Boating enthusiasts spend as much time on land as they do on the water, and sometimes even choose to anchor their boat on the beach overnight. Anchoring a boat on the beach overnight can be a bit tricky, but it is a great way to enjoy the beach and a night of camping without straying too far from the waters. This article will outline a few steps to make sure that your boat is safely anchored overnight.
First, you should measure the distance of the water depth from the high tide mark to the spot where you want to anchor the boat. This is to make sure that even when the tide is high, your boat won’t get pulled out to sea. Depending on the size of the boat, you should choose an anchor that suits the weight and size. The anchor chain’s length should be at least 5 times the boat’s depth and should be lowered with the anchor slowly and on a slack to the boat’s stern at a 45-degree angle.
After choosing a spot with enough water depth that is not too close to other boats or swimmers and dropping anchor, it is crucial to check if it has taken hold. To test this, you should turn the boat in reverse and observe if you’re not shifting your position. If the anchor holds and doesn’t budge, tie additional anchor lines to the boat to keep it in place.
It may also be necessary to adjust the anchor’s depth to ensure that the boat remains stable through the night. The anchor should be set correctly, depending on what type of bottom it is grasping. Some bottoms like sand, mud, silt, and clay are soft and will require digging in the anchor with some force to hold, while hard bottoms like coral rocks may require a different type of anchor to grip onto.
Finally, before turning in for the night, be sure to check the weather forecast and see if there are possible changes in the weather that might affect the boat. You might also want to ensure your boat is equipped with proper boat lighting and signalling gear to indicate it is anchored at night, and this is to avoid any unfortunate accidents with passing boats. With an anchor well set, additional safety measures, and the right type of gear, your boat can safely anchor on the beach overnight. Enjoy the beach from the comfort of your boat.