Mooring

[Anchor Management]

A friend offered his mooring to me for a couple nights. It's a 500lb in a relatively protected cove. Want to have three boats tied up. Any ideas of how much total weight would be reasonable ? We have a 52, 44 and 42'. I'm thinking I may be pushing it. Thanks.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

I'd say the weather is the most important factor.

 

[Sandy]

500 lbs of what? A 500 lb cement block is more appropriate for a skiff or single smaller boat. A cement block that size weighs very roughly about 250 lbs in the water.

FWIW- My 27' boat in a really protected cove with mmddy bottom has a 2 ton block and everything is hauled and inspected every 3 years.

A friend's 100+' flush-deck fiberglass sloop with bare pole dragged two 6000 lb blocks chained together 500-1000' in a recent NE'er before snapping the 2 2" hawsers attached to the mooring chain . That boat would have less pulling force than your 3 boats rafted together in same conditions.

A quick search shows regs for Rockport harbor:
http://www.harbormasters.org/rockport/mooring.shtml

 

[PascalG]

Depends on the wearher. If a line of shower comes thru it may not be enough but if you keep an eye on the weather it should be ok

 

[risingson]

I have had up to 8 boats on a 500 lb mooring in oyster bay..
In wind and calm days. If its a mushroom mooring it just digs in deeper. 50,52,45,41,38,36,33,33 footers.

 

[Sandy]

Will you be in an area where the harbor rules permit rafting of 3 boats that or any size? The harbormaster should be able to quickly advise on that.

 

[Anchor Management]

Thanks all for the advice.