Beaching a Twin-Keel Monohull ?

[lorenzo b]

Is it common practice to beach a twin keel monohull sailboat at high tide?
I came across such a boat at the south end of Great Island of Wellfleet Ma. in an isolated area and assumed it had floated off it's mooring and washed up, but later that evening two guys showed up in another boat and went aboard to wait for the next high tide. This morning both boats were gone.
It seemed to me the boat was precariously perched on its keels and could easily been knocked over. What possible advantage would beaching a boat like this have over just anchoring out. At low tide anyone could just walk up to it and do whatever.

[FSMike]

In some places the tidal range is so great that it's the only practical way of being on a mooring. You see this a lot in the British isles, where I believe the twin keel design originated for just such purpose.

[Drew13440]

It's called a bilge keel. Our friend SaltyMonkey posted a pic in another thread - meant for high tidal range areas, as FSMike has pointed out.

[mintyspilot]

In the UK, the tidal ranges mean that many small harbours can drain completely at low tide. Thus bilge keels can be useful

Why Aren't Bilge Keels More Popular ? - Boat Design Forums

Here you go - a close up

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/w1040/w1040.htm

Another advantage - you can clean the bottom without a diver or a haul-out and inspect through-hulls.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

At low tide anyone could just walk up to it and do whatever.

And why should they?

Let's not criminalize dwellers of tidal countries! Even though I know that the attitude to private property can be different elsewhere ...

;-)))
barnie

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

Is it common practice to beach a twin keel monohull sailboat at high tide?

Yes.

Depending if in an area that the tide goes out. All our harbours were built on dry land

St Aubin's Harbour - Tide Out

St Aubin's Harbour - Tide In

Even Catamarans can do it

But outside a drying harbour or anchorage needs to be given some thought as not all twin keels deal with drying out (the more common phrase in these parts) in the same way / can cope with the same conditions. both the seabed and how exposed to the weather / sea state she will be when refloating - you don't want to be waiting to fully refloat in a couple of feet if the tide comes back in with a bad swell. or the surfs up Only so much pounding on the seabed that can be coped with (keels & rudders), both short term and long term.

One other thing to watch out for is how high is the tide you are using and how far up the beach you are going. If it's the highest tide of the year (and maybe assisted with a bit of high pressure) and you are going as far in as possible (or high up) - could be in for a bit of a wait to refloat

At low tide anyone could just walk up to it and do whatever.

Could do But folks on drying moorings (especially when a bit of mud is involved) tend to be freindlier than average. In foreign parts though I hear there be Pirates ashore

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Even Catamarans can do it

LOL. Excellent, David.

[Healer52]

Originally Posted by FSMike

LOL. Excellent, David.

Must have been in Oz...