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Our regular mooring maintenance guy checked/cleaned our mooring yesterday. What I thought might need replacement was just fine, but another part is not so healthy. The mooring is anchored by a large concrete block. A rather large nylon line (1 1/8" dia. +/-) leads from the block toward the surface. There is a mid line float. The line has an end loop around a galvanized thimble that holds a captured iron ring. A large shackle connects to the ring that secures a chain leading to the surface mooring ball. This internet photo best illustrates the thimble/ring:
th-4271790022.jpeg
The problem is that the iron ring has worn away the thimble at the bearing point so now the nylon line is exposed to the abrasive action of the ring. The mooring guy pulled all this out of the water to clean, inspect, and work on it. But he's stumped for a really good fix. Replacing the thimble would be extremely difficult if not impossible. As an interim solution he took the load off of the iron ring by lashing the thimble to the big chain shackle. His thinking is that the lashing, being rope, will not further abrade the nylon line. However, my concern is that the wear is simply being passed along... the shackle will wear on his lashing.
I asked him to replace the mooring line completely. That is... start fresh. He will do this, but his schedule is vague so neither of us know when this might happen.
It's not too worrisome to me. The loads from my small boat are not large for the mooring equipment and since the thimble is only about 6' below, I can pull it up to inspect. But I'd like to do a better repair. Thus my question: How?
I've thought of fabricating an insert to fit the thimble out of UHMW. This could be made to clamp together or perhaps wire or lash it into position. Making such a thing is not difficult except that the thing to fit is submerged and going back and forth between my shop and the mooring would be tedious. I expect it would take several trips, at least. So then I thought maybe there's a flexible wear resistant material that I could lash into the thimble. Some really heavy duty chaf guard. Maybe kevlar felt or the like. I could lash it with dyneema which itself if rather resistant to wear.
I'm still thinking. My boat is still in the garage. There's no rush. I'd appreciate any and every idea.
Jeff
th-4271790022.jpeg
The problem is that the iron ring has worn away the thimble at the bearing point so now the nylon line is exposed to the abrasive action of the ring. The mooring guy pulled all this out of the water to clean, inspect, and work on it. But he's stumped for a really good fix. Replacing the thimble would be extremely difficult if not impossible. As an interim solution he took the load off of the iron ring by lashing the thimble to the big chain shackle. His thinking is that the lashing, being rope, will not further abrade the nylon line. However, my concern is that the wear is simply being passed along... the shackle will wear on his lashing.
I asked him to replace the mooring line completely. That is... start fresh. He will do this, but his schedule is vague so neither of us know when this might happen.
It's not too worrisome to me. The loads from my small boat are not large for the mooring equipment and since the thimble is only about 6' below, I can pull it up to inspect. But I'd like to do a better repair. Thus my question: How?
I've thought of fabricating an insert to fit the thimble out of UHMW. This could be made to clamp together or perhaps wire or lash it into position. Making such a thing is not difficult except that the thing to fit is submerged and going back and forth between my shop and the mooring would be tedious. I expect it would take several trips, at least. So then I thought maybe there's a flexible wear resistant material that I could lash into the thimble. Some really heavy duty chaf guard. Maybe kevlar felt or the like. I could lash it with dyneema which itself if rather resistant to wear.
I'm still thinking. My boat is still in the garage. There's no rush. I'd appreciate any and every idea.
Jeff
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