How to anchor a dinghy off a beach?

[poiu]

Occasionally I want to do this. The challenge is to drop the anchor say 15m off the beach, then motor to shore, drop everyone off, pull a line and set the dinghy at the anchor, so it doesn't drift to the beach. Then to go come back after some hours and pull on a line, get the dinghy do the beach and off you go. This would be particularly important to do where the dinghy is heavy and can't be beached or if the beach is rough or if there is a strong on-shore breeze.



I am sure someone has solved the problem. How is it best done?

[tkeithlu]

I'm not sure that anyone has solved this one. There are a bunch of problems, including estimating the distance to shore, along shore current, tide, willingness to get wet, and the need to check the dinghy repeatedly when you had rather be exploring the beach.

My decisions, I can't call them solutions, have been to anchor on the beach if the dinghy is light enough to wrestle back into the water, and to anchor far enough out to not worry about grounding if it is too heavy. That means a swim to the boat, pull anchor, and nudge to shore to pick up people.

I see larger outboards anchored mediterranean style, stern to shore and a stern anchor at shore, as a good way to handle passing wakes. Perhaps that's the best answer.

[poiu]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

I'm not sure that anyone has solved this one. There are a bunch of problems, including estimating the distance to shore, along shore current, tide, willingness to get wet, and the need to check the dinghy repeatedly when you had rather be exploring the beach.

My decisions, I can't call them solutions, have been to anchor on the beach if the dinghy is light enough to wrestle back into the water, and to anchor far enough out to not worry about grounding if it is too heavy. That means a swim to the boat, pull anchor, and nudge to shore to pick up people.

I see larger outboards anchored mediterranean style, stern to shore and a stern anchor at shore, as a good way to handle passing wakes. Perhaps that's the best answer.

The stern anchor to shore works fine when calm and when there is an offshore breeze. I use it often, but it's no good for difficult circumstances.

[s/v Jedi]

In calm conditions we beach the dinghy. When we anchor off the beach we just use the one anchor and swim ashore. In those conditions you don’t want your dinghy so close to shore that one can get off without getting wet.

[poiu]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

In calm conditions we beach the dinghy. When we anchor off the beach we just use the one anchor and swim ashore. In those conditions you don’t want your dinghy so close to shore that one can get off without getting wet.

That's what I do too. I'm trying to find a way to not get wet for when I need to wear a tux and I would rather not go to the ball all salty.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by poiu

That's what I do too. I'm trying to find a way to not get wet for when I need to wear a tux and I would rather not go to the ball all salty.

That the occasion a heli platform on the stern is needed

[StuM]

A couple of options:


A big bungee cord:



What's an Anchor Buddy?


or a continuous loop:



https://www.boatingmag.com/clothesline-mooring/





https://www.sailmagazine.com/cruisin...ever-a-problem

[a64pilot]

Dinghy wheels
https://youtu.be/i4d0HczDUAE

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Dinghy wheels
https://youtu.be/i4d0HczDUAE

Yes of-course... I have a pair of the best for sale for who wants those
Not that they don’t work, but I can’t get myself to drill so many holes in my new aluminum transom

[SuW]

Originally Posted by poiu

That's what I do too. I'm trying to find a way to not get wet for when I need to wear a tux and I would rather not go to the ball all salty.

OK, clearly your dinghy needs a tender too. An inflatable kayak or airbed?

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Yes of-course... I have a pair of the best for sale for who wants those
Not that they don’t work, but I can’t get myself to drill so many holes in my new aluminum transom

I use a kayak dolly which was about $130. The surrounding strap to be wratcheted tight since my dinghy is way past specified capacity. So it’s a PITA.

Gotta say, I drop off passengers and wade in. The blessing of being husband, father, and skipper. If there is a simple and small solution I may use it.

[fgd3]

Drop the anchor. Bring the dinghy to the shore. Make the anchor line fast. Walk the shore line along the beach so the dinghy is anchored at an angle, which holds it away from the shore.


Fabbian

[Mother1ship]

Originally Posted by poiu

That's what I do too. I'm trying to find a way to not get wet for when I need to wear a tux and I would rather not go to the ball all salty.

see how James Bond did it, he was impeccably dressed for the ball!

[poiu]

Originally Posted by StuM

A couple of options:


A big bungee cord:



What's an Anchor Buddy?


or a continuous loop:



https://www.boatingmag.com/clothesline-mooring/





https://www.sailmagazine.com/cruisin...ever-a-problem

That's what I'm talking about. Some good internet searching done.



A giant bungee. I hadn't thought of that one. It would only work in a weak onshore breeze though. The other two were what I imagined having to do. They do look vulnerable to snags. I'm not sure it is a good idea to drag a line to the anchor from the beach to control the length. It would be better lifted by a buoy. The devil is always in the detail.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Yes of-course... I have a pair of the best for sale for who wants those
Not that they don’t work, but I can’t get myself to drill so many holes in my new aluminum transom

Four holes, I had to make spacers from Starboard though as there is a lip on the AB.
Never really had a need for mine yet, but they are mounted if I do.