Broke from mooring, stuck on sand, now what?

[travelnodes]

My 35' monohull sailboat broke from a mooring and drifted to run aground on sand. It rocks back and forth slightly at high tide with water on all side of the hull. But not enough to float to open water.

I have emptied the water from the holding tanks and the next significant high tide is a week or two away. How can I get this floated and free without hiring an expensive crane or towing service? Any ideas or experience?

There is no signs of water intrusion or structural damage of any kind. Some paint was scratched but other than that it looks fine.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/himTwCUoyj4pTFkGA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hXrEFDBB6HgombF79

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6BACgUrf1fSyM1Ti8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RYqpbSY3Mp775p4c9

[Wolfe10]

At low tide, can you use a shovel to dig a trench behind the boat?


Innertubes inflated and tied close to the keel may also gain you a little "lift".

[cal40john]

If not too shallow have a powerboat tow you to deeper water using a halyard from your boat to heel it.

This will only work if you're aground by a few inches at high tide.

[Jebtrois]

Depending on how deeply you are entrenched you could try suspending some type of heavy ballast off one side or the other via one of your halyards...dinghy filled with water or something like it. Kedging off is also a possibility by running out your anchor with said dinghy and then reeling it in at high tide; probably with the ballast off the side...
JEB

[Knotical]

Is it a private mooring or you are renting it? How did it break free?

Rental moorings should be insured, you may want to talk to the insurance company and get their advice, they may pay to float your boat.

How are you protecting it from hawkish salvagers?

[Greatest Lakes]

Dinghy filled with water slung off the side from boom or halyard does help a lot. Be very sure the rudder is free.

[Danm1]

From the pictures, it looks like you have higher ground and plants aft. Digging a trench and then winching back from the end of the dock might work. Can't see the contour to starboard, but maybe you could pull the boat sideways first and then out. That's where a halyard pull might help, but be careful that close to the concrete to port.

[Jebtrois]

I just looked at the pictures. So the divers in my area who scrub bottoms often also do salvage/removal of sunken or derelict boats. They have what is basically inflatable pillows that they straddle under the hull to float the boats. In your situation, so as to minimize any damage to the hull, you might contact some local divers to see if they have these items. They would provide additional and lower buoyancy that could float you right off that sea wall.
JEB

[Tetepare]

Lol water on all sides of the hull is stretching reality. Note the flora. You’re on a sea wall. Hire a tug and see if they can pull at high tide.


Perhaps a stupid question, what does your insurance company suggest?

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by Greatest Lakes

Dinghy filled with water slung off the side from boom or halyard does help a lot. Be very sure the rudder is free.

Egads, that second photo looks like the rudder cut down into the mud on its way forward. I would be very worried that any forcible movement, other than up, would damage the rudder or its mount.

[geoleo]

Looks like you can get a powerful truck crane right up close to the seawall and boat. There are some 100 ton with a 100 ft boom that can travel without escorts. But a 60m ton one should do it/. Have it all rigged up with 2 nylon 6inch wide (crane co should have them. slings with spreaders to reduce any compression loads . Then when hi tide comes the crane gently lifts and 'booms out toward the deep water moving boat until your afloat . then disconnect slings and get clear with a waiting runabout tow boaty. Probably cost $2000 for the crane. otherwise drag it off with several powerfil 200HP+outboard boats -but this risks hull damage .Sideways orfered because less chance of rudder damage.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Jebtrois

Depending on how deeply you are entrenched you could try suspending some type of heavy ballast off one side or the other via one of your halyards...dinghy filled with water or something like it. Kedging off is also a possibility by running out your anchor with said dinghy and then reeling it in at high tide; probably with the ballast off the side...
JEB

Looks like this would work with two kedges. One off the bow and one of the stern - together with the halyard ballast.

[JPA Cate]

A technique sometimes used is to get a motor boat to help you. Their job is to heel you over at high tide, till she's floating, then you motor together, at a comfortable speed for you, to deep water. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT HE ONLY KEEP YOU HEELED. You gave him your spinnaker halyard, and his only job is to keep you heeled over, so he needs to stay on your beam, so that your rig takes the heeling load in a way the boat's designed for. If they know what they're doing, it is amazing how much draft you lose at 45 deg of heel.

I hate it, but it is a way when other options just aren't where you are. One guy who knows what he's doing could help a bunch of sailboats.

You need to be clear with the power boater that if he gets too far astern (not staying on the beam), he can tear the mast out of your boat. Once when we did this, I had orders to cut the halyard if the mo bo got any more off the beam. It's a serious effort, and demands a great deal of attention.

Ann

[Manateeman]

There are several issues here. First, it looks like Florida. Yes? That means Law Enforcement. Next, where you landed. Very expensive neighborhood. I don’t think you see things from their side yet...they could be very nice or very angry.
Any chance they will let a crane on that lawn? We seriously doubt it.
You don’t have a name and port on the stern so we guess not a documented vessel. No numbers on the bow. No sticker for taxes. Don’t be surprised if you see spray paint on your hull. We suggest you contact them and ask their advice.
Florida has laws protecting mangrove plants. The rich get away with removing them but you just can’t start digging trenches. The owner of the sea wall could object to removing the sand as well. There are some very mean and selfish people in Florida who hate boaters. They pay huge taxes so they call the shots.
It’s an old boat and we would NOT put a big load on that mast. Go very carefully.
You can lock the rudder by clamps or a wishbone or drilling a hole at the top for lines. Try to keep it centered.
You might get away with a little digging and she might come off with one or two powerboats and or block and tackle to some big fortress anchors.
If the police show up, do not argue. Now is not the time.
Contact the land owner. Maybe he can help financially. Doing it illegally might cost you more than the boat is worth. Good luck.
Captain Mark

[hugosalt]

My actual experience with my (brand new) boat after Hurricane Gloria in 1985 on western Long Island sound....30 ft., 4.5' draft, 8500 lbs.
Boat came ashore, sandy beach, (with what seems from pics) much less water than you will have at hi tide.
Dug large hole around keel, dug larger hole around rudder.
Had work boat, from bow cleat, flip boat and pull to deep water. (10-15 ft to deepwater)
Still sail same boat.
Some thoughts...
If your boat is rocking at hi tide, wait to moon hi tide as you will have much buoyancy
and can flip from mast or bow cleat. In my case I decided to use line from bow to flip as I have seen a mast explode (wood)when pulled from top and with sand and mud, and no rocks felt dragging keel was lesser evil.
Also walked bottom to be sure no rocks.
Also was hi very end neighborhood, just explain to owner waiting for hi tide.
Much luck.