How can I prevent my mooring buoy from scuffing my hull?

[Quad]

My 242SE is kept offshore on a mooring and I've noticed that during particularly flat/calm days, the boat will bob around gracefully, occasionally bumping into its mooring buoy. I've noticed gray marks on the hull, which seem to line up with where it the buoy and boat meet.

It's a Taylor Made 18" with integrated through-ball rod like this: Amazon.com : Taylor Made Sur Moor Mooring Buoy, 18" Diameter : Fishing Marker Buoys : Sports & Outdoors

I like this one as I can clip the pendant to the top while unmoored, but realize the eye is likely causing most of the scuffing. This weekend I zip-tied a section of rubber tube onto the top of the eye, but I don't think this is a great long-term solution.

I'm wondering if anyone has had better luck with another type of buoy?

Thanks!

 

[Seadeals]

I am thinking this is a prime opportunity for the famous Dr. Poolnoodle to save the day!

 

[FLBulldogger]

I have seen these used on larger boats while docked. They are expensive so I think if it is an option I would go buy a cheap $5 t-shirt, place the buoy in the shirt tie it at the bottom and see if it does the trick...you could buy a pack of 10 t-shirts for the price of one of these.

 

[zipper]

I might actually suggest a pool noodle solution. Put a length or two of pool noodle over the strop line(s), from the mooring ball to your boat. The lines will float and the pool noodle will keep the line straight(er), more rigid than a bare line and keep the mooring ball away from the hull in those conditions. Sailors do that here on the lake. Easy to find your mooring ball in a field of them and also easy to pick up when they are floating, if you are not using a pick-up stick. My $.02.

Edit: Not sure how you are tying up...with the bow eye or bow cleats, I assume the eye, should be easy and cheap to try.