whats your take on mooring whips

[ceasarea]

I like the idea of a boat lift but the problem is i have to take in in and out myself .....and its not smooth at the waters edge..So i have come up with a mooring whip solution...I cottage on Lake Scugog on Ontario....Somewhat windy at times....not more than i foot waves....The boat is moored in 4 feet of water. Anyone have any experience with them...good or bad? My boat is about 2300 empty so i would opt for the bigger size...4000lbs Around here that would mean $400.

 

[alldodge]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

Never used them my self but the guys here are very pleased with them
Mooring Whips - Good or Bad - Winnipesaukee Forum

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

Have a friend who uses them and likes them. This is on Lk Michigan inside the breakwater couple hundred yards up the river. They have been through several high wing thunderstorms but the wave height is not bad where he is. Oh, on a 36 foot Chris Craft steel hull. Very heavy he has 4 whips.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

We use them extensively here on the Jersey shore. They work real well.

 

[ceasarea]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

Thanks for your help guys...do you like the stationary base or the pivoting one.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

Stationary base is popular on Barnegat Bay.

 

[JoLin]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

They'll work fine for you. I used the stationary bases models on my 21', 24' and current boat until I changed marinas. Take the time to set them up properly. Mount the bases exactly the same distance apart, as the straight-line distance between your bow and stern cleat. Set spring lines to limit fore-aft movement of the boat. Mine held up fine, and protected the boats through hurricanes and serious nor'easters.

My one beef with them (mine were Taylor) was the tiny allen screw used to hold the whip to the base. Exercise it once in awhile and keep it coated with anti-seize or something. One of mine froze up and I couldn't get the whip out of the base anymore.

 

[ceasarea]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

I was also worried about the cheap screw used to hold the whip to the base....but if everyone say's there great i am in.I was too cheap to get them this summer and i really regret it. I bought the boat in August and thought i could wait one year .The boat rubbed against the dock in a storm and made a 12 inch gouge with a 1/4 inch deep grove...
Thanks to all who reeplied.

 

[JoLin]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

The screw-to-base connection held up fine. Problem is that the base is aluminum and the screw is hardened steel. You have to keep the 2 from corroding together. I wasn't careful about that.

You could also try a 'fender board.' That's a viable solution for small boats that I've also used successfully.

Google it- plenty of examples. You make it yourself and it's a lot cheaper than a pair of whips.

 

[ceasarea]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

Thanks. i will google it,

 

[rallyart]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

Fixed whips are great unless you have a tower that might interfere when manoeuvring. Then you will find the hinged ones a lot nicer. My whips just drop in to the holders mounted on the dock. Easy to remove if the boat is not there.
The whips with mooring and spring lines can handle a pretty good size storm.

 

[ceasarea]

Re: whats your take on mooring whips

I am going to buy them at the local boat show in January....might be a deal....I see they are popular on my lake....small but oftern windy lake...man made and not that deep....They seem way cheaper and well easier to install than a lift...I take my boat out once a month or so to wash it off anyhow.