Beaching the Bird

[davidsa]

IMG_9696.jpgThe thread about placement of the keel protectors got me looking today. I have been beaching this week on a nearly perfect beach. My keel protector starts below the lowest wing and the picture shows that on a near 45 degree bank, that the water line is about 10 inches lower. The beach pressure is back on the boat at least 4 ft. So you need the protector to go a long way back on the boat.

To bad news, my boat is scratched on the driver side pretty good. My theory is because I'm beaching and solo in the boat that the bit of lean is creating pressure on my side and some of the gravel / little rocks in the beach material is having its way. Everyone down here beaches the boat but it does damage the glass even with a keel protector.

[dramabeats]

Do you power up on that beach or do you stop as soon as you feel the hull touch?

[davidsa]

no to power, glide in at very low to no speed. I guess the thing is the boat is heavy enough that the keel makes a small indent in the sand which brings the hull closer to the bottom. Lots of guys do ram it up on the sand but not I.

the only thing i could think to do is jump out before landing and lift it into the sand without my weight in the boat. Or just accept the scratches

[alli ss]

no to power, glide in at very low to no speed. I guess the thing is the boat is heavy enough that the keel makes a small indent in the sand which brings the hull closer to the bottom. Lots of guys do ram it up on the sand but not I.

the only thing i could think to do is jump out before landing and lift it into the sand without my weight in the boat. Or just accept the scratches

you cant stop the boat from sinking in and touching on pea gravel or sand. The only thing a keel protector helps with is parking on a ramp

[davidsa]

you cant stop the boat from sinking in and touching on pea gravel or sand. The only thing a keel protector helps with is parking on a ramp

That is my take away as well.

[Tom Edwards]

That is my take away as well.

A ramp of concrete or asphalt will wear away the rubber of the keel protector. A hole will develop and you'll need a new protector sooner or later. I had to have a new one installed a couple years ago, after 7 or 8 years since buying the new boat.

[davidsa]

Thank You! Good info.

[alli ss]

I just kinda pick my boat up and sit it on the ramp. Mine doesnt have a scuff on it even with gravel scratches beside it. The big hambys is tough as they get

[Tom Edwards]

I just kinda pick my boat up and sit it on the ramp. Mine doesnt have a scuff on it even with gravel scratches beside it. The big hambys is tough as they get

Yes, I do also, but the wind will move the stern to the side while parking, or getting the trailer, and twist on the protector, and that'll cause wear.

[Tom Edwards]

Also in my case I have had the choice of beaching the bow on the ramp, or on the sharp edged lava rock 'beach' that they put in next to the ramp when they rebuilt the boat launch 10 plus years ago, it used to be gravel, no dock. So that put lots of scratches all along the bottom. Last summer they put in a dock, so no more beaching if it's not too busy.

[alli ss]

Yea they put boulder sized rip rap beside a ramp i used because it was too muddy

[Meleagris1]

I'm hesitant to beach on rock and sand - I use the keel guard mostly for pulling up on concrete ramps when the pull the docks in the fall/winter.

[Bjxds]

Mine is installed below the top wing. I have beached on ramp and fairly often on sand. No issues. Mine is a Hamby's, maybe different brands are installed in different locations?