Installed a helix mooring anchor last weekend...

Joel73 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Just thought i'd share our installation experience with the helix mooring anchor. Originally i was going to install two of these anchors but i decided that one would be sufficiant and i could always add the second one later if i felt the need. Unfortunately we didn't take the camera out on the skiff with us so all i have are prep pictures... but you will get the idea.

There were three of us (My dad, my neighbor and myself) but it could have easily been done by two. As you can see in the pictures we used a 10' joint of 4" PVC schedule 40 pipe to extend the turning position above the water. It worked like a charm; we used an old bumper jack/lug wrench handle to turn the pipe and it was fairly easy to turn and was rigid with no flex in the pipe and relatively light weight. We marked the PVC pipe at one foot increments starting at the anchor eye so we would know how deep the anchor was. We even attached the 1/2" chain to the anchor eye and had it fed through the pipe while we turned it down into the mud. The only dive needed was to take the bolt out that had the eye pinned to the PVC pipe so we could slip it off... easier said than done but not that bad. Visibility in the murky water was about a foot or so. I managed to avoid the jellyfish and bluecrabs while on the bottom taking the bolt out of the anchor eye.

We decided to sink the anchor 1-2' deeper than the creek bed for a total depth of 8' which meant digging down to take the bolt out of the eye. All installation work was done from our neighbors 12' Carolina Skiff which was anchored three ways to keep it in place. The water was seven ft deep when we placed this one.

These are the anchors...

Here are the prep pictures...

Dad, Bella dog and I...

Heavy with the 1/2" chain attached... but not too bad. You can see the holes drilled at 1' increments for putting the tire tool in place turn turn with.

Closer view...

Different angle...

Here is a better picture that shows the holes for turning... as the anchor sank deeper we would simply pull the tire tool out and move it up to the next hole and continue turning... much like a giant cork screw. The rod in the picture was what we originally planned to use but it ended up being too long to manage so that's when the tire tool came into play.

I wish i had the actual install pics but i think you get the idea.

erps · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Cool. You turned it from the deck of a single skiff? I thought about trying to install one of these but I didn't think it would be possible to get enough torque off the deck of a single boat.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

I am guessing that the bottom where you installed your helix anchor is relatively soft mud.... if it was hard packed mud, clay or sand, you would have needed a bit more in the way of gear to sink a helix anchor.

sailortjk1 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Joel,
Do you own the waterfront land where you placed the anchor?
That for me would be the ultimate.
Boat swinging at its mooring in front of my house.
Very Nice!

Bermuda30 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Joel-

How does one go about sinking their own mooring, legality wise? I was looking at sinking one in New Bern, but am not sure who I need to check with. I don't own land along the water. Not trying to hijack, so PM me if thats OK. Thanks for any help!

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Bermuda-

In many localities you can apply to get a mooring permit, even if you're not a waterfront landowner.

Joel73 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by erps

Cool. You turned it from the deck of a single skiff? I thought about trying to install one of these but I didn't think it would be possible to get enough torque off the deck of a single boat.

It was easier than we thought it would be. Of course the deeper we got, the tougher it was to crack in into the ground. I am a little concerned about how simple it was actually. I may decide to add the second anchor just to have piece of mind during hurricane season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I am guessing that the bottom where you installed your helix anchor is relatively soft mud.... if it was hard packed mud, clay or sand, you would have needed a bit more in the way of gear to sink a helix anchor.

It is soft mud on top with clay/mud underneath. When our neighbor installed his he had more resistance cranking it down. I'm concerned that we are in a softer spot and may choose to add the second anchor as we discussed last summer. (see above)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Joel,
Do you own the waterfront land where you placed the anchor?
That for me would be the ultimate.
Boat swinging at its mooring in front of my house.
Very Nice!

Mom and Dad have owned it since 1972... i hope to be the owner one day.

It is a beautiful plot of land with water on two sides of the house.... large windows that overlook the water. Definately an awesome place to relax... and sail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bermuda30

Joel-

How does one go about sinking their own mooring, legality wise? I was looking at sinking one in New Bern, but am not sure who I need to check with. I don't own land along the water. Not trying to hijack, so PM me if thats OK. Thanks for any help!

Owning the property makes things much easier but it isn't required. Even if you are the property owner you have to get permission from your neighbors though. I'll send you a PM with more detailed info straight from CAMA.

captainrizzo · #8 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Joel,
Do you own the waterfront land where you placed the anchor?
That for me would be the ultimate.
Boat swinging at its mooring in front of my house.
Very Nice!

Tim: Before I moved to Michigan, I lived in NY on Owasco Lake (one of the fingerlakes). I had a lakefront home and it truly was awesome. Here is a pic of my old boat at my dock! You will see the mooring ball through the split backstay. I used a 300 lb manhole cover for the primary weight and a 160 lb block of concrete for the secondary. Still have the dog! You will see her at Eldeans!

-Riz

sailortjk1 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008

Quote:

It is a beautiful plot of land with water on two sides of the house.... large windows that overlook the water. Definately an awesome place to relax... and sail.

Quote:

I had a lakefront home and it truly was awesome. Here is a pic of my old boat at my dock!

To Both of you Guys......
SWEEEEETTTTTT!!!!!!

Riz,
Are you in?
We will be down all weekend; Our first full weekend of the season.
See you on the docks.

PBzeer · #10 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008

Meant to tell ya I'd seen jellyfish the previous weekend. Glad things went smoothly. Will you guys be down this weekend? I'll probably stay in New Bern till Sat. morning and let the front pass.