Beaching a Runabout

[NYMINUTE]

I have a 21' I/O open bow. Never beached it before. Invested in keel guard now wifey wants to beach it next summer, rather than anchor or using sand poles, and freezing??? in the cold water (in July) . What hazards can I expect besides the obvious. Most of our boating is done on Lake Michigan, off the southwest coast. Appreciate any info, including war stories.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Well, I have beached my little boat. It's not that bad because I can lift the bow and shove it back into the water myself. But if the tide goes too far out, I will be stuck. <br /><br />The problem is that if you are on tidal waters, the waves will push the boat around unless it's pulled up on the beach far. So far that getting it off is a struggle.<br /><br />Another problem is many beaches prohibit the beaching of boats. You can anchor, but not beach. I found that anchoring with the bow facing out and the stern facing the beach works out the best because the occassional big wave will not break over the transom. Carry a nice big stake to drive into the sand to tether the stern to. That works for me.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Mark42, doesn't that scrap the finish off of the bottom of your boat? I'm planning to refinish the bottom of my boat and I fear the damage from beaching. My lake is really shallow and I'd love to pull it up to shore since I don't have a dock.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Well pick and choose your days. Lake Michigan doesn't lend itself to beaching on very many days. Beaching is ok until the wave action grinds the sand into your bottom. Check for sand bars as you are approaching the shore. On the Wisconsin side most of the shoreline is guarded by at least a couple of sandbars that can be as shallow a a foot as far out as a 100 yards.<br /><br />Took a run to Pentwater and still had to throw out the hook while enjoying the beach north of the harbor. I aways carry two anchors, it will help you set up whether beaching or anchoring. I always use additional length on the anchor rode, just to be sure due to wave action and strength on L. Michigan.<br /><br />Depending on where you are going make sure that there is only sand and not rocks. There are some large unmarked rock piles up and down the lake. I would encourage you to anchor on Michigan as opposed to beaching. Yea, its cold but only for a couple of minutes while your body adjusts.<br /><br />If you are going to beach, do your homework and ask someone from the area where a safe place to beach is.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Thanks i-boaters, I will pass this on to wifey. It confirms concerns I have.

 

[Baldguy]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

I beach it and use and anchor buddy depending upon the location. <br /><br />The anchor buddy is about 20 bucks and is a long bungee cord that will allow you to pull up to the beach and with a bow line tied off, let the boat be pulled out to deeper water. When you're ready to leave, pull the bow line in to get the boat to you, load up, and let the anchor buddy pull you out again. Pull in the anchor buddy and you're outta there.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Classicboater,<br /><br />I haven't been beached more than a dozen times or so, and most of the time it just sits there. I have inspected the bottom of the boat and there are just superficial scratches on the hull. Not even worth taking sand paper to. Guess it depends on what the beaches are made up of. But the last few times out I anchored it close to the shore in less than 30" of water. That worked out well.<br /><br />I'm going to look into the Anchor Buddy that Baldguy wrote about. That sounds like it will make things easier.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

I'm going to look into the Anchor Buddy that Baldguy wrote about. That sounds like it will make things easier.

Checked out the Anchor Buddy. I don't like the idea that my boat is anchored via a bungie cord. So that item is off my Chrismas list. <br /><br />I don't mind walking into the water to retreive my boat, we are all wearing bathing suits when we go out anyway.<br /><br />Mark

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

I put the entire West Marine Catalog on my list. That leaves no doubt.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Besides all of the above, make sure the outdrive is trimmed up....dont want to trash a prop or worse.....suck sand into the impeller.

 

[jollymon]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

NYMINUTE,<br /><br />It sounds to me that where youare you have 2 issues, getting to the beach, and anchoring on the beach. If the lake does not cooperate, I would use the anchor buddy, on the bow, set the anchor , then backup to the beach or jump out and pull it to the beach. Use a second anchor off the stren and set that on the beach letting the anchor buddy pull the boat back into the water. when it is time to retrieve the boat justpull in the stern line.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Thanks to all, good advise.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

As your beach anchor, check out the Fortress anchor which is aluminum and very easy to carry ashore.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

For what it's worth, most boats (including my Quintrex 475 Spirit) in Australia are "tinnies". The hulls are aluminium and designed to be beached. I guess a tinny would be pretty cold in most US waters except Florida and SoCal, however Sea Six above mentions the Fortress Anchor which sounds ideal for me... we have a lot of beach down here! Any idea who makes them?

 

[Triton II]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Thanks Sea Six... I'll check it out.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Excellent... I'm on to it. Thanks for your help.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

Fortress makes them:<br /> http://www.fortressanchors.com/ <br /><br />You can buy them at West Marine.

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

or here, since you are in Australia:<br /><br />Australia <br /><br /><br />A.M. I. Marine Sales <br />Unit 12/46 Buffalo Road<br />Gladesville, NSW Australia 2111<br />New Zealand <br />61 9808 4300<br />61 9808 4346 fax<br />www.amisales.com.au <br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Whitworth's Nautical World <br />Unit 6, 98 Old Pittwater Road <br />Brookvale, NSW Australia 2100 <br />61 2 9907 3344<br />61 2 9907 3187 fax <br />www.whitworths.com.au

 

[swist]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

I would never beach a boat unless it was either small enough, or designed for it in the first place. Softest sand you could ever imagine can hide all manner of sharp objects. And with gelcoat blistering being a possible issue, taking an abrasive to it is asking for trouble. <br /><br />Maybe I'm being fussy, but too much $$ is at stake. Buy an el-cheapo tender and row in from an offshore anchor....

 

[Sea Six]

Re: Beaching a Runabout

gelcoat on an aluminum hull?