It looks like the restoration of my little Swanson dart is coming to its final stages where it can now be placed in the water after a 10 month absence and a hacienda on the home made cradle. I now have to move her into the water but still have not been allocated a mooring in the Moolooah river at Mooloolaba. I lodged the application for a swing mooring in January. Around June I was third in line and checking late last month I was now 6th in line. Don't ask because I can't answer the question...Anyway... It looks like I will need to anchor her in the river as my modest budget doesn't allow for a berth at a marina or a private pontoon. Any suggestions in laying a sturdy anchor? The boat is lucky to weigh a ton fully wet. Also any suggestions on an easy to operate anchor light. I don't want to run wires up the internals of the mast and I really was hoping not to have the hassles of a battery and solar but looks like I have no choice. I am not a fan of having any electronics on the boat as I feel I don't really need anything for the type of sailing I will be doing.

I think you posted these questions before hey? I guess you didn't get any satisfactory answers.
Last time I was anchored just downstream of Mooloolah Island, there was about 30 - 40 other boats and I would say only half a dozen had anchor lights on. The first time I ever went in there, it was dark so you can imagine my worry trying to find an anchor spot!
Plenty of lights from the buildings surrounding the river to confuse you - although a good spotty helped.
I'm surprised the owners of those private pontoons aren't interested in a reasonable fee for you to tie up - did you try door knocking? Or is it an insurance problem?
I found the river bed is very silty and difficult to get a good hold, but my boat weighed 14t.
So if you have to anchor, get a big bugger.
Little Lady looks great mate!

Couple of $2 garden lights from Bunnings. Electrical tie them to the pushpit/pullpit.

I would have expected a better reply from you Ramona!

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Windancer said..
It looks like the restoration of my little Swanson dart is coming to its final stages where it can now be placed in the water after a 10 month absence and a hacienda on the home made cradle. I now have to move her into the water but still have not been allocated a mooring in the Moolooah river at Mooloolaba. I lodged the application for a swing mooring in January. Around June I was third in line and checking late last month I was now 6th in line. Don't ask because I can't answer the question...Anyway... It looks like I will need to anchor her in the river as my modest budget doesn't allow for a berth at a marina or a private pontoon. Any suggestions in laying a sturdy anchor? The boat is lucky to weigh a ton fully wet. Also any suggestions on an easy to operate anchor light. I don't want to run wires up the internals of the mast and I really was hoping not to have the hassles of a battery and solar but looks like I have no choice. I am not a fan of having any electronics on the boat as I feel I don't really need anything for the type of sailing I will be doing.

You could set up a temporary mooring using an oversized anchor and plenty of chain.
Maybe something like this Bruce selling in Caboolture, I don't think they now what it is so I doubt the price is firm. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/caboolture-south/boat-accessories-parts/anchor-for-sale/1192903252

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Windancer said..
I would have expected a better reply from you Ramona!

It's what I use.

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Ramona said..
Couple of $2 garden lights from Bunnings. Electrical tie them to the pushpit/pullpit.

They are great little jiggers those things. I think I have only fried about four of them over 2 or more years. I had a charger that took those batteries, I say "had" because I can't find the bugger now can I?

If you take the batteries out when new and fully charge them they will stay alight all night for many nights. Best little light to have for a yacht on a mooring.

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Ramona said..
Couple of $2 garden lights from Bunnings. Electrical tie them to the pushpit/pullpit.

No splash out and buy an $8 doller one from bunnings, they have a bigger solar panel, are brighter and last longer

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Wander66 said..

Windancer said..
It looks like the restoration of my little Swanson dart is coming to its final stages where it can now be placed in the water after a 10 month absence and a hacienda on the home made cradle. I now have to move her into the water but still have not been allocated a mooring in the Moolooah river at Mooloolaba. I lodged the application for a swing mooring in January. Around June I was third in line and checking late last month I was now 6th in line. Don't ask because I can't answer the question...Anyway... It looks like I will need to anchor her in the river as my modest budget doesn't allow for a berth at a marina or a private pontoon. Any suggestions in laying a sturdy anchor? The boat is lucky to weigh a ton fully wet. Also any suggestions on an easy to operate anchor light. I don't want to run wires up the internals of the mast and I really was hoping not to have the hassles of a battery and solar but looks like I have no choice. I am not a fan of having any electronics on the boat as I feel I don't really need anything for the type of sailing I will be doing.

You could set up a temporary mooring using an oversized anchor and plenty of chain.
Maybe something like this Bruce selling in Caboolture, I don't think they now what it is so I doubt the price is firm. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/caboolture-south/boat-accessories-parts/anchor-for-sale/1192903252

I reckon that anchor might be right for "Little Lady" as a temp mooring but not for $450 and I wouldn't be swinging any big ladies off it.

It is a fabricated Bruce type, not forged and from the photo I am guessing it about 45 lb. It will need a few shackles, a swivel and a bit of chain.

I wouldn't offer more than $200.

Hey Windancer, I was looking at the anchorage in the Mooloola from the north shore a couple of weeks ago where there was a small yacht sunk a couple of months ago.
I reckon I would be doing a bit of a survey of the bay before putting the Little Lady on her own in there. The tinnie ride will give you the opportunity to scout the river and canal pontoons and talk with anybody who is out, about what pontoons may be rentable.

