Anchoring down to come ashore

[coo]

Hi there

I wonder if you can give me some advice or thoughts here please? We have an 18ft Foxcub and because we have a toddler would ideally like to use her to head around the local coast to beaches that can only be accessed from water to have picnics and a run around! She is a bilge keel and can be bought into water only wellington boot in depth but we feel unsure about how to do this without ending up either stranded on a beach with the boat in deeper water (if we dropped anchor at low tide and the tide comes in) or stranded because we bring her in too shallow and get her stuck! We live in west cornwall, the main areas she would be bought in shallow would be sandy so this saves some risk - I have heard of some people dropping anchor at low tide and then taking a rope on shore so they can pull the boat into them or something and then pull the boat back out again using the anchor, can anyone give me an idea of how this is actually done though or the best method you have found? I am new to this and find the whole worry of dropping anchor at low tide and leaving enough to account for high tide and not sink the boat but also not letting the boat be roaming everywhere on way too long tether! The only other option I had considered is taking our little tender that we use to get to our fixed mooring and towing it behind the boat bus as she is not a big boat I think this would cause us a real headache! Help!

 

[scottie]

Either put her ashore on an ebbing tide couple of hours before low water and float off on the rise or you make up a running mooring in which case You anchor a bouy offshore and run a line through a block at the bouy with another anchored ashore the boat is attached to the running line and pulled in the appropriate direction as required

 

[coo]

Hi there

Thanks for that, I was thinking of this as have used a running mooring before and it worked well (though never done this with anchors, just mooring blocks at the mooring) I would need 2 x anchors that were pretty hefty though I would assume?

 

[prv]

The usual way is to time it so that the boat is sat on the beach while you want to be walking on it, and refloats when you're ready to leave. This does require convenient tide times and for you to arrive at the right time (when you ground will determine when you can get off again).

The other thing to be aware of is that even small waves will lift and drop a boat quite nastily on hard sand, unlike mud.

We used to swim ashore to beaches, though obviously that's not really an option with a toddler. A dinghy is the usual way, but you say, problematic with such a small boat.

Pete

 

[coo]

Thank you Pete... It's tricky! Because we are so inexperienced we would only go on the calmest days and where it is most sheltered so might be an option as you said with avoiding waves... otheriwse, does anybody know anybody who can do a boat extention!!?!?!?

 

[FairweatherDave]

I find that every time we go "to the beach" by boat we have a different situation. It simply depends whether the tide is rising/ falling, wind direction and possible waves, how long you want to be there, whether where you are is crowded, cross currents and water temperature etc etc. Often I use the kedge and reverse into the shallows in an off shore breeze as that is the shallowest water and easiest way to climb in and out the boat. Staying in 18inches of water and playing anchors, keeping the water in that depth just means actively checking, it really is just common sense. You can gently ground the boat, unload your beach stuff quick and push off and anchor. Then swim back to the beach, or if the water is cold maybe tow a small inflatable....(depends how far you have to sail). So many variables. If you take a line ashore it could be a prop hazard for others, it all depends. Main advice is only dry out if you are absolutely sure that's what you want to do, its not difficult to stay afloat but it is an active process to stay happily in the shallows. Two proper anchors, swimming trunks, common sense and looking at what others do. Its actually easier to do than understand the complexities some people describe in words on the net (not referring to anything in this thread btw).
PS I am referring to my experience with a Drascombe Lugger and Sun 2000.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thinking a bit more I think a lot of the "skill" is actually choosing the right sheltered beach anchorage in the first place. Onshore conditions make your challenge harder....

 

[pampas]

attach to the trip point on the anchor a long light long (Say10mm dia) anchor and take to line ashore, when boat is wanted just pull her in. no need for fancy double lines ect, or does as above, but place the anchor on deck where it will "Fall off easily shove boat out, and pull the beast , assumeing you have about right ammount of scope laid on deck, job done,

 

[BlueChip]

The danger of taking the beach like you suggest in Cornwall is that conditions can quickly change. I remember years ago launching our Mirror Dinghy on a flat calm day from a Cornish Beach, when we came back several hours later there was a surf running we didn't spot it as we rowed for the shore and it was only when we surfed in up the beach we realised what had happened. We were lucky not to capsize and possibly drown.
So, unless you are absolutely sure that your vessel will be safe in shallow water, it better to anchor off in deeper water and row ashore in the dinghy.
A small inflatable dinghy doesn't take much room, can be stored on deck and be blown up when you need it, if conditions do change you can quickly get back to your boat and move. In any case carrying such a dinghy is a useful safety item.

 

[VicS]

The danger of taking the beach like you suggest in Cornwall is that conditions can quickly change. I remember years ago launching our Mirror Dinghy on a flat calm day from a Cornish Beach, when we came back several hours later there was a surf running we didn't spot it as we rowed for the shore and it was only when we surfed in up the beach we realised what had happened. We were lucky not to capsize and possibly drown.
So, unless you are absolutely sure that your vessel will be safe in shallow water, it better to anchor off in deeper water and row ashore in the dinghy.
A small inflatable dinghy doesn't take much room, can be stored on deck and be blown up when you need it, if conditions do change you can quickly get back to your boat and move. In any case carrying such a dinghy is a useful safety item.

As the owner of a similar sized boat I agree that probably the best solution is a small inflatable dinghy.

However the difficulty is finding a dinghy small enough to stow conveniently aboard such a small boat other than glorified beach toys.

 

[John the kiwi]

Kayak

Hi there

I am new to this and find the whole worry of dropping anchor at low tide and leaving enough to account for high tide and not sink the boat but also not letting the boat be roaming everywhere on way too long tether! The only other option I had considered is taking our little tender that we use to get to our fixed mooring and towing it behind the boat bus as she is not a big boat I think this would cause us a real headache! Help!

