Some questions about beaching a 26X...

[davesisk]

Hey folks...finally got my 26X down to the Carolina Beach, NC area...in a slip for a planned 2 months.

Had a couple mishaps getting her in the marina...wind was blowing pretty well, and I accidentally left the swim ladder down. Getting the boat off the trailer and halfway to the slip I managed to break the steering that was just replaced (helm unit...this time, I pushed the steering sheath out of the helm unit, which I was able to fix with the help of another 26X owner who happened to be in the same marina, go the steering back working...gotta remember to keep that darned swim ladder up! Chris, if you happen to be on this forum, thanks for the help!), and hooked a boat ramp overhang with one of the shroud lines which broke one of the spreaders off (which was already bent and slated for replacement...I've actually got the replacement spreader cut and drilled, and waiting on the boat...just didn't have time to replace it yet).

Anyway, lady friend and I did manage to get out and enjoy the Intracoastal waterway and Carolina Beach Inlet between CB and Masonboro Island (motoring since the spreader is broken at the moment). Was really pleased with the new Suzuki DF50 that I've had installed on it...quiet, smooth, starts first spin, doesn't seem to use much gas, etc.

On to the question...we beached the boat twice, bow first, and both times the wind blew the stern around so the boat was beached sideways. The second time both the wind and some big waves were pushing the boat into the shore. That's good if you want to stay there, not so good when you're trying to leave. After much pushin' and gruntin' (and a little help from passers-by both times), I got her off the sand far enough to lower the engine and quickly take off.

So, what's a good way to do this better? Big, heavy anchor off the stern? Some stern anchor poles (like I've heard fisherman use in shallow water)? I've seen someone mention using a large pump to quickly drain the ballast tank to get un-beached. I think this would be much easier if I just keep the stern from blowing around sideways. What's the best way to do that?

Cheers,
Dave

[davesisk]

Would something like one of these "Dig-in Anchors" possibly do the trick of keeping the stern from blowing around? Or is this too flimsy for a boat this size and windage?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50910

Cheers,
Dave

[Tomfoolery]

Beach it stern-first. Engine and boards up. Walk an anchor out to the surf and get it set, then take some slack. You can always winch it against the anchor rode to unbeach it, and you can also open the ballast valve and vent if it's above its normal draft to let some of the water out. Just don't forget to close it after reflooding the tank.

[fouz]

I would like to know how others beach theirs as well.

The way we beach ours now is about 120' off the beach we turn the boat, bow facing away from beach.

I run forward and drop the anchor, I don't tie it off, just drop it and the 25' of chain. The bitter end is tied off thou.

I start backing up with the motor trimmed up some. Aim for where you want to land. The bow rode just runs out on it's own.

When I see the motor getting close to bottom. Kill it and trim it up. The hard part is to make sure you are going the right speed to coast up and not come up short and not too fast.

Then jump off when you land and bury a little anchor in the shore and tie off the stern loosely.

Go forward and pull the boat off the beach a little with the bow anchor. Tie it off.

Go back to the stern. And pull the stern anchor and tie it off. I use the wench a little while tighten the stern anchor to set the bow anchor some. It sets both at the same time really.


This way I don't have to get wet coming in or when you leave, just use the bow anchor to pull yourself off the beach. No more pushing off and wading in the water to get deep enough to lower the motor. Easy to adjust how far or how close to the beach you are. During the day I stay close to the beach. If over nighting let out some stern anchor, Pull in some bow anchor and your off the beach some for tide or whatever you want and don't have to mess with the anchors themselves, just the rode.


We use to come in bow first. I would jump off the bow (long drop) and then I would spin the boat by hand to put the stern to the beach. Then anchor the stern with it tied off to the windward side of the stern so it wouldn't turn sideways like what your talking about. When it tries to turn the other side just pushes up tight against the beach.

[Johnacuda]

keep the ladder up when beaching too. IWatch your depth and speed sensors if they are transom mounted.

[RobertB]

I usually go in bow first - I drop an anchor off the stern or walk it back after beaching. Use another anchor up on the beach from the bow. Advantage is I can power back off the beach. I would not go this way if there is a surf that hits the stern hard. Also a bit more privacy and the ability to board the boat from the beach (I have a ladder I made for getting the dogs on the boat). Drawback is because we do not need to walk thru the water to board, more sand gets on the boat. Best if you need to beach the boat fast (as in the time we had a tornado nearby).

