Angel Island Moorings

[Monterey10]

A friend just returned from Angel Island and reported that the Parks Service has replaced the moorings in Ayala Cove. They reported that the new moorings have a fixed ring at the top and are trailing a painter with floats. The fixed ring should work better with the happy hooker style mooring catcher. They said that the new moorings appear to be closer together. They also talked about the docks being changed around. I think the largest boat that can fit now is 50'.

My friends had the misfortune of running over one of the painters and fouling a prop. They weren't too impressed with them. I mention that the painters off the Capitola Pier had a loop spliced in the end to tie to. They didn't recall seeing spliced ends on these. You can see the changes on the Angel cam:

http://www.angelisland.org/angelcam/cove.htm

 

[towcapt]

We had a guy last night get tangled in the moorings with his expensive sailboat...to the point that the ball beat a crack in his hull and the boat was taking on a considerable amount of sea juice. We towed to the Boat Yard around midnight a baby sat the thing until the yard hauled it out this morning.

 

[goplay]

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Originally posted by towcapt

We had a guy last night get tangled in the moorings with his expensive sailboat...to the point that the ball beat a crack in his hull and the boat was taking on a considerable amount of sea juice. We towed to the Boat Yard around midnight a baby sat the thing until the yard hauled it out this morning.

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That definitely does not sound like an improvement in the moorings!

 

[towcapt]

I don't think you can blame that scenario on the moorings.

 

[goplay]

quote:

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Originally posted by towcapt

I don't think you can blame that scenario on the moorings.

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I agree with you BUT, Angel Island attracts all sorts of experience levels so I wouldn't at be suprised that entanglement and its consequences will be a regular occurrence.

 

[Monterey10]

Did you get a look at the moorings. Did they put a loop on the painter. I've used these this way in Capitola and it is easier to grab and put a line through.

 

[Arnold]

From Latitude 38:
New Moorings at Ayala Cove

February 16 - Angel Island

The new moorings slated to have been installed in Ayala Cove last summer have finally been set, just in time for the the long weekend. Angel Island Superintendent Dave Matthews reports that 27 new helix-style (think 'corkscrew') moorings were recently embedded into the sea bed and are ready for use.

The replacement of the moorings wasn't totally straightforward so boaters should be aware of a few things. First, the orientation of the field is now facing north instead of south, so a boat's bow should be pointed toward the Golden Gate. Remember, always tie bow and stern in Ayala Cove. Secondly, the moorings are run like a campground and checkout is at noon. Boaters on balls are also now allowed to stay on the island until 10 p.m. if they came ashore by dinghy.

Most importantly, boaters should be extremely cautious when entering the mooring field anywhere near low tide. It seems that, to avoid impacting the sea floor, the chain connecting the ball to the anchor is held off the bottom with a short length of nylon line attached to floats. Unfortunately, the line is long enough and the water shallow enough, that the lines float on the surface at low tide. There is a plan in place to fix the problem but, it being a government project, don't expect it to happen in the near future.

The rates for docking or mooring at Angel Island are still the same: $10 day fee for the docks and $15 for a mooring ($20 after May 15). Up to four boats can raft on one mooring, with each additional boat paying $10. Keep in mind that these new moorings are in a 'trial period' so the number of boats allowed to raft could change if problems arise.

A cool feature of www.angelisland.org that we just stumbled across is the 'Angel Island Cam'. The camera, which refreshes every 30 seconds, is located on the second floor of the Visitors Center and overlooks the mooring field, docks and picnic area, perfect for seeing what the traffic is like before you leave your slip. And this weekend is shaping up to be perfect for getting out of the slip!

 

[towcapt]

Another boat fouled his prop last night. That is three in a week, with the one guy doing damage. Watch out for those floating lines in there and you should be fine.