Proper way to beach a boat

[Cincyrunner]

I was out on the river on Saturday and noticed quite a few boats beached and anchored. I'm relatively new to boating and haven't beached a boat before, so I'm looking for information on the proper way to do it. Do you drive the boat up the shore at idle until it stops, or would it be better to shut the engine off and lift the outdrive say 10 feet from shore and pull the boat up by a rope the rest of the way? Just guessing, but I'd think I'd rather pull it by rope with me in the water, that way I can make sure there's no rocks to hit.

Just looking for some pointers on how to do this.

Thanks!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

This is another one of those topics that is best searched.... I bet you'll find 20+ threads on the subject and some are LOOOOOOOONG

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

You can coast up, pull it up, or go in full throttle. It all depends on what you think about your boat and what type of boat you have. Sandy beach is one thing. One with small pebbles and stones is another. Rocky shoreline is another and steep drop offs are yet another. Glass boats can be scratched and gouged fairly easily. Aluminum can be punctured by a rock. So in the end, study the beach and pick a technique that works for you.

 

[fishskiff]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

i would not beach a fiberglass boat longer than to go get the trailer much less on pebbles or rocks. Even sand has rocks hidden. get an extra anchor for the stern and tie the bow to the beach where shes in a couple feet of water if you don't mind wading in. just remember to use a buoy on your anchor line where it goes in the water so others can see it. eat crab

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

i would not beach a fiberglass boat longer than to go get the trailer much less on pebbles or rocks. Even sand has rocks hidden. get an extra anchor for the stern and tie the bow to the beach where shes in a couple feet of water if you don't mind wading in. just remember to use a buoy on your anchor line where it goes in the water so others can see it. eat crab

I have no choice, and do it all the time, that is,beach on the pebbles, sand, what have you. The keel/hull is still in exceptionally good shape. Yes its fiberglass. It don't sound purdy sometimes, the gravel, sand, stones, grinding against the hull, but the fiberglass is more durable then I [and maybe yourself ] ever imagined. IMHO of course!!! You could add a keel guard I suppose.. Go slow and gentle, shut er down and drift the last bit in. Alot of variables, depth, wind speed etc. Its nice to have a depth sounder 4 sure.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBRCrY74knw&feature=related

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

If you don't mind tearing up the gel coat on the keel,go for it.Get a rubber keel guard. they are simple to install as long as you have no bottom paint.

 

[rbh]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

NO, Flippen way!!!!

If you go bow onto the beach your asking for trouble!!!

Stern out is just asking for waves and winds and waves to sink/swamp your boat.

Bow out, anchor solidly back into the beach, raise leg, set beach/stern anchor.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

http://www.keelguard.com/

 

[harley31]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

If you beach it at high tide, keep an eye out or you may be there for a while longer than you expected!

 

[Stachi]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

I'm still trying to justify grinding my hull into a beach... doesn't make a whole lot of sense....rocks or sand... they both would hurt my boat....why do you guys do this at all ?

 

[Philster]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

For an answer most relevant to the opening question, details about the type/size of boat, enigne type, beach, currents, waves, tides, traffic and prevailing winds are needed. These questions are best answered by the locals, but help can be found here with some effort put forth by the opening poster.

 

[Trooper583]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

idle till 30 or 40 feet from shore. Shut the engine off raise the drive as you coast in. This keeps water pickups from sucking in sand and your prop from getting damaged. With experience, you'll know how far out to shut down. Once you are satisfactorily on the beach, get out and wade around to the outdrive that is in the up position. Let someone else slowly lower the outdrive as you feel it's downward movement. When the skegs sinks satisfactorily into the sand you're done. The skeg planted in the sand with assist with not allowing the boat to drift off the beach. Anchor from the bow if needed.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

idle till 30 or 40 feet from shore. Shut the engine off raise the drive as you coast in. This keeps water pickups from sucking in sand and your prop from getting damaged. With experience, you'll know how far out to shut down. Once you are satisfactorily on the beach, get out and wade around to the outdrive that is in the up position. Let someone else slowly lower the outdrive as you feel it's downward movement. When the skegs sinks satisfactorily into the sand you're done. The skeg planted in the sand with assist with not allowing the boat to drift off the beach. Anchor from the bow if needed.

Let me see if I understand what you are saying... drive the lower unit into the bottom , placing the weight of the boat against the transom ( to hold her steady ) and let the waves rock the hull against abrasives ????? Are ya kidding me ??? I won't buy a used boat from you....

 

[Trooper583]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

typically, where we beach, there are no waves, extremely protected bay. I've been doing it for years without a single issue.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

Gun it!

(and then shut it down a few feet out, and make sure you have a steel hull)

 

[Stachi]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

what happens when the next boat comes through , and sends a wake at you....???

 

[Trooper583]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

apparently nothing, it's happened a few times but rarely does. The boat is beached deep enough it doesn't even hardly move.

 

[rbh]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

apparently nothing, it's happened a few times but rarely does. The boat is beached deep enough it doesn't even hardly move.

BUD, its not the bow end you have to be worried about, its the storm or the wake that swamps the stern ya gotta watch for!!!!!


Quick thought, if you boat is on the beach at "X" angle, you have what (inches clearance) between the top of the stern cap on the boat and the water level??????

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: Proper way to beach a boat

I beach when I can...and when I can't, I use my Anchor Buddy
http://www.danbullard.com/dan/anchor_buddy.html