Leave in/take ashore - for winter???

[Robert Wilson]

Forgive the non-technical response!
I have two moorings, one in Mill Bay (below my house) the other in Loch Ewe (Archesaid Beag which translates as "Little Anchorage!). I only saw the Mill Bay one installed but the Loch Ewe one is apparently the same.

The Mill Bay one starts with a thumping great block of concrete, approximately 1m x 1m x 0.75m, with a big steel hoop embedded therein; probably 1+ inch diam steel. From there "rises" a steel chain of approximately the same diameter. Even at High Springs there is a goodly amount lying on the block/sea-bed.
The riser passes through a large soft-sided "fish-farm" buoy" and terminates on a

pad-eye​

with a large diameter backing-plate . A gurt big shackle fixes through the pad-eye.
Fastened through the shackle by clove hitch, two half hitches and the tail finished of with cable ties, is the mooring warp.
The warp is multiplait, about 1¾+ inches diameter and about eight feet/2.5metres from buoy to bow.
I have just installed a secondary warp, about 1¼ inch diam 3-strand as a back-up should the first one fail, which shows no sign of deterioration or damage.

The whole ensemble was supplied and installed by one of our local fish-farm installers and service boatmen. The crane on his service vessel is used to lift massive gear, his boss even offered to lift Khamsin out of the water and onto his deck on my first solo voyage in her!!

His specification is that of anchorage methods for fish-farm cages which have to endure pretty extreme weather and tides in our locations, so I was happy to accept his recommendations and supply of materials.
I have asked him a number of times to service them but his work schedule has prevented this. He does insist that for the size/weight of Khamsin, the locations/exposure and the over-sizing of the gear, I need not worry.

All the above taken into account, I have to accept that they haven't been serviced since installation in 2010 - and I do wish I could get them inspected and serviced.

I am exploring another avenue this weekend.

What does the team think about the above?:encouragement:

 

[Kelpie]

The key thing, from POV of longevity, is the sizing of the chain (and therefore also the shackles). When people talk about needing to renew their riser every two years they probably don't have 25mm+ chain!
I take it you don't have a swivel in the riser? They, along with the two shackles required, can be a weak link. If you haven't had problems with the riser or strop twisting in seven years of use, then you're probably OK.
Were the shackles in the riser welded? That's generally the best way of securing them.

Fish farm gear can last a very long time- I've heard of their moorings lasting seven years and more- but it must be coming up for time for at least an inspection now.

Edit to add: btw normally fish farm risers are about 19mm. Your mooring strop sounds absolutely massive- 44mm?? I'm surprised that fits in your bow roller. Do you have any chafe protection on it? I went for 32mm plus hose, and that just squeezes into the roller. I don't feel the need to have a backup as in the past I've found they can twist around each other.

 

[ctva]

Why not find a local diver, must be a diving club somewhere near you, even Inverness, and get them to dive and have a look. The main wear point is probably going to be the loop in the block.

Given the clarity of the water you are in a visual inspection by a diver would be a reassurance.

If you can’t find a diver, join a diving forum and claim to have seen a rare aenenome in the bay...

 

[Robert Wilson]

The key thing, from POV of longevity, is the sizing of the chain (and therefore also the shackles). When people talk about needing to renew their riser every two years they probably don't have 25mm+ chain!
There are benefits of living and sailing away from the madding crowd!!

I take it you don't have a swivel in the riser? They, along with the two shackles required, can be a weak link. If you haven't had problems with the riser or strop twisting in seven years of use, then you're probably OK.
Were the shackles in the riser welded? That's generally the best way of securing them.

That I can't tell. I'll be investigating at the earliest.
No swivel, AFAIK

Fish farm gear can last a very long time- I've heard of their moorings lasting seven years and more- but it must be coming up for time for at least an inspection now.

In response to this and Chris's post #63, I have found a contact who dives on moorings, but he can't lift them. I'll be asking him to inspect before next season.

Edit to add: btw normally fish farm risers are about 19mm. Your mooring strop sounds absolutely massive- 44mm?? I'm surprised that fits in your bow roller. Do you have any chafe protection on it? I went for 32mm plus hose, and that just squeezes into the roller. I don't feel the need to have a backup as in the past I've found they can twist around each other.

