Do you beach your boat?

[whitlock87]

In looking around at some of the pics in the member area, I noticed many pics where people have beached there Tige. Now I personally do not do this, as I do not want any scratches on my Tige (even if they are on the bottom), but last summer I was in 2.5 feet of water and I damaged my prop when a roller came through. Cost about 170 to fix a small dent that was making a noticeable vibration at speeds over 25. So I guess my real question is how can you beach your boat and not hurt the prop or skegs?

Thanks
David W.

[MoneyPity]

I cannot help you here my friend because I have never beached a boat in the 35 years I have been involved with boating with exception to a resorts small aluminum fishing boats. Overtons and Barts as well as Cabala's all sell keel guards to protect the keel but only so far. If you have white or frost hull they blend in, sort of!

We use an anchor buddy setup of sorts where we point the bow into the waves and drop anchor. We then back the boat so that the depth finder says I have 3 ft to bottom. We then just use a plain old anchor line and hook one end to a stern eyelet and go to shore and snug up this line and then do the same for the anchor line running from the bow. This woks well in lakes but not a good solution for rivers.

[Jason B]

I have. I would not do it in anything except the nicest sand bottoms and I would not make a habit of it. I typically do as MoneyPity mentioned above.
I was with a buddy in Havasu, he has an Eliminator. I could not believe the reckless abandon with which he pulled onto the rocky shore in the channel. Gel coat pieces were floating in the water after we beached--STUPID! I don't get that man, made no sense to me. I don't care if I was in a Bayliner, I wouldn't do that.

[NICKYPOO]

I do sometimes. My home lake has really nice sand though. So long as the shore is steep enough I'll do it. Usually just if we stop to say hi to someone or pull over and have lunch.

[jake's02-22i]

I beach the boat sometimes in Havasu but now I have a Keel guard on it so I shouldn’t have a problem with it. I won’t leave it that way overnight even on the smallest rocks. When it bounces up and down all night it puts gouges on the bottom. Happened before that is why I now have a Keel guard.

[River Runner]

I do sometimes. Beach needs to be soft sand and have a fairly decent dropoff. I also double check prop clearance with a mask and snorkel. If its too close for my liking out comes the anchor. Like Nicky mentioned its usually a quick stop for lunch or a chat with friends.

[zad0030]

Sure do. When looking for a place to beach look for an area where its a steep hill and not a gradual slope. That way only the bow is touching. Then run an anchor, if on a river upstream, and plant it on shore to keep the back from swinging. And there is no need to run it all the way up just idle it in there.

[Joeprunc]

With my parents we would if it was really nice sand. Usually we would send someone out to the shore before beaching to make sure there isn't anything submerged. They also have an IO so you can raise the out drive.

Since I've got an inboard I don't want to risk bending a fin, shaft, or prop. Also I don't want any waves coming over the back of my boat. I just throw an anchor out around 20~30 yards from shore. Make sure the anchor grabs then tie up the bow, run the extra line to the rear cleat and into shore. I use a dog tie down stake on shore to hold the rear end straight.


I'd rather have the waves hit the bow vs rolling over the stern.

[Fast1911]

When at my Aunt's cabin in central Florida we beach the boat a dozen times a day, the sand is really nice and white and I always beach in the same spot so i hit the same prop wash hole, never had a problem doing it that way

[Moki]

As mentioned, I beach it on nice sandy spots with a fairly steep bank. The nicest thing that I have used is a bungy rope that allows you to throw an achor out - pull the boat on shore to let passengers off and let the bungy pull the boat back out. That way, you are only beaching it while people are getting off and on your boat. At Lake Powell and other lakes, there are not always docks. I am not going to make my passengers swim in and out every time. If my boat was brand new, it would be hard to beach it the first time. But the boat is there to serve me and not the other way around

[dogbert]

No, our sand is too course and the bottom too rocky and hard.

[Lucky 275]

try this if the bank isn't steep enough

http://tuggyproducts.com/anchorbuddy.html