Fishnut
Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 509
- Boat Info
- 2006 240 Sundancer
- Engines
- 5.0 Mercruiser with Bravo III Drive
Bow in, stern in, or offshore?
- Thread starter Scotto97
- Start date
keokie
Well-Known Member
- Dec 27, 2006
- 1,509
- Boat Info
- 2002 310 Sundancer, Westerbeke 4.5 Genset
- Engines
- 496's, Bravo III's, 2.2:1 Gears
Fishnut, the homes in Vegas and Phoenix are pretty cheap these days as well. As far as the weather at Powell and Mead, most days/nights there are no thunderstorms. But the weather forecasts always says "possible thunderstorms".
Tobnpr, a windlass might not move your boat, but it absolutely will move a 31 footer and very effectively, even in the worst of conditions. If I understand him correctly, Scotto could not power up to move to the anchor because his drive was against the shore. If his anchor had bite, a windlass would definitely pull him back out.
Also, as far as anchoring out in the open, it is tough when depths are very commonly 100 to 400 feet or more. Then there's the problem that the storms often come with torrential rain that will eliminate visibility at night, so you would need gps to know if you are free and radar to navigate (if it works in the rain). Oh, and the lightning that can occur will put the fear of God into anybody out in open water. Also, if you do come free and can't navigate effectively for whatever reason, you will very possibly be blown up against a vertical canyon wall (this is a little less likely at Mead). The accompanying 4-6 foot breaking waves make it impossible to fend off a vessel, or even yourself (many boats have sunk and drownings have occured from this scenario according to the park service).
As I mentioned, I know Powell quite well. Mead is similar. I would recommend anchoring stern to the beach. If done correctly, you will be secure in even the worst of storms. If you don't do it correctly, only the boat has to be at risk. The following pictures give a glimpse as to how we do it.
Tobnpr, a windlass might not move your boat, but it absolutely will move a 31 footer and very effectively, even in the worst of conditions. If I understand him correctly, Scotto could not power up to move to the anchor because his drive was against the shore. If his anchor had bite, a windlass would definitely pull him back out.
Also, as far as anchoring out in the open, it is tough when depths are very commonly 100 to 400 feet or more. Then there's the problem that the storms often come with torrential rain that will eliminate visibility at night, so you would need gps to know if you are free and radar to navigate (if it works in the rain). Oh, and the lightning that can occur will put the fear of God into anybody out in open water. Also, if you do come free and can't navigate effectively for whatever reason, you will very possibly be blown up against a vertical canyon wall (this is a little less likely at Mead). The accompanying 4-6 foot breaking waves make it impossible to fend off a vessel, or even yourself (many boats have sunk and drownings have occured from this scenario according to the park service).
As I mentioned, I know Powell quite well. Mead is similar. I would recommend anchoring stern to the beach. If done correctly, you will be secure in even the worst of storms. If you don't do it correctly, only the boat has to be at risk. The following pictures give a glimpse as to how we do it.
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Scotto97
Member
Keoke - You've been a great resource considering we boat in similar conditions. Fantastic pictures !!
I anchor the exact same way at Lake Mead but it failed me this time around.
Can you stay put even in severe crosswinds anchored that way? Or do you move out from shore to face the wind with a single bow anchor?
What type of anchor and size do you use?
How about stern anchors? I've been using a pair of large (Not the extra large houseboat model) Shore Spikes from the Box Anchor company with 50 feet of 5/8ths rope on each leg - is that enough rope?
Also on my 07 260DA the rear cleats are low and at the very back. Given this, would you recommend I secure the stern ropes to my center cleats that are higher up near the gunwale?
I still think my bow anchor line stretched under the force (It's only 1/2" triple braid) placing my drive too close to operate. Without a way to get offshore I was screwed.
.
I anchor the exact same way at Lake Mead but it failed me this time around.
Can you stay put even in severe crosswinds anchored that way? Or do you move out from shore to face the wind with a single bow anchor?
What type of anchor and size do you use?
How about stern anchors? I've been using a pair of large (Not the extra large houseboat model) Shore Spikes from the Box Anchor company with 50 feet of 5/8ths rope on each leg - is that enough rope?
Also on my 07 260DA the rear cleats are low and at the very back. Given this, would you recommend I secure the stern ropes to my center cleats that are higher up near the gunwale?
I still think my bow anchor line stretched under the force (It's only 1/2" triple braid) placing my drive too close to operate. Without a way to get offshore I was screwed.
.
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Don Sr
New Member
The Lake Mead storm moved to Powell on Saturday afternoon at Wahweep and Saturday evening at bull frog. six boats were sunk. The distress call were non stop into the National Park Service. Mid afternoon the Park Service was asking people to leave the Lake. This was our third visit to Powell and the second such storm. We were in a slip thank god this time. The last time I had to relie on my daughter pushing the boat off the rocks to start the engine. It was terrifying.
Like Keokie mentioned is the preferred way but I'm not sure I'd trust setting that front anchor on that slick rock or sand again. Last weekend (night before the storm) We found a cove were I tied both the front and the back of the boat to bolders on the shore.
Like Keokie mentioned is the preferred way but I'm not sure I'd trust setting that front anchor on that slick rock or sand again. Last weekend (night before the storm) We found a cove were I tied both the front and the back of the boat to bolders on the shore.
berth control
New Member
I think you were just a little too close to shore. If you were in 4 feet your outdrive was close to hitting already, and it could hit with dipping into the trough of those big waves.
Also, an anchor takes a certain amount of dragging to get "set", even in the sand. If you dropped the anchor and backed to shore without really tugging it in, you may have moved enough to set the anchor when the waves came, and that was also enough to come soft aground like you did.
About your anchor line, it may seem thin but that is by design. I was convinced mine was going to snap when I first saw it on that boat, but it is designed to stretch quite a bit during the waves. That way the anchor has a steady pull on it, not the jerking and slack that those waves will cause if your line does not stretch.
Also, an anchor takes a certain amount of dragging to get "set", even in the sand. If you dropped the anchor and backed to shore without really tugging it in, you may have moved enough to set the anchor when the waves came, and that was also enough to come soft aground like you did.
About your anchor line, it may seem thin but that is by design. I was convinced mine was going to snap when I first saw it on that boat, but it is designed to stretch quite a bit during the waves. That way the anchor has a steady pull on it, not the jerking and slack that those waves will cause if your line does not stretch.
DD2
New Member
We too have been on Powell for many years and I would offer one other comment here that should apply to Mead as well. If you are in a shallow beach, which I define as depth six feet or less 30+ feet from shore, I anchor bow out and use stern ropes to shore. If I am in a deep drop off area, with six feet or more depth off of our stern I will go bow in with tie off lines from the stern (I will "nudge" us up on the shore).
Another tip for Mead/Powell is to look for a beach such that you can face west as much as possible as this is generally the prevailing wind direction. Also, this tends to give you more shade during the afternoon and an early sunset.
We were on Powell last Saturday during the storm and enjoyed the rain and wind knowing we were tied off safe and secure.
Another tip for Mead/Powell is to look for a beach such that you can face west as much as possible as this is generally the prevailing wind direction. Also, this tends to give you more shade during the afternoon and an early sunset.
We were on Powell last Saturday during the storm and enjoyed the rain and wind knowing we were tied off safe and secure.
