Mooring just off beach - technique?

[blimp]

Mornin' All,

I've noticed on a few of the gallery pics, that people here often moor just off beaches when they're spending a couple of hours relaxing on the sand - so how's it done? Apols on the ignorance, previous boat was a hardboat with an inboard so I was reluctant to get too close too land. I'm assuming that stage 1 is to come right in, to offload passengers, and it would then seem that you go slightly out and drop the anchor. But ... do you then just lay out a little more anchor chain than the depth you're in, or use normal anchoring technique? I fancy trying this over the coming months, but would rather find out how to do it correctly here, rather than expensively experimenting on me own.

[Nos4r2]

I stop the engine and tilt it as I coast in. I then jump out and hold the boat for passengers to get off in as shallow water as possible without grounding hard.
Then I walk the boat out into deep enough water that there's no risk of a swell banging the hull on the bottom and anchor with the normal amount of warp.

[Mollers]

You 'Trip' it.

[blimp]

'trip it' - whazzat?

[Mouldy]

Anyone use these?

http://www.anchorbuddy.com/

[pop]

just get the wife to hold your rib out in deep water while you have a beer and play with the kids.

[AndrewH]

I use exactly the same technique as Nos and it works well. Also worth remembering though that not all beaches are the same.

If you're on a beach with breaking surf (no matter how small) or a strong on-shore breeze this will serve to push you onto the beach. This should be approached with real caution (if at all) since with the engine up you've got much less torque to get you back out of trouble. Also if the waves start turning you broadside on, its also harder to get back to deeper waters

I'd recommend that the first time you attempt a beach approach you choose a nice sheltered bay with no rolling breakers !

That said, Ribs are perfect for beach hopping, and we spend a large number of weekends every year doing exactly that

Andrew

[Biggles]

What I've started to do recently is throw the anchor out somewhere off the beach and then reverse in and coast for the last bit with the engine raised, paying out the anchor warp. You can then let your passengers off at the very last moment. Pull your self back out on the anchor warp until your happy to leave the boat.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Biggles

What I've started to do recently is throw the anchor out somewhere off the beach and then reverse in and coast for the last bit with the engine raised, paying out the anchor warp. You can then let your passengers off at the very last moment. Pull your self back out on the anchor warp until your happy to leave the boat.

Me too, and it seems to work well.

[blimp]

Thanks for the tips so far ... but ... what length of warp are you anchoring width? 3 x depth? More? If quite a lot, then aren't you leaving yourself with a heck of a swim if tide's coming in gently and an offshore wind is having a greater affect on the rib, thereby pushing rib away from beach?