What is ECO-BRAID? ?
Eco Braid is a floating synthetic mooring down line deployed between the embedment anchor and the mooring buoy. It is fabricated from 1 1/4” minimum diameter floating polyolefin high tenacity 12 strand rope with elongation properties. Its ability to stretch in combination with the strength of the polyolefin creates a superior dynamic mooring line. Both ends will have spliced eyes with heavy duty galvanized thimbles.Coastal Barge & Mooring, LLC has been using this product for 3 years now with boats anchored in Casco Bay. Currently there are weather buoys using this same product off the Falkland Islands.
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What is "Mooring Service" ?
"Mooring Service" is an annual service we provide to our customers. It includes removing the customers mooring ball in the Fall, inspecting connections, cleaning and then returning the ball in the Spring. We also record Differential GPS Coordinates. In place of the mooring ball we attach a Winter spar. Attached to the spar is sufficient line to allow the mooring chain to be dropped to the bottom. Taking the mooring "off-line" for six months significantly reduces chain wear. Silt covering the chain also inhibits corrosion.
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How often should I have my mooring inspected?
Your mooring should be inspected every three years, however, some towns require more frequent inspections. The town of Falmouth, Maine, for example, requires a mooring inspection done by a town certified inspector every two years. Always check with the local harbormaster regarding how often the mooring should be inspected and who the reliable service providers are in your area.
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I have a twenty-three foot sailboat. What type of mooring do you recommend?
Before I answer your question let me ask you a couple'. How long have you owned this boat? Do you plan on upgrading/downgrading? Do you plan to have any guests on this mooring? What is the bottom like where you want the mooring set? And have you received permission from the local harbormaster?
I ask these questions because it is very important that you, the mooring owner, receive the most suitable product. Moorings are difficult to move and multiple moves can get costly. You may not think so now but, odds are you will change boats in the near future. If current trends are any indication, your next boat will be larger.
In most cases the harbormaster will coordinate with the service provider as to the future location of the mooring. In some harbors there are strict rules regarding mooring type. South Freeport, Maine, for example, prohibits concrete blocks and mushroom moorings are restricted to certain areas.
Without knowing your answers I can give you a couple of options. First, if the bottom is hard go with a two-thousand pound granite rock coupled to at least ten feet of one inch chain and then an appropriate amount of top-chain. Make sure all chain and hardware are domestically produced (imported chain and shackles tend to last about half as long as domestic). Also be sure there are stainless steel thimbles on your pendants. If the bottom is deep soft mud go with a two-hundred and fifty pound mushroom and ten feet of one inch chain and the appropriate amount of top-chain to make a two-to-one scope.
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Is my boat safe on my mooring in a hurricane?
The short answer is NO. We provide the best quality products and service, but nothing is a sure thing once you surpass tropical storm winds. Have a storm plan! Either get your boat out of the water or find a hurricane hole.
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