I am going to apply for a swing mooring in Mooloolaba. Thought I would ring up and ask to see how much it would cost to have one laid when my application is finally approved. $3000.00 was the cost I was told. Thought this was way over the top. The mooring is for a little day sailor which would only weigh approx 1400 kgs. Draught is approx 1.2 metres. Length 22 feet.The Harbour Master said I can lay anchor as long as I have an anchor light on board until the application is processed which could take any where between now and eternity.
Any thoughts on this one? 
G'day Windancer,
It might seem a lot, but ithe upshot is you have a permanent safe strong mooring.
To put things in perspective it costs me $10K pa for my 12mtr berth, and $6K pa for my old 8mtr berth.
A swing mooring at $3K looks like good money for the investment to me.
i think it depends on what sort of mooring is allowed . Mine is a block of concrete with chain that drags around cleaning the mud around it. In some areas the chain is not allowed to touch the seabed so it all becomes more costly with floats and screw type moorings . Friendly moorings for the environment. A friend has this type and was around the 3 k mark for a 32 footer.
Select to expand quoteWindancer said..
I am going to apply for a swing mooring in Mooloolaba. Thought I would ring up and ask to see how much it would cost to have one laid when my application is finally approved. $3000.00 was the cost I was told. Thought this was way over the top. The mooring is for a little day sailor which would only weigh approx 1400 kgs. Draught is approx 1.2 metres. Length 22 feet.The Harbour Master said I can lay anchor as long as I have an anchor light on board until the application is processed which could take any where between now and eternity.
Any thoughts on this one?
Garden light from Bunnings is $2. Ideal anchor light. Are you allowed to lay your own moorings there? That sized vessel would not require too much in the way of a mooring.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..Windancer said..
I am going to apply for a swing mooring in Mooloolaba. Thought I would ring up and ask to see how much it would cost to have one laid when my application is finally approved. $3000.00 was the cost I was told. Thought this was way over the top. The mooring is for a little day sailor which would only weigh approx 1400 kgs. Draught is approx 1.2 metres. Length 22 feet.The Harbour Master said I can lay anchor as long as I have an anchor light on board until the application is processed which could take any where between now and eternity.
Any thoughts on this one?
Garden light from Bunnings is $2. Ideal anchor light. Are you allowed to lay your own moorings there? That sized vessel would not require too much in the way of a mooring.
Yeah, the Bunnings light did come to mind. Not sure if I am aloud or not to lay my own mooring. I have been on a google search.
Was quite surprised that concrete looses half its weight in water!
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
Tram wheels are about $200. More than ample for your boat.
What a great idea...I will just drive down to the nearest "Used Tram Wrecking Yard"in Mooloolaba and BUY MYSELF A" PAIR !!!"
Visit your local scrap metal yard.
Trawl way back in the posts or search DIY Moorings to see what I did.
I tried the search button but can't find the topic.
Select to expand quoteWindancer said..Ramona said..
Tram wheels are about $200. More than ample for your boat.
What a great idea...I will just drive down to the nearest "Used Tram Wrecking Yard"in Mooloolaba and BUY MYSELF A" PAIR !!!"
One is ample!
Hi windancer you could be lucky when you get your permit there could be a good existing mooring there already to buy cheap of the existing owner otherwise they will have to remove it at there cost
It took me 1 and a halve years to get mine in the meantime a good anchor in the duckpond is fine
I have an Endeavour 26, 2tonne. and paid $880 for a brand new mooring last December.
Can someone help me with the math here - I just can't work out how it could cost $3000+ for the OP's modest mooring.
My rough guesses would be:
- concrete block $300
- heavy chain 3m: $150
- light chain 3m: $75
- rope: $60
- plus shackles and extras $60
- plus time & labour, though it doesn't require a "lift", just a drop (always seems that a lift costs more).
What am I getting so badly wrong that I can't get close to $3000?
Well, there is a huge difference btwn Nsw and Qld in time
, but l can't see the 3K mooring either.
In Sydney l got a mooring block for $200, second hand on gumtree, service was $250 plus the yearly fee to maritime, which
was less than a grand all up.
Someone thinks you are a fool?
Here's the original post from Cisco below, make something like these get a trawler to drop it in the spot. Total cost should be well under $500.
I just shifted my blocks on the week-end to the distillery reach near Cisco, it's a bit more sheltered in floods. The blocks and tackle were still in good nick.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/DIY-Moorings-Unitized-System?page=1
Thanks Wander. I don't know how you found it but in my search I had the title wrong. 
Concrete blocks are not the best for weights as when immersed the weight effect is halved. With iron and steel you only lose 10%.
As Ramona says tram or railway wagon wheels are about the best. The trouble is where do you get them?? Qld Rail sell theirs to a scrap metal dealer.
In Mooloolaba I would be looking at a low profile weight due to depth restrictions. A one metre cube of concrete in less than 3 metres of water becomes a bit of a hazard especially as in sandy bottoms weights tend not to sink in.
A three metre length of heavy gauge railway track would be fairly ideal.
Select to expand quoteWindancer said..Ramona said..Windancer said..
I am going to apply for a swing mooring in Mooloolaba. Thought I would ring up and ask to see how much it would cost to have one laid when my application is finally approved. $3000.00 was the cost I was told. Thought this was way over the top. The mooring is for a little day sailor which would only weigh approx 1400 kgs. Draught is approx 1.2 metres. Length 22 feet.The Harbour Master said I can lay anchor as long as I have an anchor light on board until the application is processed which could take any where between now and eternity.
Any thoughts on this one?
Garden light from Bunnings is $2. Ideal anchor light. Are you allowed to lay your own moorings there? That sized vessel would not require too much in the way of a mooring.
Yeah, the Bunnings light did come to mind. Not sure if I am aloud or not to lay my own mooring. I have been on a google search.
Was quite surprised that concrete looses half its weight in water!
Please no no no. The garden lights don't come close to legal and your insurer will scrub you if you have an accident.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
Thanks Wander. I don't know how you found it but in my search I had the title wrong.
Concrete blocks are not the best for weights as when immersed the weight effect is halved. With iron and steel you only lose 10%.
As Ramona says tram or railway wagon wheels are about the best. The trouble is where do you get them?? Qld Rail sell theirs to a scrap metal dealer.
In Mooloolaba I would be looking at a low profile weight due to depth restrictions. A one metre cube of concrete in less than 3 metres of water becomes a bit of a hazard especially as in sandy bottoms weights tend not to sink in.
A three metre length of heavy gauge railway track would be fairly ideal.
Help me out here. How does concrete loose 1/2 its weight in water compared to iron or steel at 10% loss??
don't worry. i get it now :-)
Select to expand quotePhoenixstar
Please no no no. The garden lights don't come close to legal and your insurer will scrub you if you have an accident.
Right on, but with all those pesky speed boats running around at night a light at deck level is warranted as it seems they don't look up.
Only use with your anchor light!
Select to expand quotevalo said..
Help me out here. How does concrete loose 1/2 its weight in water compared to iron or steel at 10% loss??
don't worry. i get it now :-)
It has to do with density of material and Archimedes Principle.
One of South Aces mates had a concrete boat 
south Ace could fill you in on Concrete Principle 
I've forgotten his name right now
