Advice Needed on Anchoring at Sandbar

[craig240DA]

New boater here, We need to anchor at a sandbar with our brand new 240 DA and we really don't want to damage the boat. We did the Coast Guard classes. I only know enough that I need to drop anchor (1:7) and then back towards the shore.

I assume I need to lift the drive somewhat as I don't want to suck sand into the system?
Can I damage the drive by running with the drive up? I have also read about the angles of the u:joints and that I shouldn't run at an acute angle?
What else do I need to consider?

Lucky for me, my wife is extremely nervous about everything, and is extremely timid about doing anything with the boat, and extremely directive, and extremely into arm waving panic when no real situation exists so that this will really be a great time for us to enjoy the boating experience.

 

[Presentation]

Are you anchoring for the night during a storm or for a few hours of fun in the sun?

If its calm and only for a few hours you dont need the 7 to 1 scope.

More like 4 to 1.

I recommend you come in as slow as you can and once the depth gauge reads about three feet cut the engine, trim up the lower unit on your boat as far as you can then jump in the water and walk the boat in the rest of the way. With kids and boat anchor lines in the water this is the safest method on those busy sunny warm summer weekends. If it’s not busy you don’t need to do this.

Most boaters anchor with the bow pointed out away from shore with one anchor off the bow and a second anchor off the stern so the boat does not swing in circles bumping into other boats. Also, if you anchor is in a shallow area please tie a bumper, life preserver or other floating object to the anchor so people do not stub their feet on your anchor as they walk past.

Friends often ‘raft-up’ together, tying one boat to the next. It’s not unusual to see multiple groups of a half dozen or more boats rafted together

 

[Dave M.]

New boater here, We need to anchor at a sandbar with our brand new 240 DA and we really don't want to damage the boat. We did the Coast Guard classes. I only know enough that I need to drop anchor (1:7) and then back towards the shore.

If you really are anchoring on a sandbar, then I assume there is deeper water close by. You need to know how close and how deep. Consider what would happen if the anchor got pulled into the deeper water.

I assume I need to lift the drive somewhat as I don't want to suck sand into the system?

True, and the more you stir up the water with the prop, the more sand will be in the water everywhere, not just at the bottom.

Can I damage the drive by running with the drive up? I have also read about the angles of the u:joints and that I shouldn't run at an acute angle?

True, you should try and not operate with the trim too high. Read your owners manual for tips. I operate mine above the trailer cutoff position, but only at idle. Listen to your outdrive, it will tell you if it is not happy.

What else do I need to consider?

What Presentation said. Plus, you need to check out for yourself if the anchor is the right size for your boat, your sand, and your weather. Don't depend on someone else's formula, their boat, their anchor, thier bottom conditions, to work for you. I just did this a few days ago. I think the results say the anchor I am using, a Delta 14 lb unit, is too small for my boat under almost any condition.

 

[Dave M.]

Did not want to steal your topic, so made a related topic here.

 

[craig240DA]

Thanks

We did it and had a great time. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Nehalennia II]

Great picture Craig!

 

[Presentation]

Very nice!

Glad you had a fun time. :thumbsup:

 

[Dancin Dave]

dont forget to consider whether the tide is rising or falling and how to handle the anchor rode accordingly as it flucuates. you want to pay attention to this aspect.

 

[tobnpr]

Craig240-

Thought your boat looked familiar- I've got the 39' Express (and the 29' Chris-Craft docked ahead of her) a few doors down the canal from you...

Welcome to the neighborhood- and boating :thumbsup:

 

[cr0ck1]

Re: Thanks

We did it and had a great time. Thanks for all your help.

Thats an awesome boat.. makes me want to upgrade.. but i dont have enough hours under my belt yet.. im still using the motto "the faster you go the bigger the scratch" LMAO.. i suck at parking.

 

[craig240DA]

Re: Thanks

Thats an awesome boat.. makes me want to upgrade.. but i dont have enough hours under my belt yet.. im still using the motto "the faster you go the bigger the scratch" LMAO.. i suck at parking.

Thanks! Funny you mention the scratches, the first time out with it, I banged into a rock while idleing and took a bite out of the Skeg. 2 hours on the boat and I scratched it good. I keep telling my wife, "This is our practice boat" but the reality is, it is the coolest thing we ever owned.

 

[cr0ck1]

Re: Thanks

Thats an awesome boat.. makes me want to upgrade.. but i dont have enough hours under my belt yet.. im still using the motto "the faster you go the bigger the scratch" LMAO.. i suck at parking.

Thanks! Funny you mention the scratches, the first time out with it, I banged into a rock while idleing and took a bite out of the Skeg. 2 hours on the boat and I scratched it good. I keep telling my wife, "This is our practice boat" but the reality is, it is the coolest thing we ever owned.

haha.. scratched mine at caladesi island.. they had an exposed pipe below eye level and it did NOT have a rubber bumper on it..dont even want to know how much its gonna cost to fix.. lol

 

[comsnark]

Scratches and Bumper dock. Exactly why I bought used :grin:

Some good stuff in this thread. There are some areas near where I am where I would practice this technique.