Mooring System Installation
Northern Sailors know that the safest way to secure their vessel in even the worst Canadian storms is with a properly designed and installed mooring system.
At Kootenay Diving & Salvage our specialty is installing mooring systems. We have the knowledge, experience and equipment to successfully install a secure mooring system that meets your needs. We are well stocked with the supplies required to be able to install your system quickly and efficiently.
A well designed mooring system starts with the correct anchor
Hiab equipped work truck
|
Custom hoist equipped barge
|
controlled anchor lowering
|
Accurate anchor placement
|
What is a good choice for a mooring buoy anchor?
Research has shown that an inverted pyramid style anchor originally perfected by the Dor-Mor company is far superior in holding power - than any other weighted anchor. www.dor-mor.com The Dor-Mor design is basically an inverted pyramid that will settle into the soft lake bottom and provide up to ten times it's weight in holding power. In the unlikely event that it does pull loose, the design catches on the lake bottom and re-sets itself. On a hard, rocky bottom where the inverted pyramid cannot settle into the lake bottom, the chain will slide up and over the sloped sides of the anchor instead of wrapping around it.
We have partnered with Enviromarine Ltd - a local Canadian company - who custom manufacture inverted pyramid anchors utilizing a welded steel shell with a 1/2 inch, galvanized, long link attachment chain, cast in the reinforced concrete core.
Research has shown that an inverted pyramid style anchor originally perfected by the Dor-Mor company is far superior in holding power - than any other weighted anchor. www.dor-mor.com The Dor-Mor design is basically an inverted pyramid that will settle into the soft lake bottom and provide up to ten times it's weight in holding power. In the unlikely event that it does pull loose, the design catches on the lake bottom and re-sets itself. On a hard, rocky bottom where the inverted pyramid cannot settle into the lake bottom, the chain will slide up and over the sloped sides of the anchor instead of wrapping around it.
We have partnered with Enviromarine Ltd - a local Canadian company - who custom manufacture inverted pyramid anchors utilizing a welded steel shell with a 1/2 inch, galvanized, long link attachment chain, cast in the reinforced concrete core.
The "Rode" - Bottom Chain
Attached to the mooring anchor weight with a large swivel is a heavy chain (called a "rode"). Traditionally, galvanized "long link"anchor chain is used. The length of the bottom chain is optimally one and a half to three times as long as the water is deep (this ratio is called the "scope"). So for a mooring in 9 metres (30 feet) of water depth, the rode should be 13.5 metres (45 feet) to 27.4 metres (90 feet long). A 3:1 scope is best if possible.
The heavy bottom chain that is the correct size and length, does two things.
Attached to the mooring anchor weight with a large swivel is a heavy chain (called a "rode"). Traditionally, galvanized "long link"anchor chain is used. The length of the bottom chain is optimally one and a half to three times as long as the water is deep (this ratio is called the "scope"). So for a mooring in 9 metres (30 feet) of water depth, the rode should be 13.5 metres (45 feet) to 27.4 metres (90 feet long). A 3:1 scope is best if possible.
The heavy bottom chain that is the correct size and length, does two things.
- As the wind and waves push the vessel away from the mooring anchor weight, a portion of the bottom chain lifts in a arching "catenary" curve which provides a gentle buffering effect on the moored vessel. If installed correctly, this will eliminate shock loading on your vessel's deck hardware.
- A properly sized bottom chain will insure that the pull on the anchor is lateral... across the lake bottom, which multiplies the holding power of the anchor... Up to 10 times when the scope is 3:1 while using an inverted pyramid mooring anchor.
The Riding Chain
The riding chain attaches with a swivel between the bottom chain and the mooring buoy. It is usually about half the size of the bottom chain with a length to match the maximum depth of the the mooring site.
The riding chain attaches with a swivel between the bottom chain and the mooring buoy. It is usually about half the size of the bottom chain with a length to match the maximum depth of the the mooring site.
Stored hanging upside down, we carry a good supply of Canadian transport compliant mooring buoys
Mooring Buoy
The mooring buoy itself is designed (and sized) to float the weight of the lighter riding chain that attaches the buoy to the bottom chain. Coast Guard /Transport Canada have specific designs for mooring buoys used in Canadian waters.
In the last couple of years, enforcement has been initiated at the coast and more recently, inland lakes, where non-compliant buoys are being ticketed.
Mooring Pendant (pronounced "pennant")
Mooring Pendant... A secure line that attaches a vessel to a mooring buoy
The pendant is designed to be permanently attached to your mooring buoy with a swivel. The general rule of thumb for pendant length is 2.5 times the freeboard height of your vessel (the distance from waterline and the top of the gunwale). So for a vessel with a three foot freeboard, you would use a minimum of seven and a half foot pendant. Keep in mind that your pendant can be longer or shorter depending on your need and ease of use. See our page on mooring pendants.
Mooring Pendant... A secure line that attaches a vessel to a mooring buoy
The pendant is designed to be permanently attached to your mooring buoy with a swivel. The general rule of thumb for pendant length is 2.5 times the freeboard height of your vessel (the distance from waterline and the top of the gunwale). So for a vessel with a three foot freeboard, you would use a minimum of seven and a half foot pendant. Keep in mind that your pendant can be longer or shorter depending on your need and ease of use. See our page on mooring pendants.
Location
It is important to site your mooring system so the scope doesn't put your vessel in danger of going aground in low water or infringes on your neighbour's waterfront. As well, an underwater inspection is necessary to make sure that there is nothing on the lake bottom in the swing area that will impede the free swing of the rode.
It is important to site your mooring system so the scope doesn't put your vessel in danger of going aground in low water or infringes on your neighbour's waterfront. As well, an underwater inspection is necessary to make sure that there is nothing on the lake bottom in the swing area that will impede the free swing of the rode.
Getting a mooring system installed.
Although installing a mooring system may sound overwhelming, it really isn't. All it takes is a phone call to us at Kootenay Diving and we will provide you with a "no obligation" quote.
Call Bart at 250-254-5076 or email [email protected]
Although installing a mooring system may sound overwhelming, it really isn't. All it takes is a phone call to us at Kootenay Diving and we will provide you with a "no obligation" quote.
Call Bart at 250-254-5076 or email [email protected]
For the "do it yourselfer"
We sell direct to our customers all of the products we use. If you are installing your own mooring system or simply upgrading an existing mooring, let us know what you need and we will quote you a price.
We sell direct to our customers all of the products we use. If you are installing your own mooring system or simply upgrading an existing mooring, let us know what you need and we will quote you a price.