Swinging mooring - home made?

Rich L · 15 August 2005, 12:56

Two questions:

1. Is there anything to stop me from dropping my own temporary mooring in an area where many boats are moored? I'm talking Abersoch bay.

If not...

2. What do you think to simply using a massive anchor, a weight, some chain and a buoy?

6m boat. I only need it for a week.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

pettal · 15 August 2005, 12:59

Can't speak for Abersoch, but you'd get ya bollix ripped off over here if you tried that in any of the main moorings without permission!

Normally lots of moored boats in the same place means someone is charging for it.

I'd pick somewhere a little quieter with 5 or 6 boats anchored up and you'll be fine with a heavy anchor and lots of chain..... weather dependant of course!

Ribald · 15 August 2005, 13:03

Also check your insurance policy - they might not take too kindly to "home-made" moorings.

Rich L · 15 August 2005, 13:32

Just spoke to the guy who lays the moorings up there (who's son is also Abersoch's harbour master).

He tells me that that will be fine. I have a 20lb danforth with 100ft chain. He thinks that will be fine with no extra weight. He did warn me that a concrete block will quickly sink into the sand and be impossible to lift by hand.

Good point about the insurance. I'll have to look into that.

Any comments?

Scary Des · 15 August 2005, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Any comments?

For a reliable safeish mooring do the following

but don’t trust a single anchor they always move especially when you want them most

Get two anchors with a length of chain between them and then come off the middle of this with another chain to your buoy. The length of the connecting chain depends on the local conditions and weight of your boat, for my boat (2Tons) I used 12 mtrs.

This can be difficult to lay but the trick is to lay one anchor as you would normally then tie a rope to the heel of the second anchor and lower it to the sea bed will pulling it in away from the first anchor, this is best done at low tide. Better still dive on the second anchor and push it into the sea bed. The rope you tie through the heel should be fixed in such a way that you can release it, slip knot or loop etc.
Lay the two anchors inline with the current or prevailing wind depending on which you think will be the greater. Whole cost about £150 for parts

your time while on holiday

priceless.
Alternatively pay the marine £12 a night which will be cheaper, safer and easier

Des

Rich L · 15 August 2005, 14:38

Thanks for that.

Normally I'd rent a mooring - which has many benefits including use of the yacht club launch, bar and toilets - all for no more than a normal launch fee. No brainer.

But apparently it's a busy week and there are none spare

. I did try to book months ago.

They also tend to put you on other peoples moorings. One year somebody moved by boat

and left me a snotty note saying "I pay for my mooring etc etc". Obviously didn't realise I was paying for it too!

I reckon there's a good chance there'll be one spare 'on the day' but just want to be prepared.

Thanks again.

Bilge Rat · 15 August 2005, 20:36

No what you need is an old car tyre, wedge a lump of chipboard into one side and fill with concrete making sure you leave a hole throught the centre, then when set remove the chipboard from the tyre and thread a short lenght of your chain through the centre, link the two together to form a loop and then thread the main mooring chain or rope through the chain loop, secure a bouy on the surface end and dump the entire lot over the side where you want to moor. end of the week undo the bouy and pull the rope or chain through the loop abandoning the concrete on the bottom.

Alternatively purchase an old Evinrude, hook a chain to it and throw it over the side

its the only good thing you can use an Evinrude for

codprawn · 16 August 2005, 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettal

Normally lots of moored boats in the same place means someone is charging for it.

Just cos they charge doesn't mean they have the RIGHT to do it!!!!

Scotty · 16 August 2005, 07:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Good point about the insurance. I'll have to look into that.

Any comments?

If anything happens to the boat dont tell the insurance company you were on a mooring

.

pettal · 16 August 2005, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Just cos they charge doesn't mean they have the RIGHT to do it!!!!

Very true!

We had some cheeky bstrd's a few years ago in Sark trying to charge £20 a day for moorings that didn't belong to them. They looked official so most people either paid or went and anchored elsewhere........until we turned up!

20 hairy divers in three RIBs containing 4 coppers, 2 fireman, 3 lawyers, 8 fishermen and us. We soon cleared the area of thieving little toe rags!!

Mark Halliday · 16 August 2005, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

end of the week undo the bouy and pull the rope or chain through the loop abandoning the concrete on the bottom.

Alternativly, flog it to the next holiday-maker.

Bilge Rat · 17 August 2005, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

Alternativly, flog it to the next holiday-maker.

Thats a great idea, hadn't thought of that one, another idea springs to mind, rig up a few and charge rental on them

before you know it your'll be loaded