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Stuck in the mud

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Greg @ Lake Tahoe
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/26/2005 : 15:54:37

One of the fun parts about this forumn is sharing the trials and unfortunate situations we find ourselves in. Here is my latest. Our 2000 250wk is docked next to our condo in the Tahoe Keys. Sounds great, except we are in a very shallow portion of the Lake. Each year there can be a 2 foot swing in the depth of the water. I went to go for one last sail last weekend and was struck by the subtle angle that the boat was showing. The stern was sitting several inches lower than the bow and would not budge by my physical efforts. I am heading back to the lake this weekend to pull the boat out for the season (usually about the time the first snow fall occurs). There is about 150 feet to the opposite side of the channel that I can run lines to if necessary. I was thinking I could winch her off or possibly use a come along. Who else has found themself in this situation? When I do attach lines to the boat to pull astern, what are the best areas to pull from? Thanks,

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2005 : 16:33:39

So there are no tides & the water level has just fallen to where you're stuck? The wing keel likes to act as an anchor once you're stuck. If you're backed into your slip I would try pulling out, but if you're in bow first be careful not to stress your rudder trying to pull it out backwards. Good luck!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2005 : 16:33:53

Due to low water levels in my venue, I too have been left a little high and dry at the slip.

A couple of weeks ago as I was motoring over to where I get lifted out for the winter, I came across a friend in his C25 fin who was stuck in the muck about 10 feet from the nearest dock. When I came along, others had already tried pulling him off with lines that he had thrown to them, but this did little to free him. After I tied up my boat, I went over to where he was and I had him throw me one of his halyards. With halyard in hand off his port beam, I began rocking his boat side-to-side while he gave it about half throttle. As I rocked his boat it started to slowly make some headway until he was in deeper water.

I'm not sure if the halyard tilting technique will work with a wing keel, but you never know.

Edited by - dlucier on 10/26/2005 16:41:24

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2005 : 19:32:01

I've been stuck a few times with my WK boats, but never in a slip. IMHO I would first remove the rudder, engine and put every thing I had in the v-berth or as far forward on deck as possible. The key is get the nose down so the rear of the keel is point upward. With it setting nose high and if you pull from the rear you will just dig the keel in deeper. Once the nose is down hook your lines to the cleats and use some kind of winching device to pull it into deeper water. I would not use a halyard to pull the boat over since the wing acts like a platform and you may snap one off. How far from your slip to deep water, more than 3 1/2 feet? The way I usually get free is remove the rudder, everybody to the stearn, turn the engine full spin the boat a couple of times oneway then bach the other, 360's, ending with the boat pointing out the way we came in. Give it full throttle and move the engine slightly back and forth and out we go like a snake. As you can tell I have had experience with this unsticking business. If you can get her out of the slip you might give my driving out method a try.

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Greg @ Lake Tahoe
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2005 : 20:55:59

Outstanding advice. I see immediately that the rudder needs to come off and will move the weight forward. I have a Yanmar with sail drive, so my engine position needs to stay constant. I have to admit that I have had to dive under the boat in the recent past to remove weeds from my prop. The keys have a huge problem with vegetation overgrowing the channels. Is it appropriate to run a line around the front of the keel and winch astern from that point?

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2005 : 09:51:33

Whoa, the saildrive adds another rinkle to the problem. The main problem I still see is getting the nose down enough to keep the keel from digging into the mud like a anchor. I am not sure about roping around the keel. I have no idea about how that will effect the pulling aft. Do you know anyone with a sumgpot that could blow a canal from you slip to deep water? I've seen this approach a few times were there are low tide depth problems and as long as its a mud bottom it works. Of course, you might have to purchase your friend a new prop afterward because the sand will eat away some of the prop.

Edited by - on

Greg @ Lake Tahoe
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2005 : 12:03:57

Right. The good news is we have a very short distance from our compromised position to workable depth of channel. The bottom of the channel is mucky soft mud. I can put on a scuba tank and dig if necessary. One last question to the group: Has anyone compared the efficacy of the deeper sail drive prop to an outboard motor? I can see that I will continually have trouble with depth and vegetation fouling my propeller. An auxillary prop turning from a higher position seems sensible. The sail drive prop is a folding prop. If it gets fouled by weeds, it does not open and close properly and becomes useless until I go under the boat to clean it.

Edited by - on

Mad Dog
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2005 : 22:14:30

A lot of great ideas. Have you thought about rigging some truck inner tubes fore and aft of the keel for added bouyance?

Since your boat is at the dock, it would be easy to pull the inflated inner tube under the boat by slipping a line under the bow and leading it back towards the keel. The same process starting from the stern could be used for the inner tube on the aft side of the keel. The added bouyance would help releive some of the stress on the keel.

Just my two cents from someone that has sank my father's boat at the dock.

Edited by - on

Greg @ Lake Tahoe
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2005 : 12:03:10

Nice thoughts Mad Dog. This weekend is the time of reckoning. I see in the paper that snow showers are expected. How can we not love this hobby? I will update the group next week and expect congratuations or concillations.

Edited by - on

Greg @ Lake Tahoe
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2005 : 16:48:04

Success! With 4 motivated bodies, we were able to push our boat into the channel. Stuck again as we got off center! We used friendly neighbors to run lines to different postions and used come-along to generate extra power. I positioned the sails into wing and wing and benefitted from nice gusts. I was alone on the boat and had success when I developed a rocking motion moving from side to side. The day was far more successful than expected. Had nice sail and was only sail boat on Tahoe. There was snow the night before but only in the higher elevations (locals call it mountain dandruff). Thanks to all who sent me good vibes.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2005 : 11:57:21

"One last question to the group: Has anyone compared the efficacy of the deeper sail drive prop to an outboard motor?"

Biggest advantage to your saildrive is in a seaway. A sharp swell or big chop will cause even the long shaft outboards to have ventilation (grabbing air) or submergence (drowning) issues that can render them nearly useless.

Of course, you've discovered a disadvantage of the saildrive too... in a high-fouling area it will need regular attention with the scrub-brush.

In my sailing venue, I really wish I had an inboard or sail drive... in other venues, the advantage may swing the other way.

Either way, I wouldn't consider changing it out on your boat... far better off to sell your current boat to someone who wants the saildrive model (I think there are plenty out there who do).

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