Beaching ski boat in cornwall

[mylespe]

hello,<br />in the summer i am planning to take my 14ft Fletcher to Cornwall (UK). As many of you may know this area is renowned as a surfers haven. <br /><br />this implies (funnily enough!!) large surf. <br /><br />here comes the fun part<br /><br />how feasible is it to beach the boat - where i am staying is right on the beach and it would be nice to do so. what is the correct procedure - i have some idea but i dont want to be unsafe about it<br /><br />how big can the surf be before i should give up? i guess a lot depends on the type of beaches and so type of surf as well as weather conditions..<br /><br />any hints and tips as well as knowledge from you wiser and elder guys would be awesome<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />myles

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Beaching ski boat in cornwall

Please tell us a little more about the boat. What type is it? Motor or oars, etc. Once we have some facts, we can distort them at our leisure.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Beaching ski boat in cornwall

Is your 14ft Fletcher Small Enough,+ Light Enough that you'll be able to Drag it up the beach, To get it Away from the Surf ???????<br /><br />If Not, I Suggest you Leave it Home......<br /><br />I don't see you Mooring it, Unless it was Far out from the Surf...... By then the Coasties will be looking for you.......

 

[AW]

Re: Beaching ski boat in cornwall

Negotiating surf in any kind of boat is EXTREMELY dangerous, and should not be attempted without proper training and experience.<br /><br />Having said that...<br /><br />If you have enough power (and are crazy enough) you can theoretically get the boat on the beach in pretty big waves. The problem is getting back out to sea again, because the water isn't deep enough for the engine until you get past the surf.<br /><br />I'd guess for most guys 2 foot is a practical limit, altho I have done it in 5. <br /><br />The procedure I used was to swim the anchor out and set it, then wait for a break and push the boat into deep water.

 

[mylespe]

Re: Beaching ski boat in cornwall

yeah sounds like a risky nutty deal really - no problems in flat water though i guess. <br /><br />am probs unable to take her anyway due to lack of a towing hitch on friends car...oh well!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Beaching ski boat in cornwall

If you put your boat on the beach with even a light surf, you won't have a boat anymore after about 10 min. Best thing to do is anchor offshore and take a tender (small inflatable) to shore, but even that won't work if the breaks are over 2-3 feet cause you'll never get back out.