Boat Ashore, Vero Beach

[roland stockham]

Nope that's a CQR, probably 35lb. Bit small as a storm anchor for the size of boat, would be fine in sheltered conditions (i.e. in an anchorage!) but not for an open beach. Can also definitely be difficult to set in hard sand especially in a blow. The fact that it is laying on the foredeck suggest someone was in fact attempting to anchor. So could be the story but really only the Skipper knows what happened and probably does not wat to talk about it unless you get them drunk!!!

[Kenomac]

Poop happens. Probably the result of a cascade of smaller problems. Can happen to anyone. Hopefully, they'll be able to lift it off the beach and get going again.

Possibly the result of a clogged fuel filter, then the crew becoming to focused on restarting the engine, then before you know it....

Just one example of what can cause this sort of mishap.

[Delancey]

Was thinking CQR as can maybe can see that bar that connects the two flukes across the back but wasn't sure. But then thought the shank looked too narrow. I think you're right though, prolly a CQR

[MarkJ]

Why are the fenders tied where they are??

Why is the petrol gerry where it is?

I rekon theres a story...

[tartansail]

Here is an article from the local news about the boat:
Crashed sailboat may end up in dump at public expense - TC Palm

Most of the story is about the need to get the boat off the beach. This was interesting, though:

"It was about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16 that a John's Island security agent spotted the boat circling 500 yards offshore and no one appeared to be aboard.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter went out to observe and police finally spotted Clements at the steering wheel.

"He appeared to be unresponsive ... disoriented and confused" and police had to help him get off the boat, according to a police report.

Commission investigators continue looking into the boat's crashing on the beach and why Clements was unresponsive."

[redhead]

It makes more sense if it was anchored or on a mooring, but the companionway appears to be open (just a glimpse of it).

[colemj]

Originally Posted by tartansail

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter went out to observe and police finally spotted Clements at the steering wheel.

"He appeared to be unresponsive ... disoriented and confused" and police had to help him get off the boat, according to a police report.

Commission investigators continue looking into the boat's crashing on the beach and why Clements was unresponsive."

Well, if the police took the guy off the boat, then there really isn't much mystery in why the boat ended up on the beach. These things don't steer themselves back to their docks.

Mark

[susanna reiter]

Bad..lots of wind and small craft warnings daily....may have come adrift from anchor or mooring...that's what it looks like to me.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by tartansail

My brother-in-law took this picture today at Vero Beach, FL. Does anyone know the boat or the story behind it. Looks like they've come a long way to a sad ending.

WOW it looks like a oldnewprt 41like I used to have! draws a lot------it could be salvaged

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by susanna reiter

Bad..lots of wind and small craft warnings daily....may have come adrift from anchor or mooring...that's what it looks like to me.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Oh sure - it was anchored/moored in Atlantic ocean!

[Group9]

Originally Posted by fst415

My guess is that they were cruising close inshore and the engine died on them and before you know it they were up on the beach, unable to get the engine started.

Either that, or the autopilot was running the boat and they didn't program in the right course, and in the dark, they didn't know it until they hit bottom. Anytime I see someone running offshore in a sailboat with the sail cover on, I figure they are pretty inexperienced boat owners. Not the kind of people who would have known what to do, and how fast they needed to make that decision, once you hit bottom on a lee shore.

[dwedeking2]

seems weird that the police would take him off the boat but not secure the boat (make sure it was anchored, have one person pilot it back to dock, tow it into dock). Without knowing the details, seems that would have been cheaper/less work than dealing with it on the beach as it is now.

[susanna reiter]

No.....the ICW....Vero is on the ICW....lots of boats anchor out or are on moorings there. Look at a map of Eastern Florida, you'll get it. The ICW between the shelter Islands and the mainland can get pretty boisterous in these areas.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Badsanta]

Would love to hear the rest of the story but I'm not guessing.

[Cormorant]

Also kind of weird that after the initial report of "unresponsive and disoriented" -- which led to abandoning the boat . . . which thus seemed to me like he must have had a stroke or something really serious . . . after all that, he was released from the hospital the very next day. WTF? So, not a stroke. Maybe just drunk? Maybe a medication/alcohol interaction? Maybe just sleepy after a big meal?