneyFF]

Thanks for posting this question. Incidentally I have marineverse sailing VR and I didnt realize this was in there! I'm gonna check it out!

[u/ShrekNFionaVonSwamp → u/kharneyFF]

I’m sorry I introduced you to the docking exercises… with simply the addition of 10 knots of wind, you too can have the mouth of a frustrated sailor!🤣🤣🤣

[u/Rino-feroce]

During the monouvre? I think crossing the stern lines is just asking eventually for trouble, especially if someone from the dock (i.e. not instructed crewmember) takes your line to help. 99% of the times they will lock your stern line on the closest dock cleat, without crossing, no matter what you tell them to do: if that is your leeward (boat cleat) line (that you intended to cross-tie, but the guy just ties it to leeward as he has always done), then you are already in trouble with the cross wind. I would just pass the windward stern line, fix it as fast reasonably possible on the windward side. If you have time to tie the leeward stern line good, otherwise engine in forward anyway and balance the wind, and keep it going. At this point you have time to either fix the line at the bow and the leeward line (if you did not ties this already)... then you take your time to adjust all lines to perfection.

After the manouvre (once all the above is done)? It depends on where the dock cleats are. I think it is good courtesy no not go too wide outside your berth with the stern lines, or not to tie your line on the same cleat as your neighbour, so crossing the stern lines may solve this.