Hard Mooring ball problems wacking hull

[ArtJ]

Appologetically, this is a mooring ball question,not a engine question.

I have a Taylor T3c hard mooring ball with a 500lb mushroom, 20 ft of
3/4 chain a swivel, 25 ft of 1/2 chain and a 1 1/2 inch nylon pennant
which is 15 feet long, followed by 2 6 ft long 3/4 inch hose covered
pennants to on deck cleats.

I more in a river near the channel. The problem I am having is that
due to current stronger than wind, the mooring ball often wacks against
the hull. I can't put shorter pennant because the water i am in can reach
over 30 ft in depth, and I don't have the room for more scope, or
shorter chain.

Does anyone know of a method for covering the hard ball to alleviate
the hull / paint damage caused by the ball wacking the hull?

Thanks

Much appreciated

[jhwelch]

1) Have you considered replacing the hard ball with a rubber one?

and

2) Does your boat get scratches in the hull from shackles? If you have a full
keel you could switch to rope for the piece that goes down to your heavy chain.
(A fin keel could get a wrap on this kind of setup and cut into the rope, it depends
on if you often have a wind against current scenario -- presumably in a river you do).

-jonathan

[ArtJ]

I have chain as I explained, right up to the ball. The pennant begins
at the top of the ball. I know about soft balls, but want to try to somehow
pad the hard ball first as it was expensive and also won't sink if punctured
which I believe the soft ball might do.

[JimG]

How about using two tethers, one to each bow chock, and installing PVC pipe on the tethers to make a rigid connection. I can imagine some problems with the PVC ends cutting the tether, but just thinking out loud.

Or how about a large foam disk fastened on top of the ball (larger in diameter than the ball).

[riphonda]

I have seen some balls that have been fashioned with those foam pool noodles: cut the noodle in half the entire length, and then 5 min epoxy half the noodle all the way around the ball where you presume it is making contact with the hull. Another thing you could try is pipe insulation, but the noodles are quite a bit bigger and would provide more protection.

[msmith10]

Those pool noodles are great for lots of uses. I've seen them used for lifeline cushions. I use them, cut in pieces, to pad my spare anchor so it doesn't bang around in the locker. I've used them to pad the shank of an anchor hanging over the anchor roller, too.