Another lesson in my steep MacGregor learning curve.
I went sailing at the weekend in Milford Haven. I decided to sail to Marloes (spelling?) beach and drive the boat up the shallow sandy beach on a rising tide. All worked well until we tried to push the boat back into enough water to float it and leave. The small looking breaking waves made it impossible even for two big men and two small ladies.
The power of the waves pushing the boat up the sand was too strong which surprised me. The wave height was less than 1 foot as they broke on the sand.
I had 10 minutes of rising concern, the beach here disappears completely up to the cliffs at high tide.
I eventually started to think clearly and walked out the anchor and waited 10 minutes until the boat floated of it's own accord. It was still a struggle to recover the anchor. In a open sea environment next time I think that I will anchor off and use the dingy unless anyone has any tips.
I always loved the old adage: "In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice they're not".
I so appreciate your willingness to try these things out for our future benefit Steve; boldly going where no Mac has gone before.
These sort of posts are so helpful for someone like me who, having not even taken delivery of the amazing Mac, is already planning trips involving all manner of situations; beaching in our delightful Cornish creeks definitely being one.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
We always leave our anchor in deeper water to pull ourselves out but it can be hard work especially if working against the wind. Sometimes I'll pull us out a bit then have a rest before completing the task with a little bit of engine to power you towards the anchor. I'm keeping an eye out for a second anchor to run from the stern to the beach to pull the boat in and out of deep water as required and reduce the frantic swinging which can be stressful in a crowded anchorage. While we're talking beaching, for those of us with the older v bottomed boats, a couple of big fenders shoved underneath stop you tipping over on the sand, you can rig ropes under the boat to hold them in place (and stop them floating away)... it's a very rude way to be woken up or an unwanted drama on your way to the loo in the small hours.
My favorite trick is to beach stern to with a pair of anchors as a runner.
Works a treat with Dive RHIBs and dinghies (I haven't done it with the Mac yet)
It stops smaller boats being swamped (not an issue with Macs)
Lets you beach on a falling tide (with care) and prevents you from getting stuck.
The stern doesn't drive itself up the beach as easily
Make fast one end of your warp to the bow.
Shackle it to your main anchor so the anchor can run along its length.
Drop the main anchor a short way off the beach.
Run the warp outside the windward rails and make fast the other end of the warp to the stern.
Pay out the anchor rode as you go in to the beach (keep it clear of the prop).
Use it to prevent yourself beaching yet.
Start turning the boat before you run out of depth. (turn toward the warp).
Stop the engine as you put a crew member in the water. (for their safety).
Lift the engine.
and let the crew pull your stern close to the beach.
Set a kedge anchor up the beach and shackle it to the warp.
You can now haul the boat out into deeper water and retrieve it later.
If you're really careful you may even avoid letting the gelcoat touch at all.
When you come to leave take the kedge aboard and you can haul out from the foredeck (helps lift the stern).
You effectively get a 2:1 advantage as you haul.
or even winch the warp if needed, just until you have the depth to get the engine in.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Do you dump the water ballast before beaching?
I haven't (yet) tried beaching my Mac and I haven't tried to empty the ballast afloat. I fill it when I launch and empty when I haul out.
But I suspect it would be useful to do so as the lighter boat would draw less and be easier to man handle in shallow water. I'll try dumping the ballast next time out. What I don't want is a part full ballast as the free surface fluid flow will destabilise the boat.
Over to the old hands to advise on emptying the ballast.....
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Hi All,
I have an aging 26C, which I have managed to beach successfully once. Animatedly I was on an inland lake however I had wind blowing me onshore when I chose to depart.
I have what I call my Kedge Anchor. It is a smaller unit than my main anchor. The Kedge has a meter of change attached to 40 meters of floating line.
I dropt the Kedge as I approached the shore feeding the line through a boy to identify the point at which the line sinks more to warn off other water users.
At the time to depart I attached the line to a winch and pulled myself off quite easily soon getting into deeper water and allowing the Kedge anchor to be extracted with ease.
Hope this helps,
Dave Woody Wood
Woody DB
Jack Jeavons, M26C Fair winds to all
Hi guys , I carry a a moderately heavy Fortress type main anchor with chain and a second folding anchor with 4 blades that folds out but when folded fits into the front locker in addition to the other. Last time I beached at Bembridge single handed I dropped the main anchor a little way out and as the boat glided fwd I walked the chain back to the stern . The after adjusting direction I powered onto the beach after which I used the auxiliary anchor to fix position with a long strop high up the beach ( upper blades folded down for safety). Its probably best not to be to far up the beach depending on state of tide since most comfy to be just afloat. Beware too steep a slope if wanting to sleep aboard. Stern anchor is essential to avoid swinging into other boats as tide goes in and out. If stern is lower than bow the water will easily drain out as she dries out and you open the gate for a while but maybe caution if any liability to roll over !!
Stern outwards means prop gets water earlier and easier to beach and stay dry .
Hope that helps.
Roly