Train wheel for a mooring??

iwm · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

I am in the process of upgrading my moorings to accommodate a larger boat. The plan would be to add an additional "anchor" to my existing mushroom. My mooring guy offered a choice between a traditional steel 400 lb mushroom or a 550 lb train wheel with 12' of 1.5 navy chain. train wheel is $175 less.
any thoughts or experience with train wheels as moorings? I've always had mushrooms before and never had problems (so far!!!). bottom is medium sand if it matters

thanks

Van

Boasun · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

If you can dive down and bury that wheel, this will increase its holding power. Or attach tandom anchors in line of the normal lay of the vessel.

550 lbs would hold better then the 400 lb'r. Give it a try and write up a paper on it for Sailnet.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

Just curious... what size is the existing anchor? What size boat are you trying to accommodate?

T34C · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

The moorings in our harbor were done with train wheels many years ago. They seem to work just fine. They do occationally get drug a little during the winter when the ice builds up.

iwm · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

thanks for the quick replies

current moorings 300lb mushroom. boat is 35 ft, 15,500 lb displacement Niagara 35. location = bristol, ri

Van

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

If you can bury the train wheel, it should be plenty for a boat that size, especially when combined with a 300 lb. mushroom.

SVDistantStar · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

This is a good idea. Where can you get a train wheel at and does it have a shaft on it? Im needing to set a mooring for a 25' 5000lbs boat and this would work perfect.

erps · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

A train wheel would be an excellent "bouncer block" to your existing anchor. I was looking for something like that when I beefed up my mooring and the best I could come up with was the "fifth wheel" hitch off a semi truck. It's probably only 200 lbs. My kids are using that mooring now for their boat. I checked the fittings on it last fall and it has pretty much buried itself in the mud by itself.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

Call Amtrak or Conrail.

I'm sure they can point you in the right direction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVDistantStar

This is a good idea. Where can you get a train wheel at and does it have a shaft on it? Im needing to set a mooring for a 25' 5000lbs boat and this would work perfect.

Docter · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008

No worries, just make sure it can't roll away......