Having recently moved to a canal house in SW Florida, I am concerned about proper anchoring/mooring line setup for our 35.5 Hunter. Specifically I am looking to anchor the boat using four 5/8" lines running out to anchoring points set in the ground on either side of the boat, fore and aft. I have found that ACE Hardware has screw-in type anchors, about 3.5 feet long and made of 5/8" rod, that can be screwed into the ground - with the rod curled and formed into an eye at the top to accept a chain. Has anyone had experience with these? My concern is the strength required of the rod from the potential stress placed on it. In the event of a blow, my intention would be to secure the boat in the center of the canal from these points, along with an anchor of the bow and one off the stern. Any thoughts or experiences that might help????
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length of rode
I feel that if you tie off to these "solid" anchor points there is a real chance that you will do damage to your pride and joy. If there is a big blow down here I am happier away from anything else (solid eg shore, jetties, other yachts) with about 12-1 line out. I just put a post on about a 260 and how much chain owners have hoping to bring along some interesting discussion. I guess if you want to stay attached to these moorings make sure you use plenty of rope preferably nylon. Regards
I feel that if you tie off to these "solid" anchor points there is a real chance that you will do damage to your pride and joy. If there is a big blow down here I am happier away from anything else (solid eg shore, jetties, other yachts) with about 12-1 line out. I just put a post on about a 260 and how much chain owners have hoping to bring along some interesting discussion. I guess if you want to stay attached to these moorings make sure you use plenty of rope preferably nylon. Regards
Maybe a little overkill
Hi Roger, Ive been through about 6 Hurricanes in SW Florida including Andrew and here's what we do. I use 12' Mooring Whips to keep the boat off the dock.The 4 dock lines on a regular basis is fine too,When a storm approaches we then tie off two or three more lines across the canal to the other side usually to dock posts. This is Very normal here, if your nieghbor across the canal is home ask, if they aren't home tie off anyway. This allows the boat to stay very stationary in it's berth. I don't think you need all those anchors on land or in the canal, just use your dock posts and those of your nieghbors, share yours with them. Sometimes you don't often see your nieghbors except to help when a Hurricane approches!
Hi Roger, Ive been through about 6 Hurricanes in SW Florida including Andrew and here's what we do. I use 12' Mooring Whips to keep the boat off the dock.The 4 dock lines on a regular basis is fine too,When a storm approaches we then tie off two or three more lines across the canal to the other side usually to dock posts. This is Very normal here, if your nieghbor across the canal is home ask, if they aren't home tie off anyway. This allows the boat to stay very stationary in it's berth. I don't think you need all those anchors on land or in the canal, just use your dock posts and those of your nieghbors, share yours with them. Sometimes you don't often see your nieghbors except to help when a Hurricane approches!
Too Small
I started with the next size up anchors from the ones you're talking about. They held for awhile. I was uncertain of their holding power and inspected them often. It was a good thing. They began to slowly work out of the sand. I then went to my local heavy industrial/electical supply house. They had much larger screw anchors. The kind used to guy off large power poles. These are what you need. I used the largest round shank anchors they had. They are about five and a half feet tall with a twelve inch auger and a one inch (maybe a little bigger) diameter shank. These have worked well so far in my permanent mooring application. I was able to screw them in with a six foot lever. They could also be jetted in. The cost was about $25 per anchor.
I started with the next size up anchors from the ones you're talking about. They held for awhile. I was uncertain of their holding power and inspected them often. It was a good thing. They began to slowly work out of the sand. I then went to my local heavy industrial/electical supply house. They had much larger screw anchors. The kind used to guy off large power poles. These are what you need. I used the largest round shank anchors they had. They are about five and a half feet tall with a twelve inch auger and a one inch (maybe a little bigger) diameter shank. These have worked well so far in my permanent mooring application. I was able to screw them in with a six foot lever. They could also be jetted in. The cost was about $25 per anchor.
Time to meet the neighbors
I would find out what has been successful in the past. If you'll be in front of your property, go ahead and sink pilings permanetly on your side and consider using 8 attachment lines and points instead of 4 in addition to your bow and stern anchor.
I would find out what has been successful in the past. If you'll be in front of your property, go ahead and sink pilings permanetly on your side and consider using 8 attachment lines and points instead of 4 in addition to your bow and stern anchor.
Storm surge
I'm curious, in a canal, how would you handle a storm surge? How wide is the canal? How much slack in the lines would you have to allow for the storm surge? Questions Questions Jim S/V Java
I'm curious, in a canal, how would you handle a storm surge? How wide is the canal? How much slack in the lines would you have to allow for the storm surge? Questions Questions Jim S/V Java
I agree with Jim about the problem of storm tide.
Your lines need to be able to handle the rise in tide. If they don't them they could easily rip chunks of deck off as the water goes up and the boat can't. Another problem can occure if the storm waves are enough to cause the boat keel to strike the bottom of the canal at the low portion of the wave. I do think a reasonalby wide and hiden canal, protected from the wind by ground cover is a good idea. An area without trees that can blow onto your boat. Ray
Your lines need to be able to handle the rise in tide. If they don't them they could easily rip chunks of deck off as the water goes up and the boat can't. Another problem can occure if the storm waves are enough to cause the boat keel to strike the bottom of the canal at the low portion of the wave. I do think a reasonalby wide and hiden canal, protected from the wind by ground cover is a good idea. An area without trees that can blow onto your boat. Ray
Swing?
Here in Maine we don't worry as much about Hurricanes as you guys do but we do get hit now and then. Because people aren't paying attention the boat damage can be severe. My question for everybody relying on docks is this - isn't the boat safer if it can swing? I'd think the forces on it when the boat is broaside would be a real problem. Thoughts? Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Here in Maine we don't worry as much about Hurricanes as you guys do but we do get hit now and then. Because people aren't paying attention the boat damage can be severe. My question for everybody relying on docks is this - isn't the boat safer if it can swing? I'd think the forces on it when the boat is broaside would be a real problem. Thoughts? Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Great Ideas
All your responses are welcome! Actually, this is a topic that I haven't seen much on before....a lot of information concerning riding out a storm at anchor - not much about protecting the boat (and dock) up a canal. The idea of using telephone pole anchors sounds good. Our canal is 100 feet wide, with no trees surrounding. We're completely protected from 360 degrees, with the canal fetch only being about 600 feet, maximum. I have wondered what the suggested length of line would be for a (possible) 20 foot surge, I guess I'll just have to sit down and do a little geometry to figure out the right length. My understanding is that securing the boat to things other than my normal pilings would help preserve the dock, as well as the boat. My thought is to make the ground anchors the primary hook-point, with some additional lines to the dock acting as back-ups. Any other thoughts or experiences?
All your responses are welcome! Actually, this is a topic that I haven't seen much on before....a lot of information concerning riding out a storm at anchor - not much about protecting the boat (and dock) up a canal. The idea of using telephone pole anchors sounds good. Our canal is 100 feet wide, with no trees surrounding. We're completely protected from 360 degrees, with the canal fetch only being about 600 feet, maximum. I have wondered what the suggested length of line would be for a (possible) 20 foot surge, I guess I'll just have to sit down and do a little geometry to figure out the right length. My understanding is that securing the boat to things other than my normal pilings would help preserve the dock, as well as the boat. My thought is to make the ground anchors the primary hook-point, with some additional lines to the dock acting as back-ups. Any other thoughts or experiences?
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