Whips versus wake watchers mooring system

[sbtgregg]

I have a property on a very busy channel on Lake Winnipesaukee.

I am looking for a mooring system (whips, or push aways) After some research, I finally settled on a dockmate system that seemed to spec what I need (up to a 28' boat and 10m lbs) and was going to go ahead and then I read a review from someone who said that the system didn't work in a stiff wind!

That got me onto researching the Wake Watchers Mooring system which looks more substantial. Has anyone used this system and if so could you tell me under what conditions and how it worked.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Whips versus wake watchers mooring system

Sorry, but I have no experience with the Wake Watchers system.

First, a silly question. You ARE docking broadside to a "navy pier", right? That's a type of dock in which there are vertical pilings to the OUTSIDE of the bulkhead. it's a situation in which fenders won't work because they'll just ride between the pilings and not protect the boat. If your tying up broadside to a flat bulkhead, you don't need whips or wake watchers- that's what fenders are made for.

That siad, a couple people here (including me) are using the Taylor whips. My boat weighs close to 6000 lbs. with fuel and gear. so I chose the MW-140's, good for 5000 -10,000 lbs. I have no complaints. Seems to me that people who have issues with them don't have them set up correctly, or don't keep enough tension on them. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!

You MUST mount them so that they are directly opposite your bow and stern cleats. My cleats are exactly 20' apart in a straight line, so I mounted my whips exactly 20 feet apart on the dock.

You MUST have spring lines properly placed to limit fore and aft movement of the boat. Remember, the goal is to keep the boat situated so your cleats remain as close as possible to a 90 deg. angle to the whips. My boat can't move more than a few inches fore and aft.

Finally, don't be afraid to snug the whips down. They won't break. If you don't have enough pressure pulling the boat away from the pilings, it's gonna hit them under high wind and wake conditions.

Mine have been set up for 2 months now, and there's zero indication that my rub rail has ever met the pilings.

 

[sbtgregg]

Re: Whips versus wake watchers mooring system

Yes, the boat is parked broadside to a navy pier. The lion's share of the abuse comes straight into the back of the boat from the waves created from passing boats in the channel, which the property faces straight head on.

It is not unusual for those of us in the vicinity of the boat to see some on coming high rollers and immediately run to the boat to use our legs to keep it away from the dock and piers.

After reading your comments, I am leaning towards using the whips. My biggest concern was that they were strong enough. It sounds though that if they are installed correctly, they will do the trick.

Thanks so much for your reply.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Whips versus wake watchers mooring system

Taylor Made whips, rated for this boat, 4800 lbs, this was during Hurricane Gustav in the FL Keys last year. get the ones rated for your boat.