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Snubbers

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Created by theselkie > 9 months ago, 19 Feb 2019
theselkie
QLD, 555 posts
19 Feb 2019 6:14PM
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Hi all

Looks like we're in for some big winds toward the end of the week so looking at purchasing some snubbers for my mooring lines.

Recommendations? Advice?
Do the simple rubber ones do the trick or are the fancy Dockshockles etc more effective?

Thanks.

Bushdog
SA, 302 posts
19 Feb 2019 9:13PM
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I haven't found snubbers very helpful. They leave marks everywhere, hang the line down when not under tension, and I always seem to locate em where it's crossing another line, or where it's convenient to attach the line to a cleat... Three strand nylon stretches well as long as it's not too heavy for the boat, and good springers add to fore and aft control, and more fenders. Snubbers may be more useful if your boat's in a pen and you can set up consistent line lengths. It's always a worry when your new boat is being prepped for a blow!

cisco
QLD, 12312 posts
19 Feb 2019 11:02PM
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Head line, stern line and fore and aft springers is about as good as it gets when you are talking about wind and it often pays not to have them snigged up too short.

The worst thing is if you get a short sharp chop that causes the boat to jerk on it's lines or the marina finger to jerk around.

A stout set of nylon mooring lines are an invalueable assett to have aboard.

Rubber snubbers are great to have on your mackeral trolling line.

Ramona
NSW, 7420 posts
20 Feb 2019 7:57AM
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Select to expand quote
cisco said..
Head line, stern line and fore and aft springers is about as good as it gets when you are talking about wind and it often pays not to have them snigged up too short.

The worst thing is if you get a short sharp chop that causes the boat to jerk on it's lines or the marina finger to jerk around.

A stout set of nylon mooring lines are an invalueable assett to have aboard.

Rubber snubbers are great to have on your mackeral trolling line.


I would agree with this except for the sizing of the 3 strand nylon. Nylon with take the shock loadings as long as it's sized correctly. The springers need to be small enough to take advantage of the stretch and recovery and thick enough not to overstretch. Calculating the size is the tricky part.

theselkie
QLD, 555 posts
20 Feb 2019 10:42AM
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Ramona said..

cisco said..
Head line, stern line and fore and aft springers is about as good as it gets when you are talking about wind and it often pays not to have them snigged up too short.

The worst thing is if you get a short sharp chop that causes the boat to jerk on it's lines or the marina finger to jerk around.

A stout set of nylon mooring lines are an invalueable assett to have aboard.

Rubber snubbers are great to have on your mackeral trolling line.



I would agree with this except for the sizing of the 3 strand nylon. Nylon with take the shock loadings as long as it's sized correctly. The springers need to be small enough to take advantage of the stretch and recovery and thick enough not to overstretch. Calculating the size is the tricky part.


Thanks gentlemen.

Okay....the boat is a Mottle 33 weighs about 4.5. Standard fore and aft mooring cleats. Berth is a standard pen, blow-off side.

Does this information help in calculating rope size? If so, can you advise please?

I weathered a significant blow in the cat at Newport without damage or incident, however, I have moved to a marina in Scarborough which is not as protected.

Going to remove the shade house (yep, I can hear you Ramona) and take the headsail off the furler. Lash the main and the boom bag.
Guess the dinghy is safest where it is on the davits.
Send the ship's mog to family on shore.
Hope it doesn't end up too bad.

Hope everyone else is safe and secure.

oldboyracer
NSW, 292 posts
20 Feb 2019 12:32PM
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As you don't have much to do ,if it gets real bad up there can you take some pics of my boat defending itself please ,she is tough .it's in Scarborough marina ,I'm in Sydney my mate was going down to check her today but he has his own boat to worry about.

fishmonkey
NSW, 494 posts
20 Feb 2019 12:39PM
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theselkie said..


Guess the dinghy is safest where it is on the davits.


if it's a hard dinghy i would lash it down on the foredeck, or otherwise deflate it.

theselkie
QLD, 555 posts
20 Feb 2019 11:41AM
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oldboyracer said..
As you don't have much to do ,if it gets real bad up there can you take some pics of my boat defending itself please ,she is tough .it's in Scarborough marina ,I'm in Sydney my mate was going down to check her today but he has his own boat to worry about.


??
I'm not actually at Scarborough Marina...over the way at MBBC.

Bristolfashion
VIC, 490 posts
20 Feb 2019 4:53PM
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The only calc I could find when looking at anchor snubbers was 1.3 times boat length of 3 strand.

Diameter(inches) = Displacement (pounds)^0.4 times 0.00832

This led me to an anchor snubber of 8mm which has worked really well.

However, your situation in a berth is different - the number 1 requirement is that the lines don't break - the Whitworths calculator suggests 14mm line and doubling it for a big blow. I reckon these should have enough stretch for your purpose.

You do see a lot of people using old low -stretch halyards etc as dock lines. No shock absorbing and asking for trouble.

Cheers

Bristol

lydia
1659 posts
20 Feb 2019 2:00PM
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Best quality nylon you can find but there lies the problem.

UncleBob
NSW, 1200 posts
20 Feb 2019 5:24PM
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I would suggest good three strand nylon for the stretch, probably 14 mm for your boat backed up with another set of 16 mm (or a second 14 mm) that are a little longer than the others. Should the primary set stretch to the determined limit you then have two sets taking the load.
Whatever you decide, take care and good luck.

Ramona
NSW, 7420 posts
20 Feb 2019 6:27PM
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Westmarine recommend 1/8 inch for every 9 feet of boat length. That means 12mm in your case. I would have the springers in 12mm but the head rope and stern rope in 14mm. I would try to have springers on both sides to keep the boat clear of the pontoon. The boat on davits could be a health hazard.

southace
SA, 4760 posts
20 Feb 2019 7:27PM
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Don't stress too much , just put double lines out , take photos and have insurance. I did cyclone yassi and Anthony in able point marina Airlie beach , I had my lines fairly tight and hitched my stack pack main sail bag , and ran hitches up my head sail as far as I could reach. The only loss was a fishing gaff I left in the rod holder.

Bushdog
SA, 302 posts
20 Feb 2019 7:42PM
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Ramona said..
Westmarine recommend 1/8 inch for every 9 feet of boat length. That means 12mm in your case. I would have the springers in 12mm but the head rope and stern rope in 14mm. I would try to have springers on both sides to keep the boat clear of the pontoon. The boat on davits could be a health hazard.


12 and 14mm three strand lines sound good. If it's a twin berth and you have a neighbour, keep in mind that in a cyclonic storm blow off side can also become blow on side... So, fenders both sides, and cast an eye over your neighbours lines. If they're tired and worn I'd ask MTBC admin about contacting the owner or strengthening/adding to the neighbour's lines (I know this may trigger some discussion).
Try and ensure your mast is not in line with neighbours so there's no chance they'll tangle when the boats are rocking.
I've had yachts in MTBC during severe storms and it's been all ok. It's fairly protected from ocean swell.
Good luck!.



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"Snubbers" started by theselkie