Advice for Mooring Holders

Mooring holders are advised that the safety of their boat is the sole responsibility of the owner and their agent. Whilst Weymouth harbour is well protected special precautions should be taken in adverse weather and tide conditions particularly North Easterly gales.

Fore and Aft Chain Moorings

Moorings are laid and maintained by the club with moorings being examined yearly and replaced on a 3 yearly cycle. Larger keel boats are moored on 13mm long link chain with Squibs and smaller keel boats being moored on 9mm chain. Both are attached to a heavy weight chain system on the sea bed.

Fore and aft chains are connected with a light weight shackle connected to a weighted foot rope and marked with a small pellet buoy. Any damage to this foot rope is the mooring holders responsibility. Boats should lie with the approximate centerline of the boat aligned with a letter painted on the quay wall. Care should be taken to ensure mastheads do not clash. The fairway between each row should be left as clear as possible, sufficient fendering must be provided to avoid boat to boat contact.

It is not the purpose of the moorings to keep the boats apart but the fenders. Moorings should be tight at high water springs and rechecked after 2 or 3 tide cycles to ensure that the riser chains have broken out of the sea bed. Boats should be moored parallel to the quay wall and a bridle may be required on wider boats.

Pile Moorings

Pile moorings are constructed with a large diameter foot rope between piles. This is sub- divided by buoys which have links to the sea bed for added security. Mooring strops must not be connected to the ring on the
buoy to the horizontal chain joining the buoy to the foot rope. Boats on pile moorings should use breast ropes and springs with the springs being kept very tight. 

Pontoon Moorings adjacent to the Mast Store

Mooring rings are installed by the mooring team in approximately the correct position for the allocated boat. Fore and aft moorings should not occupy the same ring. If you feel the ring is in the incorrect position please contact the mooring team. 

Pontoons

Boats are moored to the ends of the pontoon arms with strops leading fore and aft. Fendering may be required in some areas to protect the boat.

Fenders

Fenders should be of a sufficient size and number to protect both you and your neighbour and to avoid rolling up be tied as low as possible and be spherical.

Mooring Strops

Owners are required to supply and fit their own strops which should be of sufficient strength and size for the boat. Stainless steel should not be used on any part of the mooring arrangement as electrolysis will lead to deterioration of the mooring chain below the waterline. It is advised that at least one end of the mooring line should have a spliced eye. All shackles should be of a sufficient weight and quality, tight and securely moused and checked regularly. Shackles should be replaced at least annually.

Agents

Owners are required to provide the name of an agent to look after their boat when they are not available. Agents should have keys be familiar with the boat and should not be a partner or spouse of owner as you are likely to be away together. The club reserves the right to move a boat from a mooring if necessary. Any cost will be paid by the owner.

Last updated 17:39 on 4 November 2024