Using a bridle on a mooring ball

[Nahbrown]

We were taught not to use a bridal on a mooring ball but to use two lines run independently to our forward cleats .


Why?

I see other cats using their bridals to no ill effects and it would make my wife happy to just hook the bridal to the painter from the mooring ball.

[Sos]

We use two lines with both ends of each line coming back to the boat.
Makes it very easy to adjust length if need be but also easy to release one end of each to leave without having to get to the bouy.

[BillKny]

Originally Posted by Sos

We use two lines with both ends of each line coming back to the boat.
Makes it very easy to adjust length if need be but also easy to release one end of each to leave without having to get to the bouy.

This is a really common way for the charter fleet to tie to mooring balls, because it is quick and easy. The crew doesn't have to learn how to tie a knot other than a cleat hitch, and it is OK for overnight... but...

it leaves the lines free to saw back and forth and in any kind of seaway they chafe quite quickly where they rub on the mooring pennant or ring. Probably OK if you pull up and check every day moving on to the next spot, but, myself, I'd never leave a boat tied this way unattended.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Sos

We use two lines with both ends of each line coming back to the boat.
Makes it very easy to adjust length if need be but also easy to release one end of each to leave without having to get to the bouy.

Can I add to that, that each line should return to the same cleat it started from to stop chaffing.

I use my bridle sometimes but my boat sails all over the place at anchor and the bouy can end up against the hull and bang away all night. With the two lines I can shorten them untill the lines prevent the bouy reaching the other side hull and get some sleep.

With the bridle you have only one point of attachment and if it lets go you will drift away.

[Sos]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Can I add to that, that each line should return to the same cleat it started from to stop chaffing.

I use my bridle sometimes but my boat sails all over the place at anchor and the bouy can end up against the hull and bang away all night. With the two lines I can shorten them untill the lines prevent the bouy reaching the other side hull and get some sleep.

With the bridle you have only one point of attachment and if it lets go you will drift away.

I have a bow roller on each bow with cleats behind so as you say both ends to the same cleat. I don't use mooring bouys often and only for overnight. If I was staying then I would not use this method because of chafe as already mentioned.

[boatman61]

The best way to stop chafe is to put a round turn on the mooring bouy.. only works if you don't use the lazy method of an eye on one end of the line.
If you need to adjust uncleat both ends and pull in or feed out.. the same on the other side.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Nahbrown

We were taught not to use a bridal on a mooring ball but to use two lines run independently to our forward cleats .

Two lines ARE a bridle (not bridal !)
BRIDAL = relating to a bride/wedding
BRIDLE = two lines forming a triangle between attachment points on the vessel and an anchor rode, mooring buoy or tow line.
SNUBBER = single shock absorbing line between boat and anchor rode/mooring.

[George DuBose]

Somebody having a wedding on a mooring ball? Bridal? Do you mean bridle?

[George DuBose]

I always use two lines from the deck cleats to the mooring ball eye and leave one loose so when the tighter one chafes through, you still have a chance to stay in position.

This became clear to me once on a mooring in the Hudson River. One line chafed through in less than 12 hours.

[jim King]

Using the two line system on a mooring ball is just more efficient hooking up as well as releasing. Like others have said it is also a safety feature if one line chafes through. It is also a way to adjust the lines which you couldn't do with a set bridle.

[patrickbarbary]

[QUOTE=Nahbrown;3371981]We were taught not to use a bridal on a mooring ball but to use two lines run independently to our forward cleats .


Why?

Because your bridal would act as a saw with the back and forth on the mooring rope... I have seen it happen. That's why you need two different lines.

[seaskip]

Recently, I had the dreaded tap, tap, tapping of the mooring ball on the hull at night.
So, I shortened up the two lines, then lashed ( multiple turns through the eye) the loop to the fore beam.
Seemed to work just fine.
We have no central cleat, atm.

[skyline]

I was wondering where to find one, and discovered quite a few bridal shops in my area.

[rms95835]

We regularly use our Mantus bridal on a mooring ball, however I shorten it so as to prevent it from getting wrapped around the pennant line or ball. This is not an issue if there’s a good breeze, but can be if the boat is swinging on the ball.

[docwood]

To the post that mentioned the mooring ball tapping the boat. I just watched a video the other night where they tied a third line the mooring ball and drew it fairly tight to the pulpit (directly under the pulpit) so it couldn't drift into the
bow. Don't know if this would work or not. Plus it didnt explain whether you then bring your bridle in snug because to me if you don't your putting all your stress on the pulpit line?O-o