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.
Select to expand quoteWindancer said..
I would have expected a better reply from you Ramona!
It's what I use.
Select to expand quoteRamona 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. 
Select to expand quoteRamona 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
Select to expand quotesunycoastguy 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.
Select to expand quoteRamona 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.
Select to expand quoteRamona 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!
