Beaching

[JASinIL2006]

We never anchor bow out, and I don't recall seeing anyone else do that, either. I did try once to anchor just off the beach with a bow anchor and a stern anchor, but that strategy didn't work too well due to the wave action from passing boats and barges.

I'd check your keel after beaching a few times. If you start seeing more abrasion than you're comfortable with, you can always add a KeelGuard or KeelShield. I added one and I've been pretty happy with it.

Have fun boating this season. I'm hoping we have a bit less flooding on the Illinois this year!

 

[H20Rat]

Do what the locals do... I often visit a sandbar on the missouri, and bow out would be an absolute nightmare. The custom for this particular location is generally beach it using the engine to help shove it up a little, and then two anchors/sand spikes, preferably both with bungi's. One from the bow, one from the upstream side stern cleat. (lots of current.)

 

[jkust]

As I get older I'm realizing I have become the crazy one where beaching and generally keeping my boat in new condition is concerned. I will only bow out the boat which sometimes requires a dunk in the water. I do the same with my waverunners...again everyone beaches them but us. On our lake, at the main island beach hangout where everybody goes, everyone beaches their boats and it is loaded with new Cobalts, new 100k ski boats and on and on. I just scratch my head when I drive by. Nobody thinks twice about beaching on the sand that has lots of small rocks. The idea of buying a boat and keeping it nice so you can keep it for a long time is just foreign to everyone now it seems. My hull has never touched land. As for the bow ladder, I'd have them swim off the rear with a jacket on and you next to them. I would only beach a pontoon which again everyone does.