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Buoy Capture - Boat Class 2
May 3, 2026 · 17 min · 2K views
What this video covers
A sailing instructor teaches mooring buoy capture technique to a Class 2 boat crew, covering both the theory and the practical steps for approaching and securing to a buoy under motor. The fundamental rule: arrive head-to-wind at SOG zero, since the buoy itself has SOG zero and the boat must match it to make the pickup.▶ 1:09 On larger boats, where the bow is too high to work from, the helmsman presents the boat's quarter — where the cleat is — to the crew member handling the boathook.▶ 1:52 The instructor explains how to pass a line through the buoy's ring and secure it to the cleat.▶ 2:37 Before taking any buoy, crews must verify it is rated for their boat's length; the training buoys used here are marked "max 15 metres."▶ 4:12 Anchoring in a buoy field is warned against because ground tackle, chains, and deadweights below make fouling likely.▶ 4:39 When current is present, the rule shifts: approach into the current, not the wind.▶ 7:39 The instructor demonstrates why — a boat with no speed through the water loses rudder authority and broaches instantly, while a boat moving into current retains steerable flow past the rudder even when reversing to stop.▶ 11:12 Detecting current: watch buoy inclination, look for a wake behind the buoy, or toss an object near it.▶ 15:52 Solo mooring is also addressed: approach from the leeward side on the motor-control side of the boat, then lead the line forward to finish bow-to.▶ 7:03 Approach into the dominant force — wind or current — to maintain rudder control at zero SOG.
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