With the bow facing the jetty is the most common mooring option in northern Europe. The advantages are clear: the cockpit remains private and the full water depth is not required at the jetty. The bow dips comparatively little, and the keel and rudder are far away. However, the disadvantage is at least as obvious: the height difference between deck and land is enormous, at least on floating pontoons.
The more modern the yacht, the greater the problem, because not only is the trend towards greater hull height continuing, the boats are also diving less and less - the freeboard is therefore increasing disproportionately. As a look at current boats shows, even comparatively flat-bottomed performance cruisers are now achieving considerable bow heights. The Dufour 36 is 1.45 metres high, the Salona 35 is 1.40 metres high and the deck of the Elan 350 is 1.37 metres above the waterline.
What is usually only a small step upwards on fixed jetties becomes an insurmountable obstacle on a pontoon jetty that floats up 30 centimetres. Sporty types can easily overcome such a difference in level by pulling up on the pulpit or forestay. But the designers have put a stop to this: Instead of a stainless steel railing, today you will increasingly find two fashionably recessed metal brackets. The practised grip on the top tube thus comes to nothing.
In the current issue of YACHT, you can read about the best auxiliary constructions and bow ladders to overcome this problem and how boarding can be made easier by converting the pulpit. Issue 10/12 is available from newsagents from 25 April.
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
