BEACHING YOUR BOAT

[Big Red]

It just might be me, but I am very anal about my boat. I would never beach my boat or buy a boat that has been beached. The bottom of my boat is as slick as the top " NO SCRATCHES " . I also see alot of people pull up to a dock and not use bumpers.

I know alot of people beach their boats but here is a pole to see how many peoples boats are all scratched up.

 

[powerstroker]

drive it like you stole it is my mato! But i dont have that much money wrapped up in my boat its just there to toss in the lake and do some fishing and skiing not a show boat!

 

[PapaMaC]

I don't take my boat out anywhere beaching is possible, but if I did I still wouldn't. Not really for scratches ( my check isn't flawless thanks to previous owners ) but you never know whats there until you hit it, hard! Momentum is worse than pressure, the more weight there is the more impact with each foot per second you move. 2mph might seem very slow but when you have 1,500lbs+ moving at that speed the damage can be extreme!!! If you are going to beach then invest in a keel protector at least!!!

When I canoe'd the suwanee 10 years ago (Boy Scouts) I saw a nice little ski boat water-logged with a nice big hole in the keel from a chunk of caprock under the mud .

 

[HobieHernandez]

I wouldn't say my bottom is scratched from the fine sand,,but the center does not shine anymore,,dull but still smooth..need to find a beach with a finer sand to bring the shine back ,,,lol....Wife don't like to go in water,so I need to beach it,,at 1st I wouldn't beach it but got tired of hearing,,Hon can you get the sun tan lotion,HON can you get me a soda,Hon can you get me,can you get me..Now I beach it and say get it yourself???LOL

 

[TheNerd]

Well, I dont have a New boat, so we use it. We climb all over it with sandy feet, beach it, and do whatever. Our goal is to have fun and use the boat. We do not abuse it, but it gets used.

 

[merc245]

I own 1 very used checkmate. Really a 14 yr to me, $21,000 boat is like a cigeratte lighter, use it up and diguard. Sure in a perfect world I wood'nt of evered beached either, but its not a perfect world is it.
So enjoy your boat till its end.

 

[wizard8575]

mine has been beached alot before I got it there is color missing on the bottom. some of the strakes are misshaped now also.

 

[dogschool]

I rarely beach my boat, but I have on ocassion, only if a nice soft sandy beach. and my 'mate is an '89 with a bottom as nice as most newer boats!
(some but not many or bad scratches) so I have to answer yes!

 

[TLB]

I haven't beached my boat yet, but the past owners have. I might in the future in the oppertunity presents itself

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

It all depends upon the bottom and conditions...if there are shells, rocks, etc. no beaching!! Soft sand or mud bottom, no problem...except if there are alot of boat wakes..

 

[Boston Predictor]

I beach my boats on sand only. Otherwise I anchor.

 

[83PREDICTOR]

I beach my boats on sand only. Otherwise I anchor.

I do the same. If I dont know the surface I get out to see it first.

 

[bigsbetter]

I beach mine on river sand all the time. If it's anything other than sand, I find an old tire or use a bumper to set on the keel. There's not a lot of 20 year old boats where I boat that look as good as mine. I take extreme care of the top and that's what I like.

 

[Boston Predictor]

Mine too. Its an 88 but shows like new. The entire boat doesnt even have a scratch on it, top or bottom.

 

[TR450]

As everyone else says I beach in sand or mud. Take care of your boat or not I think you would have to be a moron to beach somewhere where you are not sure of the bottom.

 

[doublechecker]

I'm with Boston Predictor. What drives me nuts though is the few times I've been careless while docking. My wife or friends and I are'nt always on the same page. I have vowed to always use bumpers this year!

 

[Mr. Buss]

if you hit the beach with enough speed, you can get the boat to tilt to one side, then you get right in and out of it!!!:cheers



good idea, ....right??

 

[zstevens]

i've beached mine i try to use bumpers too ! i use my boat it had some flaws when i got it ,i added 2 more .its not always rode hard ,but its never put away wet

 

[Enticer1]

No Beach

I carry 2 anchors so I don't have to beach, my Mate floats in less than a foot of water with the motor up.

 

[onthehammer]

I always have 2 anchors on board. I occasionally beach it though. No worse putting a few fine scratches on it than running sand paper over the bottom is there? You can't go fast with a beautiful shine on the bottom, too sticky!