Ron Magen wrote:

In actual fact you are not talking about an 'anchor' but a *MOORING*.

Yes, you are correct.

I belong to a Club which is one of the oldest on the Delaware River, just
North of Philly. It is a 'self-help working mans' club rather then a
'Newport Yacht Club'. Strictly sail, and everybody pulls their weight. Since
my Potter only weighs about 1200 lbs, I was thinking of doing something
similar with an old car wheel - which would have simulated a 'mushroom'
mooring anchor. ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed. {There were a couple that were
'grandfathered' . . . but they were RAILROAD wheels and 6ft pipes, weighing
about 900 lbs.} Depending on the boat {and personal preference} a 'single'
or 'double set' of mushroom {or one of the newer 'exotics'}anchors must be
used. The 'set-up' per the guidelines in 'Chapman's'.

We are on a river with a reversing tidal stream and a 7ft swing. About a
third of the field is hauled & inspected each winter. ALL the buoys are
pulled in late Fall . . . and the 'floating docks' as well. The docks use
'permanent' moorings that I understand are massive blocks of concrete. Where
this differs from the 'boat moorings' is that there is no 'bottom chain' and
riding chain' . . . it's all the same size. Also each 'float' is secured
with 4 chains that are 'crossed' like spring lines to hold everything in
place. It make for quite an adventure, twice a year !!

Thanks, this is quite interesting. Maybe I'll have to go ahead and get
a real mushroom or two. Railroad wheels sound heavy, very heavy.

Old train wheels work fine, especially in fresh water. Might be bigger
than you need. Also properly cleaned engine blocks. .

BajaJim wrote:
Old train wheels work fine, especially in fresh water. Might be bigger
than you need. Also properly cleaned engine blocks. .

Old cast iron radiators are pretty heavy, I know someone who used one
off of Fire Island a while back.
Where would one look for an old train wheel?

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 21:11:26 -0400, Julien Mills
wrote:

BajaJim wrote:
Old train wheels work fine, especially in fresh water. Might be bigger
than you need. Also properly cleaned engine blocks. .

Old cast iron radiators are pretty heavy, I know someone who used one
off of Fire Island a while back.
Where would one look for an old train wheel?

An old train?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 21:11:26 -0400, Julien Mills
wrote:

BajaJim wrote:
Old train wheels work fine, especially in fresh water. Might be bigger
than you need. Also properly cleaned engine blocks. .

Old cast iron radiators are pretty heavy, I know someone who used one
off of Fire Island a while back.
Where would one look for an old train wheel?

When I was a kid there was an abandoned tack with a switching station
nearby. All the wheels you wanted. Then it was considered an
eyesore. Now it would probably be a designated hysterical (oops, I
meant historical) site and grabbing an old wheel would be frowned
upon.

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/

Julien,

If I remember your first inquiry, there was mention of a 'rocky bottom'. If
so this is NOT the best holding ground for a mushroom type. Beside which, if
this is going to be a 'permanent' mooring your going to need a LOT of mass.
Plus someone with the proper equipment to place them.

Many a dock is held in place using a couple of old engine blocks with a
chain threaded through them. If you don't have a tidal stream, a big shift
in tides, or frequent storm conditions, that's the way I'd explore. Two or
three {for each 'corner'}with a heavy chain threaded through & shackled to
keep them together. Also a hell of a lot cheaper then the mushrooms . . .
and a lot less shipping if the scrap yard is local.

Just remember the 'crossing arrangement' of the float chains.

Regards & Good Luck,
Rom Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"Julien Mills" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Thanks, this is quite interesting. Maybe I'll have to go ahead and get
a real mushroom or two. Railroad wheels sound heavy, very heavy.

Do it at night, so you can't see the frowns?
"Glen "Wiley" Wilson" wrote in
message ...
On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 21:11:26 -0400, Julien Mills
wrote:

BajaJim wrote:
Old train wheels work fine, especially in fresh water. Might be bigger
than you need. Also properly cleaned engine blocks. .

Old cast iron radiators are pretty heavy, I know someone who used one
off of Fire Island a while back.
Where would one look for an old train wheel?

When I was a kid there was an abandoned tack with a switching station
nearby. All the wheels you wanted. Then it was considered an
eyesore. Now it would probably be a designated hysterical (oops, I
meant historical) site and grabbing an old wheel would be frowned
upon.

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/