Any recommendations for a homemade mooring?

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
in response to the concrete issue ....the us navy is useing a concrete gate at the end of the drydock facility that works on the trident subs hear in ga and it does well for them ....so haveing said that i see no reason not to use it in a moring ......that gate is about 125 feet long and 85 feet deep and i cant remember how wide it is but it flotes well when deblasted and holds water in the dry dock when in use .......very impressive i might add .......
 
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Recycle or Re-Use

PeterSea:
OK Pete
For starters my philosophy on the environment and recycling definitions is not just mine; it is a school of thought that is being instilled into each and every citizen of this two million strong Greater Vancouver Regional District. We have what are called recycling programs, for roadside collection we have the ‘Blue Boxes’ one is filled with recyclable plastics and the other is filled with recyclable food cans and glass jars. Then there are the ‘Blue Bags’ & ‘Yellow Bags’, the blue bags are for newspapers and other similar grade papers while the yellow bags are used for heavier cardboard grades. The paper and cardboard are taken to a plant to be broken back down into pulp and remade into new paper products, ditto for the plastics and metal cans, they too are melted down into their basic forms and recast into something new same goes for glass. We have depots for taking used oil, batteries, paint cans and other toxic waste to. We do not take old refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves and other appliances to the dump, they are also picked up and taken to a recycle depot (they are re-incarnated as a brand new appliance or new car body). We pay recycle and environmental fees/levies on almost any recyclable product we purchase to cover the cost of these services. Nothing is intentionally dumped into the ocean like an engine block is. We call our province “Beautiful B.C.” or “SuperNatural B.C.” and we go to great lengths to preserve our natural heritage, we take pride in it. Are you being educated yet? Do you understand the majority definition of recycle? It is a far cry from your backward hillbilly definition. Here we maintain a forward progressive line of thinking towards the environment and recycling not the regressive backward thinking you propose.
We pay a high price to maintain this standard of living here and we feel it is worth it. I don’t know what state CT stands for in your Avatar signature but it must be an ugly place full of roadside garbage having people with your mentality residing there. Glad I am here and not there. You may think me an Environmental Wacko, perhaps you think all two million of us are, but we perceive you as an Environmental criminal who..... (Offending remark deleted).
We do not use old used oil to water our gardens with and then claim this different use as our version of recycling, nor do we use old paint cans for containing a food in and call it our version of recycling just because the cans are put to a different use as you propose. Glass jars are not re-used, too fragile, they are smashed and melted down to become a car windsheild or house window.
Another example - We have these 4 litre plastic containers that are used for water or milk (yours would be one gallon), they are recyclable and can be placed in the blue bins for recycle but I also “RE-USE” them for ice packs in my cooler, I fill them with water and then put them in the deep freeze to use for ice blocks, in this case they are being “re-used” for another purpose, they are not being recycled as you would think, do you understand the distinction, or are you still confused.
Engine blocks and train car wheels are just down right plain ugly and do not belong on our ocean floor, they were never intended for such a use and their shape clearly indicates this. You can argue for arguments sake until you are blue in the face but it will never make you right. There are millions and millions of citizens who would not be able to comprehend your way of thinking especially if they come from a generation of progressive responsible thinking citizens.

Mainsail
Lobster/Crab traps are no more dumped to the bottom of the ocean than shipwrecks are, both are there as a result of an accident, they are not intentional. Accidents happen by accident, moorings are deliberate and engine blocks are sunk intentionally. Traps are sunk with the intention of retrieving them with a live catch in them and then using them again for another catch for as many times as possible and hopefully not have to replace because they were lost.

Something “Trinkka” pointed out:
Are moorings really regularly inspected? One has to wonder in these tough economic times what services would suffer budget cuts, well I suspect monitoring/inspecting moorings would rank very high on the budget cutting list don’t you think? Once they are cut from the budget the chances of re-instatement become very slim indeed, so much for that argument. My guess is that many are lost, just like lobster traps.

