settling on mud

[Mike k]

I have read a bit in MBM about drying legs and the benefits - but i also note some motor boaters talk about settling in mud without legs.

Getting caught out at low water is something one diligently tries to avoid however it would be reassuring to know if my boat would settle ok if the worst happened or would it simply wreck the stern gear.

So my basic question is what are the boat design features that will allow this or more pertinent to me is will mine be ok- its a planning motorboat about 25feet LOA, about 3 tonnes displacement, it has a 3feet draught, an inboard driven 4 blade 21'' prop and a skeg that is moulded into the hull and goes below the prop.

Any views would welcome.

Thank you

Mike

 

[PCUK]

Yachts with 6ft deep keels settle into mud with no problems, so you've got not a single worry!

 

[Firefly625]

If you are settling on mud, then the boat will settle in nicely, I have often been on the mud at Newton creek & in years gone by sometimes with a 7ft keel underneath me and that has sunk the entire length down so the boat rests even about 6" off the normal waterline of the boat, so what I am saying is so long as there are no objects beneath, like old oyster beds etc then the boat will just settle in the mud nicely and beaching legs are not necessary on mud, great for beaches though!

just avoid rocky areas...

 

[Mike k]

Yachts with 6ft deep keels settle into mud with no problems, so you've got not a single worry!

Thanks PCUK /Firefly perhaps i should have not been too specific about Mud but also other sea bed surfaces e,g sand etc

 

[sarabande]

if you inadvertantly have to sit out a low tide on an unplanned sandbank, it might be useful to have some long sausage and ball fenders handy, to stuff under the chines so that the boat doesn't settle too much on one side. They also help break the suction of mud on a rising tide.

 

[Firefly625]

sand can be pretty firm, hence the use of beaching legs for those who do like to dry out. My Hardy is also shaft drive with protected rudder/skeg, but also Semi displacement with small keel which would mean I would rest at quite an angle if on a beach, not how I would ever chose to spend a few hours so best avoided IMHO unless you have beaching legs. If you have a planing hull then you should settle at less of an angle & perhaps a little nose down with a skeg moulded down below the prop blades, but this would give pretty good protection.

Not being pedantic, but sand in different areas can be more pliable than others, have seen a boat on East Head beach and it settled in well

but other sand can be less forgiving

 

[Searush]

The other problems arise if the wind turns while the tide is out so that it returns with even the smallest of waves. It can be very unpleasant sitting on a boat that is rising 6" & then dropping on to hard sand despite being unable to drive into deeper water. Wash at this point can actually wreck your boat. Even as it comes off, it may progress seaward in a series of "Hops" as it lifts, moves & then crunches back down again. Very unpleasant & distressing.

I once experienced 20 mins of this torture thro trying to cut a corner on a falling tide. That was almost 30 years ago, I have NEVER put my boat at risk like that again and, although I frequently dry out, it is always in a sheltered location.

 

[Firefly625]

The other problems arise if the wind turns while the tide is out so that it returns with even the smallest of waves. It can be very unpleasant sitting on a boat that is rising 6" & then dropping on to hard sand despite being unable to drive into deeper water. Wash at this point can actually wreck your boat. Even as it comes off, it may progress seaward in a series of "Hops" as it lifts, moves & then crunches back down again. Very unpleasant & distressing.

I once experienced 20 mins of this torture thro trying to cut a corner on a falling tide. That was almost 30 years ago, I have NEVER put my boat at risk like that again and, although I frequently dry out, it is always in a sheltered location.

indeed, wise words from Searush. (& no, I'm not taking the pi55!!)

 

[Elessar]

If you are settling on mud, then the boat will settle in nicely, I have often been on the mud at Newton creek & in years gone by sometimes with a 7ft keel underneath me and that has sunk the entire length down so the boat rests even about 6" off the normal waterline of the boat, so what I am saying is so long as there are no objects beneath, like old oyster beds etc then the boat will just settle in the mud nicely and beaching legs are not necessary on mud, great for beaches though!

just avoid rocky areas...

see the Guernsey harbour master is getting his fee though

 

[l'escargot]

see the Guernsey harbour master is getting his fee though

And they are well fendered in case he wants to raft anyone alongside...

 

[Firefly625]

And they are well fendered in case he wants to raft anyone alongside...

 

[Searush]

(snip)

I wonder if there was any reason that he was on the wrong side of those very clearly coloured bouys? I seldom see MoBos sneaking outside of channels in the Straits, even tho there are lots of places (err & times) where it is safe to do so.

 

[LittleShip]

I seldom see MoBos sneaking outside of channels in the Straits, even tho there are lots of places (err & times) where it is safe to do so.

You wont find Little Ship cruising outside of channels either, I tend to cruise like a big boat always have always will. It's really difficult trying to turn a Mobo once you touch bottom whereas in a raggie thing they tend to spin so they will power off, unless like some they have bilge keels

I always worry about going over Dutchmans bank coming out of Conwy and I know I have plenty of depth. Mind you James and I did go across using the fishing rod as a depth gauge a couple of weeks ago Very interesting.

Tom

 

[Searush]

I seldom see MoBos sneaking outside of channels in the Straits, even tho there are lots of places (err & times) where it is safe to do so.

You wont find Little Ship cruising outside of channels either, I tend to cruise like a big boat always have always will. It's really difficult trying to turn a Mobo once you touch bottom whereas in a raggie thing they tend to spin so they will power off, unless like some they have bilge keels

I always worry about going over Dutchmans bank coming out of Conwy and I know I have plenty of depth. Mind you James and I did go across using the fishing rod as a depth gauge a couple of weeks ago Very interesting.

Tom

Yes, I can understand that. It's all about probability & consequences. For me the consequences are generally insignificant. BTW, you can spin a twin keeler as you often only ground one keel. Unfortunately, that means you tend to spin ON to the bank.

But I do have a 3 blade prop & it is quite effective in full ahead backwards mode.