Making a mooring

[BogMonster]

If I wanted to make a secure swing mooring, what sort of thing would I need to use for an anchor point on the bottom? Somebody here has suggested a tyre filled with concrete is a common thing to use. I'm thinking maybe something like that with some steel spikes set into the concrete to grip the sea bed better, though getting it in place without punching a hole in anything expensive might be interesting!!!

Any other cunning ideas? It's a windy place and while I wouldn't want to leave the boat out in rough conditions, "just in case" it would need to stand at least 30kt without having to worry about it shifting.

Sorry if this has been covered before but I did a search, but just about every other post seems to have the word "mooring" in it

As for putting it on the mooring, do people that use swing moorings use these "mooring compensator" thingys that you wind the rope around to give it a bit more boing? I got a couple while I was away and they seem to be quite effective?

It's only a vague idea at the moment but something that I might do over the summer ready for next winter, I only rent the marina space over the summer and the options for tying up to anything else are becoming quite limited as the various old wrecks and hulks that people have been using are gradually falling into the sea! I have a mooring buoy but that is it at the moment.... any pointers would be gratefully received

[Pete7]

Old engine blocks are quite common, don't forget anodes on the galv chain if you use it. "Lock wire" the shackles if you use them and inspect annually by diving the rig. If its in soft mud the block will sink adding to the pulling power required to move it.

Pete

[pressman]

Two admiralty pattern mooring anchors with 50ft of 3/4 or 1" stud link chain in between, dependant on depth of water, 5/8 long link to a swivel then 1/2 " chain to bottom of bouy, short length of 5/8" chain coupled to 1" rope with galvanised thimble to chain and soft eye sliced to samson post.

The riser needs to be at least 2 X the depth of the water, will never let go.

Steve.

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

If I wanted to make a secure swing mooring, what sort of thing would I need to use for an anchor point on the bottom?

I've heard broken computer monitors are good!

[Bigmuz7]

I use two opposing mushrooms with a swivel in the middle and a lifter set on the tail of one of the mushhies visible only at dead low, and a riser made to measure for the bay I use from the swivell (sandy bottom though) bugger me I cant lift it out some times, me old man says it would hold a 20 tonner

[pop]

mini

the tax man would be a better idea, his pockets are so heavy he could hold the channel ferry

[al40]

Have a look at this site.

http://www.themainsail.com/news/arti...98742342696324

Fairly practical advice if it's a long-ish term mooring. NOt sure how easy it would be to lay with a RIB tho - I think a workboat is required, probably with a winch, especially for recovery.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Kernow

I've heard broken computer monitors are good!

<smack> Go away

Some interesting ideas there, I could probably get an engine block though getting it to the location might be the difficult bit, the place I have in mind, I am going to use precisely because there is a low bridge there (its an enclosed bit of water right next to where I launch) which means that almost none of the local boats can get under it to nick the mooring so it needs to be deployable from mine or from some crudely rigged barge that I can tow to the spot (maybe a couple of old oil drums or something used for flotation)

Thanks for the suggestions

[Sammo]

The standardisation of moorings at SCYC in Abersoch are:-

-Two anchor moorings - 10 fathoms of chain disregarding strop.
-Ground Legs of two anchor moorings to be at least 15 fathoms.
-Block moorings - at least 15 fathoms of chain disregarding strop, plus back up anchor.

The moorings are laid by: - www.moorings-abersoch.co.uk - I'm sure Meirion and Owi will be happy to give any adviced you need, to contact them - details on web page

Is there a moorings company near you??
Pop in and see them if you can, they should be able to give you all the advice you need


Sammo

[codprawn]

Whatever you use why not use some big old inner tubes for floatation - when over the right spot just shoot them!!!

[mdt]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

so it needs to be deployable from mine or from some crudely rigged barge that I can tow to the spot (maybe a couple of old oil drums or something used for flotation)

you can use an oil drum BUT see when you let the mooring go to the bottom the drum will be popping up double quick.

[M Humphray]

What you really need, if as you say it gets windy, is to make square mould, with a concave bottom (a plastic bag with sand in it will do this) place a some large chain, (liner stuff) criss cross some rods through the chain fill with concrete leaving one link showing above cocrete level, to connect your mooring chain to, don't forget to put a swivel in the line. You must make sure you have plenty of weetabix for breakfast, on the day you want to move it!!!!

[Rich L]

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....4&page=1&pp=10

[Jelly]

We use the concreate block method near where I live, one issue to remember is to put very large chain in the block. It does not have to go up to far as you will shackle the riser to it. Remember to use a mix that will go off underwater, quick initial cure and wont degrade quickly underwater, fill the mould (half of one of the plastic tanks that are designed to go on pallets are good) on the foreshore at low water. Leave it a few days to cure a bit and then lift it at high water.

