![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-111.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-111.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-111.jpg\\"")
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We’ve now been in and out of half a dozen Med. mooring situations and have a handle on the technique required to keep the blood pressure normal and avoid giving pleasure to bystanders waiting for “fun”. As we are about to head back to the Atlantic we thought we’d pass on what has been learned.<\/p>\n
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To begin with, \u00a0a certain amount of preparation is required. This includes:<\/p>\n
We like to come into the marina area, look the assigned location over, and then make final adjustments to stern lines and fenders.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-101.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-101.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-101.jpg\\"")
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Fendering is about protecting our neighbors more than ourselves, at least with sailboats as neighbors.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-100.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-100.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-100.jpg\\"")
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With the larger modern sailboats we have found our deck edges typically match. So, fenders are set as high as they will go.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-109.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-109.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-109.jpg\\"")
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Tucked in next to big power boats it is our life line stanchions about which we are concerned.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-107.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-107.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-107.jpg\\"")
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There are always a pair of bollards on the dock, either side of the assigned space, which are shared.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-108.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-108.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-108.jpg\\"")
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We run stern lines both sides, from deck winches around the aftermost stanchion base, to the dock. The resulting angles holds us centered at the stern. A third line, shown center right above, goes to the electric winch and is used to adjust our distance from the dock.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-106.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-106.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-106.jpg\\"")
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At the opposite end there are a pair of bow anchor lines.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-110.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-110.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-110.jpg\\"")
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These hold us off the dock and with a small angle will tend to center the boat. The anchor has been dropped to avoid chafing the bow anchor lines.<\/p>\n
![\"Med-Mooring-Technique-103.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/Med-Mooring-Technique-103.jpg\" "\\"Med-Mooring-Technique-103.jpg\\"")
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One line goes to the windlass gypsy, which is used to tighten it, while the second is secured to the Sampson post.<\/p>\n
After prepping the boat the process goes as follows:<\/p>\n
Shut down engines, coil lines, wash anchor line mud off deck, enjoy a cold drink.<\/p>\n
Now some protocall. We’ve been told by numerous professionals that the space assigned is often less than required in terms of beam. The norm is to simply push the other boats out of the way. While you would think this could lead to unpleasant discourse, and it does on occasion, it is the norm. Less clear is who is to blame for damage which sometimes occurs.<\/p>\n
If you do make it in without problems, and then damage later results from boats banging together with wakes or waves, you are responsible for your own boat and to protect it the best you can.<\/p>\n
We’ll leave you with this thought. Being cheek by jowel with neighbors in a marina with a finger dock between you is unpleasant enough. Being Med moored with barely a fender between you and your neighbor is not the kind of ambiance towards which most serious cruisers aspire. Paying dearly for the privilege doesn’t help either. But if you want to visit this part of the world you have no choice. Anchorages are exposed and not in abundance. And there is lots of competition for the available space in the marinas.<\/p>\n
Is it worth it if you have a choice? Up till last Sunday we’d say probably not for us, although we have enjoyed the folks we have me and the boat watching. Barcelona changes the equation, about which more shortly.<\/p>\n
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