My prejudice stems from the sight of some derelict boats I see in various harbours. I was In Friday Harbour among the San Juan Islands, and just behind Brown Island there are a multitude of private moorings, many of which have those ugly hulks attached to them. The sight is saddening and they are nothing more than a blight on the seascape and should be removed, but I guess in these tough economic times there is no budget to address the problem. We don't need any more of them.
 
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P

polariswest

Geeze, Kermie, saying you want to kill people by putting them in front of a firing squad is a bit radical, don't you think. Where I live we would call that "fighting words". You won't get many converts to your way of thinking by insulting and threatening people who disagree with you. I'm glad you are pleased with where you live--I have found it beautiful as well when visiting there. Then again, Connecticut also has some very beautiful places.

As for me, I DO use an old (oil free) engine block for my mooring in a local lake. I remove it every year in the fall and put it back in when spring comes. I don't think I'm hurting anyone or anything. If you disagree, shoot me!
 
Sep 26, 2008
566
- - Noank CT.
..........

Kermie ! ! Watch your blood pressure ! !

First let me say that CT. stands for CONNECTICUT and it is in the USA. (try google earth) And if I may, :) let me say that I did and do know what B. C. stands for ! If I didn't :redface: I would have gone to my "backwards hillbilly" map and found out to have educated myself. Along the lines of education let me still say you have yet to educate me on how a engine block or train axle is more damaging to the environment then a mushroom type mooring ! ! :confused: That was the original issue.

I also know what "blue boxes" are as we here in hilly-billy CONNECTICUT also recycle.:doh:

I apparently hit a nerve Kermie I don't know how I upset you that much that you are wanting to kill me by a firing squad ! :eek: ! Can't help but wonder if you will be kind enough to offer me a last cigarette ! ;) Quite frankly if this is how you react to someone who has a different opinion and disagrees with your perspective, I am also glad you are in Canada and I am not !! :D
 
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Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
PeterSea:
OK Pete

You may think me an Environmental Wacko, perhaps you think all two million of us are, but we perceive you as an Environmental criminal who should be ......
OK, so this particular comment is over the top and too radical and perhaps I should have not included it, my apologies. I'll delete it. Sorry Pete, and perhaps you could accept by changing your post title.
There are environmental radicals here that do in fact drive spikes into trees to buck the chainsaws (dangerous), chain themselves to trees, baracade roads and basically sabatage logging efforts. Those are the type I refer to with my radical remark.
No high blood pressure involved, just a bit of frustration with emphasizing my point, I'll try to couch my words more in future. The rest of my opinion still stands, there is a difference between Recycle & Re-use and even if the engine block is made of the same material as a mushroom anchor it was never manufactured for the same purpose, it was manufactured for the use of generating power in an automobile and it still looks ugly lying on the bottom of the ocean floor whereas the mushroom anchor looks more natural even though it is not.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
OK, so this particular comment is over the top and too radical and perhaps I should have not included it, my apologies. I'll delete it. Sorry Pete, and perhaps you could accept by changing your post title.
There are environmental radicals here that do in fact drive spikes into trees to buck the chainsaws (dangerous), chain themselves to trees, baracade roads and basically sabatage logging efforts. Those are the type I refer to with my radical remark.
No high blood pressure involved, just a bit of frustration with emphasizing my point, I'll try to couch my words more in future. The rest of my opinion still stands, there is a difference between Recycle & Re-use and even if the engine block is made of the same material as a mushroom anchor it was never manufactured for the same purpose, it was manufactured for the use of generating power in an automobile and it still looks ugly lying on the bottom of the ocean floor whereas the mushroom anchor looks more natural even though it is not.
Captain Kermie,
Unless you're a fish, you're never going to see it. A little humor there. :D The Taunton River where our club is locate about two miles from Battleship Cove Fall River Mass., was declare a National Scenic River just last year. I like to paddle my kayak over to my favorite cove on the river with my dog, hide the kayak in the bushes and walk the shoreline in the summer and winter months. The trash that I see along that shoreline is unbelievable. I see old tires, bottles, cans, barrels, syringes, and everything imaginable. This is what really makes me sick, the stuff that is visible. I'm not implying that I'd be happy if it was on the river floor and I'm sure that it probably is, but I have no problem with the guys using old iron mill gears, train wheels, or concrete for their moorings. I do have a problem with that shoreline. I also have a problem with an idiot at the end my street who constantly throws litter out his truck window every single week when he drives by my house. He knows that I'm out there picking it up. The police won't bust him because littering is a $50 fine and it's--- "too cost prohibitive to investigate it." So my question is,--what's the answer to all of this?
 
