My boat is stuck!

pete said:
We had a similar problem ....
Click to expand...

Bloomin' 'eck that's impressive!

Just found out that tomo45's boat has encapsulated keels, so better to get timber underneath them (like the sledge idea) and slide this about rather than wearing through the bottoms of the keels.

Good luck, whatever!

Andy
 
Glad you've got such a fund of useful advice.
On my first trip (to the head of the creek) I managed to get neaped - in my 19' Caprice - didnt realise I was encountering v. soft mud and gave the outboard more 'welly' - it was 12 days before I could get her off - we live and learn - hopefully as I'm almost an octogenarian.
 
Last edited:
Gweek quay boatyard had a similar problem recently, Lutine (9ft draft) was not ready to go on the big tide. They lashed flotation to her to reduce the draft. Phone 01326221657. With bilge keels I would think you could lash a 200 litre plastic barrel to the outside of each keel, should keep her up and stable.
 
I had a simialr problem with a BK Caprice 20 years ago, she got blown up on to the saltings at the very top of a big tidal surge backed by a F10. The next tide did not even reach her.

Fortunately the ground was firm and fairly level with no creeks.

I begged or borrowed a several scaffold planks, and some old scaffold tube. The tube I cut into half a dozen 4 foot lengths. I lifted the bows (using a car jack) enough to put two planks in line with the keels to make a track for her to run on (she was facing the direction I needed to take her, fortunately). I then put 2 more shorter planks on top of the first pair, and inserted the tubes between them to act as rollers.

I now had the boat sitting on 2 shortish planks, with 3 rollers across between the keels, then everything sitting on two more planks. Using a borrowed 'tirfor' winch, it needed very little effort to get her moving on the rollers, inserting new ones as she moved forwards - Stonhenge style!

It took about half a days work to get her back 50 feet and far enough down the beach to float on the next tide.

And I did it all on my own without anyone helping. I know that sounds like a Tristan Jones 'tall tale' - but it is true! Its also true I could never do it again, not without lots of help - phew! But I had only moved to the area shortly before, and didnt know anyone to ask.
 
The army love to play with their helicopters, I would give them them a call, they also like to play with their tanks so be sure you callk the right bunch.
 
Searush said:
...If the trenches are steep & well lubricated with wet, slippy mud ....
Click to expand...

My abiding memory of the upper reaches of the Wyre estuary are of nothing BUT wet, slippy mud!!!!

If the boat is where I think it is, the river is several hundred yards wide, so pulling on something on the opposite bank probably isn't an option!

Tomo 45, did you go aground at the quoted HW time for Fleetwood? If so, it's well worth asking the local salts what time HW is at Skipool, or Shard Bridge - I'm pretty certain it's significantly later. If that's the case, things might not be quite as bad as you fear!
 
My boat is stuck

I have another suggestion for what it may be worth...
Are you able to heel your boat on its side,by placing some rubber tyres on the halyards and using your rigging and mast as a lever ,then sliding the hull side on the water/mud pushing on the upper bilge keel so reducing both draft and friction of one keel.So much the better if it could be towed by a launch.Digging one deep trench might do this. How you get aboard again I leave to you, but hope this option is available to use for you.
I did similar in Newtown many years ago in a Silhouette I had been loaned,so could work for you, I used buckets of water and crew for the weight.


ianat182
 
Get or buy the biggest cheapest Dinghy from an internet auction site, place in between your bilge keels but slightly aft to get the stern up first, inflate the dinghy to max pressure and securly lash to the hull forward and aft also round the hull with lots of lines to keep in place, when the tide comes in this will give you lots of extra bouyancy to refloat again. best if you have a friend with a boat standing by to give you a tow.

Empty the boat of everything including sails and boom but leave the gas bottle, kettle, tea bags and milk, these you can use while waiting on the biggest high tide to refloat the boat.

We on one occasion filled a dinghy with fenders to increase the bouyancy.
If you are not confident with tying ropes to secure the dinghy in place get someone who is.


Good Luck
PS. this is better than digging deep trenches.
 
Why is it I seem to get a persistent whiff of.....

trolls2.png


;)
 
anyone in the area

tomo45 said:
Well my boat is stuck on the coast of the river wyre, however i don't imagine anybody from that area looks at these forums due to its relevent obscurity and decadencey.
Click to expand...

tomo i happen to be from the area presume uyou are on wardels creek or skippool and presume you are a bilge keeler if so you could connsider increasing your low down bouyancy by strapping some drums between the keels in a manner that allows kwick release once safetly floating this wouls reduce your draught temporarrily of cource. but a word of warning the mud in the area can be deadly so best to approach by dinghy when there is just enough water but this will limmit your available time so best survey and make a plan then go for high water at springs of course and try to tow with dinghy or attach ropes to pull boat free keeping the weight out of your boat to minimise draught. hope this helps. by the way i am in wigan i will pm my mobtel no if you want to talk things through
 
Keep your fingers crossed...

I had an update from Tomo45 the other day, but wanted to check it was OK to post it. It's not good so far:

"Well I've been busy digging a trench for the last 2 weeks, unfortunately I have neither the patience nor the stamina to keep it up, and as of right now I'm no where near where I should be. We did try getting it off a few days ago on a 9.4 tide but it didn't even get close, probably needed about another metre! The weather was calm though. We strapped barrels to the keels but without water it doesn't really help does it. Theres another 9.7 on the 19th so I guess I'll just try again then, hopefully the weather will be a little rougher."

Looks like it's Friday or Saturday night, or wait 'till March :(

Don't suppose the current high pressure helps much, either.

Have asked about trying to move the boat closer to the water, and wished him the best of luck :(

I know you'd want to know....

Andy
 
i sail from B&FYC on the Wyre regularly. if youve not been there yet they are a nice bunch go and speak to them there will be a wealth of knowlage and they may be able to provide one of thier RIBS to help drag you off.
i saw your boat a few days ago and i lost my prop on one of the sandbanks.
when you get it back on the water try to stick to the foamier water it TENDS to be deeper, also it may be worth installing a front looking depth sounder they are a great help on the river
 
Back in business!

Finally its floating again..

it took a lot of effort but we got there in the end. I found out theres a chain which runs accross the centre of the river, so we basically lashed a rope to it and when the tide was high enough one of us pulled like mad whilst the other one rocked, it was hard work but paid off in the end. Im thinkin i might even moor it there now cause its free! Theres a another fella who moors his boat there just along from where mine is now, told me he's had it there for years and he's never had any bother.. but i don't know yet.

Anyway cheers everyone who responded and for the support.

Next step - learn how to sail!

Adieu!!!
 
Floating

tomo45 said:
Finally its floating again..

Next step - learn how to sail!

Adieu!!!
Click to expand...

Hurrah!! I've been watching this thread with interest to see how you'd get on. I've not commented as I'd nothing practical that I thought I could add. What a tough start you've had. It'll all seem like a piece of cake after this.

Well done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

MontyMariner
Battery failure
2
Replies
20
Views
804
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top