Practical Boat Owner – May 2018

If the bottom’s soft and it’s a weather

shore, you could try gybing quickly (A) to

spin her off. Or, back the headsail (B) so

the bow blows towards deeper water

C. If that doesn’t work, put weight

out on the boom to heel her over

and reduce the draught. Also run

the engine in astern and push the

bow around with a spinnaker

pole and backed headsail.

D. On a lee shore, you’ve got to stop her going on any

further by running the engine hard astern, or getting an

anchor out. With crew weight on the bow, bursts of astern

and cranking in on the capstan might just wriggle her off.

E. If your mast and rigging

is strong enough, another

boat can heel and twist her

off. But it takes a bit of

setting up and isn’t easy.

F. A kedge anchor for winching off should be

big – if not use the bower. Put it in the

dinghy first, and then flake in the warp so it

can pay out as you row or motor well

upstream. Some find it’s easier to go astern

and let the line run out over the bow.

G. If you are really stuck, and the water’s dropping quickly, you need to act

fast to make sure she lays uphill and not downhill. A weight on the boom or

an anchor cable rigged to the mast should do it. It’s also worth sacrificing

some fenders and bunk cushions to save hull damage. Then settle down for

a long wait and let the coastguard know what’s happening – just in case the

situation gets worse.

98 Practical Boat Owner t http://www.pbo.co.uk

C

D

E

F

G