DIY Embedment & Helical Anchor for Boat Mooring

A helix describes an inclined plane wrapped around a central shaft. The first helices were used to raise water from a well to ground level, and to viaducts. A simple wood screw is an example of another helix. When mooring boats to the shoreline, or mooring docks just offshore, a helix mooring system uses a large diameter inclined plane wrapped around a central shaft. After the helix is turned into the ground, it creates a reliable mooring system.

Things You'll Need

  • Helical mooring anchor
  • 48- to 72-inch-long steel pipe, 1-inch diameter
  • Stainless steel cable or galvanized chain
  • Medium size rubber dock float
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the area on the shoreline for docking your boat, or building your dock.

    • 2

      Identify the location for the mooring lines if you are mooring to the shore, or the location on the lake or river bed if you will moor the boat offshore.

    • 3

      Place the helical anchor at the location, and insert the pipe into the eyelet at the top of the shaft. Using the increased torque that the extension pipe provides, turn the mooring line into the ground like a large screw. Even though the mooring anchor only has a few helices near the point, after you turn the helix into the ground, it becomes a high-capacity, versatile embedment mooring anchor.

    • 4

      Attach a stainless steel cable or galvanized chain to the eyelet on the anchor if the mooring anchor is underwater. Attach an HD rubber float the other end of the cable. The float will keep the end of the mooring line above the water level, making it easy to tie off your boat.