How to Use Narrowboat Mooring Pins Safely

Mooring pins are one of the simplest pieces of narrowboat kit, but they are also among the most important. Used well, they help keep your boat secure when there are no rings, bollards or piling hooks available. Used badly, they can work loose, create trip hazards or put strain on your ropes.

This guide explains how to use narrowboat mooring pins safely and confidently, including where to place them, how to drive them in, how to tie your lines and what to avoid on busy towpaths.

What are narrowboat mooring pins?

Narrowboat mooring pins are metal stakes that you hammer into the canal bank to create a temporary fixing point for your mooring ropes. They are normally used when you are mooring alongside a soft bank and there are no fixed mooring points nearby.

Most pins are made from steel and have a hook, loop or eye at the top for attaching a rope. Some are plain pins with a shaped head, while others are designed to reduce the chance of the rope slipping off.

They are useful, portable and quick to deploy, but they are not suitable for every mooring. If rings, bollards, chains or Armco piling are available, those are usually more secure and should normally be used first.

When should you use mooring pins?

Mooring pins are best used for short stays on soft ground where there is enough bank space and the ground is firm enough to hold them. They are common on rural stretches of canal, visitor moorings without rings and quiet towpath edges.

You might use mooring pins when:

• There are no rings, bollards or piling available.
• The bank is grassed and firm enough to take a pin.
• You are stopping for lunch, an overnight stay or a short visit.
• The towpath is wide enough for ropes and pins to be placed safely.

They are less suitable where the bank is very soft, crumbling, waterlogged or heavily used by walkers and cyclists. They are also not ideal in very windy conditions or where passing boats are likely to create strong wash.

Essential kit for using mooring pins

You do not need much equipment, but the right kit makes the job safer and easier. Before relying on pins, check that yours are straight, clean and free from serious damage.

• Mooring pins: Carry at least two, and ideally more for extra security or spring lines.
• Lump hammer or mallet: A sturdy hammer is needed to drive pins in firmly.
• Mooring ropes: Bow and stern lines should be in good condition and long enough for a sensible angle.
• Hi-vis markers or pin covers: These help make pins more visible on the towpath.
• Gloves: Useful when handling ropes, pins and muddy ground.

Some boaters also carry piling hooks, mooring chains and goat chains. These are not the same as mooring pins, but they are useful alternatives where the canal edge has metal piling.

Choosing the right mooring spot

Before you reach for the hammer, take a moment to assess the location. A secure mooring starts with a sensible choice of bank.

Look for a straight stretch where your boat can sit close enough to the edge without grounding. Check that the water is deep enough and that your boat will not be left at an awkward angle. Avoid stopping too close to bridges, locks, bends, winding holes, water points or designated no mooring areas.

Once alongside, step off carefully with a centre line if it is safe to do so, then check the ground. A pin needs firm soil to grip. If the bank feels spongy, crumbly or loose, it may not hold well.

Also think about other towpath users. Pins and ropes should not block the path. If the towpath is narrow or busy, it may be better to move on to a safer spot.

How to use narrowboat mooring pins step by step

1. Bring the boat neatly alongside

Approach slowly and keep the boat under control. Use a centre line to hold the boat temporarily while you set up the bow and stern lines. Do not rely on the centre line as your only long-term mooring line, especially when leaving the boat unattended, as it can cause the boat to heel if water levels change or wash pulls the boat about.

2. Position the pins away from the boat

Place one pin forward of the bow line attachment point and one aft of the stern line attachment point. The aim is to create mooring lines that pull the boat slightly forwards and backwards, holding it steady against the bank.

Avoid placing pins directly opposite the cleats or dollies unless there is no alternative. Lines set at a shallow angle along the boat usually hold better than short lines running straight out to the bank.

3. Angle the pins correctly

Drive each pin into the ground at an angle, leaning away from the boat and away from the direction of pull. This helps the soil resist the force on the rope.

A pin hammered straight down can pull out more easily. A pin angled towards the boat is also more likely to loosen when the rope tightens.

4. Hammer the pins in firmly

Use controlled hammer blows and keep your other hand clear of the striking area. Drive the pin deep enough that it feels solid, but leave enough of the head or loop exposed to attach your rope safely.

If a pin wobbles, pulls loose or sinks into soft ground, do not ignore it. Move it to firmer ground or use an alternative mooring method.

5. Attach the ropes securely

Run your bow line to the forward pin and your stern line to the rear pin. Tie the rope so it cannot slip off the pin. Use a secure knot or wrap that can still be undone easily when you leave.

Keep the ropes tidy and avoid leaving large loose loops on the towpath. If the rope crosses a walking route, reposition the pin or the boat if possible.

6. Adjust the tension

Your lines should be snug, but not bar-tight. A little movement is normal and helps absorb the pull from passing boats. If ropes are too tight, they can place extra load on the pins and make the boat snatch against them.

Check that the boat is not banging against the bank, rubbing hard on stones or sitting with fenders trapped awkwardly.