I am a little worried about your comment on anchor line length. Always ensure that you have minimum 3 times and preferably 5 times the depth of water at high tide. Anchor on too short a rope or chain at low tide and it is possible that your boat will drift away on the high tide. So a "long tether" as you put it is not optional but necessary.
There are a number of rope and anchor schemes you can use as above and choosing a scheme is really dependent on your boat, the slope of the beach and where the wind is coming from and most importantly what the weather and waves are likely to do next.(local knowledge unfortunately) No good snuggly securing your boat close to the beach in 3ft of water if the afternoon brings 4 ft waves while you aren't watching.
I do a bit of beach work myself and really prefer the tender option.
You can anchor at a secure distance and depth and dont have to constantly mind the boat.
A small kayak can also be used if you have the skills. Back the boat in and drop off picnic and family then you take boat out and anchor and return via kayak. I have towed a small empty kayak and as far as i could tell there was
almost no drag as compared to towing a dinghy
Good luck.

 

[onesea]

Lots of options with anchor out back into beach moor meddy style? Out hauls? swimming?

It might be worth considering a 2 man inflatable kayak as a dinghy?

With a little planning as many say you can time it to arrive before low water or high water. This can often help with the currents getting you there and back?

I would always plan for atleast one of you to get wet (IE Spare cloths and towels onboard for swimmer).

If you get SWMBO and baby ashore as dry as planned, have good day do no damage, it was a success. Every time will be different look what others do and do not be afraid to think and try.

You can always pic-nic on the boat?

Just priorities do not let boat drift away and crew safety...

 

[William_H]

Anchoring off a beach

It can be done fairly simply.
Firstly you need 2 anchors one dropped well out for the bow and another to set on the beach.
Both anchors need to be attached to the boat by the usual rode then via a tackle to the bow or stern. 2 purchase is probably OK. The tail of the bow tackle needs to be led via a guide pulley down to the stern then all the way to the beach. You will need a lot of rope. Likewise the rode from the stern anchor to the boat goes via a pulley so the tail returns to the beach.
So you motor the boat backwards until it grounds and launch the stern anchor then get off. Using the tackles especially for the bow anchor you haul the boat out into deeper water. Tie off the tail of the bow anchor to something solid. (the stern anchor itself)
Now when you want to get on you can ease out the bow anchor line while pulling the stern line until again the boat is shallow enough to board. The longer you stay the larger tide change you must cope with so more line needed. good luck olewill

 

[robertj]

1 Have your anchor and chain/rope on deck with enough rode to anchor her safely connected to the boat which will pay out overboard.

2. Attach a long second line to the tripping eye/point of the anchor.

3. Bring boat ashore jump of as she grounds deposit family then

4. Hold tripping line and push your boat out from the shore paying out tripping line as she goes.

5. When far enough out pull trip line the anchor gets pulled off the deck
the boat will anchor out afloat and you still hold the trip line.

The boat is now anchored afloat and when you want to bring her in, just pull on the anchor on the trip line, the anchor can be pulled ashore with your boat attached.

 

[Harvey Cail]

Beachiing a boat

Only do this in recognized 'anchorages' not just any old bay that looks nice. Look in the coast pilot, or maybe there is a cruising guide for the area you plan to use.

If you are going to ground your boat the weather will be critical and it can change before you refloat.

Stick to harbors and hike to the beaches.

 

[prv]

Only do this in recognized 'anchorages' not just any old bay that looks nice.

And why's that, then?

Pete

 

[Zagato]

I am thinking of getting one of these when I don't use the ferry or tender! Split it in half and chuck it in the cabin, my last Kayak was the easiest way for me to get on and off my boat in the summer .

http://www.nestawayboats.com/page7.htm

As a relative novice also I wouldn't fancy setting a Foxcub on a beach, you could get into real problems if conditions change, OK in a Lugger or similar as it can be man handled and motored through surf but a Foxcub would be a different ball game altogether! Better to anchor off but keep an eye on it...

 

[ProDave]

....
So you motor the boat backwards until it grounds and launch the stern anchor then get off.

Can I question that?

We are talking about a small 18ft boat, not unlike mine, presumably with an OB and transom hung rudder.

So you motor back until you have dug your rudder and OB prop into the sand. you will still have a foot or so of water to wade through to get ashore. I'm not sure the OB would like it's prop being motored into the sand, and it would test the mounting of the rudder. Some small boats have small lightweight fixings for the rudder.

Would it not be better to motor in forwards? The bow will touch the sand while the rudder and OB are still afloat. You can use a simple rope ladder to climb down from the bow into just a few inches of water, or if you are lucky straight onto the beach.

 

[DanTribe]

I think you are in danger of making a simple problem very complicated.
I have tried all sorts of methods to set & retrieve an anchored boat from a beach. None of them work for any length of time, and I've always felt insecure and sat on the beach worrying.
The simple answer is to get a small inflatable which can be towed or stowed on the foredeck. These can be bought very reasonably from Ebay etc.
If you are worried about ferrying precious crew in a dinghy then put them ashore and then go and anchor.
The dinghy is also a great way to explore places you couldn't otherwise reach.
It's all about having fun

 

[rob2]

There have been a lot of suggestions on anchoring and beaching techniques, etc. but the things you must be aware of first are the tide times and the weather forecast - particularly if you are planning to beach. It is an absolute neccessity to know the state of the tideto make an informed decision as to whether you can beach and then refloat to suit your schedule. The choice of beach to visit is dependant on the current and forecast weather - you can't afford to have the wind driving you onto the sand. Look for a cove that will protect you from the wind.

Rob.