After showing you the different types of berths available within the ports, it’s now time to explain the types of mooring that can be performed.

The 3 main types of mooring

There are three classic alternatives: stern-to, bow-to, and alongside. Each of these has its pros and cons that every boat owner must consider when performing mooring, both in terms of convenience of access to the vessel and the challenges posed by maneuvering.

Stern-to mooring

Stern-to mooring is the most classic, often preferred by boat owners for the convenience of accessing the vessel directly from the stern. You approach the dock with the boat’s stern, from where you throw the lines ashore and secure them to the cleats. Immediately after, you retrieve the mooring lines that allow you to reach the bow lines to be secured to the bow cleats.

It can be a tricky mooring at times, especially in case of lateral wind gusts; during reverse maneuvering, we could be pushed onto the leeward boat, without being able to sufficiently counter the thrust due to the inertial movement of the bow.

Because of this, it’s important to ensure you always have good maneuvering space, taking a good margin of space to windward, and if you have a sailboat, it’s important to check how deep the mooring lines of nearby boats go, to avoid hitting them with the rudders or keel during the maneuver.

Bow-to mooring

Bow-to mooring, also called French mooring, is where the bow will be the part of the vessel facing the dock.

The maneuver to perform this mooring is simpler; in fact, it does not require reversing before entering the berth. The vessel maintains speed so that the bow does not become misaligned with the stern.

This mooring may also be preferred to maintain a good level of privacy in the cockpit and inside the vessel, as these areas, which are the most frequented, will not be visible to those passing along the quay.

The problem with this mooring, however, comes from the difficulty of boarding and disembarking from the boat. You must do it directly from the bow, which is higher than the stern and often not equipped to accommodate the gangway.

Alongside mooring

Alongside mooring involves offering one of the vessel’s sides to the dock. The mooring lines from bow and stern fixed to the dock must be supplemented with spring lines to prevent the bow and stern from dangerously approaching the shore.

The use of a generous number of fenders is in any case strongly recommended, especially in the presence of a heavy swell and the absence of ground tackle.

It’s a practical mooring for embarking people and materials because the boat will remain very close to the dock. Entry and exit maneuvers are very easy when free at bow and stern from other vessels; otherwise, you must maneuver using the spring lines or bow thruster.

Choosing the perfect one among the different types of mooring

As you may have gathered, there is no single perfect solution among the different types of mooring. Furthermore, it is the marina that decides which types of mooring to offer in the various berths (whether stern-to, bow-to, or alongside) based on available space and facilities. For this reason, when choosing the most suitable marina, it is advisable to consider the types of mooring offered. Those seeking a marina for superyachts, for example, prefer alongside mooring, ideally along quays wide enough for the passage of service vehicles.

FAQ on the main types of mooring

1) What are the main types of mooring?

As noted, the main types of mooring are alongside (side-to the quay), bow-to, or stern-to. The choice depends on factors such as available space, weather conditions, seabed, vessel size, the presence of a gangway, and the duration of the stay.

2) When is it advisable to use buoy mooring?

Buoy mooring is used in areas where free anchoring is not permitted. It allows for mooring by utilizing a pre-established stable point—specifically a buoy—reducing the risk of drifting and protecting the seabed from damage caused by the anchor.

3) What is deadweight mooring?

Deadweight mooring utilizes a weight fixed to the seabed connected to a line or chain. It offers stability and security, especially for extended stays or for vessels that consistently return to the same berth.

4) What is the most common type of mooring in tourist ports?

In a standard tourist port, one of the safest and most common systems for smaller boats is stern-to mooring to the quay with a bow line attached to a deadweight. It ensures vessel control, facilitates boarding and disembarking, and allows for better utilization of the available space between other boats.