Remember you dont want it set up that the boat will dry out ontop of the block as that can get expensive.
Rgds
Jelly

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Jelly

We use the concreate block method near where I live, one issue to remember is to put very large chain in the block. It does not have to go up to far as you will shackle the riser to it. Remember to use a mix that will go off underwater, quick initial cure and wont degrade quickly underwater, fill the mould (half of one of the plastic tanks that are designed to go on pallets are good) on the foreshore at low water. Leave it a few days to cure a bit and then lift it at high water.

Remember you dont want it set up that the boat will dry out ontop of the block as that can get expensive.
Rgds
Jelly

Yes I can imagine it might get expensive!

Where I am thinking of doing it, it is tidal but not drying so no problem there. I need to go and do a bit of surveying with the fishfinder though.

Another idea has materialised today anyway which may make a mooring redundant; I may be able to lease a bit of land fronting onto a nice shelving beach, and build a boat shed there with my own (slightly crude and done on the cheap) slipway so I could open the doors and just drop the boat straight into the water on a cradle, which would be wonderful

[jwalker]

You've fairly got the boating bug, Stephen.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by jwalker

You've fairly got the boating bug, Stephen.

Ooooh yes

I don't think the "private boat shed" idea is going to be that expensive though, just need to check on the lease costs for the (currently unoccupied) bit of land .... should find that out tomorrow and will see if it is viable then. It would be wonderful and remove all issues with antifouling, moorings, possibility of damage, possibility of people interfering with the boat, ease of maintenance, everything gone all in one go cos I could just open the doors, roll it into the harbour and off I could go

Note to self: make sure it is big enough for a bigger RIB in due course

[nick wood]

Obviously I don’t agree with this http://www.themainsail.com/news/arti...98742342696324 well the first few lines anyway.

I suggest a 1/2 ton block, make a mould with ply wood. Mix up the concrete and put 2/3 layers of steel mesh for strength then a steel loop/eye attached to the steel mesh sticking out of the concrete for the chain. Pour in the concrete and allow a week to set before knocking the mould away.

Find the depth of your area you want the boat then add say 5 to 8 meters extra, use all 5/8 chain connected directly to the block eye (No swivel at this point because if the extra chain is on the bottom the swivel will not work efficiently) take the 5/8 chain directly to the main buff say a 90" buff. Then connect the chain via the swivel to the buff using 5/8 s/s shackles. So the buff is shackled at the top of the swivel and the chain is at the bottom.

For the rope that comes to the boat cleat, splice a s/s thimble and shackle that to the top of the swivel so the buff and the boat are the only objects moving around not the chain (creates less wear on chain).

Add a pick up buoy to the cleat rope for easy pickup. Also adding another rope with a s/s thimble and a shackle to the top of the swivel and a carbineer on the other end to the towing eye acts as a back up if the main rope fails, this back up should be a foot or so longer than the main rope.

We seize all our shackles with seizing wire and a cable tie.


A normal cost for our yard to lay a mooring like this would be about £1250.00 - £1500.00.
Not cheep but we have done 10 or so this year like that so obviously people trust experience of a boat yard.

We also drop all the chains to the seabed for the winter and leave a 1"+1/4 rope to the surface plus a small marker buoy this limits wear of the chain through the winter storms.

Hope this helps.
Oviously I dont agree with thishttp://www.themainsail.com/news/arti...98742342696324 well the first few lines anyway.

I suggest a 1/2 ton concret block, make a mould with ply. mix up the cement and put 2/3 layers of steel mesh for strenth then a steel loop/eye attached to the steel mesh sticking out of the concret for the chain. pour in the cement and allow a week to set knock mould away.

Find the depth of your area then add say 5 to 8 meters extra all 5/8 chain connected directly to the block eye (No swivel at this point because if the extra chain is on the bottom the swivel will not work efficiantly) take the 5/8 chain directly to the main buff say a 90" buff. Then connect the chain via the swivel to the buff using 5/8 s/s shackles.

For the rope that comes to the boat cleat, splice a s/s thimble and shackle that to the top of the swivel so the buff and the boat are the only objects moving around not the chain (creates less wear on chain).

add a pick up bouy to the cleat rope for easy pickup. also adding another rope with a s/s thimble and a shackle to the top of the swivel and a crabianer on the other end to the towing eye actes as a back up if the main rope fails, this back up sould be a foot or so longer than the main rope.

We seize all our shackles with seizing wire and a cable tie.


A normal cost for our yard to lay a mooring like this would be about £1250.00 - £1500.00.
not cheep but we have done 10 or so this year like that so oviously people trust our experiance.

We also drop all the chains to the seabed for the winter and leave a 1"+1/4 rope to the surface plus a small marker bouy this limits wear of the chain through the winter storms.

Hope this helps.

[Jelly]

Nick
The only question that your method raises to me is the mix of S/S and galvanised chain in the water.
I have seen this increase the electrolitic corosion, hence I have normally seen galavanised shackles used.
Have you seen this in your home waters ?
Rgds
James

[codprawn]

Yup I have seen this as well - in record time in our waters!!!