[AffrayedKnot]

If you know Mine Games, you know that’s a $3 million submarine lashed to the aft deck. It appears that she escaped with a mere dock rash; however the circumstance could have been perilous.

[VikHatBer]

Those goofy Euro marinas... what is with all the marinas in Europe? Not even a 150 footer gets a dock that doesn't require an anchor?

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by VikHatBer

Those goofy Euro marinas... what is with all the marinas in Europe? Not even a 150 footer gets a dock that doesn't require an anchor?

As silly as that sounds it really is a valid question. I run smaller boats and wouldn't consider going into a marina that doesn't put pilings between the slips. These yachts spend so much money, why don't they demand it or even foot the bill to put in some dolphins. It seems rediculous to slide a 150' yacht 150' down the side of another yacht like it's a gray painted battleship and med-moor like was done with little Italian fishing skiffs 80 years ago. With the cost of awlgrip it isn't quaint.

[Capt. Bill11]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

As silly as that sounds it really is a valid question. I run smaller boats and wouldn't consider going into a marina that doesn't put pilings between the slips. These yachts spend so much money, why don't they demand it or even foot the bill to put in some dolphins. It seems rediculous to slide a 150' yacht 150' down the side of another yacht like it's a gray painted battleship and med-moor like was done with little Italian fishing skiffs 80 years ago. With the cost of awlgrip it isn't quaint.

It's a space and demand issue I would think. And if your careful (and have enough fenders) Med mooring is not that hard.

[VikHatBer]

Originally Posted by Capt. Bill11

It's a space and demand issue I would think. And if your careful (and have enough fenders) Med mooring is not that hard.

But is it practical? Or is it more about culture/tradition?

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by Capt. Bill11

It's a space and demand issue I would think. And if your careful (and have enough fenders) Med mooring is not that hard.

Would you care to say that again so the captain of Mine Games can hear. He may have missed that "not hard" part. I haven't seen close-ups but I'd guess you could install a dolphin for the price of the repairs they'll be making.
For the amounts of money these yachts bring to a town they should "demand" the "space".

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by VikHatBer

But is it practical? Or is it more about culture/tradition?

Culture? Tradition? I'd say it's more a matter of telling the yacht owners to twist rather than laying out a few euros to insure their safety.

[K1W1]

Hi,

When you consider how many dockings are made annually like this the failure rate is almost non existent among the professionals.

The weekend warriors however do often provide some excellent dockside viewing and a high carbon emitting alternative to watching the sun go down whilst enjoying evening cocktails.

August is the peak viewing season for this type of domestic bliss turned nuclear holocaust in the time it takes to dock the boat whilst gesticulating wildly with all mobile body parts

[Capt. Bill11]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Would you care to say that again so the captain of Mine Games can hear. He may have missed that "not hard" part. I haven't seen close-ups but I'd guess you could install a dolphin for the price of the repairs they'll be making.
For the amounts of money these yachts bring to a town they should "demand" the "space".

Like I said, everybody has a bad day for what ever reason.

And F-ups like that don't happen very often. So I'd guess there isn't much, if any, real demands being made for pilings.

[Hiper]

I enjoy watching yachts mooring in the Med! The sight of a 150 footer sliding in between 2 other yachts in what seems to be a 5 foot gap is amazing. However, with the amount that some marinas are charging per day, even though seasonal, I can't seem to understand why the cannot come up with a decent solution.

But as Capt. Bill said, its a demand and space issue. Yachts keep coming back year after year and pay whatever they going rate is with no questions asked. It's either that way, or you end up spending the night out at sea.

[AMG]

The short answer is that all slips are used by yachts of different size during the season. Even if you own your slip, it is rented out when you are away, so it must be a flexible system.

And almost all yachts have twin engines and bow thruster so it is really easy, the trick is when you are not using any thrusters, since they are so noisy...

[Deckies Feet]

Mooring a boat can be tricky and everyone has a bad day. There are locations in the Med ‘le Grand Mott’ for example that do have pilings to assist. However it is not the norm. Just because it is done differently in one part of the world does not make it right. I actually find mooring stern too with pilings harder? If pilings were used it would limit berth width and the marinas ability to locate different sized yachts . Many captains moor up without issues, with skill and experience yes. I don’t know if this was the captain of Mind Games first trip to the med or first time docking stern too in a high wind but it looks as if he got slightly flustered. No big deal as it happens to us all at some stage. The questions is should it happen when you’re in commanded of a 150ft, at this stage in the game you should have clocked up some serious experience of pontoon bashing, however at least he or she avoided the Ferretti .
As for yacht owners demanding the space, berths are very limited in the med, you are lucky to get a berth say in St Tropez, requesting better facilities because of what you pay will fall on amused French ears I think.

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

These yachts spend so much money, why don't they demand it or even foot the bill to put in some dolphins.

To be honest, dolphins would really just be another obstacle. A few well placed fenders work better than a few dolphins.
Whence you get the hang of it, Med-Mooring is really much simpler than pulling into a slip. (As I say this we're preparing to pull into Nantucket stern-to; perhaps I should be knocking on some wood).

[NYCAP123]

The slip I've been using this year for the 50 is really for a 40 or 45 with the pilings 30' from the dock. We have about 60' across the marina (bow to bow), a 4kt + current just off the bow and whatever wind. I do it cleanly because that's my job, but my heart rate is up until my quarters are within those pilings. I especially fear the guys next to us who may or may not have experience.
Sliding 100' down along fenders still leaves rub marks, and get off the straight and narrow and that quarter can dig in.
Nantucket (and occasionally North Cove, NYC) are the only marinas on the east coast that med moor at all to the best of my knowledge. Everywhere else the big boys lay side to or have pilings. It just seems like the euro marinas aren't putting in an effort to accommodate.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

It just seems like the euro marinas aren't putting in an effort to accommodate.

Hi,

NYCAP- Can I suggest you put in a season or three in the Med working on a boat before making such comments?