A few thoughts about keeping the boat on the mooring: My M17 has lived on a mooring for the last 7 years, and my VN23 for about 30 years. I use the method you describe with a large ss carabiner to the bow eye and a longer safety (and pickup line) to the bow cleat. There is no chafe because this second line is normally slack. Chocks are still a good idea.. It is important, of course, to make sure the bow eye is securely attached and well backed, just as you would the deck cleat. Make sure to use only a LOCKING carabiner. The regular kind can and will get itself twisted in such a way that it opens itself. Ask me how I know. Thank goodness for the second line. A 1/2" stainless locking carabiner has worked well for me and never come undone. I row out to the boat in my dinghy--an 8' El Toro with oarlocks. The first thing I do is disconnect the carabiner from the bow eye and attach it to the dinghy painter. The boat is still attached to the buoy by the second line to the bow cleat. I board the boat, raise the sails, drop the line from the bow cleat and get under way. The process is reversed when returning. No need ever to use the motor. I have have a couple of sections of pool noodles on the back up line to make it easy to pick up with the boat hook. Drop the eye over the bow cleat, drop the sails and get everything ship shape, get in the dinghy, hook the carabiner to the bow eye and row away. On Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 AM Andrei Caldararu via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Thank you all for your responses. Some answers to the suggestions that were raised.
In my place there is no dock available; I need to be able to haul my family to and from the boat. So a kayak or small folding dinghy won’t work — I need whatever I get to carry 3-4 people when needed.
What I described above would be the main use of the dinghy, but definitely being able to carry it with me on the boat (or tow it behind) would be something I could use in the future, when I will make longer, overnight trips.
In the end I decided and got the Zodiac. It seemed to be in very good condition, and it holds air really well. There are a few seams that are unrelated to the air bags that seem to need a bit of attention, but these should be easy to reglue. BTW, does anyone have a recommended glue for this?
Two new questions.
1) What kind of oars would you guys recommend for it? 2) I know this has been discussed many times over on the list, but what is the consensus about how to attach an M-17 (newer, teak toerails) to a mooring buoy with a floating pendant? I saw many people suggest using a big stainless steel carabiner attached to the towing eye on the front of the boat, combined with a second line going to the bow cleat. I am just concerned about chafing against the side of the boat for the second line, because I have no rail chocks.
Thanks!