Going in stern first is alot more work but because you are off the beach, less likely to get stuck at low tide.

As far as an anchor, you probably need a proper anchor, at least a cheap WestMarine brand danforth (as in the one Mike Inmon supplied me - good for boats up to about 24 feet).

[Fresh Breeze]

Hi All,
My question is when beached.

Do you leave the ballast in or let it out
If you leave it in, what about the pressure the ballast could create on the hull when sitting on the sand

Thanks
Cheers

[RobertB]

No need to worry about the ballast. Hull is plenty strong. Plus, if the tide goes out, you may be able to let some out - maybe.

[Ormonddude]

Dig in Anchor is not a good choice in my opinion as your supposed to mount a like bottom less fishing pole holder you jam it thru and into the bottom (we have enough hardware on our sterns IMHO) plus they are very light duty for fishermen in shallow draft backwater boats, as you learn to be wise to winds and currents you will have less problems like could you have motored to a protected side and then landed and simply when to drop a anchor off the bow or stern. I am sorry I am being vague but the fact that your asking means your on the right track and nobody can give you experience.

[davesisk]

Going in stern first is alot more work but because you are off the beach, less likely to get stuck at low tide.

In pics, I've seen a lot of 26X's beached stern-first...but I don't understand why you'd be less likely to get stuck at low tide? Seems like you'd be MORE likely to get stuck since the motor is not even in the water. What am I missing here?

Cheers,
Dave

[davesisk]

Beach it stern-first. Engine and boards up. Walk an anchor out to the surf and get it set, then take some slack. You can always winch it against the anchor rode to unbeach it, and you can also open the ballast valve and vent if it's above its normal draft to let some of the water out. Just don't forget to close it after reflooding the tank.

Sounds like you'd need a really good anchor to pull the boat off the sand using it. I've a 20 lb anchor (like this: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... _106111_-1) but I suspect that's probably not enough holding power for a boat this size and windage. What kind of anchor should I be using for NC beaches (soft sand usually)?

Thanks,
Dave

[RobertB]

Going in stern first is alot more work but because you are off the beach, less likely to get stuck at low tide.

In pics, I've seen a lot of 26X's beached stern-first...but I don't understand why you'd be less likely to get stuck at low tide? Seems like you'd be MORE likely to get stuck since the motor is not even in the water. What am I missing here?
Cheers,
Dave

When I beach bow first, I actually run the bow onto the beach. When positioning stern first, I do not see a way to actually run the stern up on the beach - it is positioned near the beach. Thus, since you are not actually on the beach when stern first, I say you are less likely to get stuck.

[Tomfoolery]

I've a 20 lb anchor (like this: http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... _106111_-1) but I suspect that's probably not enough holding power for a boat this size and windage. What kind of anchor should I be using for NC beaches (soft sand usually)?

Those stockless-type anchors don't have much holding power for their weight, at least not in small sizes (as opposed to a naval ship or cruise liner). A 20 lb Hi-Tensile Danforth is reported (by the manufacturer) to be good to 2500 lb holding and a 50 ft boat in 20 mph winds, for instance.

That would obviously be overkill, but for soft sand, I would think you'd need a generous fluke area. Either a fluke-type, like the Danforth style, or more modern types. Like the Bruce/Claw style, which has worked well for me on my last boat (and they're cheap), or better yet, Rocna, Manson Supreme, or Mantus next generation anchors.

But for sandy bottoms with winds and/or tides that don't change direction while anchored, it's hard to beat the Danforth style for holding power for the dollar and weight.

[davesisk]

OK, so something like this? http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50320

I don't have my boat here where I can measure the anchor locker...would the 26lb model fit in the anchor locker? Or, I was thinking of adding an anchor roller anyway (maybe with the rode routed back to the cockpit so I don't have to climb up front?)...do these hang securely off a decent anchor roller?

Thanks guys! Always so much good advice here!
Dave

[davesisk]

When I beach bow first, I actually run the bow onto the beach. When positioning stern first, I do not see a way to actually run the stern up on the beach - it is positioned near the beach. Thus, since you are not actually on the beach when stern first, I say you are less likely to get stuck.

OK, got it.

Dave