Stern-to, lazy lines, anchoring and what to do when it goes wrong. Everything a first-time charter sailor needs to know before arriving in a Med harbour.
Pull into almost any harbour in Greece, Croatia, Turkey or Italy and you'll find boats lined up stern-to the quay — reversing in, not pulling alongside. It's called Mediterranean mooring, and for many first-time charter sailors it's the thing they're most anxious about. It doesn't need to be. Once you understand the mechanics, it becomes one of the most satisfying skills in sailing.
Mediterranean mooring — or med mooring — is the standard way of berthing in most Med harbours. Instead of tying alongside a pontoon as you would in a UK marina, you reverse your boat into a berth with your stern (back of the boat) against the quay. The bow is held away from the quay by either your own anchor or a pre-laid line called a lazy line.
The reason is simple: it allows far more boats to fit into a harbour, and in the virtually tidal-free Mediterranean, it works perfectly. The result is that wonderful scene of boats lined up side by side with their sterns to the waterfront, crews sitting in the cockpit watching the world go by.
The golden rule: If an approach isn't going well, motor forward, retrieve your anchor and try again. Everyone in the harbour has done it. The only mistake is committing to a bad approach out of embarrassment.
When you enter a Med harbour you'll encounter one of two systems — either you drop your own anchor, or you pick up a lazy line. It's essential to know which before you begin your approach.
| Method | How it works | Where you'll find it | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own anchor | You drop your anchor as you reverse in. The anchor chain holds the bow away from the quay. | Most Greek island town quays, smaller harbours throughout the Med | Moderate — requires anchor handling while reversing |
| Lazy lines | A line permanently attached to a concrete block on the seabed is picked up from the quay using a boat hook and secured to the bow. | ACI Marinas in Croatia, most larger Mediterranean marinas | Easier — no anchor involved, but needs a quick crew member on the bow |
How to tell which system is in use: Look at the boats already moored. If you can see anchor chains running forward from their bows into the water, they're using their own anchors. If the boats have a line running from their bow down to the quay edge, that's a lazy line.
Anchor depth tip: As a rough guide, you need roughly three times the water depth in anchor chain. In 5 metres of water, let out 15 metres of chain. Most charter yachts have depth markings on the chain — check before you depart the base.
Lazy lines are permanently fixed lines attached to a concrete block on the seabed. One end sits on the quay (or floats near it) ready to be picked up. They replace the anchor entirely — once tensioned from your bow, they hold the boat just as effectively.
Watch out: Lazy lines can wrap around propellers if they're not properly on the seabed when you motor in. Wait a moment after picking up the line to ensure any slack has sunk before engaging reverse.
Town quays across the Ionian and Saronic are almost entirely anchor-and-stern-to. Lazy lines are rare. Depths close to the quay vary significantly — always check before reversing hard. The holding is generally good (sand and mud) but watch for weed patches. Harbours can be busy in July and August; arrive by early afternoon for a good berth.
Most marinas throughout the Dalmatian coast use lazy lines — no anchoring required, which makes life significantly easier. Town quays in smaller villages use anchors. Changeover day is Saturday — try to avoid entering busy marinas on Saturday afternoons.
A unique feature of Turkish sailing is the restaurant jetty — a small wooden jetty run by a waterfront restaurant where mooring is free if you eat dinner with them. These typically use lazy lines or shore ties rather than anchors. Most main marinas use lazy lines. Anchoring in secluded bays is a highlight of a Turkish week.
Palma and most major Mallorcan marinas are well-organised with lazy lines and helpful marina staff. Smaller bays use anchoring. The holding in most Mallorcan bays is excellent sand.
Portisco and the Costa Smeralda marinas use lazy lines. Bonifacio in Corsica has a well-organised marina. The Aeolian Islands — Vulcano, Lipari, Panarea — use a mix of anchoring and small quay berths. Stromboli is anchor-off only.
We'll match you to the right yacht, prepare your passage plan and brief you on mooring for your specific destination before you depart.
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