One of the greatest benefits of owning a boat is the freedom. Imagine spending a day on the open water and stopping at an idyllic beach. When you’re enjoying your time on the shore, the last thing you want to worry about is a runaway boat. You have two options — anchor your boat or beach it.
Both anchoring and beaching secure your boat in an area without a dock. Anchoring uses anchors to keep the vessel tethered to the sea floor, while beaching involves grounding the boat on the shore. Here’s a rundown on how to do both.
How to Anchor at the Beach
The best place to anchor your boat at the beach is just off the shore with the bow facing open waters. Rope in your crew and follow these steps:
- Prepare the anchors. Anchoring at the beach takes two anchors — or one anchor and a line. The bow anchor drops into the water while the stern anchor goes onto the shore. Set your anchor lines to provide enough hold without causing the boat to swing.
- Approach the beach. Keep the engine in neutral, ensuring the boat stays floating.
- Release the bow anchor. Have a crew member place the bow anchor and line in the water. When it hits the bottom, motor the boat toward the beach while someone lets the anchor line out, avoiding the propeller.
- Tie up the line. When you reach your preferred spot and depth, tie and cleat the line to secure it.
- Place the stern anchor. A crew member can place the stern anchor on the opposite side of the bow anchor.
- Trim up the engines. Let the boat turn to face away from the beach. Then, switch off and trim the engine so the propeller raises and the bow points upward.
- Unload the boat. Your passengers can disembark and carry the stern anchor onto the shore.
- Tie the bow and stern lines. Tying the bow and stern lines will move the boat into deeper waters, allowing it to float. Pull the lines taut to secure the boat.
When you’re ready to leave, hop on the boat and release some of the forward anchor line. Once everyone has boarded, untie the stern line or lift the anchor. Use the bow anchor line to move forward, lower the engine and start it up. Lift the anchor, and off you go!
How to Beach a Boat
Before diving into the how-to, it’s important to know the risks of beaching a boat. The boat can get stuck, swamped, stranded on high ground, or float away on a high tide. With that in mind, here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Assess the shoreline. Look at the water’s depth and how early it shoals. Keep an eye out for obstacles in your path, such as snorkelers, swimmers or rocks.
- Approach slow and steady. Avoid aggressive throttling to get onto the beach. Slow and steady is safe and avoids damaging the hull.
- Determine the water depth. A depth sounder can tell you how deep the water is. Without a sounder, eyeball the water until it’s waist-deep, watching for breaking waves or currents.
- Trim up the engine. Get someone to hold the bow while waist-deep, then switch off and trim up the engine.
- Secure the boat. Have your crew pull the boat ashore. Secure the vessel by tying it to a tree or stake or walking the anchor up the beach.
- Pull the boat up. Once unloaded, tow the boat further onto the shore. The back of the boat weighs more because of the engine — so avoid pulling the keel all the way up, or you might end up stuck.
To depart, drag the boat into the water to float clear of the shore. Load up, lower the engine and head away.
Dive Into Adventure With EZ Docks
Whether you’re an anchor fan or a boat-beaching buff, life’s more fun on the open water. EZ Docks offers top-quality docks, lifts and accessories to amplify your boating experience. Reach out today to learn more about our products!