Beaching Your Boat????
 

I constantly see in boat mags how owners park there boats right up on the shore line. I know it is a sand bar, but a boat is heavy and I would think the sand is like sand paper.

Does this not dull the gel coat after a while? Also when you try to back out of a sand bar does this churn up the sand and silt and pull it up into the water pump or do the sea strainers collect the sand (Bravo only). Alpha One = damaged pump and sand in the motor.

Just wondering I for one would not even attempt. To much time under the boat waxing :eek:

I don't frequent a lot of places where you can beach so it's not too often. But, I don't have any problems with beaching.

I think boats typically suffer far more damage from trailer mishaps then they will beaching.

Its like putting 40 grit on a da and sandin away

There just boats, I used to think different but I don't think twice about pulling up on a beach as long as I don't see rocks anymore, Smitty

It is hard on a boat. I beached mine for the first time and it made the keel look like crap. Im going to get a keel guard (kinda pricey) but worth it.

I don't anymore...

i am the 3rd owner of my boat and yes the gel coat is worn a little from beaching the boat but i will continue to beach it. Most beaches i land on are very soft more like a soft fine sand. Does it do damage? sure it does but like others have said iv put more dings in my gel coat from trailer mishaps than the sand could ever do!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...jr13/beach.jpg

That scene looks like it might be worth a little gelcoat damage! :drink:

Never have and only would in an emergency. Just anchor off shore a little ways.

Resale Value?
 

I guess if you plan to keep the boat forever its ok. Selling though would be a problem.

The bottom of my 1995 Mariah looks brand new and could not take away that shine.:eek:

Always wondered about it.

not true... most every boat that is for sale around here (riverside ca) is a havisu boat... and most every boat in havisu is beached at one point or another.

+1

I beach mine from time to time, but I don't typically drive up, I will cut off short, jump out and pull her in by hand. On the way out, I spin her by hand, push it out at least 4' deep and give her a mighty push before jumping in and starting. My gel coat is happy and clean, and no rock issues this way.

Your area is an exception I guess
 

I guess if all the boats are in the same condition in one region of the country it doesn't matter?

I can conclude from your above post that beaching does scuff/damage the gelcoat?

I understand this is the choice of the owner but just wanted to know if the wet sand would have an effect. Thanks for the info.

I have no problem beaching mine. As others have said I've ripped about 12-18 inches of my keel off from missing the trailer. As much as I didn't want to I have a keel guard on it to protect the repair.
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...p/100_1769.jpg

matt

powel?

also could someone elaborate on a keel guard? may consider adding one for some extra protection.(launch ramp, trailer mishaps)

Here you go....

http://www.keelguard.com/keelguard.html


Before

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...tombefore4.jpg

After

http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/p...0/100_3284.jpg

matt

Freaking trailer Queens , Stay home and keep your junk alll waxed up in the driveway and see how much fun you have. :eek:

LOL! Reading this thread reminds me of the no shoes, no food, no smoking, etc. etc. threads.

A boat is a depreciating asset. Just like a car or a truck, it's going to show signs of wear. A few scratches on the bottom isn't going to have a huge impact on value. Particularly on a 15+ yr. old boat.

I try to keep my boats in as good shape as possible. But, you can't turn back time.

Oh, and they say a sanded bottom makes you faster! :drink:

Yep, so why not? People need to look at what there bunks do to the bottom anyway. About the same.

:drink::drink::drink::drink:

Gel coat on the keel can be fixed easily for not a lot of money. The fun I've had on sandbars with friends is well worth the cost.
Actually though, if you do it carefully and there are no rocks, then it causes very little damage. We have a 3-6mph current, so there can be no anchoring a few feet off the sandbar.
I had my 28 Pantera for 5 full seasons and it was probably beached 8-10 times a summer. The gel was starting to get a little thin on the keel, but there was no real damage.
Here is a pic.

My boat is not trailer queen - in fact it gets partied pretty hard, but I still don't want to KNOWINGLY wear the bottom if I don't have to.

LOL. another interesting thing I've heard is some people actually keep their boat in the water overnight !
ed

And some let them sit outside uncovered all year with the bow jacked up high.......

Beaching
 

Good topic, its amazing during Desert Storm, every April, how many Big Money Skater's, MTIs etc,, are driven up and parked on the sand... Its definitely going to put some small/minor hair scratches on the sponsons, but people do it anyway..tBut I understand, its a boat, and as beautiful as they are, its certainly something thats fun too do, you just have to be careful...

I'll admit, we even do it with our boat, but its alot of fun to pull up on the sand, and watch other boats/people go by, so you just have to be careful where you pull up, and go as slow as possible.....:drink:

Depreciation?
 

Depreciation is one thing, wet sanding the bottom is another LOL.

:eek:

Somebody needs to come up with a pad or mat to put down and drive up on. Then everybody wins no damage and you are on the sand bar ready to party

There used to be pieces carpet at a few coves we go to.

The clear plastic seat protectors work great on the interior... although do tend to get very hot and pliable.
We just throw some towels over'um. :D

Just buy a boat it's not perfect and already scuffed At a discounted price then you don't have to worry about it so much and you can beach it and just have fun

Yes, beaching dulls the gel but as long as it's just sand I don't have an issue with it.

My wife wanted to bang on the boat this summer but I had to say no. Could have stained the interior you know! NOT!!!

:drink::drink: exactly, beaching, sand bar'n is some of the best boating times there are... you only live once so why not enjoy it .. even if that means a few scratches :)

My girlfriend's footprints (now wife) are still on the ultra-leather ceiling on the Formula. Long weekend so it's hard to remember how her feet got up there. :D

Sounds like some of you guys need to work on your trailer loading and launching skills. :)

Is that the reason you had the hull and deck problem?:lolhit:

You did that loading your boat?:eek::eek:

Maybe he powerloaded and missed !