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Captain Kermie,
I also have a problem with an idiot at the end my street who constantly throws litter out his truck window every single week when he drives by my house. He knows that I'm out there picking it up.
You could always carry it down to his property and throw it there....but that may escalate to an unwanted conclusion, like I did here.
The police won't bust him because littering is a $50 fine and it's--- "too cost prohibitive to investigate it." So my question is,--what's the answer to all of this?
Discouragement Trinkka, just try to discourage it. Bring the guys behavior to the attention of everyone in the neighborhood and attempt to embarrass him or make him feel guilty. Once the majority of citizens disapprove it may change his behavior, but then again he may be incurable, but at least you try. That is what I have attempted here but I went to far and said too much. Still, I will not advocate the use of junkyard metal for mooring and instead discourage it best I can even if I do end up stirring a few emotions.
Your Taunton River bank is a prime reason for my position on this.
As I said before I am no saint and contribute to the problem from time to time but I do notice that I tend to look first to make sure no one is watching, then sense a pang of guilt, then feel ashamed, then I refrain, even when I won't get caught. It just becomes a way of thinking and if we can convince a few more folks along the way, the world will be a better place for it.
 
Jun 8, 2004
550
Macgregor 26M Delta, B.C. Canada 26M not X
Captain Kermie,
Unless you're a fish, you're never going to see it. A little humor there. :D The Taunton River where our club is locate about two miles from Battleship Cove Fall River Mass., was declare a National Scenic River just last year. I like to paddle my kayak over to my favorite cove on the river with my dog, hide the kayak in the bushes and walk the shoreline in the summer and winter months. The trash that I see along that shoreline is unbelievable. I see old tires, bottles, cans, barrels, syringes, and everything imaginable. This is what really makes me sick, the stuff that is visible. I'm not implying that I'd be happy if it was on the river floor and I'm sure that it probably is, but I have no problem with the guys using old iron mill gears, train wheels, or concrete for their moorings. I do have a problem with that shoreline. So my question is,--what's the answer to all of this?
Well Trinkka, many years back when all that trash was thrown there, the Taunton river banks may have been a lot higher and only the fish could see it. Many years later the lakes dry up and the river banks drop and now we all have to look at the unsightly trash. This can happen with moorings in interior lakes, when the lake levels drop we will all be faced with the stunning spectacular view of car engines and rail car wheels along the shoreline. The buried mushroom anchors may not look so bad but an engine block sure would! You have just provided some great ammunition for my point of view. Thank You for your input.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Well Trinkka, many years back when all that trash was thrown there, the Taunton river banks may have been a lot higher and only the fish could see it. Many years later the lakes dry up and the river banks drop and now we all have to look at the unsightly trash. This can happen with moorings in interior lakes, when the lake levels drop we will all be faced with the stunning spectacular view of car engines and rail car wheels along the shoreline. The buried mushroom anchors may not look so bad but an engine block sure would! You have just provided some great ammunition for my point of view. Thank You for your input.
I've seen the Three Mile River when it suddenly became a small stream for weeks, back in the 1960s with 100s and maybe thousands of dead fish on the shore, and two years ago Sabbatia Lake was very low because they opened the dam at Morey's Bridge. Prior to that, the Mill River and some of the other rivers that flow into it, were so swollen that they thought the dams were going to give way and flood the city of Taunton. This made the news nationally. The Taunton River though, has never changed with the exception of the daily tides from Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays. The old foot paths where they used horses to tow the barges up the river, are still there, and some of the pilings and all of the old stone walls are still there. We have a rock in Dighton that has inscriptions from the 1500s by a Portuguese explorer who sailed up the river. No. This trash that I speak of is constantly being thrown down the hills in the form of tires and other debris, and some of it floated in from somewhere else.
 
