Finer points of beaching the boat

D

DoryLvr

New member
Well, today I did something I don't usually do, I beached the boat. I usually anchor off a bit and wade in. But the water was a bit cool as was the weather so I wanted to minimize the wet. Seemed like a plan, after all, many of you have great pictures posted of your C-Dorys beached with you all looking relaxed and having a good time. The charts and depth finder seemed to indicate that this was a great beach to do it, deep right up 'till the last moment. The beaching went fine. The bow nudged softly against the sand, I carried the anchor ashore and lodged it firmly into the sand, set a stern anchor to keep it from swinging (this was my saving grace here). Then we went for a walk on the beach to explore the barrier island, the old CG station ruins, and look at the shells, birds, deer, rabbits and other nature. Found some really neat stuff to look at. Thirty-five to forty minutes later however, Litl' Tug isn't bobbing as nicely at the shore. No, there is no "bobbing" going on at all. Yep, you guessed it, the tide went out. Duhhh. Took the three of us, my friend from work, Joey my son, and me to push/pull Litl Tug back out to deeper water. At the start, at least the stern was still not resting on the sand, we had about 1-2 inches to spare (also a saving grace). It was only the bow that was the issue. Upon refloating, I now have empirical evidence that my boat floats free in about 4 inches of water; with the engine, I only need about 10. I also learned to visit the islands at low tide instead of high, or be prepared to spend a little more time. Ahhh, lessons learned.
 
Tivo, if I were you, I'd take the USCG off your signature... :oops:

Done the same thing myself though, not lately. One way to avoid that, is to drop a stern anchor, lengthen the bow line and push the boat back into deep water before you get off. (if it's high tide). Just be glad you had a 16 and not a Hamilton Class! :mrgreen:

As you say, if it's low tide, no problem.

Also, be glad you're not at our place in Maine. Lower Bay of Fundy, 17+ feet of tide!

Charlie
 
Sounds to me like you did it just right.

I was leery of beaching my CD22 until B~C told me that running aground is the easiest of all seamanship skills to master. It comes natural to a lot of folks.
 
Beaching at a high tide has been used by some boaters to get their boat 'high and dry' before an impending storm arrival. That storm better be over before the next high tide though - and you better not be in bear country - or a few other cautions others will quickly point out.
 
well hell ya Mike, run her aground and then you don't have to worry about them durn anchors.....if you can find a good rocky spot, the boat holds better.

something that is used around these parts is a large bungy cord type of line. You attach the bungy in parallel to your stern anchor line. The anchor line is slack when the bungy is relaxed, when bungy is stretched, line is snug. To use, motor up close to shore and pitch the stern anchor, keep motoring to shore pulling the bungy tight. When you get to shore, jump off and set your bow anchor. When you slack off the bow line, the bungy pulls your boat out away from shore, when it's time to go you just pull your boat back to shore.
 
I don't have any problems with beaching....a few scratches are normal wear and tear in my book....besides it's my boat and I bought it for fun and not resale..... I do plan on installing a keal guard....

Joel
SEA3PO
ENCS (ret) USN
Landing Craft (LCU)
 
I have used this system on both large dinghies and boats the size of a C dory. It is very useful in areas where there is a high tidal range, such as Alaska. You set an anchor offshore, in about 50 feet of water--and at the end of 50 to 100 feet of road, you have a block. An endless line is thru thru this block. The lenght depends on the tidal range. You then run the boat to the beach--one end of the line goes to the bow eye, the other to the stern eye. The middle thru the block on the anchor rode. You step off, pull the boat out to water depth where it will be floating at the lowest tide (and very important--learned the hard way) secure the doubled line to a rock or tree well above the high tide mark. This is "safer" than the bungee cord if a blow comes up. Also allows a much greater lattitude in depth of water.
 
Actually it would have been fun to spend the extra time on the island, however, the Admiral (aka spouse) might have been a tad displeased with the extra time spent out, and my daughter who had a performance tonight would have been a tad angry. But the REAL grief would have come from my co-worker who was out with me and who I am sure would not have let me forget it and would have brought it up repeatedly in class to dog me. As it is I am slated for 40% grief! Joey was actually hoping we were going to be stuck, as he said, that would get him out of today's chores. It would be an awesome spot to spend the night, and no pesky waves to keep you awake if you are on the beach.

I also noticed most of the beached C-Dory pics are on lakes. The bungee system is a neat idea too.
 
Before we started towing the Mokai on our Southeast Alaska cruises with its so easy access to shore we went to shore usually a couple times aday with the Hunkydory. We too learned very early about going to shore on a lowering tide and just how fast the tide can drop. Have spent several nights flat on the bottom with the motors and trim tabs up. Really enjoy the feeling of the boat going back to floating after resting on the hard. Have done this is some very beary areas such as Red Bluff Bay, Alaska. Can't say I was concerned about bears coming aboard perhaps I should have been due to there being many about. One of my past favorite things to do was exploring the heads of remote bays and inlets and then going to shore by going overboard with waders and pulling the boat in behind me. The CD 22 being so light and maneuverable was idle for this. Found this much easier then going through the effort of removing the dingy off the top and replacing it there again every time we wanted to go to shore.

Jay
 
We usually go to Keywadin Island south of Naples Fl. for lunch or swimming . I usually just back in drop my bow anchor(windlass) and back up and plant the stern anchor then just walk of the swim platform .Offcourse the trim tabs and engine are tilted up . this way we dont have to get wet if we dont want to . Also always ,always always check the tides . we always float the boat in a few inches 6-8 so bottom doesnt get a sandpaper job . We are lucky here in fl lots of sand not to many rocks down here in Naples although we do have oyster beds which can ruin your whole day
 
Here's one way to do it, the captain really needs to read this thread! :cry


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OTOH, he's got a great place to plant corn!

Charlie
 
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