Thames Sailing Club
Look No (Of)fenders
!
In 2003 a start was made to improve Cora’s berth. Ever since time immemorial Cora has suffered, through accident or rough handling, yet she has patiently come to our rescue in time of need.
The first task was to provide a rubber mount, old car tyre, to cover the scaffold fitting that her bow quite frequently was left to nudge. The scars are there to prove it. Following this was a rearrangement of the existing poles to which she was moored and the addition of two new ones. This provided an anchoring point at each corner and enabled land based mooring ropes to be set up to the correct length. These may be looped over the mooring posts within Cora and she would then ride in comfort without banging the pontoon in any direction yet could move as wash and waves dictated. In the process the starting post with the triangle on top was also moved a few inches and is now in line between the flagpole in the box and the marker line on the far bank.
The next step was to add ‘corner fenders’ to the leading edge of Cora’s berth. It is reckoned that 50-60% of the times that Cora was put away she bumped one side or the other of the leading corner of the pontoon. From time to time this caused damage; but no longer thanks to the corner fenders.
The final issue is now being over-come. With or without the corner fenders it is often not easy to get Cora out of her berth with her fenders down as the catch on the pontoon. Also, seen as a major crime by some, is that Cora is often seen out and about her duties with her ‘washing’ out. The answer is now in hand. Thanks to Alexis, the Club has been donated some heavy hawser rope, approximately 4 inches thick. This is being laid all the way around the inside edge of Cora’s berth such that, in future, there will be no need to use fenders when putting Cora away. Easier for the helmsman and better for Cora.
So, if you’re taking Cora out you won’t of fend by leaving fenders out and you’ll have no need to put the fenders out when she comes back.
Nick Hoskins
Page last updated: 19/04/2008 11:33:43
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