Sep 26, 2008
566
- - Noank CT.
Kermie,

I would be happy to change the title of the post in question.:) No real harm done. I did not think you would really harm anyone. :poke:Have a good day ! One last question ? Would you have given me the cigarette ??;)
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
My prejudice stems from the sight of some derelict boats I see in various harbours. I was In Friday Harbour among the San Juan Islands, and just behind Brown Island there are a multitude of private moorings, many of which have those ugly hulks attached to them. The sight is saddening and they are nothing more than a blight on the seascape and should be removed, but I guess in these tough economic times there is no budget to address the problem. We don't need any more of them.
Funny you never answered my arguments, not surprising, and now are showing your true feelings/prejudice..

Did you ever consider that some may think a Mac is a "blight on the seascape" and one craft that should be "removed" from tranquil anchorages, as you feel of others boats...?? Just asking? ;)

I mean really, I prefer to anchor only amongst Hinckley's, Concordia's and Morris Yachts, anything less is an "ugly hulk"??;)

Prejudice is an ugly thing!! Where does the prejudice stop? Macgregor's, dirty boats, boats with old sails that are not white anymore, Hunters, O'day's, Catalina's, Sea Ray's? Where, and who, defines "ugly hulk" or "blight on the seascape"? Apparently, you???:confused:

You are stating a prejudice against the aesthetics of another persons boat while clearly not sailing what would be considered, by many sailors, as the most beautiful one?

You have also shown a prejudice against the physical shape of steel or iron. A dead weight mooring is a dead weight mooring they work on the principle of dead weight. Your argument against the physical shape and form of steel, or cast iron, as used as a dead weight mooring, holds no water. Pun intended...;) The idea of changing the physical shape of an item by melting it down, in a dirty, polluting foundry, into another shape is clearly not a green idea. If the item could work as a mooring, and keep the boat in place, in its original shape or form, and be re-used or re-born as a mooring, part of "reduce, re-use, recycle" the green mantra, then it IS a green practice...

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I suspect your argument, or lack of cogent one, may stem from an affordability perspective not the shape thing? My guess is that you see the poor or indigent people sailing "blights on the seascape" more able to afford a train wheel or engine block from a scrap yard, than a Mushroom from a high priced chandlery, hence more blights on the seascape....???:confused:

How far do we take these prejudices and who will we elect as the mayor of prejudiceville? Who gets to decide what boats are "blights"
and which ones are aesthetically acceptable? You don't want me making these aesthetic rules trust me..:D Will it be a jury of our peers? :)
 
Sep 26, 2008
566
- - Noank CT.
The rest of my opinion still stands, there is a difference between Recycle & Re-use and even if the engine block is made of the same material as a mushroom anchor it was never manufactured for the same purpose, it was manufactured for the use of generating power in an automobile and it still looks ugly lying on the bottom of the ocean floor whereas the mushroom anchor looks more natural even though it is not.
Kermie,

Let me try this again ! I do understand there is a difference between recycle and reuse. I happen to think that reuse is also green or environmentally friendly ,apparently you do not and I can accept that.

Just to be clear no mooring is natural on the bottom of any ocean, lake etc etc. The beauty of the engine block is with the internal parts removed it will bury itself into the bottom and with time it will somewhat disappear. Same true of the train wheel or the mushroom type mooring anchor.

So ugly looking or not and natural or not are not real strong positions to take when it comes to a mooring. You apparently would be happy with no moorings. I don't mind them at all so you and I may never agree on this issue so maybe best to leave it at that.

I would be open to looking at some credible evidence that the engine block or train wheel has a different environmental impact then the mushroom type or that one is more environmentally friendly then the other. Eventually they all could be recycled to your standards. Until that I'm good with them !
 

walt

.
Jun 1, 2007
3,541
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
Did you ever consider that some may think a Mac is a "blight on the seascape" and one craft that should be "removed" from tranquil anchorages, as you feel of others boats...?? Just asking? ;)
I wasnt expecting to see something like this here...:confused:
 

walt

.
Jun 1, 2007
3,541
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
This would not be the first time Ive read something incorrectly.:redface:;):D
 
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