It does fit, and I have a goodly wrapping of anti-chafe which is still intact after eight years.
Fortunately the back-up warp doesn't twist-up - well, it hasn't so far!

 

[Robert Wilson]

Why not find a local diver, must be a diving club somewhere near you, even Inverness, and get them to dive and have a look. The main wear point is probably going to be the loop in the block.

I accept that, and even if I have to don my shorty wetsuit and take the plunge while the water is still at its Summer high temperature, it would be worth it.
However, I think I've answered this in my response to Kelpie's #62
Given the clarity of the water you are in a visual inspection by a diver would be a reassurance.

If you can’t find a diver, join a diving forum and claim to have seen a rare aenenome in the bay...
You might feel you can say that, I couldn't possibly comment!!

As ever, thanks to you both.:encouragement:

 

[A1Sailor]

All the above taken into account, I have to accept that they haven't been serviced since installation in 2010 - and I do wish I could get them inspected and serviced.

I am exploring another avenue this weekend.

What does the team think about the above?:encouragement:

Good to hear you have a diver sorted out. Would it be feasible for him to take some pics for you?

 

[Robert Wilson]

Good to hear you have a diver sorted out. Would it be feasible for him to take some pics for you?

I'll ask him, that's a very good idea for peace of mind and future reference.
Thanks. I'm sure a waterproof camera could be acquired around here!

 

[Kelpie]

By the way... are you sure your strop is 1.75in in diameter?? That's absolutely enormous. Nothing wrong with it, just I wonder what kind of cleat you have on your foredeck that can take it...

 

[Robert Wilson]

Being totally honest, no I'm not sure, but it won't be far off.
I have two "bits" or damson posts not just a cleat. The posts have a shoulder or lug - for'rad one's lug faces for'rard for about 1½ and the same for the aft one, which surprisingly faces aft

Next time I'm at the boat I'll take some proper measurements instead of making a guess.

 

[Robert Wilson]

By the way... are you sure your strop is 1.75in in diameter?? That's absolutely enormous. Nothing wrong with it, just I wonder what kind of cleat you have on your foredeck that can take it...

I guessed wrong!
I measured the circumference of my multi-plait wark, it's about 110mm So my schoolboy naths tells me that equates to near enough to 1.4inches. Allowing for age and stretch it probably started off at 1½".
Still fits easily into the bow roller!!

 

[A1Sailor]

Being totally honest, no I'm not sure, but it won't be far off.
I have two "bits" or damson posts not just a cleat. The posts have a shoulder or lug - for'rad one's lug faces for'rard for about 1½ and the same for the aft one, which surprisingly faces aft

Next time I'm at the boat I'll take some proper measurements instead of making a guess.

Here's a typical Javelin 30 foredeck arrangement:

Who knows, it might even be yours!

 

[Robert Wilson]

To add to the above, the aft "bit" is out of shot. The horns of the two "bits" face in opposing directions.

Thanks for posting the pic.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Well, that's it. Khamsin is ashore at Ullapool.
I sailed round yesterday in glorious sunshine; first hour a dream broad reach to Cailleach Head. Next three hours hell on water. Straight into a horrible "bumpy" sea and F7 coming straight down Loch Broom. Tacking back and forth making slow progress towards the harbour. I gave up in the end and motored the last three miles.
Exciting stuff though, and freezing spray.

Just when I was thinking I was mad the Coastguard helicopter arrived, hovered above/off to one side and asked on Ch16 if I was OK? Then five minutes later Stornoway Coastguard called on Ch16.
"Yacht Khamsin. Are you OK? What size are you? How many people aboard? What's your ETA Ullapool?"
I thanked them, said it was tough but I was OK. They asked for an update in 60 minutes.
It was so good to think that folk were looking out for me. And I was the only yacht out.

This morning, hoisted out on the high tide.

Phewwww!

I phoned Stornoway CG last night and thanked them and the Heli crew.
"You're welcome. Glad to hear your were managing in those conditions!!"

And today? Perfect gentle wind, calm sea, warm wall-to-wall sunshine.
Glad I went yesterday, it was good for the experience and my confidence.

It's going to be a long winter ashore

Edit:
I should add that the helicopter was on a training exercise and the Coastguard heard our Ch16 conversation. No-one had reported a "yacht in difficulty."