Using double pins for extra security

If the ground is soft or you want added holding power, you can use two pins for one line. This is often called double pinning.

There are two common ways to do this:

• In line: Place a second pin behind the first, further away from the boat, and secure the rope so both pins share the load.
• Crossed or paired: Use two pins close together at opposing angles, then attach the rope to both.

The key is to make sure the pull is spread and that neither pin can easily lift out. Double pins are not a cure for very poor ground, but they can help on marginal banks or in busier areas where passing boats may tug at your lines.

Adding spring lines

For a more stable mooring, especially overnight, consider using spring lines. These run diagonally from the boat to pins positioned further along the bank. They help reduce forward and backward movement.

A simple arrangement is:

• A bow line running forwards to a pin.
• A stern line running backwards to a pin.
• A spring line from the bow or centre area running backwards.
• A spring line from the stern or centre area running forwards.

You do not always need four lines, but springs can make a noticeable difference where boats pass regularly. Make sure any extra ropes do not create hazards across the towpath.

Keeping mooring pins safe on the towpath

Mooring pins can be dangerous if people do not see them. Walkers, runners, anglers and cyclists may all use the towpath, sometimes in poor light.

Good towpath practice includes:

• Placing pins as close to the bank edge as practical, without weakening the hold.
• Keeping ropes low and tidy where they leave the boat.
• Avoiding long diagonal ropes across the main walking line.
• Using bright covers, cloths or markers on pin tops.
• Checking your mooring after dark with a torch to see how visible it is.

If your pins and ropes make the path awkward or unsafe, the mooring is not suitable. Move if needed. A secure boat should not come at the expense of other towpath users.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems with mooring pins come from poor placement, weak ground or ropes tied at the wrong angle. A few checks can prevent a lot of bother.

• Hammering pins in vertically: Angle them away from the load for better grip.
• Using loose or muddy ground: If the bank crumbles, the pin may pull out.
• Tying ropes too tight: This increases shock loads when boats pass.
• Leaving pins unmarked: Low metal pins can be hard to see and easy to trip over.
• Mooring by the centre line only: This is not a good long-term method and can be unsafe.
• Forgetting water level changes: Allow enough slack where levels may rise or fall.
• Not checking after passing boats: Wash can loosen pins over time.

What to do if a mooring pin will not hold

If a pin keeps pulling loose, do not simply hammer it back into the same hole. The ground has already been weakened. Move the pin to fresh ground and try a better angle.

If it still will not hold, consider:

• Using two pins for the same rope.
• Moving a few metres to firmer bank.
• Using piling hooks or chains if there is Armco piling.
• Looking for rings or bollards nearby.
• Choosing a different mooring if conditions are poor.

In strong winds, soft ground or heavy traffic, pins may simply not be the right option. It is better to move on than spend the evening worrying about whether the boat will still be secure in the morning.

Removing and storing mooring pins

When it is time to leave, untie the ropes before removing the pins. If a pin is tight, rock it gently from side to side while pulling upwards. Avoid yanking suddenly, as you may lose balance near the water.

Wipe off mud before storing pins, especially if they are going back into a locker with ropes or other kit. Check that none have bent badly or developed sharp burrs. A damaged pin is harder to use and may be less secure next time.

Always count your pins before cruising away. Leaving one in the grass is easily done, and it creates a hazard for the next person using the towpath.

Mooring etiquette when using pins

Good mooring is about more than keeping your own boat still. It also means being considerate to other boaters and towpath users.

Try to leave enough space for others where practical, especially on popular visitor moorings. Do not set pins or ropes across access points, lock landings or water points. Keep dogs, chairs, bicycles and other belongings away from ropes so that the area stays clear.

If another boater points out that a pin is loose or a rope is unsafe, take a look. Conditions can change after you have tied up, and a quick adjustment is often all that is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mooring pins anywhere on the canal?

No. You should only use them where mooring is allowed and where the bank is suitable. Avoid lock landings, bridge holes, bends, winding holes, water points, private moorings and signed no mooring areas.

How many mooring pins should a narrowboat carry?

At least two are needed for a basic bow and stern mooring, but carrying four or more is sensible. Extra pins allow you to use spring lines or double pins when the ground is less secure.

Should mooring pins lean towards or away from the boat?

They should lean away from the boat and away from the direction of pull. This helps the pin resist being pulled out when the rope tightens.

Are mooring pins safe on a busy towpath?

They can be, but only if placed carefully and made visible. Keep pins and ropes out of the main walking line wherever possible, and use bright markers or covers to reduce the risk of trips.

What is the best alternative to mooring pins?

If the canal edge has rings, bollards or Armco piling, use those instead. Piling hooks or mooring chains are often more secure than pins when suitable metal piling is available.

Learning how to use narrowboat mooring pins properly is a small skill that makes everyday cruising easier. Choose firm ground, angle the pins well, keep ropes tidy and check your mooring regularly. With a little care, pins are a reliable part of a narrowboater’s toolkit.