Mooring Buoy Choice, Design, Supplier etc

[gandy]

Hi,

We currently have a "Hippo" buoy where the chain comes through the centre of the buoy and the swivel and strop are shackled at that point. Now the buoy is dying, the shell is brittle and the foam inside is gradually getting waterlogged. We need a new one. We have 16mm riser chain, and the mooring's in about 4.5m at highest tide.

What do people recommend? The Hippo type buoy is good because it keeps the chain clear of the hull when wind is against tide/ You can see the scratches on other boats in the Bay who use conventional buoys.

Disadvantages, the Hippo buoys are reputedly really expensive, and nobody seems to know where they can be bought in any case.

Any suggestions for the best would be welcome, also recommendations for suppliers.

Ta in advance as always,

Tony S

 

[exfinnsailor]

Have you tried HERE .. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif .. Some of them may be a bit <span style="color:red">BIG </span> .. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Maxi_10]

I bought a Hippo a couple of months ago from Stephensons Marine in Poole, not much good to you in Scotland I know but they must have other dealers.

Cost £180 plus VAT

expensive but the best I could find for a similar mooring to yours.

Best features are reduced scratching of hull and visual check of all shackles etc every time you moor up.

 

[lw395]

Norfloat or Scanmarin.
Norfloat will sell direct, scanmarin via Gaelforce.
Hippo is a good choice though, if it works well for your boat and mooring.

 

[gandy]

Cheers. Norfloat looks a possible option, that may be the sort I see at some of the other moorings nearby.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Norfloat are excellent, ask about their seconds, a fraction of the new price and virtually indistinguishable from a new buoy.

 

[savageseadog]

Try looking for boys on Google.

 

[oldharry]

....looking for boys on Google.

356,000,000 results and not a mooring boy between them! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[simonfraser]

quite a few big boys there, must be one there that will last the course . . .

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
Cost £180 plus VAT

[/ QUOTE ]Piggin 'ell!

 

[KREW2]

I have a Hippo buoy, what concerns me about them is the centre, it's a metal tube. As the buoy is always at an angle that means one link on the riser is constantly rubbing against the rim beneath the waterline.

 

[wotayottie]

you can find Hippo buoys on hippo . not cheap but good.

bit surprised that the outside has gone funny. mine are still pristine after 20 years