Too big to beach?

[Kosmofreeze]

I'm happy to report that my first season with "That's Terrific" (Chris Craft Constellation 26 - 29'+ LOA) concluded without incident. On more than one occasion I was tempted to beach her to access a nice sandy beach on one of the Apostle Islands ... I never did for fear of not getting her off the beach. Under what conditions (wind, wave, beach type - I'm inland so I don't worry about the tides) is it OK to beach a 3-ton boat? How did you recover from a bad decision to 'beach it'?

 

[silverbul]

If your that guy, no worry, just push it off.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you have a keel guard, then beach away.

Without a keel guard, you will grind thru the fiberglass in a dozen beachings

My last boat was beached every outing. 3000# dry, 4000# with people, fuel, and gear

My current boat will be getting a keel guard and 6-rung bow ladder soon.

 

[Chris1956]

I don't think I would beach it. Anchor the bow out and use a second anchor to hold the stern near the beach. Much easier to get on the boat, and you can always use the front anchor line to pull yourself into deeper water, if necessary,

 

[mr 88]

A straight inboard ? No way am I beaching it , not even in my thought process to do that . .

 

[Scott Danforth]

A straight inboard ? No way am I beaching it , not even in my thought process to do that . .

the constellation 26 was a I/O boat

 

[stresspoint]

i try to avoid beaching where possible with any boat no matter what drive arrangement.

a couple of rouge waves and you are stuck risking a chunked up bottom/keel or worse still damaged under water gear.

i find with my ski boat tunnel runner direct drive , using an anchor with about 10 feet of rope and a bumper for a float marker works well , the boat can float in about 3 feet of water and none of the under water gear ever touches the bottom of the rocky lake we use.
its not so effective with the deep V Maxum but better than beaching and since we usually tie up to docks its never really an issue..

 

[Texasmark]

A straight inboard ? No way am I beaching it , not even in my thought process to do that . .

I see at least 2 and probably a 3rd unseen outboards on this craft. If he can't work it off by putting the engines in reverse, tilted vertical if the water is deep enough otherwise as low as the bottom will allow, and moving the helm back and forth in a swinging action with as much throttle as is appropriate. The prop wash will help to wash out the sand under the boat.

If that doesn't work get out the shovel......but it probably will....BTDT with a smaller boat, less power, same process!

 

[stresspoint]

I see at least 2 and probably a 3rd unseen outboards on this craft. If he can't work it off by putting the engines in reverse, tilted vertical if the water is deep enough otherwise as low as the bottom will allow, and moving the helm back and forth in a swinging action with as much throttle as is appropriate. The prop wash will help to wash out the sand under the boat.

If that doesn't work get out the shovel......but it probably will....BTDT with a smaller boat, less power, same process!

the above works if you are not concerned about sand and shells getting sucked in the intakes (been there done that).

Op , if you do beach and get stuck the best option is to attempt to turn the boat by rocking it as the waves come in a little at a time will soon get you floating again and pointing in the right direction, we use to do it with jet skis on surf beaches and it always worked out.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I don't think I would beach it. Anchor the bow out and use a second anchor to hold the stern near the beach. Much easier to get on the boat, and you can always use the front anchor line to pull yourself into deeper water, if necessary,

That’s the way we anchor the 34 footer in our favorite spot. Doing it this way makes it easy to check that the rudders and props aren’t touching bottom. As the tide drops, loosen the stern anchor line and pull in some bow line.

 

[Sprig]

Yep too big to beach safely. Get a dingy or small zodia. Anchor at a safe distance from shore and use the dingy/zodiac to go from and back to the boat

 

[mr 88]

I see at least 2 and probably a 3rd unseen outboards on this craft. If he can't work it off by putting the engines in reverse, tilted vertical if the water is deep enough otherwise as low as the bottom will allow, and moving the helm back and forth in a swinging action with as much throttle as is appropriate. The prop wash will help to wash out the sand under the boat.

If that doesn't work get out the shovel......but it probably will....BTDT with a smaller boat, less power, same process!

That picture is not the OPs boat as he stated that in his post .

 

[redneck joe]

I believe that is a straight inboard and as such, i would not beach. Do you know your draft? Add at least two feet. Most beaches wont be deep enough for that but if your slope is severe enough then do it. Still use a stern anchor and a bow rope so you dont need the plow up the beach to stay in place. Just nose up to where you can get off to dry land if that is your objective.

 

[garbageguy]

Many different thoughts on beaching boats. IMO if you're not familiar with conditions and how youre boat will behave where/when you want to beach - don't do it unless you have a lot of boating-experienced people with you

 

[Kosmofreeze]

Many different thoughts on beaching boats. IMO if you're not familiar with conditions and how your boat will behave where/when you want to beach - don't do it unless you have a lot of boating-experienced people with you
View attachment 391236

You hit the nail on the head garbageguy. Read no further than this thread to see that there are many different thoughts on beaching boats ... great pic. There is much wisdom in your reply including, "have a lot of boating-experienced people with you".

I started shopping for a bow ladder. I already have a keel protector installed. I'm going to give it a go next season - pick a nice beach under nice conditions with nice boating-experienced people with me. What could go wrong?

BTW - the original pic is NOT me and NOT my boat and the Constellation 26 has a Volvo Penta sterndrive.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, So why is it you do not want to anchor bow out, and anchor the stern to the beach, and use the existing stern ladder? You really want to put an unsightly bow ladder on your cruiser, and have people with sandy feet climb onto the bow and walk across your deck, dragging water toys? That is what will happen with a beached bow and bow ladder, on a boat like yours.

Well with the right luck (sic) you could get her good and grounded on the beach.

 

[redneck joe]

Sterndrive you are pretty good to go at about waist deep. My advice stands about two anchors and not ramming the beach.


And if i win the lottery I'm buying a fleet of Hawiians for the family...

 

[Kosmofreeze]

Gee, So why is it you do not want to anchor bow out, and anchor the stern to the beach, and use the existing stern ladder? You really want to put an unsightly bow ladder on your cruiser, and have people with sandy feet climb onto the bow and walk across your deck, dragging water toys? That is what will happen with a beached bow and bow ladder, on a boat like yours.

Well with the right luck (sic) you could get her good and grounded on the beach.

My preference to 'beach it' has mostly to do with Lake Superior ... it's pretty chilly even in July and August. You are gonna get wet if you go in stern first and down the swim deck ladder. Bow first keeps you a little dryer.

Jumping into waist deep, mid-60 degree water makes my boys run for my tonsils!

 

[stresspoint]

Many different thoughts on beaching boats. IMO if you're not familiar with conditions and how youre boat will behave where/when you want to beach - don't do it unless you have a lot of boating-experienced people with you
View attachment 391236

that is one crowded beach ????? why would you go to a place where its so cluttered.

 

[redneck joe]

^^^^Some people like other people.