She is looking really pretty and no doubt you will soon be posting a pic here of her rounding the blinker on a WAGS or SAGS day.

As for electronics, if you are taking her out of the Mooloola I think the law is epirb and club racing will be VHF. You might want to consider a hand held GPS too. I just so happen to have a GME VHF and a Magellan Pioneer that are excess to my needs.

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sunycoastguy said..

Ramona said..
Couple of $2 garden lights from Bunnings. Electrical tie them to the pushpit/pullpit.

No splash out and buy an $8 doller one from bunnings, they have a bigger solar panel, are brighter and last longer

I'm carrying out trials with one of these in my backyard at the moment. Bought just one and it's sitting out with the $2 jobbies. Much brighter and has a real glass lens. Might be too bright for an anchor light.

For a temporary mooring I would consider a couple of bags of concrete cast into a car tyre with a concave bottom. Couple of metres of 10mm chain with a rope riser. Put in a swivel halfway up the riser. Should get away under a hundred bucks. When you get allocated a mooring just take a swim and cut off the rope at the chain.

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Ramona said..

sunycoastguy said..

Ramona said..
Couple of $2 garden lights from Bunnings. Electrical tie them to the pushpit/pullpit.

No splash out and buy an $8 doller one from bunnings, they have a bigger solar panel, are brighter and last longer

I'm carrying out trials with one of these in my backyard at the moment. Bought just one and it's sitting out with the $2 jobbies. Much brighter and has a real glass lens. Might be too bright for an anchor light.

For a temporary mooring I would consider a couple of bags of concrete cast into a car tyre with a concave bottom. Couple of metres of 10mm chain with a rope riser. Put in a swivel halfway up the riser. Should get away under a hundred bucks. When you get allocated a mooring just take a swim and cut off the rope at the chain.

I was led to believe those solar lights where illegal as anchor lights,
If so there goes your insurance .
have you any info on your restoration? She looks beautiful.

Thanks guys...All information taken down. I will do a blog once she's in the water. Compared to restos on here its minuscule. Still have a fair way to go after the dulux make over.

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Ramona said..

sunycoastguy said..

Ramona said..
Couple of $2 garden lights from Bunnings. Electrical tie them to the pushpit/pullpit.

No splash out and buy an $8 doller one from bunnings, they have a bigger solar panel, are brighter and last longer

I'm carrying out trials with one of these in my backyard at the moment. Bought just one and it's sitting out with the $2 jobbies. Much brighter and has a real glass lens. Might be too bright for an anchor light.

For a temporary mooring I would consider a couple of bags of concrete cast into a car tyre with a concave bottom. Couple of metres of 10mm chain with a rope riser. Put in a swivel halfway up the riser. Should get away under a hundred bucks. When you get allocated a mooring just take a swim and cut off the rope at the chain.

Sounds good!

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cisco said..

Wander66 said..

Windancer said..
It looks like the restoration of my little Swanson dart is coming to its final stages where it can now be placed in the water after a 10 month absence and a hacienda on the home made cradle. I now have to move her into the water but still have not been allocated a mooring in the Moolooah river at Mooloolaba. I lodged the application for a swing mooring in January. Around June I was third in line and checking late last month I was now 6th in line. Don't ask because I can't answer the question...Anyway... It looks like I will need to anchor her in the river as my modest budget doesn't allow for a berth at a marina or a private pontoon. Any suggestions in laying a sturdy anchor? The boat is lucky to weigh a ton fully wet. Also any suggestions on an easy to operate anchor light. I don't want to run wires up the internals of the mast and I really was hoping not to have the hassles of a battery and solar but looks like I have no choice. I am not a fan of having any electronics on the boat as I feel I don't really need anything for the type of sailing I will be doing.

You could set up a temporary mooring using an oversized anchor and plenty of chain.
Maybe something like this Bruce selling in Caboolture, I don't think they now what it is so I doubt the price is firm. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/caboolture-south/boat-accessories-parts/anchor-for-sale/1192903252

I reckon that anchor might be right for "Little Lady" as a temp mooring but not for $450 and I wouldn't be swinging any big ladies off it.

It is a fabricated Bruce type, not forged and from the photo I am guessing it about 45 lb. It will need a few shackles, a swivel and a bit of chain.

I wouldn't offer more than $200.

Hey Windancer, I was looking at the anchorage in the Mooloola from the north shore a couple of weeks ago where there was a small yacht sunk a couple of months ago.
I reckon I would be doing a bit of a survey of the bay before putting the Little Lady on her own in there. The tinnie ride will give you the opportunity to scout the river and canal pontoons and talk with anybody who is out, about what pontoons may be rentable.

She is looking really pretty and no doubt you will soon be posting a pic here of her rounding the blinker on a WAGS or SAGS day.

As for electronics, if you are taking her out of the Mooloola I think the law is epirb and club racing will be VHF. You might want to consider a hand held GPS too. I just so happen to have a GME VHF and a Magellan Pioneer that are excess to my needs.

yeah I saw that yacht...so sad, It sat on the bottom for a couple of weeks with the mast sticking out and the boom cover just visable.