2011-01-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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J&d Ta,jorMae A GUIDE TO PERMANENT MOORING SYSTEMS PRODUCTS- i • PERMANENT MOORING SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW The following is intended as a general. ' line on boat mooring systems. The primary factors in determining the configuration of a mooring are the existing focal conditions (eg: har' ;,, Vidal variations, water depth, bottom conditions, prevailing winds and so on.) To insure that you are laying down the proper mooring syste: m for your particular location, check with the local harbor master, the Coast Guard or other local governing body. As a last resort you should consult w -oh other 100 boaters to determine what mooring configuration they are using. . A permanent mooring system, when properly designed, should securely position a boat so that it can be left unattended• with little attention, for long periods of time. Each system usually consists of, a mooring buoy (to float the chain)• a mooring anchor and a length of chain (running between the anchor and the mooring buoy). Also the proper ground tackle includes correct sized galvanized shackles and swivels. Always kezp in mind, that the mooring system Is only as reliable as the 'current' conditions of the equipment. The only way to be absolutely sure that your boat will be there each time you return, Is to perform a thorough inspection of the entire mooring system at regular intervals. Again, check with the local authorities to determine what the particular inspection intervals are for your area. THE MOORING BUOY The sole purpose of the mooring buoy is to support the mooring chain. The two preferred designs for mooring buoys are hard skinned buoys or the soft inflatable type. Both offer reliable floatation and will last for several seasons, depending upon the salinity of the water. Obviously, fresh water applications will extend the usefull life of any mooring system. Taylor's Hard Skin Sur -Moonm and T3C (Tube Thru The Center) mooring buoys are constructed using a tough polyethylene shell with an integral closed cell foam core. All Taylor *Made Sur- MoorTm buoys are built to withstand the constant abuse of most mooring envirorignts..The inflatable mooring buoy is molded e a vinyl and contain Taylor's exclusive Bivalve allowing customized inflation. Since this buoy has ntal+hardware above the water -line, it off derior hull protection for people concerned about gelcoat wear on their boat. Once the type of buoy has been selected, the next question is the proper size. Buoy floatation is measured according tolhe pounds of buoyancy that they provide. A buoy floatation rating is based on the amount of weight that it can suspend while remaining afloat just below the surface of the water. As a general rule, you should select a buoy that offers slightly more than twice the amount of floatation that Is required for the weight of the anchor chain you will be using. (eg: 50 lbs. of anchor chain will require a buoy with a floatation rating of slightly over 100 lbs.) This insures that the stripe appears above the water line. The other remaining question is the color and shape of lfje buoy. In order to conform to all coastal and inland regulations, your buoy must be white in color and marked with a permanent blue stripe around its circumference. The blue stripe must be visible above the buoy's waterline. All other colored buoys, Including Taylor's red moonnq.;uoyoad is very visible in early morning and evening hours) may be used in lakes, or other bodies of water, not governed by any of the above regulations. All buoy hardware should offer excellent corrosion resistance and high strength to insure a safe mooring system. It is essential to have galvanized hardware on buoys because of the harsh marine environment. All Taylor *Made buoy hardware is hot dipped galvanized. Sur -Moorm buoys are provided with special galvanized retrieval ring on the top. The sole purpose of this ring is for catching or picking up the buoy. Mooring your boat off of this loop Is an extremely unsafe pray: ce and should never be allowed under any circumstances. Always moor your boat off of the mooring chain, NOT the buoy swivel. In the even uoy hardware failure your boat will still remain attached to the chain and anchor. P• In addition to the swivel on the bottom of the buoy, be sure to always me a swivel on the anchor chain between the anchor and the mooring buoy. This helps the chain to unkink itself from constant twisting action of wlird and current. Its a good idea to put the swivel between the heavy chain (bottom) and light chain (top). In water (especially salt water), to minimize corrosion, connecting hardware should be made of the same materials. As Taylor *Made buoys have nalvanized hardware, the chain, swivel, etc: should all be galvanized. As an added conveii. attach a pick -up buoy to the lower swivel of the mooring buoy (Not needed the T3C Buoys). A rope pennant (line) should be used tr, •ick -up buoy to the mooring buoy. As a general rule the pennant can be lip to 2.5 times the height of the boat's deck off•the water. Other Fine Taylor *Made Mooring Products 1 s- Sur Moor® Buoys Special Shapes A Member of The Taylor Made Qroup 0 Taylor *Made and Sur Moor are Registered Trademarks of the Nelson A. Taylor Co., Inc. Taylor Made Products is a division of the Nelson A. Taylor Co., Inc.