Playing Single Handed Pick-up Sticks
Pick-up Sticks, commonly known as Pick-up Buoy or Mast Mooring Buoy are a great help when trying to grab your mooring. Essentially they are 4 to 6 feet long fiberglass rods attached to a float. A lead weight is attached at one end of the stick, keeping the rod up-right in the water. The weight, which has a ¼" line attached to it, runs through two mooring line loops. These mooring lines are attached to the top of mooring ball.
Pick-up Sticks, commonly known as Pick-up Buoy or Mast Mooring Buoy are a great help when trying to grab your mooring. Essentially they are 4 to 6 feet long fiberglass rods attached to a float. A lead weight is attached at one end of the stick, keeping the rod up-right in the water. The weight, which has a ¼" line attached to it, runs through two mooring line loops. These mooring lines are attached to the top of mooring ball.
Buying Our First Boat
For Marilyn and I, it was time to stop dreaming and start sailing. We hope the lessons we learn in selecting, purchasing, financing, and finally sailing Bo'Daycious will be helpful to you.
For Marilyn and I, it was time to stop dreaming and start sailing. We hope the lessons we learn in selecting, purchasing, financing, and finally sailing Bo'Daycious will be helpful to you.
I am fairly comfortable with Marilyn's ability to get the approach right. But what was I going to do when she isn't here and I have to do it by myself?
A quick Google provided the solution, which hopefully I can clarify here.
The Pick-up trick of the week
Prep:
When you are nearly ready to leave the mooring, run a long (approximately the length of the boat) dock line from the Port bow cleat OUTSIDE of the Bow Pulpit and Stanchions along the tow rail and securely fasten it to the aft port mooring cleat or stern rail. Make sure it is fairly taut, as you do not want the line to come loose and end up around the propeller, or loose on deck and cause someone to trip.
Visual Check:
Make sure that you have the line on the OUTSIDE of the Bow Pulpit and Stanchions.
Finalize your cast off and have a great day sailing.
Quick Checklist on Your Return to the Mooring Field
Your PFD is actually on!
Boat hook on cabintop - NOT on the deck (tripping possible) and
close enough to grab if you need it.
Dock Line is tied to the aft port cleat.
Upon your return to the mooring field, drop your sail and motor toward your mooring ball and Pick-up Buoy. Head directly into the wind, and line up your approach so you can view the mooring ball through the mast and directly over the center of the Bow Pulpit.
Approach with only enough speed to keep you heading into the wind.
As your boat gets closer to the Pick-up Buoy, shift into neutral and turn the bow slightly to Starboard so the Pick-up Buoy will glide along the Port side of your boat. While still in the cockpit, untie the long Dock line and coil it in one hand (so it doesn't get in the water) as you watch the Pick-up Buoy slowly work its way down the side of the boat.
As it gets close to the cockpit, in one smooth motion:
As an absolute novice sailor, I have done this repeatedly and it has worked very well. Each time I improve my technique mostly with better preparation. Next time Marilyn and I sail together I intend to use the same method, completely eliminating the back and forth chatter from the bow.
Click Here to Return to Lessons
A quick Google provided the solution, which hopefully I can clarify here.
The Pick-up trick of the week
Prep:
When you are nearly ready to leave the mooring, run a long (approximately the length of the boat) dock line from the Port bow cleat OUTSIDE of the Bow Pulpit and Stanchions along the tow rail and securely fasten it to the aft port mooring cleat or stern rail. Make sure it is fairly taut, as you do not want the line to come loose and end up around the propeller, or loose on deck and cause someone to trip.
Visual Check:
Make sure that you have the line on the OUTSIDE of the Bow Pulpit and Stanchions.
Finalize your cast off and have a great day sailing.
Quick Checklist on Your Return to the Mooring Field
Your PFD is actually on!
Boat hook on cabintop - NOT on the deck (tripping possible) and
close enough to grab if you need it.
Dock Line is tied to the aft port cleat.
Upon your return to the mooring field, drop your sail and motor toward your mooring ball and Pick-up Buoy. Head directly into the wind, and line up your approach so you can view the mooring ball through the mast and directly over the center of the Bow Pulpit.
Approach with only enough speed to keep you heading into the wind.
As your boat gets closer to the Pick-up Buoy, shift into neutral and turn the bow slightly to Starboard so the Pick-up Buoy will glide along the Port side of your boat. While still in the cockpit, untie the long Dock line and coil it in one hand (so it doesn't get in the water) as you watch the Pick-up Buoy slowly work its way down the side of the boat.
As it gets close to the cockpit, in one smooth motion:
- Step up on the sidedeck.
- Keeping your weight over your feet, grab the Pick-up Buoy. (Use the boat hook if needed to tip the stick)
- Pull the Pick-up Buoy out of the water and grab the two mooring loops at the end of the line.
- Slip your coiled Dock line through the TWO mooring line loops.
- Hold on to the Dock Line tightly, and drop the mooring lines and Pick-up Buoy back in the water.
- Hanging onto the Dock line, walk forward to the bow with the Dock line OUTSIDE of the stanchions, shortening the amount of Dock line as you get closer to the bow.
- Once you reach the bow continue pulling (shortening) the Dock line until you can grab the mooring lines
- Slip one of the mooring lines over one of the bow cleats
- Un-hook the Pick-up Buoy
- Remove the Dock Line
- Secure the last mooring line
- Put the Dock Line and Pick-up Buoy away for the evening
- Shut off the engine
- Secure the sail (Bow to your neighbors)
- Drink something cold.
As an absolute novice sailor, I have done this repeatedly and it has worked very well. Each time I improve my technique mostly with better preparation. Next time Marilyn and I sail together I intend to use the same method, completely eliminating the back and forth chatter from the bow.
Click Here to Return to Lessons
When returning with a crew, typically one stands at the bow, while giving directions to the helmsman. Once the pick-up stick is close enough to the bow to grab, you do so, pulling up the stick, the 1/4" line, and the mooring lines, all in one long motion. The mooring lines are then secured to the port and starboard bow cleat, and the Pick-up stick's 1/4" line is removed. The assembly is stored along the toe rail and stanchions until it's time to leave, when the process is reversed.
This arrival processing, and the resulting communications between the person at the bow and the helmsman, are the source of entertainment for those already moored. Often the yelling is directed aft, punctuated with a periodic "What?!" response.
What You Need for This Lesson
1. Pick up Buoy
2. Dock line at least the length of your boat
32' Boat = 35' Dock Line
1. Pick up Buoy
2. Dock line at least the length of your boat
32' Boat = 35' Dock Line