My wife and I plundered the area Saturday starting by Mequon where we picked up the mooring equipment. Then we stopped by the Palomino as they opened for brunch and April left w/ the Sailor Jerry sign right off the wall. Sailor Jerry happens to be her favorite drink and most bars have never even heard of it so she was pleased. A new 6-pack for me and we were gone.

Here's the booty;





April's sign on our bar wall;

Nice haul! How heavy is it? Have you a spot yet?

Well Gary it is just as you suggested, 100#. I haven't weighed the plate yet but it is heavy, 2"x16"x16".

We don't have a spot yet. After everyone gets their boats in we will have a look around. Still need a ball and chain. Also the pendant needs sizing. One is 20' and the other 25'. I am not sure of the exact length we need but they should be the same length. Question, together they make up a "bridle" correct?

fwiw, if you're going to drop the mooring at southshore, i'd recommended going to the far south end of the south side (the outer edge of the field). it's really hard to determine that a spot within the mooring field is open as boats/moorings that appear to have plenty of space between them can suddenly be right next to each other when the wind direction changes. and it's a big hassle to sort it all out once the mooring is dropped.

Vj is spot on. Remember, the scope (or catinary?) of the mooring will swing a full 360 degrees, depending upon the wind, so what LOOKS like an empty spot may not be. Also, the longer the thing is down, the greater it'll hold. As such, even with the boat not ready, I'd be dropping her into her final resting position this year, if possible, the sooner the better. I have no contacts at SS... maybe someone can advise you there... but since you are at times in town, down at the lake front, you may want to ask Jarred (@ MCSC) his opinion of how long it'll take before you have a really good bite on the bottom. He's VERY knowledgeable about all/most things sailing. Otherwise, I think it MAY have been in a Chapman's book several years ago that I read the article/write up about the strength of the mushroom anchor increasing in holding power over the years as it settles deeper, eventually buried. Otherwise, I know that SS must have more than enough experience to answer the same questions... I just don't know who that would be. Perhaps an on-line search on that topic?

Everett you will have to go to the far south end of the mooring field. It is a long way from the boat launch I would reccomend a dinghy with a motor or tender service from SSYC if you are going to join. If you need to borrow my rowboat to put this stuff in just let me know I am about 2 miles from South Shore Park.

Whoa! Dug this up on a quick search... but now someone's knocking on my office door.

Oops!! Gotta run!

www.mushroommooring.com/Mooring_requirements.html

OK, I'm back (phew, it wasn't the boss knocking

Reading the article, it talks about the bottom chain being 1.5 times the water depth. I, personally, don't buy that length. In many places, sure, but not in a protected marina. I mean, I'm in 20' of water, so this article states I'd need 30' of heavy bottom chain? Plus 20' feet of mooring chain, for a total of 50' of chain? I don't think so in a marina. That being said, ask around. SS has a guy that does the mooring, he'd know, or at least give you some answers.

By the way, did you mention how much feet of heavy bottom chain you got?

Everett,

Want to use a mooring for the summer? The economy says I'm not getting a boat this summer. As soon as I find it (I hope to get help at the MAMA meeting this Thursday), I'll tell you where it is.

Guy

Thanks for the replies. I only have 12' of the 3/4' chain. I weighed the plate yesterday, it's 130#. The PO had it shackled at the intersect of the heavy and light chain, acting similar to a kellet.

We will drop it in this year so it can settle. I will check the far south end as suggested. I sure don't need any hassles if I can help it.

Guy, we won't be in this year either. Sorry to hear you won't be. I will be in Big Bend Sat morning to pick up a bouy for the mooring. Maybe we can meet someplace and do the mag drop.

Wayne, thanks , may take you up on that.

More to say but I need to get headed for w**k.

Again, I appreciate the help everyone, Ev.

Here's an image I scanned a while back. You can see where I got it and that it's from the Lake Michigan Yachting Assoc.

I know that people do not use this recommendation in the McKinley area. The far south end at South Shore is susceptible to quite a swell on occasion and I would be very cautious about how I's set a mooring there.