Using an anchor as a mooring.

[longjonsilver]

i am buying a 24 ft trimaran, weighing 2200 lbs. i am considering using a 25 or 35 lb Mantus anchor with heavy chain (3/8) as a short scope anchor system - essentially a mooring. Plan is to set in the spring when i launch the boat and retrieve in the fall when i pull the boat.

What kinda problems can i foresee? How secure wud this be? And what is the shortest scope practical?

Thanks
jon

[Benz]

If the tide turns you in circles (will you be in the Northwest Arm?), you might want a chunky swivel. If it just swings you back and forth without spinning it should be OK.

[Scubaseas]

We use anchors for moorings in the Caribbean for 28' dive boats. We have a large anchor then 2X water depth at MHHW of heavy mooring chain (3/4") then a large swivel, then 2X water depth of top chain (7/16" G3 or 3/8" G43,), then an 18" mooring ball then two pennants of three strand nylon that are about 20' long each. No problems over the last 16 years. Mind you the tide there is only about 2 feet though. Longer chains couldn't hurt. A swivel is important to have somewhere in the system. We have a 4" Styrofoam float tied at 1/3 the length of the top chain from the swivel to keep the top chain off the bottom. We set the anchor in the direction where the wind comes from 99% of the time.

[longjonsilver]

Originally Posted by Benz

If the tide turns you in circles (will you be in the Northwest Arm?), you might want a chunky swivel. If it just swings you back and forth without spinning it should be OK.

Thanks. i am planning on Mill Cove near Bedford Basin. i will include a swivel.

[longjonsilver]

Originally Posted by Scubaseas

We use anchors for moorings in the Caribbean for 28' dive boats. We have a large anchor then 2X water depth at MHHW of heavy mooring chain (3/4") then a large swivel, then 2X water depth of top chain (7/16" G3 or 3/8" G43,), then an 18" mooring ball then two pennants of three strand nylon that are about 20' long each. No problems over the last 16 years. Mind you the tide there is only about 2 feet though. Longer chains couldn't hurt. A swivel is important to have somewhere in the system. We have a 4" Styrofoam float tied at 1/3 the length of the top chain from the swivel to keep the top chain off the bottom. We set the anchor in the direction where the wind comes from 99% of the time.

So you put the swivel in between the mooring chain and the top chain? Tide here is about 4-5' normally. Can you foresee problems raising a heavy anchor with a light (2200lb) boat? The Rocna 20kg anchor is only $80 more locally than the 15kg anchor. Might go with the 20kg.